Is this in Michigan, by any chance? (lots of antique steam engine fests around here this summer.)

8/8/2009 6:30:50 PM

Fantastic Mike - trying to remember the first post - did you add the smoke?

8/8/2009 7:27:58 PM

Mike,
really good composition and technique!
Thank you for sharing this photo and reminding us of the old days... : )

8/8/2009 8:18:43 PM

I adore IT! This has to be way up there in the GP competition, Mike. You've worked wonders wit the light, and the composition is unbeatable. Favorite!

8/9/2009 4:33:50 AM

This is so great.
The old timers are remembering the days, I can almost hear them talking.
I love old steam equipment.
OUTSTANDING.

8/9/2009 5:06:53 AM

Love this image, Mike. The light and clarity are amazing.

8/9/2009 5:13:19 AM

Thanks so much for the very kind comments! This shot was taken last year at the Sycamore Steam Show in Sycamore, IL. The image came to mind once again as this year's show starts on Thursday and I hope to make it there for at least one day. I made some tonal and contrast adjustments to the original image. I did not add anything but a few minor things were originally cloned out. This is an HDR image (3 shots - hand held). It was not posed, my wife pointed out the two gentlemen and I was lucky enough to get a few shots. :) Mike

8/9/2009 6:00:22 AM

Whatever you did...this is a wonderful image. The color, clarity and the story told through including the two old duffers! Love it! Sharon

8/9/2009 10:33:46 AM

Great HDR shot (of course, these guys aren't going to move very fast :-). Beautiful color and comp.

8/9/2009 6:12:59 PM

Sharon and Randy - Thanks so much! I did have to make some corrections to the image because one of the gentlemen did move just enough to cause problems. :) Mike

8/13/2009 8:18:28 PM

Fabulous!!

8/18/2009 6:52:20 PM

Kathy - Thanks! That means a lot to me! - Mike

8/19/2009 6:16:12 PM

Really nice story shot. Love the tonal tweaks.

8/19/2009 8:20:50 PM

Craig - Thank You! - Mike

8/20/2009 7:32:20 PM

This was a favorite when you first posted it and is a favorite again, Mike -- my pick of your August entries. I love the shot itself and the hdr takes it over the top. It really should final at least and, IMO it should go gold.

9/6/2009 7:09:28 PM

Nikki - Thanks so much! To me this is a timeless shot...I may never get another. :) Mike

9/7/2009 7:37:44 PM

amazing! awesome!

9/24/2009 10:16:20 PM

Thank you!!

10/21/2009 7:50:51 PM

What a lovely feel of the 'bye gone era'!-Wonderful shot Mike-Deepinder !

3/23/2010 8:30:46 PM

Deepinder - Thank You so much! - Mike

3/25/2010 6:38:39 PM

Congratulations on your outstanding finalist Mike!!!

2/10/2011 11:45:17 AM

So glad to see this as a finalist, Mike. It is such a big favorite of mine. Congratulations.

2/10/2011 11:47:39 AM

AMAZING work, Mike! Congratulations, my friend!

2/10/2011 7:33:17 PM

The Threshing Bee....nice work, Mike! Congrats!

2/10/2011 10:48:46 PM

beautiful... huge congrats!

2/10/2011 10:59:23 PM

Absolute amazing work! Congrats, Mike, on this wonderful finalist.

2/11/2011 1:04:21 AM

It is a beauty - congratulations on your finalist Mike!

2/11/2011 3:38:03 AM

Outstanding!! BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your very beautiful January finalist, Mike!! Gorgeous image!!

2/11/2011 12:05:22 PM

Black and White, Bright Colors, Full Frame or Cropped, it does not matter. You’re a winner! CONGRATULATIONS, Merna

2/11/2011 12:47:11 PM

Terrific scene to capture, and a great HDR; congratulations!

2/11/2011 4:39:22 PM

Thanks so much!! - Mike

2/11/2011 5:36:00 PM

Congratulations Mike on your win!!! What an awesome image!

2/11/2011 7:11:46 PM

Fabulous work and Big Congratulations to you once again Mike!!

2/11/2011 7:49:57 PM

A fav for good reason, Mike! It's a great shot and this is a wonderful edit! Congrat's to you!

2/11/2011 8:01:30 PM

WOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HUGE CONGRATS on your WIN!

2/11/2011 8:40:00 PM

Congrats, Mike!

2/11/2011 8:43:32 PM

Congratulations on your win!! This image is fantastic, everything about it. Congratulations, again!!

2/11/2011 9:27:06 PM

spectacular winner... congratulations!!!

2/11/2011 11:07:49 PM

This is priceless, Mike! Huge congratulations on your OUTSTANDING GOLD WINNER! Deb

2/11/2011 11:19:59 PM

Congratulations on your winner, Mike.

2/11/2011 11:26:24 PM

Fantastic photo and winner!! Congrats, Mike!!

2/12/2011 6:50:57 AM

So glad to see this favorite of mine as a winner, Mike. Congratulations.

2/12/2011 8:29:23 AM

Thanks so much! I decided to resubmit some images in January and it paid off!! :-) Mike

2/12/2011 8:50:19 AM

Congratulations on your wonderful winner!

2/12/2011 9:07:52 AM

Congratulations on the gold award. This is a new favorite for me.

2/12/2011 10:19:47 AM

WTG on another fabulous winner, Mike! :-) k

2/12/2011 11:44:54 AM

Congratulations again Mike on another wonder winner.

2/12/2011 12:48:14 PM

Congratulations on this great winner, Mike!

2/12/2011 4:12:06 PM

Congrats on this fabulous winner Mike!

2/12/2011 7:01:14 PM

Congratulations on this awesome Gold Winner...and very well deserved Mike!

jo ann c.

2/13/2011 10:40:43 AM

Congratulations on your stunning Winner Mike!!!!

~J~

2/13/2011 1:41:47 PM

Thanks for all of the very kind comments!! - Mike

2/14/2011 6:43:24 PM

EXCELLENT!!!
Congratulations Mike!! :)

2/18/2011 8:53:39 PM

Huge CONGRATZ on getting into the Winners' Circle again, Mike!!!

UB.

2/20/2011 10:30:32 AM

Datha and Usman - Thanks to each of you!! - Mike

2/22/2011 5:40:44 PM

This is fantastic. Congrats on your well deserved award.

3/4/2011 7:24:20 AM

This evokes so many thoughts and memories. I agree with others - this is an art piece. Congratulations!

3/9/2011 7:46:46 AM

Thanks! This is a personal favorite, so I was overjoyed that it received some recognition! :-) Mike

3/13/2011 8:39:31 AM