Photographing On Trams And Train Tracks: Why Not To

One of the lovely things about Melbourne, here in Australia, is that it has the world’s largest tram network. Everywhere you go, throughout much of the city, you hear the clanging of tram bells. I’m in Melbourne often enough that it feels almost like a second home. And every time I go, I think what a welcoming sound the tram bells are. It’s the sound that tells me I’ve arrived.

Unfortunately, a recent Facebook discussion with a Melbourne photographer reminded me of just how much photographers enjoy the leading lines created by tram—or train—tracks. Photographers often view train and tram tracks as a great place to pose a subject because they can get long leading lines.

I would like to use this space to present an argument for why train and tram tracks are not good places to pose a subject. The issue is the same for both, with the possible difference that tram tracks exist in much more crowded settings and are, therefore, much more dangerous than a typical train track.

People getting on and off one of those Melbourne trams. This is how I get around Melbourne as well. I’m quite fond of them.

1. The Images Are Cliché

Everybody wants to take train track photos because the leading lines are attractive. Unfortunately, the fact that everybody wants to take those images means that everybody’s done it. It’s overdone, in fact, to the point of being cliché.       

If photography is art, then I would suggest that much of the value in photography is driven by finding new and creative ways to express ourselves. Taking photos of someone or something on a railroad track is neither new nor creative. It’s been done so many times that it is difficult to be original at all.

In essence, if you’re taking the usual photos on railroad tracks, you’re just taking the same photo that many have taken before. You’re just copying the same photos everyone else has taken. At that point, you are less an artist and more a photocopier. So what’s the point?

2. It’s Illegal

All over the world, train and tram tracks are considered private property. And trespassing on private property is unlawful. You can be fined. In some countries, you might even be arrested.

In Melbourne, signs abound warning that trespassing on the tram tracks is illegal and you can be fined. That fine is approximately $2,600 (approximately $1,700 in U.S. dollars). The fines may vary depending on where you live, but the legality typically does not. It’s still illegal to stand in the middle of a train or tram track no matter where you live. Doesn’t matter if you’re taking a photo.

This railroad track had multiple indicators of not being in use. For one thing, it’s part of a city park that has historic markers talking about it’s past usage. Another indicator is the lack of polish on the rails. But perhaps the best indication is that it’s actually physically broken. Even so, I took this photo standing off to the side of the track.

3. It’s Dangerous

I know. I know. You’ll hear the train or tram coming, right? Or you’ll see it because it’s in plain view. Well, most of the time you’re probably right. The problem is the one time you’re wrong.

Trains are fast. Trams are admittedly not fast, but they do travel in dense areas with sharp curves, heavy traffic, and a great deal of noise. Both trains and trams can easily sneak up on someone.

Often people claim that a track is disused and, therefore, safe. But often those same people are wrong. Tracks may not be used often, but a train can run someone down with just one try.

4. It’s Stupid

In the Facebook discussion with the photographer who was proud of his photos taken on tram tracks, he defended himself by pointing out his photos were taken on the Bourke Street pedestrian mall, an area where trams frequently mingle with pedestrians. He’s right. They do.

Of course, most pedestrians are smart enough not to stand in the path of a tram that weighs about the same as 30 rhinoceroses. But a photographer in quest of the perfect photo is a different sort of animal altogether. And this photographer was proud of himself for standing there in the midst of a busy tram line.

Unfortunately, photographers have a habit of doing stupid things and justifying it to themselves. Whether it be the one who has backed off a cliff in pursuit of a selfie or the one who tries to get a closeup of a dangerous North American animal using smartphone’s wide angle lens, there’s always someone and they always think they are justified.

One of the most important rules a person can follow is simply this: don’t do stupid stuff. If photographers were better at following this rule, this blog would serve little purpose.

Unfortunately, photographers’ reputations for doing stupid stuff does tend to precede us wherever we go. And it is often the reason for rules that heavily restrict photography in many desirable photography locations or the reason why photography related inquiries can produce visible eyerolls.

Let us hope one day photographers will adopt the simple rule of not doing stupid stuff. Until then, we will just have to keep warning people not to do stupid things.

Yes, the train is coming right at me. But look at the tracks and you’ll see that I got this vantage point by standing near a curve in the tracks. In fact, I was on the platform of a station where I was perfectly safe.

5. You’re Better Than This

In truth, perhaps the ultimate reason to avoid this type of photography setting is that you are a better photographer than this. If you’re reading this, I do not believe you are such a poor photographer that the only way you can create a decent image is by taking one that is cliched, illegal, dangerous, and stupid. I think you can take an even better photos that is original, legal, safe, and creative. You don’t need to take the same photo that has been done a million times before. You can do something better and you can do it the right way.

So if you’re still reading, I hope you’ll go out there and you’ll do the right thing. Just stay off the tram and train tracks. You’ll end up safer and with better images.