CSX NB at Kingsport, TN by ERIC MILLER

I don't know about this one...I like the colors on the dwarf, but it's framed right in the middle of the photo and it clashes with the train. Even with the train intentionally blurred and the signal carefully positioned in front of it, my eye has difficulty finding a point of focus. The foamer in me wants to look at the train, but since it is out of focus, I'm forced to look at the signal, which, no matter how prominently placed, does not command enough attention on its own. The shot needs a little more breathing room, and there's too much dead space on the left in my opinion. I'm not sure if I'm the only one that thinks this, but my first impression is that the photo is unbalanced and the subjects appear a bit jumbled together. I have viewed it multiple times on separate occasions, and each repeat viewing fails to unveil any more interest and/or depth. Nice idea and good eye, but I don't think it really works in this instance.

Thanks for the comments. This photo was intended to challenge "conventional" notions about railroad photography. The subject of the photo is indeed the dwarf signal; the train is only secondary and hence why I rendered it out of focus. The composition was chosen to include the little skiff of snow at the base of the signal, the two occupied yard tracks on the left, as well as snow on the distant hills; thus, the left isn't really "dead space." To the right of the engine are three switch stands which add additional color.

Again, though, thanks for the comments.