Selfish trainspotters

[crewmeal]

Whilst waiting for a railtour to pass my local station yesterday, I came across a group of spotters who had obviously 'camped out' and stood on what they thought was their best spot to video the passing train. Just before the train arrived 2 guys came and stood in front of these other guys and produced their cameras. What followed then could only be described as a scene from a comedy film. The air was blue with language and at one stage I thought there was going to be a punch up. In the end I guess neither party got a video as they were too busy locked in battle.

Bearing in mind that National Rail own the land, who is right? The guys who stood for more than an hour or the guys that came up and tried to set up their cameras at the last minute? Is there a conduct rule that trainspotters follow? or is it every spotter for themselves?

 

[transportphoto]

As far as I know, there is nothing legally wrong with the awkward little so and so's however the morality of their actions is questionable.

TP

 

[ralphchadkirk]

As far as I know, there is nothing legally wrong with the awkward little so and so's however the morality of their actions is questionable.

TP

Yes there is, possible threatening behaviour and public order act. It's a stupid way to act for a few immature spotters that give all enthusiasts a bad name. They should be ashamed of themselves.


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[ACE1888]

Ah Yes, another 'episode' of we own the station, that does little to change the General public's 'perception' of the 'Rail Enthusiast', I too have met plenty of the type who think they are more equal than others...NO ONE IS
Classic example for me, while at Minehead station during the 2011 'Mixed Gala' there was a group of 'older' enthusiast's who apparently owned the end of the platform, I made sure I was not 'in their view' while I wanted to take a photo of the Hymek awaiting departure, I was told to 'get out of the way' by a chap who was 70 if he was a day, my reply was 'Do you think you own the f**king station' (instead of apologizing like he expected and 'bow' down to 'his' obvious 'seniority') . We didn't communicate again...which was nice on reflection I always go out of my way to let everyone get 'that shot' especially Youngsters, who deserve as much respect as anyone.
I'm 44 by the way...

 

[NLC1072]

Well the spotters who were there for an hour before hand should of been standing where the last minute spotters stood and then there would be no arguement. They should of thought about the risk of leaving a gap infront of them.

 

[davido39]

To be honest this sort of behavior is happening in all walks of life. Try being the first person at a bus stop waiting foe a bus, most times you end up being the last to get on the bus! |Nothing you can do about it, even challenging a person can be a fruitless lecture in itself best to just keep your opinions to yourself most of the time.

I heard of a bus spotter who was taking photo's of a particular bus, every time some Innocent member of the public got in the way of his shot he'd start shouting expletives. Obviously he thought he had the exclusive rights to the photo's and no one else should dare to get in his way!

 

[theblackwatch]

The guys that turned up and last minute and stood in front of others who had been clearly there a while showed a complete lack of courtesy and manners. The majority of enthusiasts will try and fit around each other but there are always one or two who lack it.

 

[90019]

The guys that turned up and last minute and stood in front of others who had been clearly there a while showed a complete lack of courtesy and manners. The majority of enthusiasts will try and fit around each other but there are always one or two who lack it.

I had something of a rant on Flickr last year about a couple of people who came and stood right in the way of me and another guy at Waverley as 55022 was leaving.
Everybody else tried to make sure they weren't in the way of others, but these two just wandered up and plonked themselves right in the way of quite a few people.
It seemed that because they were both carrying two DSLRs and a selection of lenses, they felt that they were much more important than everybody else and it didn't matter whose photo they got in the way of, so long as their ones were alright.

 

[wbbminerals]

The veg (usually some of the older ones) at Doncaster can be both selfish and dangerous when a kettle is due, leaning out over the platform edge thus getting in the way of other people and causing them to do the same. Why they can't just stand a bit back I really do not know...

And at Wakefield Kirkgate there are the same 2 or 3 old blokes that week in, week out stand next to the kettle, down the platform ramps and in everyone's shots when the Scarborough Spa Express is running. They don't even get any pictures!

 

[fgwrich]

To be honest this sort of behavior is happening in all walks of life. Try being the first person at a bus stop waiting foe a bus, most times you end up being the last to get on the bus! |Nothing you can do about it, even challenging a person can be a fruitless lecture in itself best to just keep your opinions to yourself most of the time.

