Camera: Leica Q
Lens: 28mm Fixed Lens
ISO 100, 1/320 at f/8
Post-Processing:
Processed using Lightroom and Photoshop.
Apart from converting the image to black and white and making basic tonal adjustments, I kept post-processing to a minimum. I intentionally left the utility poles, overhead wires, and other modern elements in the frame. I know many in our group would suggest removing them to make the subject stand out more, but my personal preference is to preserve the scene as I found it. Unless an element is genuinely distracting or accidental, I prefer to maintain the authenticity of the photograph.
About the Photo:
This photograph was taken in neighboring Garland, Texas, and features the historic Pullman Coach Car No. 582. Built in 1910, the coach was donated to the City of Garland by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1976.
From 1910 to about 1930, Coach No. 582 carried passengers on Santa Fe's mainline steam trains and played a vital role in transporting troops during World War I. Between 1930 and 1949, it served branch-line routes, connecting small towns across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, including Garland.
Retired from rail service in 1949, the coach was converted into living quarters for a Santa Fe employee??”a fortunate second life that spared it from the fate of many similar railcars that were scrapped. Today, it stands as a well-preserved reminder of an important chapter in American railroad history.
16 comments posted
Brenda Fishbaugh
Sunil, I love trains. What a beautiful steam train coach. Yep, I would remove a couple of things, so I'll not suggest that ;-). And I would maybe choose a cool preset to add a sepia or rustic look, but since you want it to be minimalist, I'll not suggest that.
Always love your images and your eye. Posted: 07/04/2026 00:02:46
Sunil Mehta
Thank you, as suggested posting Coffee toned image, used NIK software. Posted: 07/04/2026 18:42:43
Kathryn Bundy
Sunil - I really like the BnW treatment and the crop. Your decision to leave the wires, etc in fit the image so it would have been difficult to remove them. My only concern is the electrical boxes on the one pole that are in the clouds - they aren't differentiated enough from the clouds. They're kind of murky. A sepia tone as Brenda suggested (or not) would be interesting to see. Posted: 07/04/2026 16:09:05
Sunil Mehta
Thank you, as suggested tried Coffee tone in NIK software and reposted. Please check. Posted: 07/04/2026 18:45:28
Sunil Mehta
Posted: 07/04/2026 18:43:48
Kathryn Bundy
Really nice - the train looks more special now (richer if that's the correct word to use) and the electrical boxes are clearer. Guess I need to play with NIK more. Posted: 07/04/2026 19:07:51
Sunil Mehta
Thank you. Posted: 07/09/2026 02:40:20
Brenda Fishbaugh
I do like the coffee look. Feels a little older. Thanks for trying it out! Posted: 07/04/2026 19:08:33
Sunil Mehta
Thank you. Posted from sunlit side in replay to Robert. Posted: 07/09/2026 02:39:59
Robert Schleif
I like your viewpoint on authenticity. If it were possible to photograph the coach from the sunlit side, it be even more dramatic. Posted: 07/06/2026 21:03:57
Sunil Mehta
Thanks for your thoughts-I appreciate your viewpoint. I do have photographs of the coach from the brighter, sunlit side. In fact, I posted one of those in a local photography club. I shared this version here because I wanted to hear opinions from a different group and compare the feedback. I've attached the sunlit version below. Posted: 07/09/2026 02:38:01
Jean Wu
Good suggestions and recommendations from Brenda, Kathryn, and Robert. Personally, I prefer the BW version of this image. I'm glad you reserved the original scene and only removed 3 squares (underground water swage covers, I guess), which are distracting and not adding any value to the image. Posted: 07/07/2026 17:50:07
Sunil Mehta
Thank you, i have posted photo from sunlit side in replay to Robert. Posted: 07/09/2026 02:39:18
Robert Schleif
After cropping the left and right (and top to remain balanced) and removing the distracting elements on both sides, I prefer the shot of the sunny side. Posted: 07/10/2026 00:39:46
Pei-Fan Mu
Nice work, I have no more commend. Posted: 07/10/2026 22:01:19
Ed Ogle
I would remove the interpretive sign because I fund it distracting. The power lines are great. I've developed an appreciation for power lines and power infrastructure lately. I would bring down the highlights on the front roof of the train car a bit. Posted: 07/12/2026 14:56:06
