Appalling Behaviour of Photographers at a Public Event

chuckles

chuckles

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I make no apologies if these photographers are members of TP.... I just cannot excuse, rationalise or justify what I witnessed yesterday.

The Flying Scotsman was travelling down to London yesterday to commence its inaugural run to York today. It was a fine occasion with good light and some goodwill from the staff who were simply requesting a donation to a Cancer charity to enter the station and stand on the platforms.

Once I'd got myself to a Platform there were (as expected) a number of toggers/spotters there. What I was not expecting was what follows ....

Less than 1 metre in from the Platform edge, duck-taped to the platform surface was GoPro camera. Presumably set up to video the locomotive passing. Not only was that there but also a white-lensed Canon 5d on a tripod with a wireless release of some kind - also close to the platform edge but about 2 metres from the GoPro! I'm usually against some asinine H&S rules but this was the most dangerous I've ever seen in a public location! Trip Hazard Central

If that was the end of it I'd could kind of accept but, I then had to endure some idiots who'd set themselves up with long-lenses shouting (abusively) for a clear view for their 'long-shot' as FS approached.

I was almost ashamed to be holding a camera!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ rant over!
 
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Saw it on the news that there was a delay at St Neots because folk were on the track! :rolleyes:
 
OldCarlos said:
Saw it on the news that there was a delay at St Neots because folk were on the track! :rolleyes:
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That really doesn't surprise me after I witnessed yesterday's behaviour
 
Too many of these occasions lately Steve :(

Photographers without a brain are on the increase!
 
totally agree with this some people don't deserve to be called "photographer" as for the long shots perhaps they should have the right equipment for the job ;-)
 
I've had to remind parents on the track with their kids that trains run in both directions and there's more than one train a day. Some folk just haven't a clue.

But the rudeness/stupidity of photographers is nothing new or unusual. I see it at pretty much every event - from pro's and amateurs alike. Almost always a bloke with one of the bigger DSLRs. It's one of the reasons I dislike to the frequent "photographer's rights" discussions because they very rarely consider the responsibilities as well.
 
Line closed again north of Doncaster due to further trespass.

South of Doncaster Network Rail had an official posted on every foot crossing and a police helicopter circling overhead (plus TV helicopter adding to the overall over hype of this event).

It was noticeable that a large proportion of the crowds were women too, not your usual spotter crowds. (Not that they shouldn't turn out, but given the pictures circulating on social media of a woman walking down the trackside at St Neots, I do wonder quite why they do it or dont recognise the dangers).

Any idiot walking down an electrified 125mph operating railway needs not only their head examining but deserves to have the book thrown at them. If they were hit by a train they would be the first to cry wolf.
 
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Sound like an excellent photo opportunity about the bad behaviour of photographers :-)
 
Looks like many of the togs got a free steam clean of their cameras :D
 
It makes you wonder how some people are still alive and in one piece! Common sense cleslry left at home!
 
There's a video clip on twit book showing hundreds of folk stood on the main line right next to a green signal. FS stoker was trying to tell them to get away but they thought he was waving at them.

Idiot who shot it used his own name. BTP have been copied into it. Think he'll soon get a bill for £1000 plus legal costs. Serves him right.
 
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...and they'll have identical photos.... it's THEIR photo though... they pressed the button... LOL


What's more.. they'll all be crap photos. What is the point?

Somewhere along the east coast mainline, there'll be somewhere you can camp out and wait for the train in absolute isolation and get a much better image, but nooooo.... let's join the equivalent of a rugby scrum and end up with a s**t image, and compromise the safety of others instead.


I don't care how much HV you wear.... if you behave like this on a public railway, you're a tit.

I'd have laughed like a drain if a train pulled into that other platform and ruined everyone;'s shot. I know they probably scheduled it to be clear, but even so.... it would have been hilarious :)
 
Here you are, I've found it again.
Lemmings spring to mind.

https://mobile.BANNED/JSimonCar/status/702782227722141696?s=0
 
Pookeyhead said:
View attachment 57780


...and they'll have identical photos.... it's THEIR photo though... they pressed the button... LOL


What's more.. they'll all be crap photos. What is the point?

Somewhere along the east coast mainline, there'll be somewhere you can camp out and wait for the train in absolute isolation and get a much better image, but nooooo.... let's join the equivalent of a rugby scrum and end up with a s**t image, and compromise the safety of others instead.


I don't care how much HV you wear.... if you behave like this on a public railway, you're a tit.

I'd have laughed like a drain if a train pulled into that other platform and ruined everyone;'s shot. I know they probably scheduled it to be clear, but even so.... it would have been hilarious :)
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I can't believe the staff at the station didn't realise this and put some barriers out. Then
charge to access etc. One nudge and most of these would of been on the track ! Absolutely crazy !
 
Pookeyhead said:
...and they'll have identical photos.... it's THEIR photo though... they pressed the button... LOL
Click to expand...

