Selfish trainspotters

[wbbminerals]

These type of problems seem to usually be associated with when a steam train is due. I guess this is because there are an awful lot of people interested in steam, and also because of some of the old 'chuffs' that are attracted by them can be downright rude and disrespectful, especiallly when they expect a perfectly clear shot from a crowded platform.

An example is at Wakefield Kirkgate when the Scarbrough Spa Express/Flyer comes through in the summer: there are the same few idiots that get in the way of passengers by standing on the narrow part of the platform near the subway; stand down the platform ramps next to the loco getting in pictures; and become abusive if they cannot pan their video camera round.

 

[island]

Actually a station is private property, access is granted to the public but it is not a public place (like the street) and so you don't have the legal right to photography (though the owners ie NR may permit it at their discretion). Same applies to shopping centres (and I know at least one that bans photography without a permit) and other similar buildings. So if you did take photos of the idiot and he complained to the staff they can have you removed from the station.

I think it's the other way around, that photography is permitted unless explicitly prohibited, but it amounts to the same thing.

What a sad reflection on society that someone feels the need to ask such a question. What is wrong with common courtesy and consideration for others? The answers should be obvious.

Agreed. Common courtesy isn't all that common, like common sense!

 

[Crossover]

Thankfully the only time I have ever been asked to move, somewhat rudely, was when myself and a few other forum members were stood at the front of the Voyager 221144 at Railfest this year, looking at what you can't normally see (mainly the couplings)

This seemed to annoy some people who were hellbent on getting a picture of it without people milling around (which, lets be honest, is unlikely to happen at such events)

 

[Max]

I remember an occasion at Norwich where a photter was extremely rude to a couple of tourists who simply wanted a photograph with the 'old-fashioned' steam train. Just after the photo was taken the train began to pull out - they got an absolute earful and I remember thinking how rude the man was! Ultimately he didn't have a God-given right to a photo ahead of the other passengers.

 

[lyndhurst25]

Once I was walking the footpath from Dent to Ribblehead and paused to look over the railway wall just before the Blea Moor aqueduct (A). A steam special was due and a group of photographers stood above the tunnel portal (B) seemed to be very annoyed that my presence would ruin the background of their shots. There was much waving of arms and shouting - luckily I was too far away to hear exactly what was said but I got the gist. Suitable hand signals were returned and I carried on with my walk. I was tempted to hike over and ask if they owned the National Park or something...

 

[ReverendFozz]

I remember a few years ago in Sunderland, my bus was coming into Park Lane and some guy was there taking pics, when I go off the bus, said photographer approached me and shouted at me about ruining his picture because I looked right at his camera and ruined his pic and pretty much called me a bellend until I reminded him it was him who is the end of a bell, he was not very happy when I reminded him that taking photos of buses in service runs the risk of people looking at him and politely told him to f**k off...There really are some bells in the world who are so self-centered and really do give enthusiasts a bad name

Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2

 

[pappleby]

never stand near a steam engine to photograph, (one in steam that is), you should know the taps will be open on departing, therefore lots of steam at you and your camera, unless you fancy a sauna of course!

 

[Spagnoletti]

Not just photters, I remember taking my son to see Duke of Gloucester at Chester station many years ago, platforms were crowded with enthusiasts and after the loco had departed i was verbally abused by a microphone-wielding veg complaining that I'd dared to answer my son's questions while he was trying to record the loco starting up. Dribbling cretin was issued with a prescription forthwith.

 

[EltonRoad]

Once I was walking the footpath from Dent to Ribblehead and paused to look over the railway wall just before the Blea Moor aqueduct (A). A steam special was due and a group of photographers stood above the tunnel portal (B) seemed to be very annoyed that my presence would ruin the background of their shots. There was much waving of arms and shouting - luckily I was too far away to hear exactly what was said but I got the gist. Suitable hand signals were returned and I carried on with my walk. I was tempted to hike over and ask if they owned the National Park or something...

I know the location, I've photographed there.

The last time I was there a couple of folks in bright orange jackets stood exactly where you stood, but I didn't say anything, it's quite likely they'd be obliterated by steam or I'd be able to clone them out. I understand it from both points of view - from my perspective it is annoying to put a lot of preparation into getting a good photo then have it (slightly) spoiled by people getting in the way, but also if you're just out walking you don't really want to be told to move by complete strangers. These days if I do accidentally get in someone's shot then I'm more than willing to move, as long as they're not too rude about it.

