About Me – Andrew Shenton, UK Railway Photographer
Hello and welcome to my corner of the internet! I’m Andrew, a passionate railway photographer based in the UK. My journey into railway photography began long before my earliest memories, thanks to my dad’s deep love for trains. Growing up, I was immersed in the world of British Rail, becoming a dedicated trainspotter and railway enthusiast throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Trains have always been a part of my life, and this fascination has shaped not just my childhood, but my lifelong hobby as a photographer today.
Rekindling a Passion Through Railway Photography
In recent years, I felt the need to reconnect and become active with my love of railways, and it was railway photography that reignited my passion. It gave me an outlet for my creativity while also challenging me to grow technically. Over the last decade, I’ve immersed myself in capturing images of UK Railways. I am fortunate to be a member of the Flickr 1Z10 Photography Group and the Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle, I’m pleased to be part of a community that thrives on creative challenge and innovation, always striving to break the mould and pushing the boundaries of traditional railway photography.
Capturing the Train in Its Environment
For me, railway photography isn’t just about snapping a picture of a train—it’s about telling a story. The most compelling railway images capture the scene in its entirety, with the train integrated into its environment. I love playing with light, the changing seasons, and even inclement weather to create striking and atmospheric shots. Low-light and night photography are some of my favourite challenges, as they bring a whole new dynamic to the railway scene.
Traditionally, railway photography has focused on the standard “front three-quarter view” of a train, emphasising the train’s face and side as it fills the frame. While this can make for a great record shot, my goal is to add more creativity to the mix. As part of the 1Z10 group and the Phoenix Circle, I strive to move beyond the traditional, finding new ways to frame and capture trains that tell a deeper, more creative story.
Expanding My Creativity – Photography and Filming
A few years ago, I decided to step in front of the camera myself and launched my YouTube channel, dedicated to railway photography. This was an exciting new challenge—capturing both photographs and video footage while speaking to the camera to create engaging content. Balancing both photography and filming has provided me with fresh opportunities to explore new angles, techniques, and perspectives, making the creative process even more rewarding.
Inspiring Your Own Railway Photography Journey
I hope the images you see here inspire you to explore the limitless possibilities of railway photography. There are so many creative ways to capture the essence of trains—whether it’s photographing a train speeding into the distance, using shafts of light in a dark cutting to highlight locomotive exhaust, or zooming in on small, abstract details of the railway infrastructure. You could take a powerful low-angle shot of a locomotive or capture the train within its surrounding landscape. Railway photography offers endless opportunities for experimentation and creativity.
Remember, capturing that perfect shot requires patience, perseverance, and a little bit of luck. When everything aligns—the right location, the perfect train, and ideal weather conditions—it’s an incredibly satisfying moment of accomplishment.
Thank you for visiting my site, and I hope my work inspires you to grab your camera, embrace the challenge, and let your creativity flow.