In our fourth installment in a blog series that reviews the talented photography of young and aspiring artists, we visit Valentine, Ariz. and the home of California native David Carballido-Jeans. David and family recently moved from San Pedro, Calif. area of Los Angeles to Valentine, a popular location along Santa Fe's historic transcontinental route. David, a 19-year old sophomore student at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. has developed quite a bond with BNSF Railway's busy Santa Fe route.. Let's read about how David enjoys watching as many as 100 trains a day from the comfort of his own bedroom...
Left: A portrait of David Carballido-Jeans trackside. Right: Union Pacific ES44AC No. 7689 catches the early morning sun in Truckee, Calif. in August 2012.
Q: When and how did you get involved in railroad photography? Have you always had an interest in trains?
A: I started getting involved with trains when I was about three years old because of my grandfather. He had a 16’x 8’ O gauge model train layout at his house that he let me run whenever I would visit him. Later, he would take me to his model train club and he helped me start my own O gauge collection. Also, my father would take me to the Pacific Harbor Line’s rail yard in Wilmington, Calif. to watch the switching of cars at night. Around ten years old, I started to lose interest in trains until I was twelve, when I found train videos from Southern California on YouTube. That brought me back into the hobby. I started meeting many people who share the same interest, making it even more fun.
Q: Currently, what is your favorite place to visit?
A: My favorite place to visit is my bedroom. This year, we moved from San Pedro, Calif. to Valentine, Ariz. Our house borders the right of way of the BNSF Seligman Subdivision. The mainline sees about ninety trains a day. I can literally lay in bed and watch trains go through Crozier canyon.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you plan to do with your photography?
A: As of right now, I have no idea where my photography will take me. I have never really thought about turning photography into a career, but I enjoy it as a hobby. I am part of the student photo staff of Northern Arizona University’s newspaper, “The Lumberjack”. That has taken me into the world of photojournalism. I will have to wait and see where that will take me.
Q: What are some places you would like to visit for railroad photography?
A: There are just too many places to mention. I have not been east of the Mississippi River for rail fanning and there is so much to do there. Norfolk Southern Railway's Pittsburgh Line and Pocahontas Division would be my choice locations of interest to photograph. Also, BNSF’s Scenic Subdivision in northern Washington. Among other things, I would really like to reshoot Echo Canyon in Utah, the Montana Rail Link, Marias Pass, and the Powder River Basin.
Left: Union Pacific SD70AH No. 8825 leads a 17 Union Pacific Office cars through Cabazon, Calif. on UP's Yuma Subdivision. Right: Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 3751 slices through I-10 in Alhambra, Calif. on Metrolink's San Gabriel Subdivision in April 2014.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: There are a quite a few photographers who have inspired me with their work. Within the last couple of years, I have been exposed to the amazing work of both Mike and Tom Danneman. Their work makes me want to strive their level of achievement. Also, James Belmont has been an inspiration with both his early slides and modern day photos. I try to recreate some of his slides of the Southwest during the 1980s and 90s with 21st century railroading. John Benner is also an inspiration. He has been able to document BNSF’s transcon during the 21st century in a way that seems unreal. With his powerful use of low light, it makes me want to challenge myself and work with the large sweeping curves across the Southwest at sunrise and sunset.
Q: Do you see your interest in railroads guiding you into the direction of a railroad career?
A: My primary goal is to finish my college education. Rail fanning is currently a hobby. Railroading will be decisions later on.
Q: Any other general interests and hobbies?
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