Hi, my name is Dorian and I am on the last year of my photography degree. I would like to work on a few week project about trainspotting in London. I would like to know where and when I can go to meet some people. If there is anyone from London that could help me I would appreciate this. Any tips and advices?
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Trainspotting - photography project, need of help
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YorkshireBear
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Being up north i can't help you in person.
What kind of thing are you looking for? Taking photos of the hobby or doing the hobby?
What kind of thing are you looking for? Taking photos of the hobby or doing the hobby?
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Hi Dorian,
There are not many trainspotters on this forum so people here may not be able to help you, but as taxidave suggests there are a number of good locations you can go where you may be able to find people trainspotting.
There are not many trainspotters on this forum so people here may not be able to help you, but as taxidave suggests there are a number of good locations you can go where you may be able to find people trainspotting.
FLHH East Anglia
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Hi Dorian,
There are not many trainspotters on this forum so people here may not be able to help you,
i would say a majority of members are trainspotter's or enthusiasts,i was,and glad i was because i do'nt think i'd be doing the job of driving if i had'nt been.
Whilst the majority probably are enthusiasts or other interested parties, the OP stated ''trainspotter'' of which there are very few on RailUK.i would say a majority of members are trainspotter's or enthusiasts,i was,and glad i was because i do'nt think i'd be doing the job of driving if i had'nt been.
Thank you, I will definitely try these locations. If you will step upon any kind of information about trainspotting in London, let me know. One more question, what is the best time to visit these locations? I know that there are peak times, when there is more trains. So would you say mornings? Early mornings ? Or not ?
Hi, this is my second post on this forum. This time I am looking for an interesting rail enthusiast in London, someone that has an interesting story to tell or some kind of collection to share. I am a 22 year old student of photogography currently working on a project about rail enthusiasts and trainspotters as I find this subject very fascinating.
heenan73
Member
Why do they need to be in London? Why do you need to meet them to exchange stories? There's a few thousand right here.
Please don't take this personally, but if you find it fascinating, why not look for trains, not trainspotters.
Please don't take this personally, but if you find it fascinating, why not look for trains, not trainspotters.
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fairysdad
Member
As a former Photography student (although not at degree level) I would suggest that there is a certain fascination to be had with people who engage with activities, not necessarily the activity itself. For instance, if you were to be photographing a doctor, would you photograph him or his patients? As for the story aspect, I'd guess that the OP would need to meet them not just to hear the stories, but to photograph them as well. I'd also guess that they need to be in London as that is where the OP is, and as a student in his final year is probably unable to afford to go anywhere else!
Fincra5
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When I worked for Southern you would see loads of spotters at Clapham Junction and London Bridge. YOu should find plenty there 
bb21
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As a number of concerns have been raised with the staff team with regard to this thread, I will emphasise that whilst it is not against forum rules for anyone to seek assistance from members in this manner, members, if agreeing to meet the OP in person, are reminded to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions beforehand such as informing a relative or a friend of their intended whereabouts and the time to be expected back, in order to keep themselves safe. Make sure that any meeting takes place in a busy public location, preferably during daytime, and never arrange to meet a stranger somewhere isolated.
I can see that I have raised many concerns here on this forum. Well i have already started my project and thanks to everyone that could share some hints and tips with me. I am not a pegophile or a murderer, I am a 22 year old student working on a really small project on my editorial/photojournalism brief. I was looking for people in London because I cannot afford to travel anywhere else and I use public transport a lot, I travel from beckenham to london bridge or victoria and on my way I sometimes see trainspotters so I thought it could be an interesting story for this particular assignment. I do not want to take pictures of trains, as someone said here, i wouldnt take pictures of patients if i was working on a project about doctors. And yes my name is Dorian... I dont want hide behind some stupid nickname. Again, big thanks to those who are not stupid trolls and decided to share some things with me.
scotsman
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Good luck with it, I'm looking to do a journalism course and go into journalism/photojournalism myself - so I understand where you're coming from. I could see a study of a 'spotter being interesting and getting some different shots at the end of it.
What you may or may not realise is that there's quite a few young people on this forum, some of whom may be slightly suspicious that someone wants to take the p*ss out of them or make them out to be something they're not. Of course, some are also suspicious of a stranger with a camera asking if they can meet them - it can sound dodgy from some perspectives, but I fail to see how else you could do it.
Also, about the nicknames, quite a few here are rail staff and/or would rather prefer to have some anonymity in case their employer/friends come across what they've said - the consequences range from being labelled a "trainspotter" to disciplinary action.
Hopefully this, erm, essay will help you with your project as well as help you understand the viewpoint of many members here (not that I speak on their behalf, or the forum etc.)
Good luck with it, I'm looking to do a journalism course and go into journalism/photojournalism myself - so I understand where you're coming from. I could see a study of a 'spotter being interesting and getting some different shots at the end of it.
What you may or may not realise is that there's quite a few young people on this forum, some of whom may be slightly suspicious that someone wants to take the p*ss out of them or make them out to be something they're not. Of course, some are also suspicious of a stranger with a camera asking if they can meet them - it can sound dodgy from some perspectives, but I fail to see how else you could do it.
Also, about the nicknames, quite a few here are rail staff and/or would rather prefer to have some anonymity in case their employer/friends come across what they've said - the consequences range from being labelled a "trainspotter" to disciplinary action.
Hopefully this, erm, essay will help you with your project as well as help you understand the viewpoint of many members here (not that I speak on their behalf, or the forum etc.)
Angus
Thank You, I see there is also a lot of help on this forum. This is not the hardest project I have done, In my portfolio I have pictures of riots etc.
I really like engaging with people, and it is much easier in real life than on the internet, because everyone here writes whatever is on his mind. This was just a part of my research and I have gathered a lot of information, but I also move my ass from time to time and actually go to these station and do 'the real research'. I don't think these people are weird or stupid. I do not judge anyone, I think that trainspotters and rail enthusiasts are very interesting. I also like trains, I use them everyday. I love the old one that is usually coming to Victoria around 9pm weekdays. I remember this older man sitting on a bench opposite, he had this little notebook and was counting people getting off this train. I think it is so fantastic. Anyway, thanks for all the information from you guys.
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