I heard of a bus spotter who was taking photo's of a particular bus, every time some Innocent member of the public got in the way of his shot he'd start shouting expletives. Obviously he thought he had the exclusive rights to the photo's and no one else should dare to get in his way!

I've noticed that at Busy Rallys, even to the point when you can have comments mumbled at you whilst getting off your own bus, whilst their taking 1001 different angled shots of anything on said vehicle.

 

[MattRobinson]

Reminds me of something that a fellow volunteer was saying at the steam gala. For context, Keighley station is signalled from a ground frame a couple of hundred yards from the end of the platform. My friend was stood talking to the signalman, when a photographer tried to shove him out of the way. He turned to the signalman and said 'remind me, how long is this railway?', who, without missing a beat replied '5 and a half miles of empty space'.

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[crewmeal]

Perhaps we should actually take photos of selfish people and then name and shame them! But then perhaps not, law suits, data protection...............

 

[90019]

Perhaps we should actually take photos of selfish people and then name and shame them!

What, like this?

 

[Geezertronic]

If there is space and someone stands in front of "your shot" then tough in my opinion. Everyone is entitled to stand where they like as long as the rules of the railway are adhered to. If it gets in the way of your camera shot, boo hoo. It's not like you can mark out a section of platform so that people can't stand there to avoid getting in your shot

 

[silverfoxcc]

Crewmeal

There is nothing unlawful about taking pics of these idiots. You are on a premises to which the public have access. They have these rights also,and as such you can take pictures, however embarrasing, and publish them, as they have no right of privacy.
Also if they are on private propertyand you can see them from a place that thr public have lawful access, the picture can still be taken.

So if you can see it from a lawfully access position take it and lets have a goo laugh, or gasp if they are standing, in a dangerous position

Having been on both ends, the blocker being unintentional and i removed myself at once, lets go for an Idiots photo thread

 

[theblackwatch]

If there is space and someone stands in front of "your shot" then tough in my opinion. Everyone is entitled to stand where they like as long as the rules of the railway are adhered to. If it gets in the way of your camera shot, boo hoo. It's not like you can mark out a section of platform so that people can't stand there to avoid getting in your shot

So by your opinions, it would be quite ok for the person who they'd stood in front of to run up just as the person who has stood in front of them and stand right on front of their camera the second the train comes and they are about to take their shot? Would I be correct in assuming that you are one of the people I referred to has no courtesy or manners towards others? "I'm going to stand where I want because I can, and stuff everyone else."

 

[starrymarkb]

Crewmeal

There is nothing unlawful about taking pics of these idiots. You are on a premises to which the public have access. They have these rights also,and as such you can take pictures, however embarrasing, and publish them, as they have no right of privacy.
Also if they are on private propertyand you can see them from a place that thr public have lawful access, the picture can still be taken.

So if you can see it from a lawfully access position take it and lets have a goo laugh, or gasp if they are standing, in a dangerous position

Having been on both ends, the blocker being unintentional and i removed myself at once, lets go for an Idiots photo thread

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.

 

[185]

People should remember that this kind of behaviour is not specific to rail enthusiasts, much of the UK has become gradually stupider over the last few years.

A good film to watch is Idiocracy, where the continuing stupification of society leads to them running Diet Coke through the water supply (killing the planets crops) and electing a porn star to be the president of the planet earth.

 

[bronzeonion]

I understand why they were angry at the last minute guys, total lack of manners and courtesy!

 

[PaxVobiscum]

The same sort of thing can happen at the Disneyland Parades - people turn up a while in advance to claim a good vantage point for photos only to find a whole bunch of people turn up at the last minute and block the shot.

My solution - to stand near the BACK of the crowd with a small HD camcorder mounted on an extended monopod giving a clear shot over all the heads (including children sitting on daddy's shoulder). With a wired LANC for remote control it's easy to operate, and with a W/A lens and some practice the footage can be very steady. A final touch is a battery powered monitor (mini TV or DVD player will often do) mounted near the bottom of the monopod to avoid squinting up at the camera LCD against the sky.

NB - not suitable for OHLE environments (!) but works a treat in stations like Fort William where the steam train can bring the worst out in people.

