If you are visiting our website you (or someone you know) have (has) an interest in railroads or drag racing.
We welcome your interest in the collection of images we have compiled and hope you can find a photograph or two that you would enjoy to display in your home or office.
Our goal is to provide you with the finest quality photographic enlargements possible. Quality control has been exercised throughout the photographic process from exposure to final printing. As described below, we have preserved the original film negative color dye images to the best extent possible.
Most of the railroad scenic photographic locations were selected by researching topographic maps and timetables and by physically “working the line” prior to making the exposures. Our objective was to capture the essence and art of classic railroad publicity photos of the 1940's and 1950's.
The majority of the original negatives are 6x7 cm (2-1/4” x 2-3/4”) exposed through either a Mamiya RB67 or Pentax 6x7. I started out with the Mamiya medium format system using the 127mm lens as a primary standard lens with the 250mm for telephoto. The size and weight of the camera required the use of a tripod. 6x7 is regarded as an “ideal format” as the ratio of the height to width of the negative better matches popular photographic paper size ratios than 35mm or 6x6cm. The larger, better proportioned negative also allows for a smaller degree of enlargement, resulting in sharper printed images with less apparent grain when printed.
Although the RB67 is a fine studio camera the shutter of the Pentax 6x7 freezes action in the field better than the RB. I started using the Pentax with the 105mm or 90mm as standard lens and the 200mm as telephoto. In later years I used very little telephoto as I felt that these lenses created a “tunnel vision” effect, particularly on scenics. On the other hand, most of the “cross track” auto racing photos were taken using a telephoto lens.
All of the color negatives have been desiccated and frozen in foil pouches for dye image stabilization, and have been specially stored for the purpose of creating custom color enlargements. For the most part the scenics depict clear and colorful weather, devoid of smoggy, diffuse or hazy lighting. All negatives attempt to capture the human eye's potential for color, contrast and perspective.
Only a small portion of the collection is presented at this time. We will continue to add new negatives in all categories if there is an appropriate level of interest. Our current goal is 50 new photos added each week.
The photographs are being initially offered in an enlargement print size of 8-1/2 inches x 11 inches. In the near future 11x14, 11x17, 13x19 and 13x39 panoramic (panoramic on select negatives only) enlargements will be available. Enlargements are printed on premium gloss photographic paper, perfect for display or framing purposes. Custom print sizes or paper surfaces are available on a special order basis, please inquire regarding pricing and turnaround time. With an appropriate level of interest in the collection we plan to offer 20” and 24” wide color and black and white enlargements in the future.
Three books are in the layout stage, "The Contemporary Daylight", "The Drags at OCIR" and "End of an Era: Western Railroads". The "End of an Era" book will actually be a series of books for each railroad featured on the website. Please bookmark our site for developments on these exciting projects.
Thank you again for your interest in the collection. We hope that you enjoy your visit to our site!