Fine Art PhotographY
ON THE RAILROAD
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All Images © Copyright Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved
9647 THE RED NOSED ENGINE
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Retro style side view of three old diesel locomotive train engines on the tracks, the lead engine with a red nose. Shot from a perspective to convey motion, and processed to give an old fashioned vintage feel to the image. Trains were a huge part of building our nation, and remain a vital part of its infrastructure. Their design and function are pretty timeless, so it is easy to imagine them rolling in from the era of their origin. That's why I usually choose to depict them in a way that gives a nod to their historical origins. From the most early forms of the art, photographers have used various processing equipment and techniques to produce a desired look, and to convey a specific story. These days it is mostly done digitally, but the principal is the same; to craft an image that invokes a desired thought and / or feeling. Hopefully this does just that. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
ATSF 999457 BETWEEN THE AGES
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Selective color side view of an old red Santa Fe railroad caboose rail car. Processed using a combination of techniques to produce a retro / distressed look. Caboose rail cars came into use in the 1830s. They started as a simple shelter for rail crew to observe from, and evolved into a sort of rolling employee lounge. Some were equipped with sleeping quarters, kitchens, and offices. This particular car was built in 1942 and saw many years of faithful service before retiring to the train station in Cleburne, Texas. The number of miles turned to memories on this beautiful old rail car is simply staggering when all tolled. Shot in Cleburne, Texas. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
CABOOSE 13732
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Selective color retro style view of a retired old caboose rail car parked at the end of the railroad tracks. Caboose rail cars came into use in the 1830s. They started as a simple shelter for rail crew to observe from, and evolved into a sort of rolling employee lounge. Some were equipped with sleeping quarters, kitchens, and offices. Hopefully this one will receive some much needed restoration, and be around for a long time as a reminder of some important history. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
ENGINE 1439'S SEEN STUFF
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Abstract view of old diesel train engines on the tracks, with a twist or two. This is one of those images that I prefer to let the viewer use their imagination rather than give an in-depth description or story. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
GOOD SIDE OF UPY 1476
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Side view of an old diesel utility train engine sitting on the railroad tracks. Shot from a low angle looking upward, diagonally facing the rear of the utility engine, enabling a perspective that portrays the engine's larger than life stature, and displaying the power and strength these machines embody. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of age and distress but in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
GREEN ISN'T ALWAYS GREEN
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Retro style, selective color view of an old, green colored, diesel, locomotive freight train engine on the tracks, facing the camera, shot from a slight angle to give a vanishing perspective. Processed using a variety of techniques to give an aged and distressed look. While these old beauties remain an amazing accomplishment of technology, and are vital to our infrastructure, one has to admit that they aren't exactly eco-friendly and will surely someday be replaced by something truly green. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LLPX 2266 NO FOOTBOARD
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Green colored old diesel locomotive train engine on the tracks with a couple more behind in tow. Shot from an angle to give a slight vanishing perspective and simulate motion toward the camera. Processed and edited using a variety of techniques to give a look of an aged photo in the process of being restored revealing the colorful original underneath. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LOCOMOTIVE TRIFECTA
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Selective color side view of an old red locomotive train engine on the tracks with a couple of blue engines in tow. Whenever I get near these beautiful machines, I get a sense of power and strength. After all, not many vehicles can boast an average payload of 12,500 tons, or 25,000,000 pounds! When shooting, I do what I can to convey that power by shooting from an angle that helps put their features in perspective to scale, and include a diminishing perspective to imply motion. With an average output of 4,000 to 18,000 horsepower coming from each of these engines, there's no doubt, they are a force to be reckoned with. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LOCOMOTIVE TUG-O-WAR
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Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LOCO POWER
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Head on view of old locomotive train engines with a slight vanishing perspective. Living in an area where trains frequently pass through town on their journey; one tends to eventually tune them out, so to speak. Most of the trains that travel in and around this area of the country, appear pretty much the same as the rest. Sporting the same basic design, colors, and so forth. That's part of the reason that these stood out to me. With their vibrant colors, unique design, and quite frankly, very loud powerhouse motors; these beauties definitely demand attention. And are a reminder of a time, that a train passing through town, was really a big deal. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LOSING MY CABOOSE
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Selective color view of a row of 2 yellow diesel locomotive train engines, one blue engine, and an old red caboose at the end, obviously disconnected from the rest. Shot at a 45 degree angle from the front left side with a vanishing perspective to give a sense of motion. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a vintage / distressed look in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LOVE OF TRAINS
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Side view of an old, diesel locomotive freight train engine on the railroad tracks with a couple more in tow. Shot under ominous looking cloudy skies, at an angle that makes the engine appear to be breaking through the clouds. A couple of small bare trees off to the side give a sense of the atmosphere that the cold weather along with the rigid steel of the trains produced. A slight vanishing perspective helps to convey a feeling of motion. I process most train images with a retro look, and usually consider a sort of tongue in cheek type of title that describes the scene. However for this image I stuck to a more "purist" process and look, and the title was simply due to my love of trains as a subject to photograph. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
