Phil’s favourite shots

Phil Jones picks some of his favourite images that he has shot at the Severn Valley Railway over the years

No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor

You need to develop an appreciation and knowledge of where the sun will be at different times of the day and year. For this shot I needed the sun at the side as the loco emerged from the Bewdley tunnel to give strong colours and enough shadows for a strong three-dimensional look.

No. 46443 Ivatt class 2

This was shot on a cold winter morning at Victoria Bridge as the train headed to Arley station. Start early on winter days so you have the chance to capture the way frost turns fence posts and blades of grass into works of art.

No. 5164 GWR Prairie

A glint shot is the holy grail for steam train photographers. The idea is you shoot early or late enough for the sun to reflect off the side of the train, giving the mirror-like glint. The difficulty is you don’t know how strong the reflection will be, so I expose for them like I would a silhouette.