O. Winston Link - Dreams In Steam

The O. Winston Link Museum is a museum dedicated to the photography of O. Winston Link, the twentieth century railroad photographer widely considered the master of the juxtaposition between steam railroading and rural culture. He is most noted for his 1950's photographs of steam locomotives taken at night, lit by numerous flashbulbs. He carefully planned the lighting and the staging of these photos, placing human subjects in many.
This video documentary was produced for the O. Winston Link Museum by Steve Stinson and features local photographer Stephanie Klein Davis, who provides a look behind the lens at Link's techniques and developing practices.

[@trainguy93]

I'm British and I love American railroads. Mr Link's pictures are just beautiful.

[@beverlysmith9854]

I was so excited to see this video, I'm 75 and had the pleasure of meeting Mr Link when I was living in the Drive In Theater in Iaeger. He was taking the picture of the Hot Shot and asked my Brother and I, to ask people to park their cars on the side nearest the tracks in the Theater so it would look full. He took the time to make two small children feel important. As I grew older I had some contact with him in cards and letters. I was so happy to see him succeed with his pictures to become a famous artist.He sent a copy of the Hot Shot along with two silver dollars.Loved your video!

[@anthonyc1883]

Very interesting. I've known of Link's work since the mid-1970s when he was featured in one of the earliest issues of Railfan magazine, which probably was one of the very first efforts that rekindled interest in his then-dormant work. You showed some photos I have not yet seen, especially some of the pictures of him behind the scenes. Loved it!

[@leisureshoot]

this is the best O.W.L. video I've ever seen. Takes you behind the scenes, to his equipment and darkroom, as well as his transportation and "accommodations" while waiting for the train (which sometimes included a blanket and a woodpile)

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

If you haven't ever been, you should come see his gear in person at the O. W. L Museum in Roanoke!

[@chocloditelensman]

Agreed.

[@machinist1879]

Mr. Link was a true artist! He captured incredible images that documented unbelievable moments in time!

[@helcioj.tagliolatto3214]

Thank you very much for posting!

[@georgefleming864]

A magnificent tribute to a genius. Intensely interesting, and a reminder of what is gone for good.

[@lindas.1751]

Learned about Mr. Link through a BBC series on art, PERSPECTIVES episode on art of the night. My late Dad and much of his family were employees with steam rail but during Dad's lifetime we didn't know about this slice of regional history but thanks to this video, I was able to learn and see so much. Thank you for the production and I hope to get to Roanoke to learn more, soon!

[@rogerpommerenke7971]

Great documentary of days gone by

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thank you for watching!

[@wadeharris3535]

Excellent documentary about Mr Link and his work. I hope someday his project of the building of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in NYC receives some attention as well. Minor quibble: who decided to add "stars" in the night skies of these photos? The original images didn't have them and they're completely unnecessary. Just because one *can* add them in with Photoshop doesn't mean one should.

[@dw5s]

Thank you so much for putting this up on KZbin!

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Our pleasure! We love partnering with local non-profits to showcase what they do to the world!

[@SmithConductor]

Wonderful video! Thank you for going into depth on how Link made these works of art and giving a detailed insight on his background.

[@fraukatze3856]

A lot of work! An excellent and creative photographer. Great video.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RailPreserver2K]

I heard when 382 was retired link got the bell, whistle, number boards and headlight.

[@chocloditelensman]

Genius.

[@lennyhendricks4628]

I once read a book about N&W steam. The author claimed that the real reason N&W had to quit steam was that the appliance makers like Elesco who among other things made feedwater heaters, had all gone under since they lost all of their customers except for N&W. They no longer had anyone who would furnish things like stokers, steam powered air pumps for braking, whistles, all the steam related gauges, superheaters and so forth.

[@williamclarke4510]

Some of the N&W locomotives had firedoors -Berkley Machine Works Norfolk when they were scrapped.

[@dudester7876]

Ok am I crazy but at the beginning of this video when it showed the picture of the girl standing on the blocks of ice does it not look like she is holding a cellphone in her hand???

[@tomlandon7332]

We don't know for sure what she's holding but it was likely a product that he was hired to photograph - maybe a makeup compact or even a transistor radio or something, but there were definitely no cell phones at that time. Thanks for watching so carefully!

[@1chuck96]

An amazing classic! 'Gets to the soul of REAL Steam Railroading, but how does one get this video on DVD? (And yeah, I know what you're thinking..."why not do a simple FWD to whomever you want to share this with?") I have my reasons...O.K? THAT, and I'd hate to somehow lose this video on line. It's so "Freaking-beautiful" and calming. Again, is there a DVD out there on this exact video?

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

The video rights belong to the O.Winston Link Museum in Roanoke. You might try reaching out to them directly.

[@williamclarke4510]

Do they sell the video at the Link Museum gift shop? Shame on them if they don't.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

We think they do... and I'm sure they'd be happy to hear your request!

[@SteamGiants]

@@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV Where can I find the main music in this video by Tommy Holcomb and Ann Stinson?

[@SteamGiants]

26:03

[@williamclarke4510]

The N&W runs through Waynesboro, not Staunton.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thanks! All of the content in the video comes from the Link Museum in Roanoke, which produced the film. I'll share your comment with them!

[@williamclarke4510]

@@BlueRidgePBSEchoTVI think that They are "out to lunch " on the subject of rail history they are competent liberal arts historians, I'm sure.Someone ought to have exhibit of N&W photographs by prominent rail photographers other than Link interspaced with comments by prominent rail historians and of course, quotes from articles on the N&W by the late David P. Morgan. He was editor of Trains magazine for decades and always put it best.

[@BlueRidgePBSEchoTV]

Thanks for you comment. Keep in mind that this documentary was produced BY the Link Museum to show to patrons at the museum. There are many fine documentaries by and about other photographers, and we'd be happy to share them with viewers if they're made available to us.

[@davidsmith4010]

This presenter knows nothing about photography. There is no mirror in a 4x5 Graflex Graphic, and the mirror in a reflex camera, which this is not, has nothing to do with the shutter. Also the shutter is a separate mechanism from the aperture.