 

[Beveridges]

I got shouted at by a pair of old photographers on the East Lancs one afternoon as a Class 08 came thrashing into Bury station hauling a "Thumper" type DMU. I was taking a photo of it with my small compact camera at the time and two old "pros" were stood quite a distance behind me with their cameras with huge lenses shouting "Thank You" "THANK YOU" I turned round and asked "what for?" they shouted back "THANK YOU FOR RUINING OUR SHOTS!!!" I shouted back "f**k off" and walked off, then all I could hear as I walked off was the pair of them shouting a load of absolute crap back at me in the distance. Other places I've had cretins shouting at me for being in the way of their shot: Warrington Bank Quay and Carlisle. I had one old pro say to me as an 87 rolled through Carlisle non-stop with mail vans, "I could have got a good photo of that if you hadn't been in the way". I just replied, "Not interested".

 

[Matt Taylor]

It's not just rail enthusiasts that have this problem!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40172673@N03/6170164536/

 

[Eagle]

It's not just rail enthusiasts that have this problem!

link

Yeah, I hate it when I'm trying to take a picture of some really nice cloud formations and a plane flies through as the shutter opens :P

 

[work-traveller]

Once I was walking the footpath from Dent to Ribblehead and paused to look over the railway wall just before the Blea Moor aqueduct (A). A steam special was due and a group of photographers stood above the tunnel portal (B) seemed to be very annoyed that my presence would ruin the background of their shots. There was much waving of arms and shouting - luckily I was too far away to hear exactly what was said but I got the gist. Suitable hand signals were returned and I carried on with my walk. I was tempted to hike over and ask if they owned the National Park or something...

I'm disappointed at your response. I would have hoped you'd say that you flashed your @rse at the critical moment

 

[Geezertronic]

It's not just rail enthusiasts that have this problem!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40172673@N03/6170164536/

On the comments on that photo, I don't see why Skidmarks has a right to call the bloke in shot an ignorant "so and so". If the person taking the picture didn't want anyone in his shot, he'd be up against the fence as well.

 

[158747]

Similar situation to when you get photographers on station platforms moaning at people for walking infront of them when they have no choice, as the photographers are stood with their backs to the wall or fence leaving no room to pass behind.

 

[fairysdad]

On the comments on that photo, I don't see why Skidmarks has a right to call the bloke in shot an ignorant "so and so". If the person taking the picture didn't want anyone in his shot, he'd be up against the fence as well.

I actually think the photo looks better with the bloke in the shot than if he wasn't in it. Adds something else to the photo

 

[chris89]

I actually think the photo looks better with the bloke in the shot than if he wasn't in it. Adds something else to the photo

I agree as well also gives it a size scale as well People always make photographs more intresting.

For railways/ the SVR i go down to the Golfer's crossing down the end of my road as no one else goes there unless people walking along the river/ going to it etc. + Get some fantastic photos of the engines working up the graident.

Chris

 

[scotsman]

I've only really had a go at someone for getting in the way of a shot, and it wasn't mine. At my cousin's wedding, the happy couple were on the steps of the venue having photos taken whilst a number of guests at the hotel announced "It's freezing, I'm not waiting any longer" and walked straight through the shot. I'd argue that these people were the selfish ones in this case.

It's important to point out that there's plenty of considerate photographers out there, and plenty of people who are just ignorant (not that this ever justifies any form of abuse). ie: When a 'gallery' is all set up, and a couple of others wander in the middle - getting their shots at the expense of all the others.

 

[Butts]

Seems all a bit like "a storm in an anorak" to me

 

[PFX]

Interesting thread and some interesting observations. I'm sure this sort of thing pops up fairly regularly.

As a volunteer at preserved line, we recently held a gala day and the photographers turned up en masse. We were able to offer a few special opportunities for supervised photography was interesting to note that despite us doing so, there were still those who wanted to push their luck and the limits. The worst offenders were a younger man and what was probably one of the oldest, both of whom seemed to believe they had a divine right to photograph where they wanted and for as long as they wanted.

Perhaps that doesn't sound too bad but one of these 'gentlemen' asked if I would stop a passenger train to allow him off and wait for the return service (lineside) to get a shot that was really important to him! Refusal in this case, did offend.

