A big challenge for me has been to embrace the idea of becoming more "artistic" in my image making.  
Mabry Fall ReflectionsMabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most photographed location on the route.

Visitors can enjoy the chance to see how life "was back then" through living history demonstrations on the weekends during the season.

Spring flowers abound and everyone should experience the beauty of a Blue Ridge fall at least once.
I was born and raised in the "realism" camp of photography where especially railroad photography was designed to capture the actual moment.  There was not a lot of room for artistic interpretations and photoshop was (still is in many circles) a crime.

When I go out railfanning these days, I find myself searching for the less obvious, the historical, or the unique.  Something different than the me too shots of the next train, or a special paint scheme.

I believe that we are each capable of creating something "better".  
Taking what we "see" with our camera and making it into something that tells an entire story visually. 

The end result isn't "photography" per se, but more digital art. I've never had any talent with a paint brush or drawing, but I've found a way to express that desire to create.  It is my own way to be an "artist", something I never thought I'd call myself.