honorable mention
Eric Williams united states
title
Conduits of Steel
This railroad landscape is narrow, often not more than 20 feet wide, but forms a long, sinuous corridor that is often in harmony with the surrounding land. Wherever I travel, I see the distinctive line of the railroad corridor. My eyes follow the rails as far as I can, but soon the tracks disappear into the surrounding landscape. When the tracks are no longer visible, the defined landscape of the railroad continues as one long unbroken line linking rural and urban together.
This narrow landscape originates much of the history, lore and evocative power that are imbedded into the American psyche. It’s the railroad’s relationship to the land and its ability to link us geographically and culturally that inspire my vision. Where will the tracks lead me – for the silver rails don’t have a beginning nor an ending?
While his images span the breath of the American railroad system, many of the images are made close to his home, with some featuring the commuter rail systems that are integrated into daily life for many, including Eric.
With a deep understanding of the historical, economic, technological and cultural place of the railroad, Eric infuses his images with a subjective and emotional response that reflects his vision of the railroads within the American psyche.
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entry description
The railroad and landscape have been interwoven since the first line was constructed to link two places. Geography often influenced the route of the railroad, which choose to follow natural water courses, flatland and mountain contours to ease construction of their lines. When these same natural features are against the grain of the railroad’s course, they are overcome in spectacular means; often with giant bridges and earthen fills that dramatically impact the landscape. With the last major rail line constructed well over a century ago, nature has had plenty of time to obscure man’s alterations to the land and coalesce into a new landscape.This railroad landscape is narrow, often not more than 20 feet wide, but forms a long, sinuous corridor that is often in harmony with the surrounding land. Wherever I travel, I see the distinctive line of the railroad corridor. My eyes follow the rails as far as I can, but soon the tracks disappear into the surrounding landscape. When the tracks are no longer visible, the defined landscape of the railroad continues as one long unbroken line linking rural and urban together.
This narrow landscape originates much of the history, lore and evocative power that are imbedded into the American psyche. It’s the railroad’s relationship to the land and its ability to link us geographically and culturally that inspire my vision. Where will the tracks lead me – for the silver rails don’t have a beginning nor an ending?
about the photographer
Eric is a professional Creative Director with a passion for railroad themed fine art photography. He resides in Millburn NJ, and travels by train and subway daily to his Manhattan employer. While formally trained as an industrial designer, he is a self-taught photographer who combines his varied vocations and love of design, minimalism, and narrative to create imagery that highlights the relationship between people and the contextual environment of the railroad.While his images span the breath of the American railroad system, many of the images are made close to his home, with some featuring the commuter rail systems that are integrated into daily life for many, including Eric.
With a deep understanding of the historical, economic, technological and cultural place of the railroad, Eric infuses his images with a subjective and emotional response that reflects his vision of the railroads within the American psyche.
back to gallery
