A bridge quandry

[Sailorstu]

I have been feeling challenged in looking for new scenes to photograph. After a nice walk along the Rideau River near Ottawa last evening at sunset, I decided to try some photos of the Vimy Memorial Bridge, a prominent site at the park where I was strolling. In photo #1, taken after the sunset, I tried using my on camera flash to highlight some of the tall grasses from which I was shooting and in photo #2 (just before the sunset) I didn't use the flash and stepped down my exposure, taking the shot from a greater distance (and avoiding the perhaps unsightly yellow road sign). C&C most welcome.

#1


#2

[Mike Buckley]

Interesting and unusual composition! Consider using the first concept but using a tripod and light painting instead of the flash for better control of the foreground.

[Rent]

I prefer the first one if you could get rid of the yellow sign

[bnnrcn]

I like both of them but I don't like the yellow sign

[Geoff F]

Definitely the second one for me, although I like the sky in the first image.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, was this the first time you've attempted to photograph this bridge?

[LePetomane]

I like the first one other than the sign.

[FootLoose]

I prefer the 2nd. I think that is a great sky. Although I would try cropping the foreground up to the two horizontal lines on the road.

[Sailorstu]

Interesting and unusual composition! Consider using the first concept but using a tripod and light painting instead of the flash for better control of the foreground.

Thanks Mike, I have never tried light painting so I will look for an opportunity although I will have to be careful as there is lots of traffic in both directions and the oncoming vehicles could be distracted. I may also try some late night photography here as the bridge gets lit up later in the night. Thanks for your observation and suggestion - you have me intrigued with the light painting.

[Sailorstu]

I prefer the first one if you could get rid of the yellow sign

I was wondering what people's view be on the sign would be and it seems the consensus is that the yellow sign is a big distraction. Thanks for your input. I have cropped it out in this version:

[Sailorstu]

I like both of them but I don't like the yellow sign

Thanks Binnur. I posted a cropped version - what do you think?

[Sailorstu]

Definitely the second one for me, although I like the sky in the first image.

Thanks Geoff. I'm doing some cropping to see if I can get rid of the sign.

[Sailorstu]

Nicely done, was this the first time you've attempted to photograph this bridge?

Thanks John, yes this was the first time I have attempted this bridge. I am definitely going back to try it again when weather gives me an interesting sky. As I was hiking back to my car up the river trail to go home I also discovered that once darkness has fallen the bridge lit up. I think it could be a really interesting night subject. If only I could get rid of that bloody sign!

[Sailorstu]

I prefer the 2nd. I think that is a great sky. Although I would try cropping the foreground up to the two horizontal lines on the road.

Thanks Greg. What do you think of this crop?

[Sailorstu]

Here is one final version I finished in pp. This was obviously taken later than the first two and gave a more dramatic sky. Not sure if the vehicle lights add anything to the composition or not?

[Round Tuit]

Hi Stu

You have two beautiful shots of the bridge. The crop in post #14 is my favorite.
See this thread for a night shot taken from the south east side.

André

[bnnrcn]

IMO the image lost the feeling of wastness a bit by cropping but it is better than seeing the very distracting sign

Thanks Binnur. I posted a cropped version - what do you think?

[bnnrcn]

I usually find the colors very attractive just after sunset or at the south part when the sun was setting. Vehicle lights add to the scene as it is a dark silhouette image and the lights have a balancing role .You can clone them out , but then IMO you would have to lift the shadows

Here is one final version I finished in pp. This was obviously taken later than the first two and gave a more dramatic sky. Not sure if the vehicle lights add anything to the composition or not?

[Sailorstu]

Hi Stu

You have two beautiful shots of the bridge. The crop in post #14 is my favorite.
See this thread for a night shot taken from the south east side.

André

Thanks André, I really like your shot of the bridge after dark. It makes a great subject. Cheers, Stu TDV

[Sailorstu]

I agree Binnur - the cropped version is ok but reducing the width does take something away from the shot. Maybe I'll try the painstaking job of removing the sign through cloning.....