Inside Train Photography

2 minutes

Inside Train Photography.

I’m very fond of inside train photography, photographic train journeys give me the chance to keep pursuing my passion for photography whilst I’m travelling.

It enables me to capture interesting candid portraits in real-life situations, which tell stories about people’s lives in different places.

Italian couple on the Rome - Reggio Calabria High Speed Train. Italy.

Italian man has a nap on the Rome - Reggio Calabria High Speed Train. Italy.

Photographic Train Journeys.

Plenty of photo opportunities are available on a train ride and not just on board, but also at the stations. Inside train photography allows capturing candid portraits in real-life situations, conveying unique stories of their lives in different places.

The subjects are diverse and interesting, from people waiting to board the train to those already on it. With its modern and stylish interiors and large windows offering ample natural light, the train itself provides an ideal setting for photography.

I find all this very exciting.

The Magic of photographic Train Journeys

Inside train photography makes me notice how humans beings tend to behave differently when they are miles away from home.

I’ve also noticed how they socialise more easily when they spend time travelling for pleasure.

I’ve always liked inside train photography in Europe, but since I’ve lived in Bangkok for the last decade I’ve taken a lot of photos on trains in Southeast Asia, and you know what? I really love it.

I find the subjects photographed to be more diverse and interesting. 

Thailand

The following is a photo series that I captured during a ride from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi in Thailand. It takes between 2 and 3 hours. Sometimes 4.

Perfect for a photographic train journey!

Waiting the approaching Kanchanaburi - Bangkok train, Thailand.

Waiting the approaching Kanchanaburi - Bangkok train, Thailand.

Life on the Kanchanaburi - Bangkok train, Thailand.

Chitchat during the train ride, Thailand

Napping on the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi train, Thailand.

Passenger on the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi train, Thailand.

Nature seen from the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi train, Thailand.

Countryside seen from the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi train, Thailand.

Napping on the Kanchanaburi - Bangkok train, Thailand.

Passengers on the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi train, Thailand.

Stretching on the Kanchanaburi - Bangkok train, Thailand.

A colourful little house in the countryside seen from the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi train, Thailand.

Abstract seen from the Bangkok - Kanchanaburi train, Thailand.

Westerner stands up by the open door on a train, Thailand.

Passenger takes a look at the great scenario, Thailand.

Buddhist monk leans out of the window to look outside on the Kanchanaburi - Bangkok train, Thailand.

Mother with child "safely" cross by foot the railroad tracks, Thailand.

Another train next to us. Thailand.

The end of the train, the end of the day.

Taiwan

I find inside train photography on high-speed trains to be especially exciting, as it provides a unique opportunity to photograph modern and stylish train interiors in addition to diverse and interesting subjects.

The next series of images is from my trip in Taiwan on a high-speed train, where I was able to take advantage of the large windows and plenty of natural light to capture some great candid shots of friendly and curious people on board.

Taiwanese girl has just got off the Taichung-Taipei High Speed Train. Taipei train station, Taiwan.

Taiwanese people wait for the Taichung-Taipei High Speed Train. Taichung train station, Taiwan.

Taiwanese girl has a nap on the Taichung-Taipei High Speed Train. Taiwan.

Taiwanese girl applies a face mask sheet. Taichung - Taipei High Speed Train. Taiwan.

Taiwanese man has a nap on the Taichung - Taipei High Speed Train. Taiwan.

Cambodia

I often travel to Cambodia, it’s my favourite country for inside train photography.

People don’t mind me taking pictures of them. Actually, they love it.

It makes me feel relaxed and more ‘focused’ on the scene in front of me so my only concern is to compose the image.

Cambodian man at Phnom Penh Railway Station. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Cambodian men on a scooter next to the railway smile for my camera. Cambodia.

A foreigner takes a photo for a Cambodian transgender. Takeo, Cambodia.

Inside the train from Phnom Penh Railway Station to Phnom Penh International Airport. Cambodia.

View of the traffic from the back of the train from Phnom Penh Railway Station to Phnom Penh International Airport. Cambodia.

At the back of the train from Phnom Penh Railway Station to Phnom Penh International Airport. Cambodia.

Cambodian child smiles for my camera on a train from Kampot to Phnom Penh. Cambodia.

I will be updating this article with more photographs from my next trips. So, please, stay tuned by subscribing to my Newsletter.

For more photos about Southeast Asia’s lifestyle you may visit my Travel page and also read my articles on my Blog posts page.