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.

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

I don't know but i thought you were on holiday with cherie ♥

Answer 3

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 4

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 5

because it would be stupid to take from the front

Answer 6

So you can see the length the girth is too much for the ladies                  right girls ???????   lol

Answer 7

Speechless!!!

Answer 8

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 9

To give you that abstract feeling.. and to make you think that the train has several cars and many passengers along for the ride.

Answer 10

Because sometimes there are a lot of things on the way and you cannot take a good picture of the side... and if it is moving is too complex.

Answer 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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

Answer 15

its safer i guess

Answer 16

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 17

lol would you want to stand in front of a moving train ?

Answer 18

Because if you stand in front of it you won't get a very well devloped picture now will you

Answer 19

They are taken at an angle because you can see more of the train/engine  and engine parts Etc !!! You can also see the background better as well !!!!