How to take photos of the railway?

Railway enthusiasts seem to have many subjects, but railway photography is one of the most challenging types. However, when it comes to railway photography, every photographer's photography method is different. This paper will introduce several common photography methods, basic shooting skills, lens selection, camera settings and so on.

First, the camera angle

This paper introduces the basic photography angle of railway photos. The following is a description of low-angle and bird's-eye photography commonly used in railway photos.

The difference between head-up shooting and low-angle shooting

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Low angle shooting

Eye height is where you look through the viewfinder or LCD screen when you are standing. On the other hand, a low angle means that you look at the camera from the bottom, and the height of the camera is slightly lower. Different from the usual composition, it feels a little dynamic. You can also make the train stand out by simplifying the messy background, such as clearing the background.

Overlooking shooting

This photo was taken from above the subject. If you shoot from a bridge or mountain on the track, you can also capture the top of the train, which is invisible in normal shooting.

Translation shooting

Translation is a shooting method when chasing a train with a camera. By using a slower shutter speed and a flowing background, you can create a moving atmosphere and a sense of speed.

A horizontally moving camera is usually called "horizontal flow shooting", but a vertically moving camera is also called "vertical flow shooting". On the contrary, you can also shoot by increasing the shutter speed, just like stopping completely.

Horizontal shooting (shutter speed 1/60s)

Second, the choice of lens focal length

According to the types and preferences of railway photos, long focal length lenses are often used. Especially in the case of composition photos, if you shoot with a wide-angle lens, it will be easy to shoot extra things, so it is recommended to use the compression effect of a long focal length lens.

Also, when taking scenery photos, I often take scenery with a wide-angle lens.

Use telephoto lens (300mm/35mm).

Wide-angle lens use (27mm/35mm)

Third, dynamic range.

Dynamic range adjustment is also very important, especially when shooting white or black vehicles outdoors in sunny weather. It is suggested to expand the dynamic range to prevent overexposure and underexposure.

The vehicle shown in the example image is slightly cream-colored (ivory white), but the dynamic range is 100%, and white spots appear. On the other hand, in 400% cases, you can see the cream color reappearing.

Dynamic range 100%

If the dynamic range is 200%, set the ISO sensitivity to 400 or higher. If the dynamic range is 400%, set the ISO sensitivity to 800 or higher, or use the sensitivity auto.