Photography On The Way To Work

If you work full time, it can be difficult to still find time to fit in your photography. Here, we've come up with some top tips for fitting your photography in around your work. Whether you commute by car or train, or walk to work, there are still photographs to be taken!

Candid Tube/ Train Photography

If you commute of a tube or train, there are some great opportunities for candid portrait photography. Candids on the carriages showing people's emotions, feelings and behaviour can make for interesting shots.

Focus on the face and try to capture the mood of the person, to make the photo feel more personal. If you're on the tube, there is a lot more open space and room for more varied shots. A line of people sat down, if the tube isn't too crowded, will work well to illustrate your journey to work.

 

If you don't want to photograph people how about the platform, signals, trains or old stations? More tips on photography in stations can be found here. Do remember there are certain rules you have to follow when it comes to photography in certain locations so do make sure you do your homework before taking your camera out of its bag. 

Photo by David Burleson

Transport Photography

One thing you'll see a lot of on your commute is transport. Be it cars, bikes or trains, there will be plenty of opportunities to shoot transport. Keep your eyes open for anything unusual, like a rare or old car that you can photograph for that little something different to the norm. Use a quirky angle or take a macro shot if possible, to emphasise an interesting part of the vehicle.

Light Trails

These are relatively easy to capture as long as you have a tripod and if you can stop at the side of the road safely on your way home (obviously we don't want you to block roads are park where you shouldn't be!). Light trails work great when shot at the side of busy roads, however if you can get high up and look down on the road, this will work well too, capturing a bird's eye view. Slow shutter speeds will be necessary to capture those all important trails of light. Take a look at our article on light trail photography for more information.

Architechtural Photography

If you work in the city, then there will be some great opportunities for architechtural photography around you. Whether your subject is the busy city centre shops, or the skyscrapers in the business district, some great effects can be achieved. 

If you're looking for architecture photography advice then take a look at this top list of tutorials.

Photo courtesy of David Clapp - www.davidclapp.co.uk

Sunrise / Sunset

If you set off to work early, and return just as it is getting dark, depending on the season you'll be able to get some great shots of the sunrise and sunset. You need to be ready for those all important minutes of the sun's rays coming up over the horizon. 

ePHOTOzine has plenty of techniques covering sunrises and sunsets which you can find here:

• Ten Top Sunset Photography Tips
• Sunset Photo Tips For Beginners
• Sunset Photography Tips
• Sunset Photography Advice
• Basic Sunrise Photography Tips
• Beginner's Guide To Sunrise Photography
• Essential Sunrise Photography Tips 

Landscapes, Fields And Crops

In the summer, when all the crops are out, you can take some great sweeping field vistas of oil seed rape. You can easily photograph fields from the roadside on your way home if you commute through the open country. Some great abstract  and macro shots can also be taken, as well as the traditional landscape.

Take a look at this tutorial for more tips: How To Photograph Crop Fields Creatively

On The Way To Work Documentary Style 

If you're really keen on taking photos on your way to work, then why not document your experience in photos? Photograph interesting and memorable points from your commute to create a documentary style record of your experiences. Repeat this monthly, and see how the world around you changes over the passing of time.

Photo by Peter Bargh

Often, you won't think to take your camera along with you to work. But as this article shows, there may be some great photo opportunities you are missing by not having it with you just in case.

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