24 June 2013
Lens:
1. Underneath Bridge, Brandywine River, iPhone 4s, June 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013
2. Underneath Bridge, Brandywine Park, iPhone 4s, June 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013
3. Underneath Bridge, Brandywine Park, iPhone 4s, June 2013; © Sally W. Donatello and Lens and Pens by Sally, 2013
Let me know which you prefer and why.
Pens:
Gracie (http://graciebinoya.com), Polly (http://watchingthephotoreels.com) and I began the iPhoneography Monday Challenge in February. Recently, we had a re-launch that made the challenge open to everyone who uses their Smartphones as their lens–exclusively, experimentally, frequently, occasionally, or back-up. Check here for that post. If you’d like to join the fun, please click here for details. Please use the current badge until a new one is created.
Because architectural features astound my sensibilities, I scout for buildings and constructions that honor light and shadow as well as aesthetics and design.
Old or new, the story that each conveys is what captures my attention. So I’m always on the hunt for their staggering allure.
Lately, I’ve been drawn to bridges. They broadly represent the past, present and future: the very ingenuity that the human animal creates within our history, and that which is yet to be.
“Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.” — Winnie the Pooh
I’m easily swayed by the sight of a bridge. These human-made structures fill my mind with questions that circle around their very existence. That they can stand and do their duties, confounds me.
Long before “we” placed our designs across creeks and rivers, Mother Nature bestowed her magic. During many visits to the Southwest I witnessed countless natural wonders that bridge the landscape and influence human creativity.
“Owachomo Bridge at Night,” Utah, Photograph by Jim Richardson, Google Images
Whether they are arch, beam, cantilever, or suspension, bridges dot our universe. They provide chances for discovery and fulfillment. They give meaning to adventure and bold moves. They also momentarily satisfy the explorer, who is never really satiated.
On a recent photo shoot I rediscovered the bridge that reaches across the Brandywine River at the Brandywine Park. It is a stunning specimen of human innovation. I was locked into its charm for hours.
In the Lens section are three photographs taken with my iPhone 4s. My Nikon DSLR accompanied the shoot, and I’ll post those another time. This bridge is exemplary of visual features that: honor the natural surroundings, treasure simplistic design, build suspense, give meaning to public architecture, and boldly withstand years of use. Mostly, these monuments never let me down.
Here are other entries:
http://weliveinaflat.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/weekly-phoneography-population/
http://littledoglaughed.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/small-but-not-insignificant/
http://completelydisappear.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/the-practice/
http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/those-pigs-fabbri-3/
http://streetsofsfphotos.com/2013/06/24/doors-11-photos/
http://goomfh.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/phoneography-monday-challengers-choicearchitecture/
http://nwframeofmind.com/2013/06/24/phoneography-monday-architecture/
http://funandfabulousness.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/phoneography-monday-challengers-choice-travel/
http://watchingthephotoreels.com/2013/06/24/challengers-choice-phoneography-challenge/
http://ohmsweetohmdotme.wordpress.com
http://graciebinoya.com/2013/06/26/phoneography-challenge-challengers-choice-travel/
http://cairosunsets.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/phoneography-monday-challengers-choice-architecture/
Note: As always I welcome comments about this post or any part of my blog. The following is a reminder of the weekly schedule and themes for upcoming challenges.
1st Monday: Nature
2nd Monday: Macro
3rd Monday: Black-and-White
4th and 5th Mondays: Challenger’s Choice (Pick One: Abstraction, Architecture, Food Photography, Night Photography, Portraiture, Still Life, Street Photography, and Travel).
Lens and Pens by Sally 
Interesting photos. I like the abstract quality of the first one.
Suzanne, thanks so much.
I like the perspective of the bridge pics. I like the soft colors of the third one.
Thanks, bridges captivate my attention.
All are beautiful, though I will no doubt come across as completely boring un knowledgeable when I say, I love the third one, and primarily because of that beautiful contrast – Vibrant green against the solid grayness/dullness of the bridge. It really appeals to me.
Lou, photography as with most creative efforts asks viewers for their honest response. One’s emotional response is often that very response. Those of us who also see with technical (and even historic) aspects, add that into the consideration. I am happy to have your comments. You know more than you think. After all, we are assessing the visual all the time. Thanks.
YAY!! lol I feel like a first grader attending a physics class in university! Thanks for the positive feedback!
You are very welcome, nice analogy.
Great theme: I liked it so much I’ve gone and reworked my take on it. http://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/where-architecture-meets-painting-by-way-of-sculpture-another-riff-on/
Thank you, and delighted that you are enjoying the Phoneography Challenge.
