Photo of the Week #6

5/8/2020

Image Title: Chatfield Hollow Covered Bridge
Photographer: Dave Rathbun
The covered bridge, located within Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth, is one of many of this subject that I’ve captured over the past several years. This image was taken on a mostly cloudy morning on January 5, 2020.
The open water, along with the absence of any snow, was remarkable given the time of year. I felt the foreground boulder acted as an anchor point and, along with the leading line of the brook’s left bank, helped to make the bridge a prominent focal point, despite half of it being partially obscured by brush and leaves.
I find our club’s image critiques to be very helpful and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

15 Comments

peter chow

5/8/2020 04:27:02 pm

I find this scene very calming. I can almost hear the sound of the water. I think the composition is perfect as is.
I think the bridge, trees and other land areas should be a little darker to match the tonal value of the water. I think the colors in those areas (not the water) should have a bit more saturation. Finally I think those areas (not the water) also can use a bit more definition with the "detail" slide.

Dave

5/9/2020 06:30:11 am

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Peter. I had initially processed this photo with a darker tonality to those areas you referenced. After reviewing the results it seemed that a lighter touch would better enhance detail and provide a truer vision of the scene I viewed that day. I'll make a copy of the original and apply your suggestions to compare the two versions.

Mike Frechette

5/8/2020 08:00:16 pm

I agree with your thoughts about the rock anchoring the picture. I also like the overall composition, I like the lines that lead the eye from the rock to the tree at left to the bridge. I also like the blueness of the water. What I find less appealing, however, is the "bunch of branches" that occur in the middle of the bridge. To me, they are somewhat distracting- but then again, I like a more stark, simplistic view in landscape- so I can't be really sure if my view is the same as others because of my prejudice against busier landscape pictures. Others may find my concerns trite.

Dave

5/9/2020 06:47:44 am

Mike, thanks for your comments on the composition. An important consideration in the capturing of this image was the cluster of branches that partially block a portion of the bridge. I considered walking down the road to photograph the opposite side but that would have eliminated a sizable segment of the flowing water. It would have also left me with a stark, unimpeded view of the bridge, a vision that I didn't find appealing at the time.

sally perreten

5/9/2020 04:21:34 am

I think you have accomplished your intent really well. The blueness of the water lends the appropriate early spring chill. I agree with Peter's comment that a little more color oomph in the trees would perhaps be a better color balance. It would be nice if the clump of branches was not in the middle of the bridge, but you can't really do some "gardening" there, and they really don't bother me as they are part of the scene. I would be interested to see a small crop on the bottom - maybe half the distance to the rock. It might make the rock a better anchor. Did you also do a landscape orientation of this scene?

Dave

5/9/2020 07:21:55 am

Thanks, Sally. The clump of branches caught my eye and although they may seem distracting to some, the fact that the bridge was partially visible worked with my vision of the scene. I tend to be reluctant with use of the cropping tool on my images - a tendency I may have to rethink after I give your suggestion a try. As for shooting the scene as a landscape, no I didn't. The areas to the left and right - a road and yet more heavy brush - convinced me that a vertical composition was called for.

Jeannine S. Smith

5/9/2020 07:48:42 am

Ok so call me *odd* but I see the leading line in the water - to the viewer's right of the rock. The patterns and light there catch my eye (perhaps b/c I am a *water person*, Pisces). I'd experiment with highlighting that watery trail which leads to the area of the bridge seen more clearly. And since the bridge is where eyes are lead (via either line) then perhaps pronouncing it in some fashion (saturating? highlighting? ..).
It's a lovely, tranquil scene and I can just imagine stepping onto that rock and letting the world drift by.

Dave

5/9/2020 11:26:51 am

I would never think of calling you *odd* despite being a water person who enjoys standing on rocks, mid-stream!! I have to admit that the leading line you saw in the photo was not something I observed, yet there it is. Just another example of how I need to 'better see' the scene in front of me. I'll add your suggestions to the others that have been made. Thanks, Jeannine, for your observations and comments.

