Marlow Bridge - CC please

[Roy Mathers]

I originally posted this elsewhere until I discovered the whipping post (I'm new to the forum), so I thought I'd better re-post it. All comments welcome.

[Roy Mathers]

No-one?

[HarlanBear]

Hi Roy,

I really like the POV and the subject. And the placement of the bridge lines with the church steeple is good. But this being the Whipping Post, here goes:
The lighting is flat and given that the sun is either moving to the left or coming from the left, this is a great candidate for sunset, sunrise lighting. Also, the loss of detain in the trees on the left leave a dark blotch in an area where the eye (mine, anyway) is drawn. I also think you could crop at the top and bottom without loosing anything.

For me, though, the main thing is the lighting. Warm light from the left would really improve this image, IMO.

[Roy Mathers]

Hi Roy,

I really like the POV and the subject. And the placement of the bridge lines with the church steeple is good. But this being the Whipping Post, here goes:
The lighting is flat and given that the sun is either moving to the left or coming from the left, this is a great candidate for sunset, sunrise lighting. Also, the loss of detain in the trees on the left leave a dark blotch in an area where the eye (mine, anyway) is drawn. I also think you could crop at the top and bottom without loosing anything.

For me, though, the main thing is the lighting. Warm light from the left would really improve this image, IMO.


Thanks for your comments Mick. It's strange that you say the lighting is flat, considering that the sun is coming from the left of the shot and is casting those shadows. Are you saying that it needs more contrast - or should I just warm up the colours a bit?

[HarlanBear]

Yes, warmer colors, or more color, would help, for me anyway.

What time of day was this shot? It appears from the shadows on the church that the sun is at 11 o'clock, or so, rathar than 9 o'clock, fairly high in the sky. So getting lower lighting which cuts across the bridge and into the church might mean shooting from the other side of the bridge, if that's possible. I'm big on warmer sunrise/sunset light for buildings and structures like this.

[Roy Mathers]

Yes, warmer colors, or more color, would help, for me anyway.

What time of day was this shot? It appears from the shadows on the church that the sun is at 11 o'clock, or so, rathar than 9 o'clock, fairly high in the sky. So getting lower lighting which cuts across the bridge and into the church might mean shooting from the other side of the bridge, if that's possible. I'm big on warmer sunrise/sunset light for buildings and structures like this.

Thanks Mick. It was taken at 3.45pm last September, so the day was drawing on - but obviously not enough! The bridge is very busy (you wouldn't know it from the photograph) and this is one of the very few viewpoints for a good shot. I'll have a go a at warming it up and see how it looks.

I shall be in your city in a couple of weeks (or, to be exact, San Anselmo). We're coming over on holiday to stay with friends, as we have done for the past sixteen or seventeen years. I will probably finish up taking even more pictures of a certain other bridge!

[HarlanBear]

Have a great time in the Bay Area, Roy. I know San Anselmo well, lived there for awhile way back when. Lovely. And you probably know the bay area has many interesting scenics to shoot.

And there is that bridge.:D You probably know, but Marin headlands looking south and Baker Beach looking north are two great positions for the GG Bridge. One of my favorites is near Fort Point which sits under the bridge on the SF side. Interesting angles.

Enjoy!! :thumb

[Roy Mathers]

Have a great time in the Bay Area, Roy. I know San Anselmo well, lived there for awhile way back when. Lovely. And you probably know the bay area has many interesting scenics to shoot.

And there is that bridge.:D You probably know, but Marin headlands looking south and Baker Beach looking north are two great positions for the GG Bridge. One of my favorites is near Fort Point which sits under the bridge on the SF side. Interesting angles.

Enjoy!! :thumb

Hi Mick

I've taken a lot of shots of that bridge over the years and my favourite viewpoints are, obviously, the Marin Headlands - and the view from under the bridge from the Marin side (I don't know what it's called, but you take a little side road on the left before going up to the headlands).

By the time we go this year, I will be the proud possessor of a 70-200 f/4L IS - so I'll probably have to repeat all my past shots with the new lens!:barb