Hello 🙂 Here is my submission for the architecture challenge! I love your bridge photos! Bridges are always interesting to photography they have so many interesting angles. http://cairosunsets.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/phoneography-monday-challengers-choice-architecture/ Thank you!
Great, and welcome to the Phoneography Challenge. Thank you for your comment.
Great theme; and wonderfully dramatic photos. I love photographing architecture, but have gone with something a bit different this time; http://zimmerbitch.wordpress.com/2013/06/27/where-architecture-meets-sculpture-by-way-of-painting-perhaps/
Thanks so much, and happy Phoneography Challenge.
I’m with you on loving bridges Sally! I thought your shots were from one of the roman bridges in Europe! Beautiful.
I truly appreciate your comment.
Lovely photos! I adore them all and can’t pick a favorite. Like the pens part too! 🙂
Thank you, and hope that you will be able to join the challenge.
This fall! Life is crazy with the kids home. I have no time but once fall starts my life is going to change as my youngest will be in first grade. I know I’ll be so sad and miss her but at least I’ll have more time to work! 🙂
Whenever you are ready, I’ll be delighted to have you participate.
Very cool shots, Sally! Love the image in color. I think the color allowed for more details and textures on the bridge to shine through. Very well done.
Gracie, many thanks.
Magnificent architectural gems! The pillars and arc of the bridge, together with the B and W effect created an image that lingers in our thoughts. Wonderful post. Have a great day my friend.
Thank you, and enjoy the rest of the week.
Very, very interesting shots – especially the second one. Did you notice the face on the third one?? What stories these pictures tell. !!! Thank you very much!
I’ll look to see your observation. Thanks so much.
Lovely images, Sally. The first is my favourite this time. I like the angled view through the pillars of the bridge, and I like the washed-out highlight, I am also put back to the Roman times.
I’m so taken with these archetypes, and am on the search for more. Thanks.
Here is my entry for this week’s challenge: http://wp.me/p24idL-1xn
Happy Phoneography Challenge.
Love the black and white shots!
Scilla, thanks, I’m prone to the monochrome.
I love the first image the best! I am also drawn to bridges but the only time I get a chance to see them is when I’m on a road trip. And, I usually don’t have time to get out of the car! Wonderful post! I need to add more architecture to my PHONEography challenge portfolio 🙂
Polly, thanks, and see you soon.
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Thanks for the Pingback and happy challenge.
The second image invites exploration, making me want to scramble right down there to see what there is to be seen. Probably not a troop, but you never know ….
Yes, I feel the same sense of need to explore bridges, especially the underbellies. Thanks.
Bridges are such an interesting subject to photograph. I also like rows of columns as you can see with my architecture photo today… I love the arch in your first image and how the green trees are growing below the man made structure in the last photo. Lisa
Lisa, thanks, and happy Phoneography Monday.
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Thanks for the Pingback and happy Phoneography Monday.
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Happy Phoneography Monday.
The color is my favorite this week…has such a softness about it.
Hope that you have recuperated. Thanks so much.
The b/w ones, especially the top are stunning-architecture and structures can have great power-they influence and shape memory and an understanding of our world in amazing ways-at least that has been my experience and one of the reasons I am drawn to it for photography as well-wonderful work!
Thank you so much. Happy challenge.
I really love the last photo, the depth and perspective of columns on the right and arches on the left is wonderful, and the muted color is lovely. I’ve posted my photo here http://angelinem.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/those-pigs-fabbri-3/
Happy phoneography Monday!
Thank you, I’m a bridge stalker. Happy Phoneography Monday.
The bridge is interesting with those details in the arches 🙂 I like #2 and #3 🙂
Thanks, I’m so intrigued with them.
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Happy Phoneography Monday.
Your bridge photos are wonderful. I like the clarity in the last photo. It helps me to see more of the structure of the bridge. Looks like a small railway track in the foreground, rather covered by foliage. Am I imagining things?
You’re correct. The bridge covers the Brandywine River, which is heavy with foliage and people playing, meandering and watching. Thanks.
I grew up on Long Island and had relatives in the Bronx and Manhattan, so for me the archetype of a large bridge was set by the ones that span the East River and then also the Hudson River. First came the Whitestone Bridge, which later got the company of the Throgs Neck Bridge, either of which we could then cross to visit my grandmother. Your post has bridged the gap to a time that began with our first family car 60 years ago.
Steve, I also have fond memories of bridges throughout my youth. They are anchors and icons. Thanks.