Friday, December 19, 2008

Slow Train Coming

There was a time when "hoppin' a rail" meant freedom, manifest destiny, a chance to stumble into something greater than ones self. Or, as a photographer once waxed nostalgic, where Woody Guthrie would have roamed.


But the rails are dirty, dangerous ribbons of metal and men; where hot days and cold nights rule. The rail riders today are not the charming hobo's from the past, sitting around a campfire singing in simple prose. They are outsiders; beyond Madmax and the Matrix. All at once angry, but scared to admit a simple fact, that they are alone, tossed aside, discarded.

I see the rails a lot in my job. I never considered them for anything other than for their utility, which is why I decided to 'train' my camera lens on them for a day. The result is the above photo, entitled Slow Train Coming. Hopefully, it evokes that sense of taking you some place further than when you started.

3 comments:

K Hutchinson said...

WOW this is a super cool photo!

Hope you have a Very Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Fantastic photo Curtis. What an incredible composition. And especially good looking in b&w. Thanks for sharing!

Lesa said...

Your photos rouse my emotions in a good way. Just like your art and telling. I've been sitting here for long minutes looking into this vivid photo. Mesmerized.