PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE INDIAN RAILWAYS

by: S.SHANKAR

• Get a permit if you intend to do serious and extensive railroad photography in India.
• Acquire a small, instantly pocketable zoom compact for informal snapshooting.
• Use fast film.
• Be discreet and use your commonsense.
• If armed with a permit, approach the shed foreman or station master when you want to photograph in his territory.
• Instantly pocket your camera after each shot if you are doing casual snapshooting without a permit.
• Wear loose clothing so that the camera in your pocket does not bulge, causing you discomfort as well as making you conspicuous.
• Polish up on your photography techniques: get used to grab shots, shooting at odd angles and positions, panning, reverse panning etc.
• Shoot outside station premises, on the lineside and in the countryside if you are shooting with your SLR and other large cameras without a permit.
• Meet nosy officials and RPF constables head on if confronted.
• Look for good vantage points for photography: overbridges, station forecourt, overbridges, places on the platfore etc.
• Keep your camera safely in your pocket when not in use. (if shooting without a permit).
• Get a platform ticket if snooping within station limits, but keep changing your vantage point.
• If you approach railroad staff without a permit, follow a friendly and humane approach.
• Ask the coach attendant, bearers and other staff for good points to photograph from or good places to photograph while on the run.
• Play it safe, without risk to your life or limb.
• Avoid photography at places with a heavy military or armed forces presence.
• Stay cool if confronted by officials. Losing your head will only land you in more trouble.
• Always lean onto something or hold something if you are trying to shoot fast trains by standing right next to the track. The speed and air pressure could make you lose your balance, and you cold get sucked under the train.
• Despite India's fantastic progress in many fields, and the manifold increase availability of cameras openly, including top international brands, a man with a camera is still a sight, often stared at or oggled at at many places, especially railroad stations. Bear this in mind, and let this influence your actions.

• Don't use your SLR camera and other bulky equipment if you are shooting without a permit.
• Don't use flash.
• Don't make yourself conspicuous by staying for too long at the same spot.
• Don't run away from RPF constables or senior officials if you are confronted. This will only make more trouble for you.
• Don't wander into the yard and other such places without an escort. Trains can come from both directions and without warning. Remember that trains are sometimes backed into the yards, so the locomotive may be some 18 to 22 cars away, due to which you might not hear a warning horn. There is usually someone in the last car who will blow the whistle for you to get out of the way, but you might not hear him soon enough or he might not notice you.
• Don't get down onto the tracks to photograph something nearby. Trains can sometimes come in from either side, and without warning.
• Don't risk your life and limb by doing dangerous or foolhardy things: its not worth it.
• Don't walk into yards, stations etc. flaunting your camera and other equpment, making it bloody obvious that you intend taking pictures. This is of course, if you are shooting without a permit.
• Don't argue if confronted or questioned,whatever happens.
• Don't try and bulldoze your way into the cab of a locomotive for a footplate ride: its against the rules and it could endanger the driver's job.
• Don't ever open your camera or show it in front of anyone in khaki: you can avoid a lot of trouble for yourself. Even if you do not actually shoot, rest assured that several of these khaki chaps (railway police) will keep an eye on you. Other khaki staff like shunting masters, attendants etc.are quite harmless though.
• Don't ever try and stand between two trains in an attempt to capture both of them on film. One, if the trains are fast, you will tend to get sucked under the trains. If e.m.u. (electrical multiple unit) trains, they are WIDER than the normal stock, and there is barely a foot of clearance between them. You will not realize the enormity in size and speed unless the trains are on you. (at times literally).
• Don't shoot a fast moving train standing on the next tracks the sound will drown another train coming onto the track you are standing on, and you will not hear it until its too late. We need you, and your pics.
• Don't flaunt your photo gear openly, for if the railway police manage not to catch you, thieves will.
• Don't make yourself stand out like a rake out of a haystack: do not linger for too long at one spot.
• Don't shoot indiscriminately if there is a board expressly prohibiting photography.
• Don't hang out of moving trains in an attempt. You could lose your balance if a fast train passes. In electrified territory, your head or hands could hit the catenary masts, leading to grievious bodily injury or even death.
• Don't ever open your camera in front of railway police force (RPF) constables, armed cops or the military.
• Don't run if confronted. You will only get into more trouble if you do.
• Don't make a nuisance of yourself, and get other railway staff (who may be trying to help you) into trouble.
• Don't flex your muscles or bare your fangs. Remember, no one is obliged to allow you to photograph without a permit. Some staff are friendly and allow you to do so, but its ultimately you who is on the wrong side of the law. Be sensible about your actions.
• However, don't be too self conscious either.
• Don't jump off moving trains.
• Don't indiscriminately shoot passengers either, especially ladies. Ask permission. Some are sensitive, and may object.