 

[jon0844]

A good film to watch is Idiocracy, where the continuing stupification of society leads to them running Diet Coke through the water supply (killing the planets crops).

But it has electrolytes! It's what plants crave!

There are many reasons why people are more selfish these days and just do what they want, including the dogooders who can't accept not everyone can do/get everything they want and say 'don't let anyone stop you doing what you want to do'. That in turn leads to people refusing to respect anyone in authority, pleading human rights etc.

Other offenders are the TV programmes where people get to believe you just go out and demand everything and get things handed to you on a plate and people who work are mugs.

 

[Wath Yard]

Bearing in mind that National Rail own the land, who is right? The guys who stood for more than an hour or the guys that came up and tried to set up their cameras at the last minute? Is there a conduct rule that trainspotters follow? or is it every spotter for themselves?

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.

 

[Searle]

People should remember that this kind of behaviour is not specific to rail enthusiasts, much of the UK has become gradually stupider over the last few years.

A good film to watch is Idiocracy, where the continuing stupification of society leads to them running Diet Coke through the water supply (killing the planets crops) and electing a porn star to be the president of the planet earth.

That film sounds absolutely amazing, definitely checking that out!

Also something that I've found that winds people up is many people standing next to a train and getting a picture with it, then as soon as they leave, someone else comes along!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Also something that I've found that winds people up is many people standing next to a train and getting a picture with it, then as soon as they leave, someone else comes along!

I was just about to say that! Yes, I find it very annoying too, more than people shoving in front of you, as in the case you outline there's nothing at all you can do.

 

[anthony263]

Have had idiots like this when attending bus rallys including be told off by a photographer because I was standing by the side of my bus

 

[Temple Meads]

I've generally found that some older (usually the BR Blue fanboy's) DSLR toting photters tend to look down their noses at me, due to my compact camera and scruffy appearance, the steam fans actually seem to be a bit better in this respect IMO.

I've been on both sides of this issue, I've had some stick at preserved lines for accidentally straying into people's shots, but usually a quick apology is fine in these situations.

On the other hand, I've had veg at Newport and Didcot Parkway straying into my videos, and seemingly not noticing me gesturing for them to move aside.

 

[GearJammer]

So by your opinions, it would be quite ok for the person who they'd stood in front of to run up just as the person who has stood in front of them and stand right on front of their camera the second the train comes and they are about to take their shot? Would I be correct in assuming that you are one of the people I referred to has no courtesy or manners towards others? "I'm going to stand where I want because I can, and stuff everyone else."

Well said blackwatch, think you hit the nail on the head.

Its all about manors and politeness (sadly lacking these days) it does get right up my nose when someone stands in front of my line of shot, especially if ive been waiting some time to photograph something and they've turned up at the last minute, mainly because i personnally always make an effort to keep out the way of other peoples photos/videos and then im not shown the same courtesy.

 

[Bevan Price]

Ignorance and bad manners are not functions of age. I have encountered arrogant s**s of all ages who think they are God's gift to photography. I try not to stand in front of anyone else deliberately, but sometimes as busy events, I may accidentally stray in front of someone else.

However, in the circumstances described here, if someone deliberately stands right in front of me and a group of other photographers, (subject to space & safety considerations) I have sometimes moved to stand in front of the latecomers. That seems to be the only way to make them aware of other people, although I suspect that some of them are too dim to recognise that they are selfish g**s.

 

[theblackwatch]

Ignorance and bad manners are not functions of age. I have encountered arrogant s**s of all ages who think they are God's gift to photography. I try not to stand in front of anyone else deliberately, but sometimes as busy events, I may accidentally stray in front of someone else.

I agree, it's certaily not a "youth" thing, bad manners seem to apply to a cross section of ages. Yes we all occasionally get in the way by accident - I did so yesterday, chap said I'd walked into his shot, I apologised and moved, end of story, which is how it should be.

 

[RichmondCommu]

I was told to 'get out of the way' by a chap who was 70 if he was a day, my reply was 'Do you think you own the f**king station' (instead of apologizing like he expected and 'bow' down to 'his' obvious 'seniority')

Swearing was hardly likely to help the situation.