Why are trains photographed at an angle?

Question

The Victorians took photos of locomotives in plan view but now they seem to be done at an angle. Plan view shows the details of the loco better.

Plan view by the way means from the side not the front.

Answer 1

I have a great set of movies which show all the old steam locomotives all the way up to some of today's more modern diesel electric ones , so I find them fascinating to see. I agree a plain side view would offer more details which is great also , but I think an angle view provides a touch of action or a bit of dramatic effect to a photo.

Answer 2

Those plain view pics were of stationary locomotives if they are sharp. Anything taken "on the move" in Victorian times would be blurred because of the slow film speeds available so they are not generally published. Modern film and shutter speeds would easily capture a plain view pic of a train today but it is very difficult to frame up the shot of a moving train today and access to stationary ones is very limited.

Answer 3

I would have to say the reason that most of the pictures are taken from the side is because most of the rail companies have a no trespassing policy.
So in order to take a picture from the front you would have to be on the track.
Also most of the pics are of moving trains.
You would no want to stand on a track and try to take a picture of a train that is coming directly at you.
That would be just like playing chicken with the train.
Most companies have a specified distance you are allowed from the track to where you are allowed to take pictures.
Hope this helped .

Answer 4

My belief on this is that they are photographed at an angle in order to imply not only motion, but sometimes size and power as well. If taken at an angle, the photo itself may fool you into believing, at least for a split second, that motion is occurring. Now, if those same images are taken at a lower angle aiming up to a higher angle, it would imply power and size, much like a super hero drawing, or an action shot in a motion picture.

Answer 5

It depends on the mood of the photographer and also what he/she wanted to capture.
A plane view may capture details but can not describe its size.
Angled view gives you idea of how big it is and also it tells how it looks as a whole.
Detailed view is required by an engineer and photographers take the photo for general people not from technical point of view.

Answer 6

I'd say there is no other reason than that of personnal preference of the photographer. When taking detailed photos, for reference or prototype modelling, they usually capture the image from all angles.

Answer 7

I think its so you can see the front of the locomotive, For the average man rather then an engineer.

Answer 8

Who wants to stand on a Train track and photograph and oncoming train? Not me. Plus angle always adds dimension to a shot.

Answer 9

So that it will fit into the new, tiny cameras, better!!!

Actually, been a rail fan for decades, studied thoroughly...

Like the blueprints, plan views best. But, for postcards, oblique is a favorite.

Answer 10

by using fact a lot of human beings take photos of the distinctive shape (fortress, Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn, and so on) you may choose as a replace to concentration on the biggest factors. some trip comments i've got examine have concentrated on indicators on the hotel, or lights furniture, or any of those hundreds of small information that make the location so exciting, consisting of props strewn approximately to grant a feeling of place.