In 2018 the Rail Camera Club organised the ‘Rail Cameraman’ exhibition at Locomotion, Shildon, showcasing the work of the club’s members.
This led to a photographic album to accompany the exhibition, The Photographic Artistry of Rail Cameramen, published by Silver Link.
It was, therefore, a natural progression that a competition to find the ‘Young Railway Photographer of the Year’ be held, the results of which can be seen displayed in this volume.
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The intention was to encourage photographers under the age of 25 and with an interest in railways to maybe follow in the footsteps of the RCC’s existing members by producing high-quality images capturing the changing railway scene.
The competition, on the theme of ‘The Railway Seen’, was launched in November 2019 but delayed by a year due to restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic.
To the delight of the organisers and sponsors, more than 900 images from more than 150 individual entrants were received. As can be seen, the pictures ranged across a wide variety of subjects, locations and photographic treatments, which made the judges’ task far from easy!
The photographs are accompanied in some cases by the entrants’ thoughts on his or her approach to railway photography, together with explanations of their techniques and influences. Throughout, their enthusiasm for the hobby shines through.
Also featured in the book are hints for submitting photographs to railway publications, and all-important safety rules for photographers working in this potentially dangerous environment.
It is clear that the capturing of the many and varied aspects of the railway is alive and well in the hands of the younger generation of up-and-coming photographers, and this book will be an inspiration to anyone wishing to pursue this all-absorbing pastime.
Young Railway Photographer of the Year 2022 by John Hillier and Peter Townsend is available to order for £30 from www.mortonsbooks.co.uk
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