How to shoot subway photography

In today's blog, I’ll share my favorite spot for photography: the subway. It’s a fantastic place for capturing various genres of photography, no matter the weather. Why choose the subway? Because it offers the opportunity to take photos in any conditions. There’s always a genre to explore, ample lighting, and endless inspiration for your photography. I also want to provide you with ideas on the different styles of photos you can capture in the subway.

Architecture

One genre you can photograph in the subway is architecture. The subway, particularly from the 70s and 80s, is rich in unique architectural features that make the stations easily recognizable, aiding better navigation along a given line. Be sure to pay attention to details such as specific lighting, patterns, and even artworks!

Motion blur

Motion blur is my favorite genre and style of photography. It works perfectly in the subway, highlighting the dynamics of people, trains, and overall movement in the area. Playing with slow shutter speeds is always enjoyable; I typically work with exposure times between 1/40 and 0.5 seconds.

Liminal space

Another genre that holds a special place in my heart is liminal space. This style of photography requires a completely different approach when shooting in the subway. While the previous technique highlighted the dynamics of the environment, liminal space captures the exact opposite. Its goal is to portray a location in a way that feels abandoned and even disorienting. Typically, an ultra-wide lens works well for this style.

Humans

Another subject you can photograph in the subway are humans and their stories. The subway is one of the few places where you can capture unique moments of local life without pretense. You’ll encounter all kinds of characters here, and it’s up to you to decide which one to capture in your photo and what intrigues you about them.

Framing

Metro stations and platforms often offer perfect framing for your subjects. Additionally, the windows in the subway can serve as a great frame for passengers traveling to their destinations.

Subway cars

This is my favorite photography disciplines in the subway. If you’re looking for an interesting shot, seek out historical trains in your local subway system. Alternatively, you can collect images of various subway models from systems around the world. Each one has its unique design and features that reflect the characteristics of that particular metro system.

Symmetry

The subway and its overall construction invite you to experiment with photographing both spaces and stations symmetrically. A small tip: enable the level and grid function on your camera to accurately capture the symmetry of your subjects.

Reflection

Another style you can explore in the subway is reflections. The metro is filled with shiny surfaces, various glass and metal elements, making reflections a captivating aspect to utilize in this underground playground for photography.

And that’s everything for today’s blog! If I inspired you even a little to go out and shoot, tag me on Instagram so I can check out the photos you take!