Locomotief, Rocky Mountains, Verenigde Staten 1936

Wouter Cool made this black and white photograph of a Locomotive in the Rocky Mountains, sometime in the early 20th century. What strikes me is the texture, the way the light catches on the metal of the engine, almost lovingly rendered with a soft focus. It’s interesting how this photograph captures the industrial revolution, the railway, and the vast landscape of the American West. The steam rising from the train contrasts the stillness of the mountains, maybe evoking both progress and the sublime, all in one shot. I can almost feel the grit and hear the mechanical rumble, it's got a tactile quality, doesn't it? This photograph reminds me a bit of the work of early modernist photographers, like Alfred Stieglitz, who were also interested in capturing the textures and tones of the modern world. It’s like a dialogue between technology and nature, Cool invites us to reflect on our place within this ever-evolving landscape.