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while photos of railroaders and passengers can often be the hardest images to come by, they are also some of the most rewarding. Over the years, I’ve found that the best way to capture meaningful images of people along the railroad is to do what Steinheimer did on the Milwaukee — be patient and be ready. Access to the human side of railroading can be rare and opportunities can be few, but when presented with the chance to add some life to your images, take it.


Why Does Any of this Matter?


About a decade ago, while spending a Sunday afternoon trackside back home in


The people you include in your shots can help tell your story. Kids watch the scenery pass by on BNSF Railway’s Marias Pass line (BELOW) during a first responders appreciation special on July 11, 2015. A young family poses for a picture with Amtrak’s 40th Anniversary Train (RIGHT) on display at Whitefish, Mont., on August 15, 2015. Ron Carter and Jay Matthews discuss the restoration of J. Neils Lumber Co. Shay No. 4 (BOTTOM) at the Heritage Museum in Libby, Mont., in 2012. JUSTIN FRANZ PHOTOS


Maine, a friend of mine said something that has stuck with me to this day: Change is the only constant. That is true in all facets of life and it is especially true in the world of railroading. The railroad industry is a dynamic one and economic and technological forces will always be changing it. For many of us, that’s why we picked up


a camera in the first place, to record history before it is gone forever. That’s why I always look for images that go beyond the ones of a train traversing a picturesque landscape. While you don’t want to ignore the train as your primary subject, it’s important to include additional elements as well. That’s why I go


after photos that tell a story, that preserve a little piece of history and maybe, just maybe, mean something to someone else when I’m no longer around.


Justin Franz is a writer and photographer based in Whitefish, Mont. First introduced to New England railfanning by his father in the mid-1990s, Justin later earned his BA in jour- nalism from University of Montana in 2011.


All experienced photographers are welcomed as guest columnists for CAMERA BAG. To get started, please contact editor Steve Barry at editor@railfan.com.


56 DECEMBER 2015 • RAILFAN.COM


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