Railway Enthusiasts at Stations - is a clearer policy needed?

[AM9]

I don`t tend to use a tripod a lot these day, the technology with the newer generation cameras doesnt really require one for my type of photography, for extra stability I use a monopod on occasion which doubles up as a walking stick, which is something they can`t really argue about.

Well apart from the MTA staff in New York, there are other locations where even monopds are resisted, e.g., (non-rail) the Olympic Stadium banned monopods during 2012 games. I got around that with a walking stick with a small compass that when removed reveals a 1/4inch thread. All I had to do was to walk like I needed the stick when entering. As I said, for video, the use of handheld gimbals are the way ahead, even with cameras that have 5-axis stabilisation.

 

[DarloRich]

Like this one? Camera hand-held against a canopy support...

Or this one that I took at Smethwick Galton Bridge, with just a camera, a spare bench and my wallet to prop the camera up slightly? 20 second exposure, if you were wondering.

Certainly agree a tripod is not always necessary. I often like to do exposures in the region of 30 sec to keep the ISO as low as possible and aperture higher too where I can for background detail. For this purpose, hand held is definitely a no no!

I rarely use a tripod and frankly have no idea how to take a 20 or 30 second exposure shot with a modern digital camera! I could do it with an old school film camera but digital and auto setting makes you lazy.

 

[DJames]

I rarely use a tripod and frankly have no idea how to take a 20 or 30 second exposure shot with a modern digital camera! I could do it with an old school film camera but digital and auto setting makes you lazy.

The easiest way is to just set it to the shutter speed control mode, so then you can set it to whatever you like and let the camera work out the rest. I still prefer using fully manual though.

 

[malc-c]

I've only been challenged at Stevenage station, late at night (10pm ish) whilst waiting for Royal Scott to arrive. It wasn't busy, and at the time (as it was running late) I was the only one there. The guy dispatching the trains came over and simply stated that I remain clear of the yellow lines, and asked if the camera had flash (I use a camcorder to video). Other than that I've never had a problem, even at 1:20am videoing a eurostar drag.

I don't use a tripod - and I leave the camera bag in the car rather than have it on the platform so as not to have it reported as being a suspicious bag. On most occasions I let a member of staff know I'm on the station, and having expressed my intentions and where I want to base myself ask if they are happy for me to do so, but then most of the stations I film at are not major, where I guess people are more security conscious.

I'm guessing that in answer to the OP's original question, given that there are so many combinations of who owns / runs / manages stations and the subcontracted staff it would be difficult to have a single policy, and if they did I dare say that there will always be one individual, be that a cleaner or new employee that is not aware of the policy as I guess they have other more serious rules and regulations to think about. I guess that whilst we may not agree with it, and how much it can upset your day, if a station manager asks you to leave then we as enthusiasts should do so with out making a scene.

 

[Gostav]

I always follow the style of 1950-60s press cameraman, just like the TV movie "Man with a camera" - Always hold the camera by hand even a 4' x 5' (6 X 9 for me) camera and quickly shot ,catch the moment. There is no worry about grain by iso 800 even 1600 because the 6 X 9 format is large. Of course, on the another end, Group f/64 style characterized by sharp-focused on and carefully framed images, they use the minimum aperture and slow speed film to make great depth of field and grain-free images.
These are just different ways of photography.