Tell me about the windows

I want to take pictures out the windows on the train. I'm considering 3AC or Sleeper (in late October). On one of the train sites, I saw metal shutters over the windows. Obviously that would not work for shooting pictures. I need to know more. Thanks in advance!

In my very limited experience of trains in the Middle East, anything that's AC will need at least a Swiss army knife to get the window open even a crack to take decent photos.

Hopefully someone with a more helpful answer specifically about those classes of Indian train will be along soon.

What you saw was a pic of a non AC car, and that's exactly what you want to be in if you intend to use your camera and get fantastic pics. 3AC or any AC for that matter has dark tinted window panes through which photography is impossible. But if you want to travel in relative comfort and cool then its AC for you, you can go to one of the exit gates, open that and take photos... if its a day train. Generally nobody objects even when the train is moving but don't just fall out!

.
.
.
.
.
.

Steven_ber's Sleeper .. Class .. Details has more information on windows.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Sleeper and non-AC classes have the bars on the windows. Often you can lift up the bars to see out the window, but it is still pretty small. Also these sliding bars are often broken and won't stay up at all

One thing to consider is hovering by a door. They keep the train doors open during the day and people often gather around them when the train is full. Probably the best view you would have from a train, as far as photography. However, you will probably lose your seat unless you have someone traveling with you.

Have you thought about sitting on the doorstep of your carriage? The best view in the house as long as you don't fall off.

I've usually been lucky and been next to untinted windows in 2AC --- but. although good for sight-seeing, wouldn't be much good for photography, as the glass is usually dirty. It can also be obscured by condensation forming on the outside.

Most enjoyable, we did that all the time. But, times have changed, do that carefully and if you have a companion with you. Otherwise somebody could push you and take away your luggage.

These three pictures were taken out of an 1AC window at sunrise. At that time of day there's not much light so you'd think photography would be tricky but clearly there's enough light.
Don't get me wrong, I do think that more light would be available in SL and therefore the photos better, but to say 'impossible' is wrong.

We shot both still and video images out of 2AC and I do not see a big problem (looking at the images again). On can of course go to an open door and take all the pictures you want. Standing by the door can be dangerous if one loses ones balance and falls, millions of people do it especially in suburban trains in Mumbai. I stood by the door for 6 years when I lived in Mumbai. I have never heard of anyone being pushed to their death (although if you fell it would not be a pretty sight). Currently after living in the US for many decades I am reluctant to stand too close to a door (and my wife and kids would give me safety lectures). There are many youtube videos shot from the door of Indian trains.

There is one seat in every compartment (at least SLeeper) that is assigned as an "Emergency Exit". The window to that seat does not have bars. But I suspect it would be impossible to ensure you get that particular seat. You could get lucky if the person at that seat agrees to switch places with you if you have another window seat somewhere.