Photographing railroad tracks?

2 years 10 months ago #717011 by Luca
Can someone please tell me, can we step onto a railroad track to take photos?  I've seen tons of photos, but when I was talking to another photographer about doing so the other day, they just about called me out for thinking about it.  

Can we?  


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2 years 10 months ago #717012 by Shadowfixer1
Stepping onto railroad tracks is trespassing unless it's at a designated walkway like a city/county sidewalk.
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2 years 10 months ago #717014 by Nikon Shooter

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Stepping onto railroad tracks is trespassing unless it's at a designated walkway like a city/county sidewalk.


:agree:

I scout for locations where I can shoot with longer lens and
use the compression as a cool feature.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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2 years 10 months ago #717017 by Luca
So how much trouble can you get in if you get caught?  Or can someone give you problems if they see your photo of tracks? 


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2 years 10 months ago #717020 by TCav
Be sure to look both ways.


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2 years 10 months ago #717024 by Nikon Shooter

Luca wrote: So how much trouble can you get in if you get caught?  Or can someone give you problems if they see your photo of tracks? 


That depends widely, from a verbal note to a heavy fine, on state laws
in the US. Through the decades, railroad companies have tried to stan-
dardise rules and laws but unsuccessfully. Better stay out of trouble.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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2 years 10 months ago #717124 by Kenta
Just get friendly with a zoom lens and no need to worry.  


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2 years 10 months ago #717161 by Jim Photo
So question on this topic:  You can't physically step on the tracks without that being considered trespassing.  What about hovering a drone over tracks to get the shots you want?  Technically, you aren't stepping on the tracks any longer.  


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2 years 10 months ago #717197 by Moe
+1 agree


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2 years 10 months ago #717207 by TCav
Actually, the railroads own the right-of-way, mostly for the land the tracks are on but also for the land around them, so getting anywhere near them could be trespassing. Also, entering the airspace over them also constitutes trespassing, as the drone might inadvertently interfere with overhead power lines, signals, controls, etc.

Therefore, technically, anything suggested here could be illegal.

If you want a shot of railroad tracks, trespass, and take your chances.


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2 years 10 months ago #717369 by Robert Chen
All true... 

Really though, have any one here ever been ticketed for photographing tracks? 

Nikon D300 24-70mm f2.8
70-200mm f2.8
50mm f1.4 & 50mm f1.8
105mm f2.8
2 SB800

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2 years 10 months ago #717456 by CharleyL
How about from a bridge above the tracks? This way you are standing on a public highway and not on the tracks. OK, you are probably wanting to take a photo of a specific section of track, but maybe not. 

Charley


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2 years 10 months ago #717502 by Fitch
Just don't be one of 'THOSE' people who don't practice common sense when photographing train tracks.  


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2 years 10 months ago #717575 by Colorado Mike
LOL I think every beginner photographer took photos of railroad tracks.  


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