What can I do with this subject???

[dtrayers]

I drive over this bridge in my town almost every day. It crosses the Mississippi River. These bridge supports and their alignment always caught my eye, and I thought I try to capture them.

Here's wide angle shot of the scene:

http://home.comcast.net/~dtrayers/photos/bridge-wide.jpg

I did a little cropping. I kind of like the height sign:

http://home.comcast.net/~dtrayers/photos/bridge2.jpg

And this one is when a jogger ran past. I kind of like this one with the person to show the scale. I tried it as a B&W conversion:

http://home.comcast.net/~dtrayers/photos/bridge.jpg

I have several shots, from a moderate (85mm) telephoto to a wider angle (24mm). I thought I might go back and try some from ground level, or perhaps stand far back and use a telephoto to compress the perspective. I also thought I might try different seasons or wait until a barge goes by for scale. This is kind of a self assignment for me, but I'm open to suggestions on composition or other ways to capture the scene. Thanks.

[rick barclay]

I was going to suggest that you clone out the orange height sign, but it appears you did that on the third one, which I think it the best of the lot.

[awagner]

I like the third one ... it put a feel of size to it.

[Hellashot]

Nothing. It's a modern concrete bridge.

Hellashot

[RichardtheSane]

Nothing. It's a modern concrete bridge.


Where's your imagination?

I think it is a fantastic subject, so much of it an so many different bits.

I like the idea of compressing with the telephoto, is the 3rd shot the 85mm?. You could try is with the jogger to the right a bit, sort of entering the frame. Likewise, if you do barges have them entering the frame.

[Lagged2Death]

I understand what you mean about liking the height sign, but I think the different shape (rectangular instead of square) of the nearest support in the color shots lessens the impact of the geometric repetition. For that reason, I like the third shot the best.

I think "compressing the perspective" even further by standing farther away and using a longer lens is an excellent idea. You might also consider trying a few shots from a postion somewhat off dead center, for a slightly different "tunnel" effect.

[stopbath]

Overall some interesting shots of a usually boring subject.

I like the last shot the most. Notice how the sun reflecting off the water illuminates the overhead beams, while the beams over pavement offer no such detail. I too think the dynamics of the image would slightly improve with the runner entering the image. As for the opening sizes... Half a dozen, six of the other...

I think a little wider angle on the runner shot could have worked too.

Try early in the morning (at sunrise) to get some mist on the water (depending on conditions).

A higher vantage point might be interesting. (can you climb up nearer the bridge and shoot looking down?)

What about shooting from the other side?

What about during winter, does ice form on the water?

[Hellashot]

My imagination lies in trying to take shots which are unique and aren't angles that have been used for ages, like that photo of in-line objects.

I heard someone say once about Half-Dome at Yosemite: find a new angle at it, anyone can shoot it from where Ansel Adams did because his tripod holes are still around.

Hellashot

[mdude85]

I really like the third image with the runner, especially in b&w.