fotogangers

Fotogangers is a term that emerged in the Netherlands to describe a phenomenon of people who engage in dangerous behavior for the sake of taking photographs, often with smartphones. The term itself is a portmanteau of "foto" (photo) and "gangers" (goers or wanderers), suggesting individuals who go to extreme lengths to capture a striking image.

This behavior typically involves venturing into hazardous environments or situations. Examples include climbing onto railway tracks, trespassing on industrial sites, approaching dangerous animals, or standing on unstable structures to obtain a unique perspective. The motivation behind fotoganger behavior is often the desire for social media recognition, likes, and shares, or simply the thrill of capturing an extraordinary shot.

While the pursuit of photography can be a creative outlet, fotogangers often disregard personal safety and can also pose risks to others, including emergency services who may be called to rescue them. This behavior has led to increased awareness and sometimes warnings from authorities and railway operators about the dangers involved. The trend highlights a growing concern about the influence of social media on risk-taking behavior.