Pro tip: If you take photojournalism students to the Washington, D.C., area and offer to take them to see the Lincoln Memorial before departing on a Sunday morning, they may agree … and then they may negotiate.

“You said leave the hotel at 7:00 a.m., but the sun rises at 6:36 a.m. And the Lincoln Memorial faces into the sun. And the weather shows clear skies … can we leave at 5:30 a.m., instead? It’ll make for better photos …”

Old friends and heroes were all around, some had more arduous journeys – David Burnett needed a plane, train and a taxi transfer on the New Jersey Turnpike to make it for his closing keynote, arriving just 15 minutes before his slot.

The volunteers and staff cheered him on as he came in, complete with a, “Virginia or Bust” sign.

While we were ensconsed in a hotel for three days, a tremendous Nor’easter blew through the area with 60+ mph winds. Walking to lunch was a challenge and trees were down all around the area.

Take a bunch of photojournalism students to a conference, let them prove they belong and people will line up to talk to them. A very good first day.

Off in the corners, old friends balance work and conference life.

Spent the day in a 12 passenger van hauling nine students from Georgia to Virginia for the National Press Photographers Association Northern Short Course, piling out at various rest stops for fuel and food. Someone will not be happy a few miles down the road.

A little sliver of light hangs on late in the day.

Metal where it has massed, metal where it doesn’t belong.