MEAN MACHINE GMTX 2679
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Selective color diagonal head on view of an old green diesel locomotive train engine; GMTX 2679, on the tracks with a couple more engines hooked up and ready to help. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
NATURE OF THE LOCOMOTIVE
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An old green diesel locomotive train engine paired up with another on the tracks. Shot from the side at a slight angle with a vanishing perspective to give a feeling of motion. Locomotives have been in use in the U.S. for nearly 200 years, and many of the engines in use today have been around for several decades. Hence the reason for processing these images in a way that combines modern day technology with a retro look of the past, at least hopefully that is the aesthetic that comes across. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
ON THE TRAIN GANG
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Retro pop art style view of old diesel locomotive freight trains on the tracks with an old caboose following behind. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
SHARING TRACKS WITH Y1476
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Union Pacific Y1476; an old, diesel, locomotive train engine heading at the camera at an angle to include the several other engines in tow behind it. Processed using a variety of techniques to produce a final look that I call "80s Sherbet" Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC 1500
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Retro pop art style side view of a unique, Southern Pacific locomotive train engine. The design, features, and even functions, of rail cars and train engines have gone through many changes over the years. Serious railroad buffs can tell just by looking at an engine the time period it was produced; the features that set it apart from others; and even the specific functions that particular model was design for. I must admit, I am not one of those people. But, I do recognize something that is unique, and stands out from the crowd. That was definitely the case with this beauty. She definitely has character, and no doubt tons (literally) of stories to tell. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
TIME OF THE SWITCHER TRAIN
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Retro style, selective color view of an old diesel locomotive train engine. This switcher train engine is unique not only in it's design, but in the fact that it is engine number 911 and sports a paint job that is a tribute to the victims and heroes of 911. Shot from an angle that gives nearly a full view of the train and simulates motion. The engine itself is in full color red, white, and blue, while the surroundings are monochrome and processed in a way to give a vintage look. Shot in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
PARADE OF THE YELLOW TRAINS
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A row of old diesel locomotive train engines hooked up on the rails ready for their next assignment. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look between pop art and an aged photo. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
PIT STOP FOR SSW ENGINE 9647
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A line of old, diesel, locomotive freight train engines heading down the tracks. Every time I see one, or a group, of these beautiful machines heading my way, I feel as though I am witnessing a sort of time travel unfolding in front of my eyes. Trains were a huge part of building our nation, and remain a vital part of its infrastructure. Their design and function are pretty timeless, so it is easy to imagine them rolling in from the era of their origin. That's why I usually choose to depict them in a way that gives a nod to their historical origins. From the most early forms of the art, photographers have used various processing equipment and techniques to produce a desired look, and to convey a specific story. These days it is mostly done digitally, but the principal is the same; to craft an image that invokes a desired thought and / or feeling. Hopefully this does just that. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
POWER YOU CAN RELY ON
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Colorful, abstract side view of an old blue locomotive freight train engine on the tracks with a couple additional engines in tow behind it. Shot from an angle to give a sense of scale and simulate motion. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved
READY TO ROLL THE RAILS
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Side view of a couple of old diesel train engines hooked up, in a row, on the railroad tracks. This was shot from a low angle looking upward, diagonally facing the front of the first engine. Enabling a perspective that portrays the engines' larger than life stature, and displaying the power and strength these machines embody. Processed with a variety of techniques to give the look of an old photo in the process of being restored. The goal is to convey the rich history that lies beneath the surface of these powerhouses that have been such a huge part of building, and maintaining our nation's infrastructure. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
RETIREMENT FOR CABOOSE ATSF 999457
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Retro style view of the side of an old Santa Fe Railroad Caboose rail car that has been retired and sits on its own private set of tracks. Processed to give the look of an old distressed photo in the process of restoration. Shot in Cleburne, Texas. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
RUN OUT OF RAILS
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Selective color retro style view of a retired old caboose rail car parked at the end of the railroad tracks. Caboose rail cars came into use in the 1830s. They started as a simple shelter for rail crew to observe from, and evolved into a sort of rolling employee lounge. Some were equipped with sleeping quarters, kitchens, and offices. Hopefully this one will receive some much needed restoration, and be around for a long time as a reminder of some important history. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
TRACKS LESS TRAVELED
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Close-up, head-on view of an old diesel locomotive train engine with a unique paint job, sitting at the end of a set of railroad tracks, in a fairly remote area, under hazy conditions in winter. It's quite fitting that this diesel-electric "switcher" has a historic tribute painted on its side, since this particular engine has quite a history itself. This beauty was built in 1939 and still makes the 23 mile short line trip between Tulsa, OK and Sapulpa, OK daily. Shot in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
