Maersk Madness Winners Announced!

[kyphur]

That was a fun short contest... It's great seeing so much action in the Train Tech forum.

I hope the next contest is for number of green baseplates in a single photo!

[vlai23]

Thanks to everyone for all the kind comments & votes. My favorite entry was Holodoc's with the bike. That really made me laugh.

This was my first time entering a contest...I was definitely struck by madness! I'm looking forward to more in the future. I just need to work on my camera white levels in the meanwhile.

[Si-MOCs]

*tips hat*

well done gents.

[wondermonkey]

Woohoo! Thanks guys!!! I will wear it proudly! I really enjoyed these pictures, especially Vlai23's Mad Tea Party!!! I never would have thought of that.

[Legobrandon]

Great contest TheBrickster. I had fun building my entry. Congratgulations to Woolie, Vlai23, and Wondermonkey for winning the special train tag.

[Nebsirob]

Congratgulations to Woolie, Vlai23, and Wondermonkey.

And thanks a lot to TheBrickster for this contest.

[L@go]

While I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get a single vote, it doesn't really matter - because there's no doubt in my mind that the top three entries were the three most worthy winners. So congratulations to you, guys! :)

[Ralph_S]

Congratulations guys.

My effort went into the model itself, and not into the picture. The winners definitely made the most attractive pictures, and I particularly liked Woolie's.

Cheers,

Ralph

[LEGO Guy Bri]

Congratulations to the winners! Your tags age awesome, so envious! Great job to all entries, some really stood out, and especially 'Woolie' for his winning shot

[Piranha]

Congrats to the winners!

[WesternOutlaw]

While I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get a single vote, it doesn't really matter - because there's no doubt in my mind that the top three entries were the three most worthy winners.

Really good spirit L@GO and a great example of what this community is all about. Thanks for being an awesome sport and congratulating those that made the top three (and that's to all those that took some time to say nice job to our winners). This motivates me to have more contests in the future.

[L@go]

Really good spirit L@GO and a great example of what this community is all about. Thanks for being an awesome sport and congratulating those that made the top three (and that's to all those that took some time to say nice job to our winners). This motivates me to have more contests in the future.

Haha, I just noticed my new title :) thank you for that!

[Niku]

Congrats to all participants and specially to winners.

So many original entries.

And thanks to TheBrickster for ,being so mad, giving unexpected titles and organizing this funny contest.

[woolie]

Thanks again everyone.

I've been hit hard with the train bug, and I'm now hard at work drawing up schematics for a pretty cool train station in LDD now. It will probably take me a while to buy all the parts and build it, but I'll be sure to share it here when it's ready.

[mrfootball]

I recognize that. It's my hometown, Houston, Texas...somewhere near buffalo bayou and Memorial Park.

Here is a 3:4 (640x480) aspect ratio crop.

LEGO Maersk Train 10219 (alternate crop) by wools, on Flickr

If possible, you can set this version as my official entry. You can also click through to view it full size.

Since a couple people asked, here is how I set up the shot. Warning, obsessive photo nerd level of detail ahead :)

I had a couple different train crossings in mind. I used Google Street View to check each one out. I needed a clear view of both the train tracks and signals, the downtown skyline, few obstructions in the background, and low traffic. It also had to be a relatively safe area -- that excluded several spots that were otherwise excellent. Anyway, this is the intersection I ended up using, in a very yuppie area:

http://g.co/maps/h7n5x

(street view link to basically the same framing I used)

I brought a cardboard box about 2x4x2 ft. I used a 12 pack of Cokes to weight it down so the wind wouldn't knock it over. I setup the base plates and track (I haven't ballasted any of my track yet -- I actually don't have enough to make a full circuit yet...) on top of the cardboard box. I then moved around a bit with my camera to find the right framing... crawling on my knees :P I used a *very* wide angle lens (17mm, full frame) that can also focus quite close to get the forced perspective I wanted. Finally, I found the right spot, moved the box, and setup my tripod down on the ground (the legs splay out to get really low.) I initially wanted to do the shot with the sunset, but it took about 30 minutes to find the right framing and exposure. Anyway, I settled on 30s, f/16, ISO 400, at almost minimal focus distance -- the front element of the lens was only about 6 inches from the Maersk locomotive at these settings. I tried some with a smaller aperture, but in the end felt the slightly out of focus background made it look more realistic. It is hard to translate "normal" depth-of-field to what you want when you're shooting models at very odd perspectives. I used live-view to get the focus correct (using the flashlight to as an AF illuminator). At the start of each exposure, I would flash the light for about 1 second to s

mulate the train's headlights. Then, I would quickly scan across the length of the engine to get enough exposure (it was very much in the shadow, compared to the brighter street and skyline in the background.) I made sure to hold the flashlight pointing upwards to minimize exposure to the baseplates. Anyway, it did unfortunately give some streaking effect on the side of the train because the flat sides of bricks are quite reflective. Normally, I would have post-processed to burn down these highlights, but that was not allowed in this contest.

Anyway, this contest was a great idea. I hope there are similar ones in the future :) It put two of my favorite things together.

[Holodoc]

Congrats guys for those really great entries!

The winners were all wel deserved.

And thank you, TheBrickster for hosting this little, mad contest. It came right at hand.

[Mencot]

Congratulations to the winners! Great shots every one. And big maddness thanx to The brickster for hosting this contest.

Maddness on

And yea this is really MAERSK

[WesternOutlaw]

You're most welcome guys - I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

This contest also demonstrates that we don't always have to build an incredible MOC nor offer a free LEGO set to have some fun. This makes it even more enjoyable. I enjoyed the craziness in the posting and the spirit of the fun.

[Brickmamba]

Nice shots and congratulations to the winner

[astra]

congratulations to the three winners! really nice work and well deserved!