 

[A-driver]

A few months back just after one of east coasts mainliners had been painted with spitfire pictures I was approaching plat 3 at peterbourgh when this newly painted loco was pushing a train into plat 2. As I rolled into the station 2 photographers were briskly walking from the south footbridge obviously to try and photograph this train. I was an 8 car and as I ran past them they started flagging me down, gesturing for me to slow down so they could get a photo. I was only doing 15 anyway so couldn't really go much slower so ended up cutting them up so they didn't get their picture. When I stopped and got out the cab to change ends one had quite a go at me for not being more considerate as apparently I could see they wanted to take a photo and now my train was blocking their view. Not quite sure if they seriously thought I could just stop short, wait for them to snap away then carry on up to the stop board or what but I couldn't quite believe they actually had a go at me for it!

 

[Butts]

A few months back just after one of east coasts mainliners had been painted with spitfire pictures I was approaching plat 3 at peterbourgh when this newly painted loco was pushing a train into plat 2. As I rolled into the station 2 photographers were briskly walking from the south footbridge obviously to try and photograph this train. I was an 8 car and as I ran past them they started flagging me down, gesturing for me to slow down so they could get a photo. I was only doing 15 anyway so couldn't really go much slower so ended up cutting them up so they didn't get their picture. When I stopped and got out the cab to change ends one had quite a go at me for not being more considerate as apparently I could see they wanted to take a photo and now my train was blocking their view. Not quite sure if they seriously thought I could just stop short, wait for them to snap away then carry on up to the stop board or what but I couldn't quite believe they actually had a go at me for it!

Hey I was on that train last night (Spitfire One) on the 1830 ex EDB

 

[telstarbox]

When I stopped and got out the cab to change ends one had quite a go at me for not being more considerate as apparently I could see they wanted to take a photo and now my train was blocking their view. Not quite sure if they seriously thought I could just stop short, wait for them to snap away then carry on up to the stop board or what but I couldn't quite believe they actually had a go at me for it!

Some photters seem to think the railway exists to provide good opportunities for shots, and carries passengers and goods from A to B as a secondary function.

 

[Matt Taylor]

If the person taking the picture didn't want anyone in his shot, he'd be up against the fence as well.

But this was Heathrow Airport, leaning a big ladder against the fence is just asking for a visit from the Met Police.

 

[Bevan Price]

Depending on your point of view, I would say they are there to help reduce the noise rather than to be a hinderance to photographers, also to keep trespassers off the tracks

I know fences can be necessary, but galvanised iron looks an eyesore in rural and residential areas - less expensive and more eye-friendly alternatives are available.

 

[Wath Yard]

I actually think the photo looks better with the bloke in the shot than if he wasn't in it. Adds something else to the photo

Yeah, a bald bloke on a step ladder. Something I always try to capture when taking photos.

 

[Geezertronic]

I know fences can be necessary, but galvanised iron looks an eyesore in rural and residential areas - less expensive and more eye-friendly alternatives are available.

My response was aimed at the comment around trees rather than fences, which themselves can be hidden by trees and natural plant growth albeit that doesn't necessarily happen in rural and residential areas. I suppose in that respect, it generally comes down to cost of implementation and maintenance

 

[The_Stig]

Things like this usually ends up in fisticuffs which then forces the railway to react and possibly ban the activity. It is supposed to be enjoyable for those that want to do it!

 

[LE Greys]

I know fences can be necessary, but galvanised iron looks an eyesore in rural and residential areas - less expensive and more eye-friendly alternatives are available.

Surely, even just a few tins of black paint would help, maybe white paint around stations where wooden palisade fencing was traditional. I know it would cost money, but it's an improvement.
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I actually think the photo looks better with the bloke in the shot than if he wasn't in it. Adds something else to the photo

Personally, I'd support that. Even the fence is a foreground element to add depth, the odd Human brings a picture to life. Shots of a steam loco with the driver oiling the motion or the fireman up on top of the tender, or even with a vaguely-interesting crowd around them do have a certain charm.

 

[Bedpan]

I agree regarding the picture of the plane. The overall composition of the photo and the humorous (well I think it's amusing even if it's not meant to be) makes it an interesting photo for somebody who has no interest in planes.

I assume that the photographer was standing on some piece of infrastructure to see over the fence and so couldn't move to a position where the bloke on the ladder was out of the shot.

I like a bit of human interest in a photo, but that does not extend to children being told to pose by the front of the train/engine to have their photo taken, and wreck everybody else's shot, as so often happens.