TRAIN VS TRAIN
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Selective color, ground level, head on view of an old, diesel locomotive train engine on the tracks, with another on separate tracks to the right, a few lengths behind, as though in a race with each other. Shot using a slight vanishing perspective to give a sense of motion, and processed with a technique to give the overall image an abstract feel. These beauties definitely stand out, at least they did for me. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
UP Y674 NOW ARRIVING
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Retro style vertical close-up view of an old diesel locomotive train engine on the tracks just a few feet in front of the camera. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
WE USED TO WORK FOR YOU
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Selective color, retro style side view of a very old and heavily weathered and rusted caboose rail car. At the time of shooting this image it appeared as though preparations to restore this beautiful old rail car were underway. This is one of the few old caboose rail cars that I've actually been able to go inside and see just how vital these must have been back in their day. This unit appeared to provide a place to sleep, cook and prepare meals, eat, relax, do some basic hygiene, do bookwork and more! One can only imagine the number of stories this caboose could tell. Shot in Fort Smith, Arkansas. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
WINTER FOR ENGINE 911
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Selective color, retro style side view of a very special old train engine on the tracks with a 911 tribute painted on it. Shot at a diagonal vanishing perspective in order to give a sense of motion, and processed using multiple techniques to give a retro, aged look. A symbol of strength and unity, in so many ways. Shot in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
TRULY HEAVY METAL
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A row of old diesel train engines colored yellow, blue, and red are hooked up, in a row, on the railroad tracks. This was shot from a low angle looking upward, diagonally facing the front of the first engine. Enabling a perspective that portrays the engines' larger than life stature, and displaying the power and strength these machines embody. The goal is to convey the rich history that lies beneath the surface of these powerhouses that have been such a huge part of building, and maintaining our nation's infrastructure. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
BEAUTY IN LOCOMOTION
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Vanishing perspective view of three diesel locomotive train engines on the tracks, processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
END OF A DREAM
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Close-up view of the end of a retired old train caboose car. Processed using a variety of techniques to give the look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Cleburne, Texas. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
FIGHT OF THE FREIGHT TRAIN
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Freight train shot from a side vanishing perspective processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of restoration. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
2266 ON A BLUE STREAK
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Head on view of an old blue locomotive train engine, processed using a variety of techniques to give the look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
EVEN RED ROTS
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Selective color, side view of an abandoned old rail car caboose in the woods, still attracting attention with its somewhat vibrant red paint job. Shot in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
ENGINE 1429 FIRST IN LINE
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Selective color, vanishing perspective shot of an old yellow locomotive train engine on the tracks with a couple more in tow. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
THE (RAILROAD) TIES THAT BIND
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Selective color, vanishing perspective view of multi-colored diesel locomotive train engines on the tracks with a pile of railroad ties piled up in the background. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
GMTX 2274 ENGINE WITH THE LONG BLUE NOSE
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Retro style head-on view of an old diesel locomotive train engine on the tracks, painted a unique color of blue. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LOCOMOTIVE LINE DANCE
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Head-on, vertical, selective color view of an old diesel locomotive freight train engine on the tracks with a couple more in tow. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN COMING YOUR WAY
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An old diesel locomotive freight train engine with a few more in tow heading toward the camera. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of restoration. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
FEELING DISCONNECTED
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A couple of old diesel locomotive train engines on the tracks with an old caboose right behind them but not connected. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
THE MARK OF ENGINE 1526
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Yellow diesel locomotive train engines with graffiti on them on the tracks heading toward the camera. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
ENGINE 423 ALL BLACK AND BLUE
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Two old diesel locomotive train engines on the tracks. The front engine is black with a blue stripe, and the rear engine is blue with some black accents. All against a monochrome, aged looking background, processed in a way to give the appearance of an old photo with the train engines selectively being restored to appear as they do now. Shot in Frederick, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
FEELING DISCONNECTED
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A couple of old diesel locomotive train engines on the tracks with an old caboose right behind them but not connected. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
THE MARK OF ENGINE 1526
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Yellow diesel locomotive train engines with graffiti on them on the tracks heading toward the camera. Processed using a variety of techniques to give a look of an old photo in the process of being restored. Shot in Pryor, Oklahoma. © Rob Heber - All Rights Reserved.
MORE COMING SOON! Currently processing images, more will be posted soon.
“A photographer must possess and retain the receptive faculties of a child who watches the world for the first time.” - Bill Brandt