Tom Buckard
April 2026 - New Orleans Streetcar 2023
About the Image(s)
While visiting New Orleans, I quickly fell in love with the iconic streetcars. Beautifully maintained and effortlessly charming, they offered not only a reliable way to get around but also a glimpse into the city’s rich character. This photo, captured at dusk, reflects their timeless appeal.
In operation since the 19th century, New Orleans’ streetcar system is one of the oldest continuously running in the world, an enduring symbol of the city’s history and culture.
Captured with a Nikon D850 at 1/400 sec, f/7.1, focal length 230mm, ISO 2500, manual exposure, using a Nikkor 28-300mm lens, ISO 200.
14 comments posted
I like how you composed the streetcar so that it's off-center. The space at the back creates the sense of distance and travel. I also like how the rails lead directly to the streetcar. The bright headlight also brings the eye directly to the subject. For my taste, however, the image appears static -- like the streetcar is just sitting there. I realize that this was the only way to shoot it from your position. If you make another trip to New Orleans, you might try getting a similar image with passengers getting on and off, a line of streetcars, maybe even blurring their motion. Just a couple of ideas for the future. Posted: 04/01/2026 13:28:54
Mike, thank you for your comments. Have to remember it was very dark and these trolly operators love to lay on their horns. He was moving and I was too close for comfort for him. I did get some images when I was to the side of him that showed motion blur. Posted: 04/07/2026 23:46:58
Nice composition as Mike says. I know it's dusk but as it's a tram on lines, could you open the shadows up a bit to show more of the track to give us a sense of placement? Posted: 04/01/2026 21:51:12
Nigel, thank you for your comments. Very dark and to get this image to this point I had to use LR & PS extensively. I was striving to show how dark it was but I certainly understand it can always be better. Posted: 04/07/2026 23:53:37
It's a good capture. I like the dark surroundings. It makes the train stand out. Maybe a little reduction of train top brightness. Posted: 04/03/2026 17:25:57
John, reduced the white brightness of the top of the trolly and it made a huge difference. Thank you... Posted: 04/08/2026 00:00:25
Tom, when I said open up the shadows I should have added - behind the tram - we can see clearly the front. Posted: 04/04/2026 02:12:00
Nigel, do you think this is any better? Posted: 04/08/2026 00:28:53
I like the revised version Tom - good job. Posted: 04/08/2026 15:34:04
Tom
this is a nice urban landscape image. This image immediately let the observer to recognize what is the subject and technically is perfectly exposed. You have enough foreground with the rails leading to the subject, but also the border of the street is creating a leading line. I agree with Nigel, that opening a little the shadow in the background would help the image. Otherwise it appears just like a black space that doesn't help the image.
Kind regards
Michele Posted: 04/06/2026 15:07:20
this is a nice urban landscape image. This image immediately let the observer to recognize what is the subject and technically is perfectly exposed. You have enough foreground with the rails leading to the subject, but also the border of the street is creating a leading line. I agree with Nigel, that opening a little the shadow in the background would help the image. Otherwise it appears just like a black space that doesn't help the image.
Kind regards
Michele Posted: 04/06/2026 15:07:20
Michele, the camera I use has huge dynamic range only .3 EV stops less than your awesome camera and I surmise that is why I could bring this image out of the darkness at all. I will definitely try doing what you and Nigel suggested with the dark background although the background as I remember was busy and ugly. As always thank you for all advice Posted: 04/08/2026 00:13:04
Nice composition with the track leading to the main subject the street car. The bright street car top immediately grabbed my attention. I see you reduced that in the edited image. Nice job. Posted: 04/08/2026 14:58:33
Thank you for your comments Spring. Greatly appreciated... Posted: 04/11/2026 01:52:13
The vibrant red streetcar makes for a striking focal point against the muted and dark greenery. The tracks serve as leading lines to help guide the eye into the frame. I also agree with the rest that a touch more detail in the shadows help balance out the image. Posted: 04/15/2026 20:56:48