Jeannine S. Smith

5/10/2020 07:28:04 am

You have me defined to a "oddi-T"!! I find your comment about the need to develop your acuity worthy of expansion. When I choose to photograph a subject it is due to some connection which is emotionally based - rooted in thin slices of experience I may or may not understand at that time. I am seeing that moment in a biased state and later viewed, those still "color" my critical/judging eye. I see what I want to see. This is a large part of why I need others to look at my images and offer their findings/critique. Indeed it is a vulnerable place to step into (as both artist and observer!) but I believe so very necessary towards my growth. The shallow end of the stream is comfy and I'll "go under" (many times!) in the deeper part but I'll learn to swim. Dave, I hope you don't mind I add my wondering thoughts (they drift in while on that rock).... perhaps there's a delete button?? ;)

archie Stone

5/9/2020 08:46:28 am

Dave, many opinions with varying views. I do find the image busy especially around the bridge and see two subjects. I agree with needing to lighten all but the water and adding some punch. The second image in just the rock and water. Don't know if the file is large enough to crop or a second trip placing the rock in the lower left corner,rule of thirds and filling the rest of the frame with the water and emphasizing the flow. Now may be a good time to try with all the rain. I would also play with shutter speed. If you decide to re visit a nice bright overcast day might help.

Dave

5/9/2020 11:50:01 am

And varying they are. Thanks for your take on the photo and the two subjects you perceived, Archie. Ah yes, that pesky rule of thirds. I do intend to revisit the scene and play with smoothing the water. I believe by the time I'm done I'll have photographed this covered bridge from all angles except from directly below and above. Anyone have a drone that I can employ?

Allison M Maltese

5/9/2020 10:02:00 am

I have a hard time critiquing this image at such a small size. There is good detail throughout, and I love the cool blue water and the leading lines of the rippling stream, but the bridge is obscured by 50%. Viewing it as is, there is a bit of mystery as to what you will see when you arrive at the bridge. Could you have moved to the right a little so the angle on the bridge was a little more direct or was the road too close? I also agree with others that a little more saturation would help the colors pop a bit.

Dave

5/9/2020 12:23:08 pm

Thanks for responding, Allison. My intent with this photo was to capture the partially obscured bridge, along with the surrounding woods, in a way that conveyed the drab time of year and sparsity of color throughout the scene. The exception of that being the flowing blue water. Unfortunately the road was just to my right, preventing a better angle, and less clutter to the left portion of the main subject. It will be interesting to see the revised outcome of this image after applying the suggestions offered.

Maryann Flick

5/12/2020 01:35:44 pm

I like this image. I think it does show the contrast of the water and the drab winter woods. Interesting comments. The leading lines: yes the left bank AND Jeannine's idea of the water highlights that flow right under the bridge (Good Eye J!) work well in the composition. The color: I also would like to see the color of the woods and the bridge punched up a little--at least the bridge; woods can stay more drab for intent. Maybe just needs more contrast in the woods? Other wise the overall color seems unbalanced. And it would make the bridge look less obscured if it were a tad more saturated. Crop: besides cropping some off the bottom to better position the rock as foreground anchor, I would also remove some of the top so maybe 11x14ish aspect overall? Then clearly your two opposing subjects are stream and bridge on a drab day in winter. I would have no qualms about adjusting an image after the fact to give it more impact regardless of how I might have shot it to begin with, especially if it's not working so well as my initial vision.

Dave

5/13/2020 04:31:52 pm

Thanks for your comments and suggestions, Maryann. Glad you liked the composition. The woods and the bridge could use some work, as you and others have pointed out. Your idea for a slight crop at the top sounds interesting, so I'll give it a try and see what the results look like. I was anticipating some thoughtful comments about this image and was not disappointed from all who responded. This is a great learning opportunity!!

Photo of the Week #6

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