keith_bogut

Very nice lighting, nice bokeh, great depth of field.

The birds are Cedar Waxwings.

This is really exceptional.  The DOF looks perfect, the capture is near perfect, with both wings nearly symetrical, the backlighting, the boka, and the feather spread.  I've been trying to take similar shots from behind the subject, to capture the full flare just before landing, but I haven't been nearly as successful.  I can appreciate how hard it is to get into position to capture a shot like this. 

I assume this is a cropped image and you've experimented with subject placement, so I won't comment on that.  The only critical point I'd make is that it's a little dark.  I'd lighten the background for sure, and the body of the bird.  If that blows out the feather tips, maybe burning would be more effective.  I'm no expert in PS, but I don't think this would be too hard to do.

Congratulations on a great shot.

I like this a lot.  You did a good job capturing detail in the dark foreground and I love the color.  I like the darkness of the street, it adds a lot of mood.  I don't know how much post-processing you've done to get here, but you've lost detail on both the light and dark end.  I'm no expert on PS, but if you could bring out some detail at the top right, top center wall, and sky, it would add a lot.  Likewise, lightening detail on the building at the end of the street would help.

Overall, you did a very good job in a very difficult lighting situation.

John,

Interesting subject, but not a very compelling photograph (to me).  The lighting is not flattering, looks like midday.  The tall weed is distracting,and the short grass in the foreground detracts from the "abandoned" "decaying" look.  It looks semi-mowed, which suggests nearby human activity, which contrasts to the aging train.  I'd suggest going back in different lighting situations (early or late day), or getting closer and focusing on some  detail of the car itself (e.g. rivits around a rotted window, rusty wheels, etc.).  You might try making it a black and white photo, adding more contrast, or taking some interior shots.

I know it's tough to be there in perfect light, and most times you just have to do the best you can whith what's there when you find it.  I hope I haven't offended you, just trying to be helpful.