Treading trodden trails of railroad photography

I attended a railroad slide show this weekend with 23 of my closest friends. Without fail there were multiple shows on the most popular topics of the times: Florida East Coast and Montana Rail Link. Add Raton Pass and you have the unholy trifecta of over-exposed railroad subjects in the early 21st century.

Full disclosure: I traveled to photograph Florida East Coast already this calendar year. I had a blast. It was worth the trip. But I fully recognize that, since Fred Frailey's January 2015 issue feature story on the railroad, there is little editorial need for the content I produced.

Trains Magazine gets bunches of photo submissions each week, but we always want more. There are more than 90 editorial photos in that same January 2015 issue. Across 12 issues there could be more than 1,000 photos a year.

What's the best way to make sure that some or your photos are represented in that total? To start, put in some time by the tracks with a camera in-hand, and plan your photo outings to locations that are off the beaten railfan path.

You can start in your own back yard. Take ownership of your local area, know it inside and out, and demonstrate that knowledge. Having a deep catalog of photography and being known as the go-to person for an area is the best way to get a request for submissions. If I need a photo from the Twin Cities or Denver or Puget Sound I already have a list of people that I know will have the material. But what about Omaha or Houston or Las Vegas? Yes, there's still plenty of room for you, too.

In the end it's still your vacation: have fun and make the most of the trip. But if publication is your goal, think about the locations that are under represented in railroad photography and redirect your efforts there.

For submission guidelines, go to www.TrainsMag.com.