Conversations about Photography 2013

NS 9288 Shermans Crk sunrise DSC_6626Norfolk Southern company photographer Casey Thomason headlines the Conversations 2013 conference. His photograph here shows an NS train crossing Sherman’s Creek in Duncannon, Pennsylvania, just before sunrise on November 9, 2012. Copyright Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Dates: April 12-14, 2013

Location: the campus of cosponsor Lake Forest College (campus map), 30 miles north of Chicago. Learn more about the City of Lake Forest online or download the PDF overview.

Raffles: two framed, matted inkjet prints were raffled at the conference, a 16×20 of Richard Steinheimer’s “Cowboys and Little Joes” on Friday night, and a David Plowden print on Saturday.

Patrons: If you feel strongly about the conference, consider becoming a patron (use the Paypal link at left). Patrons help offset travel costs for presenters, and the 17 patrons of Conversations 2012 also provided funds for two scholarships in 2013. Patrons are recognized in the program and receive three free tickets for both print raffles.


The fabled Pennsylvania Railroad’s Middle Division turning south in a bend along the Juniata River at Jacks Narrows, Pennsylvania. Note the access road to the left, which prior to abandonment, was the former number three and four tracks, which were part of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s famous Broadway main line. Photograph by Michael Froio.
Cowboy and Little Joes by Richard Steinheimer
One attendee won this framed, 16×20 inch print of this Richard Steinheimer photograph, donated by Shirley Burman Steinheimer, at the Friday night dinner. The image is “Cowboys and Little Joes” at the Sappington Ranch in Montana, May 6, 1964. Click to enlarge.

Friday (5:30-9:00 p.m.):

  • Tony Reevy, on his new book about O. Winston Link’s photography, Life along the Line.
  • Exhibition of prints by Michael Froio and Steve Van Denburgh
  • Raffle of print by Richard Steinheimer (see photograph above), donated by Shirley Burman Steinheimer

Saturday (8:30-5:00, reception 5:00-7:00 p.m.):

  • Pablo Delano, railroad photography by his father, Jack Delano
  • Michael Froio, From the Main Line (of the Pennsylvania Railroad)
  • Matthew Kierstead, on the railroad paintings of Michael Flanagan as seen in the book Stations
  • Cate Kratville, railroad photography by her father, Bill Kratville
  • Mitch Markovitz, railroad art
  • Casey Thomason, Norfolk Southern Corporation
  • Steve Van Denburgh, Southern Pacific narrow gauge in California
  • Exhibition of prints by Michael Froio and Steve Van Denburgh

Sunday (9:00-1:00):

  • Lorenz Degen, 1920s railroad photography by Fred Eidenbenz
  • Wes Carr, railroad monikers
  • Jim Wrinn, Trains magazine, panel discussion on railroad journalism with Don Phillips, Matt Van Hattem, Steve Barry, Marc Entze, and Alexander Craghead