Award-winning photos on display

As part of a special exhibition debuting on Saturday, Dec. 8, the California State Railroad Museum is proud to showcase award-winning photographs from the prestigious Center for Railroad Photography and Art’s 2012 Creative Photography Awards Program.

With an impressive number of entries submitted by photographers from all over the world, the theme of the 2012 competition was “Railroading, Inspired by Steinheimer” in honor of the legendary photographer Richard Steinheimer.

Before he passed away in 2011, Steinheimer left a lasting legacy in railroad photography with a focus on both creative and documentary styles.

The grand prize in the center’s 2012 Creative Photography Awards Program went to Chris Starnes of Gate City, Va.

With separate categories for color and black and white submissions this year, the first place prizes went to Robert Day of Fillongley, Coventry, UK (color) and to Shel Michaels of Hollis, N.H. (black and white).

Second place prizes went to Todd Halamka of Western Springs, Illinois (color) and to Eric Williams of Millburn, New Jersey (black and white).

Third place prizes were awarded to Ken Kraemer of North Tonawanda, N.Y. (color) and to Matthew Malkiewicz of Mount Laurel, N.J. (black and white).

Two California photographers received recognition in the “Judge Also Liked” category, including Dick Dorn of Yuba City and Mark Jones of Vacaville.

The photographs were judged by Sacramento resident Shirley Burman Steinheimer, Richard’s widow and a former California State Railroad Museum staff member who is also a railroad photographer and historian of women in railroading.

After judging the entries, she remarked: “Selecting the winners was agonizing and challenging. I looked for photos that Stein liked taking — especially crummy weather, landscapes and night shots using time exposures and moonlight, along with people — as just some of the elements.”

This special photography exhibit will remain on display at the California State Railroad Museum through summer 2013. In addition to being showcased in the special exhibit at the Railroad Museum, the award-winning photographs will be featured in an upcoming issue of “Railfan and Railroad” magazine and the center’s journal, “Railroad Heritage.”

Admission to the California State Railroad Museum is $10 adults, $5 youths ages 6 to 17, free for children ages 5 and under.

More information about the competition and the Center for Railroad Photography and Art can be found at railphoto-art.org, and more information about the California State Railroad Museum is available at californiastaterailroadmuseum.org or by calling 916-445-6645.