Railway Photography
The Hokkaido Shinkansen connecting Aomori and Hokkaido in Japan is scheduled to open in March, 2016. This is an exciting news to not only tourists, but also rail fans. While scenic views can be enjoyed along the railway line, to take beautiful railway photos both timing and skills matter. This article will walk you through several common shooting techniques in railway photography.
Shoot from Above to Capture the Entire Scenery
Railway is a broad subject, so we need to have a better understanding of the scenery along the railway line, such as how the scenery changes in different seasons and is there any special attractions like sakura, red leaves or rice fields at a certain section. It is recommended that we go to a higher point such as a hillock or flyover nearby to capture the train and its surrounding environment from a bird’s eye view. We can either make the train the subject of the photo or as an element that complements the landscape. Make sure that your composition includes fore-, middle- and background to achieve a stronger sense of depth. Also pay attention to the shutter speed if you need to freeze a passing train. In general, a shutter speed of 1/500s or faster can ensure a sharp capture, but the figure may vary depending on the actual speed of the train.
Use of Geometrical Forms and Lines in Composition
Apart from the train, architecture including railway tracks, bridges and stations that feature different geometrical shapes and patterns also make good photographic subjects. All you need is a pair of acute eyes to find out the hidden lines, shapes, arrangement and colors in these architecture. By carefully adjusting the angle and framing the shot, abstract photos can be created out of these tangible objects. We can also use railway tracks as the leading lines in the composition to draw the viewer’s eye into the image.
Capture the People and Ambience at the Station
Railway is a form of transportation. This suggests that passengers are good photographic subjects too. The fact that different types of people come and go at the train station makes it an interesting place. People are in different moods when they are waiting for the train to come – some seem anxious while some look deep in thought. When taking photos of this kind, in addition to paying attention to the actions of people around you, framing the shot with a proper use of space is also important. A crowded station can help capture the vibe of the bustling city, while a spacious station with only a few passengers can create photos with a mood of loneliness.
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