How to take better photos from a train

Take a camera you are comfortable with. Read the manual, and learn about the settings before leaving home. Trains can offer both great portrait opportunities on board as well as magnificent landscapes outside your carriage window.

You need a camera that can lend itself to several styles of photography. I prefer to use a semi compact (2/3rds sensor) camera on a short wrist lanyard. It’s less obtrusive and allows me to capture my subjects in a reportage style. A mini gorilla pod and a dreaded selfie stick allow me to stage some shots, especially when I’m travelling alone.

Train windows can pose real problems. Not only do they reflect light and noise back from the carriage, but also they are often dirty. Really dirty.

Try to shoot on the side of the train with sun behind you during the day and see if you can get an angle through the glass that minimises the reflections and the grime. If you are staying on the same train for more than a day, it might be worth bringing a sponge or some wet wipes to clean both the inside and the outside of the window (when the train is stationary!)

The great thing about the train is that you are sharing your journey with a regularly changing group of interesting local travellers. This can present endless possibilities. Do the decent thing of course: always ask before taking a photo, and take the opportunity get to know people first to get more relaxed results.

Taking pictures of the train itself on the move can be tricky. If the windows are open you might be able to get a shot of the length of the train as it goes round a bend. Your chances are, of course, much better in a station, when you can set up a shot from the front of the train. Make sure you know how long your stop will be for, and always carry your documents with you when getting off the train.

Modern camera sensors allow you to take shots in almost any light condition – don’t be afraid to try something different. You might be rewarded with a really interesting result.