That is kinda the point though. ;)

The 'quality' of the photo doesn't matter for those people, it's the proof that they were actually there to record the scene that is important for them. That's pretty much what this kind of photography is - evidence, of a particularly personal kind.
 
shreds said:
Line closed again north of Doncaster due to further trespass.

. If they were hit by a train they would be the first to cry wolf.
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That would be a miracle. They'd probably be splattered to bits.

I say just let them go and give the drivers instructions not to stop and just mob up the more stupid members of the gene pool.
 
I knew it would be a bun fight yesterday that's why I didn't go even though I live in the centre of York. I understand someone got stabbed with a tripod yesterday and people were walking along the track.

Mind you I got some cracking pictures the day before of Flying Scotsman under steam before she went to Scarborough knowing there would only a handful of photographers about on York Station as the programme was changed at the last minute.
 
ST4 said:
That would be a miracle. They'd probably be splattered to bits.

I say just let them go and give the drivers instructions not to stop and just mob up the more stupid members of the gene pool.
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Unfortunately some poor sod at the depot has to go underneath and steam clean all the remains off. Apparently brain is especially sticky, but with these idiots, there would not be a huge amount of that. None too great for the driver either.
 
I don't like crowds so I do my railway photography away from the limelight. Sometimes, though, you just can't avoid other photographers...

17143281239_c74d001a1d_b.jpg
 
shreds said:
Unfortunately some poor sod at the depot has to go underneath and steam clean all the remains off. Apparently brain is especially sticky, but with these idiots, there would not be a huge amount of that. None too great for the driver either.
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Just skip that part as it adds to the message don't muck around near trains.
 
Sejanus Aelianus said:
I don't like crowds so I do my railway photography away from the limelight. Sometimes, though, you just can't avoid other photographers...

17143281239_c74d001a1d_b.jpg
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Another one on the wrong side of the yellow safety line together with a passenger ignoring the 'Do Not Lean Out Of The Window' Notice. ;)
 
shreds said:
Line closed again north of Doncaster due to further trespass.

South of Doncaster Network Rail had an official posted on every foot crossing and a police helicopter circling overhead (plus TV helicopter adding to the overall over hype of this event).

It was noticeable that a large proportion of the crowds were women too, not your usual spotter crowds. (Not that they shouldn't turn out, but given the pictures circulating on social media of a woman walking down the trackside at St Neots, I do wonder quite why they do it or dont recognise the dangers).

Any idiot walking down an electrified 125mph operating railway needs not only their head examining but deserves to have the book thrown at them. If they were hit by a train they would be the first to cry wolf.
Click to expand...

You are right in what you are feeling but.... a human being hit by a 125mph 400 ton train will generally feel nothing. It is, however a different experiene when witnessed by others.
It is not a pleasant experience to either witness, or for a family friend, who has had to be part of the investigation team for a few suicides when someone thinks the way to end their pain is death by high speed train. I have witnessed a suicide on the London underground (44 years ago and I still get the odd flashback).

As you say, the potential is that some just did not recognise the risk, especially on an operating multi service busy network line. There is danger enough with the heritage/preservation lines!

The idiotic behaviour of those who trespassed is ridiculous and I am at a loss to think of any way to stop it from happening. There seems to be s limitless supply of fools and 'entitled' half wits around.
 
chuckles said:
I make no apologies if these photographers are members of TP.... I just cannot excuse, rationalise or justify what I witnessed yesterday.

The Flying Scotsman was travelling down to London yesterday to commence its inaugural run to York today. It was a fine occasion with good light and some goodwill from the staff who were simply requesting a donation to a Cancer charity to enter the station and stand on the platforms.

Once I'd got myself to a Platform there were (as expected) a number of toggers/spotters there. What I was not expecting was what follows ....

Less than 1 metre in from the Platform edge, duck-taped to the platform surface was GoPro camera. Presumably set up to video the locomotive passing. Not only was that there but also a white-lensed Canon 5d on a tripod with a wireless release of some kind - also close to the platform edge but about 2 metres from the GoPro! I'm usually against some asinine H&S rules but this was the most dangerous I've ever seen in a public location! Trip Hazard Central

If that was the end of it I'd could kind of accept but, I then had to endure some idiots who'd set themselves up with long-lenses shouting (abusively) for a clear view for their 'long-shot' as FS approached.

I was almost ashamed to be holding a camera!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ rant over!
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I know, its terrible...I mean a white lensed Canon 5d. Have they got no self respect and style? Darling, that is just terrible. :)

Seriously though, they are just people, full of entitlement and awareness of their rights...No idea about their obligations....It's life in the UK I'm afraid...
 
It was like that when the original testing runs were done in Bury. I managed to stand in a field and get this no pushing and shoving.
 

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Ed Sutton said:
That is kinda the point though. ;)

The 'quality' of the photo doesn't matter for those people, it's the proof that they were actually there to record the scene that is important for them. That's pretty much what this kind of photography is - evidence, of a particularly personal kind.
Click to expand...

It's to put on social media along with every other sort of selfie. Look where I was and you weren't
 
It was the same here when Tour De France was on. The public did not give the riders a chance.
 
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