Date of Birth: December 16, 1914
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: January 30, 2001
Biography
O. Winston Link, born Otto Winston Link, was a renowned American photographer and civil engineer, best known for his evocative black-and-white photographs of steam locomotives in the United States during the 1950s. Link was born on December 16, 1914, in Brooklyn, New York. He developed an early interest in photography and engineering, which he later combined to create some of the most iconic images of the 20th century. In the mid-1950s, Link embarked on a personal project to document the last days of steam railroading on the Norfolk and Western Railway. Over a five-year period, he meticulously planned and executed nighttime photography sessions, using elaborate lighting setups to capture the grandeur and romance of the steam era. His work not only documented the technological marvels of the time but also captured the human element, depicting the lives of railroad workers and the communities they served. Link’s photographs gained significant recognition over the years, and his work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums around the world. In addition to his photographic achievements, Link also worked as a civil engineer and made contributions to various engineering projects. O. Winston Link passed away on January 30, 2001, in South Salem, New York. His legacy continues to inspire photographers and train enthusiasts alike.
5 Interesting Facts about O. Winston Link
1. O. Winston Link’s nighttime railroad photographs required complex lighting setups, sometimes using up to 60 flashbulbs to illuminate a single scene.
2. He published a book titled “Steam, Steel & Stars” in 1987, which is a collection of his most famous photographs.
3. Link’s work was not widely recognized until the 1980s, decades after he took his iconic photographs.
4. He was a licensed civil engineer and worked on various engineering projects throughout his career.
5. The O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke, Virginia, is dedicated to his work and houses an extensive collection of his photographs.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from O. Winston Link
1. “The train is a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional world.”
2. “I wanted to show the steam locomotive in a way that had never been done before.”
3. “Lighting was everything. Without the right light, the picture would be nothing.”
4. “My work is not a mere record of trains; it’s a record of a way of life.”
5. “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
O. Winston Link’s highest net worth achieved was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from the sales of his photographs and publications.
Children
O. Winston Link did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [O. Winston Link Museum](https://www.linkmuseum.org/
2. [Biography on Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/O-Winston-Link
3. [O. Winston Link on ArtNet](https://www.artnet.com/artists/o-winston-link/
5. [Steam, Steel & Stars Book](https://www.amazon.com/Steam-Steel-Stars-Winston-Link/dp/0810923387
