Between The Bridges; A Bridge Abridged

[AndrewMcD]

After dinner I returned to the stream valley between the bridges in search of some light. The hills on each side cause the stream to be shaded early. My mind enjoys repeating patterns and I thought the sun on the bridge structure was interesting. As always C&C solicited and appreciated.

[Mike Buckley]

I like both the pattern and the light. Not at all a typical photo, which makes it even more enjoyable.

My guess is that this rendition is a great starting point that can be improved upon. Perhaps wait a week or two and come back to it. I have a feeling that making a 10% change will make it twice as good, though at the moment I can't put my finger on wht that 10% might be.

[IzzieK]

I am with Mike here...there is an unanswered question in my mind that I might be able to concoct a bit more story to this bridge. I have been attracted to such kind of sight every now and again when I take a walk and saw a bridge. I like the way the sunlight hits the sides of it but I do not know why I like it and how it is can I interpret my thoughts. Here it is the same thought that I have...what goes beyond the bridge? Where did it start? Lots of possibilities...

[AB26]

A very interesting image Andrew.

I like it, however, a few comments:

The bridge is leaning to the left. The sky is a little too blown out.

With a well exposed image like this there is a lot you can enhance in PP. I took the liberty to do an edit to show you what I mean. Hope you don’t mind.

A stupid question: why did you shoot in Shutter Priority mode?

[AndrewMcD]

Mike - Thanks for the comments. When I worked with this image I decided I had captured the patterns and the light to some extent but there was still something left that I didn't quite get. I'll revisit this particular image at a later date and see what happens. I find it interesting how one's perspective on an image changes if you let some time lapse between capture and processing. Since this is the upstream bridge in my Between The Bridges project I'll be returning to the location frequently and see if a change of light or position says something different to me.

Izzie - I think you like a good story It seems that my images aren't often story tellers but I certainly do appreciate your thought provoking comments. Thank you.

Andre - I like what you've done with it! How did you approach recovering the sky? (I use Lightroom for processing) As to the shutter priority I confess it was as much out of habit as anything. I do need to become more disciplined in how I approach each image capture.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Andrew, I like the image and I like Andre's edit But I wouldn't crop from the top in order not to lose the leading line effect.

[Geoff F]

I think, Andrew, that I would like to step back a little, or use a slightly smaller lens/zoom so the left side bridge height isn't quite so tall and also show just a fraction more of what is below the bridge. I suspect this would make the bridge appear a little longer.

The leaning of the bridge appears to be a lens effect because the far side is upright. Maybe a perspective correction could be made, although Andre's edit has the left side upright and the far side slightly out, where it isn't so noticeable.

[AB26]

Andre - I like what you've done with it! How did you approach recovering the sky? (I use Lightroom for processing) As to the shutter priority I confess it was as much out of habit as anything. I do need to become more disciplined in how I approach each image capture.

Thank you Andrew.

First of all, your histogram will show you that the image is well exposed. There is very slight clipping on the right side. With very little clipping it is easy to tone down the highlights in ACDSee.
In Lightroom it should also be easy. In ACDSee there is a Shadow/Highlight slider option. I simply used this option to tone down the highlights in the sky area.

Toning down on the whole image gives it a little warmer feeling of late afternoon sun with more emphasis on the shadows that make this image interesting. The balance in the top and bottom of the image is also equalized by toning down a little on the bright sky. You created very good balance in seeing the light in this image.

You were lucky the camera chose F10 for the aperture, getting the DOF you have in the image. Did you set ISO to 2000? I doubt the camera would have chosen ISO2000.

The reason I asked about shutter priority is because it is the mode most will use when shooting action or with the aim to control subject movement. Nothing wrong with it, shoot in the mode that suits you best and where you feel most comfortable.