If you’re a photographer aged 25 or under who loves taking astounding pictures of trains, then the latest edition of the Young Railway Photographer of the Year (YRPOTY) is something you definitely need to participate in. Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world’s first passenger railway service, this contest has found a generous sponsor in Fujifilm UK. They are giving away three Fujifilm X-T5 Silver digital cameras with XF 16-50mm lenses for the best photos in three categories.
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What’s The Contest About
Traditional locomotives are still to be found in many parts of the world, including my native country. I often used to be mesmerized by them, especially when traveling between states. Even though I first flew in an aircraft before ever stepping on a train, there’s no denying the romantic charm and allure of railways, even in this era of supersonic travel. Railway photography is a unique genre, blending elements of travel, nostalgia, and, at times, fantasy. The 2025 Young Railway Photographer of the Year (YRPOTY) is the 2nd edition of this contest, open to photographers aged 25 and under. You don’t have to be a professional to enter; the event is open to photographers of all skill levels. Images captured with smartphones are accepted for entry, too.
This edition of the YRPOTY contest is organized by the National Railway Museum of the UK and the Railway Photographic Society. It’s also supported by industry partners like Mortons Media Group Ltd., Network Rail, GB Railfreight (GBRf), and Amateur Photographer Magazine.
What Are The Rules
Participants are encouraged to submit a portfolio of six photographs that reflect the contest’s central theme. The portfolio format allows you to showcase the variety in your photos, whether that’s capturing motion, atmosphere, the right shots of rail passengers, or even intricate railway details. The competition has two age categories entrants can apply to – photographers aged 18 and under, and photographers aged 19 to 25. If you’re shortlisted, you will be asked to provide copies of your official IDs so that the organizers can verify your age.
What Can You Win
Fujifilm UK has graciously contributed three XT5 cameras and 16-50mm lenses to the winning entries of the competition. One each for the winners of each age category, and the third for the overall winner of the competition. Other prizes include:
- A tour on Network Rail’s New Measurement Train for up to six people
- The opportunity to contribute to the Railway Photographic Society’s Print Folios
- A GBRf cab simulator experience for up to four people
- A behind-the-scenes tour of Boston Lodge with the Welsh Highland Railway for up to four people
- Tickets to ride on heritage railway lines across the country
- Subscriptions to some of the UK’s leading railway publications
- Copies of The Photographic Artistry of Rail Cameramen by John Hillier
Why Should You Enter
Contests like the YRPOTY are invaluable in pushing your photographers to think differently and more creatively. Shortlisted entries will be displayed at an exhibition at the National Railway Museum in York next year as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. If you win, the Fujifilm XT5 is a fantastic camera to step up your photography career with. Aside from the prizes, there’s also the international exposure that the contest would bring for you and your photos.
Even if you don’t win, analyzing your entries against the winning ones also gives you the opportunity to understand how much more you might need to step your photography up to improve. Trust me, this is something all budding photographers can learn from, even if it is the hard way. I lost out on a nation-wide interschool photo contest during my high school years, but I observed very keenly what it took to win. Next year, I came back with the trophy in the same contest.
Here are some tips that could help improve your chances of winning the 2025 YRPOTY:
- Look for creative lighting: Especially in the early mornings and evenings, railway stations can offer chances for very dramatic shots. Be sure to keep an eye out for shadows, reflections, and contrasts to enhance your images.
- Stories are important: If you get the chance to narrate a tale with your photos, grab it with both hands and weave a beautiful narrative. Some of the most fascinating picture stories can be told when travelers part ways with friends and families at railway stations. A well-composed shot with strong lighting and a clear subject can stand out for sure, but it’s the narrative behind the photo that often wins over judges.
- Time it right: Whether you’re looking to freeze a moving train or add some creative motion blur, you might not get the opportunity to do it very frequently. Be sure you’ve got your technical settings right as well
- Be safe: It goes without saying that you shouldn’t ever be in a risky situation to get any photo, especially not one involving fast-moving trains. The contest guidelines also clearly state that entries “will not be accepted if they have been taken from an unsafe railway location or a location where the photographer has clearly been trespassing on railway property.”
Images seen in this article have been provided to us for usage by the folks at the Railway Museum UK. The lead image is by Bradley Langton, winner of the last edition of YRPOTY. Click here to visit the contest page and send your entries in