Larry Treadwell
About the Image(s)
Gilliam Mill Park
Nikon D850, 24-70 mm lens, ISO 100, f18, 1/13 second, tripod and polarizer
I make no pretense about this image, but it was shot with absolute intent and as far as possible this intent was carried out. As you know I live in south Florida where the only seasonal changes are between hot, and extremely hot and vary between dry and hurricane. Last winter while visiting my son in Fayetteville, N.C. in January I discovered this restored covered bridge and captured a decidedly winter image. While processing it I pondered the concept of getting a shot of this mill during the 4 seasons to show the change throughout the year. It didn’t snow at the mill last winter but I did get a decidedly winter looking image, in the spring I managed a “greening” image and of course during the summer I captured a full green canopy scene. This left only a fall image to complete the collection. During the summer shoot I met the caretaker and bribed him to call me when the peak of color happened this fall. I heard that the color was not really good this year, but my bribed caretaker kept the bribe and never made the phone call or answered my calls. In early November I arrived in Fayetteville and headed over to the Mill. My sole intent for the image was to get fall colored trees behind the 140 long covered bridge. Well, it was a good idea, but as you can see from the image the trees are not very colorful “behind” the bridge. The only sort of good color was at the far end of the bridge. The long bridge makes for awkward composition at best but to include the colored trees, the windmill entered the equation. The mill looks best at sunset when directional light strikes the bridge, but the low angle of the sun reveals the deep gullies and holes under the bridge and there are lots of shadows. Since my intent was to get the colored leaves I made certain the colored leaves were in the image and this was the best composition I could come up with in the 5 minutes before I lost the light. The final image in my 4 part story. This project required 3572 miles of driving to capture. And for better or worse, I completed my goal. I’m a “happy” photographer. Unless of course it snows at the Mill this winter. . .
Happy Holidays Everyone
6 comments posted
(Group 32)
I agree with your assessment of the image. Personally I like the shadows as they add some character to the scene. I also like the trees that do not have "peak" and "perfect" color. It allows the leaves that hint of character a well.
For me the bridge is hard to photograph just because it is soooo long. It almost demands a pano type shot.
If it snows I'll really try to get there even thought it is a 12 hour drive, Other than that, yes I'll visit the bridge when I'm visiting relatives. I believe my next shot will be my best. Besides I just like being out with my camera.
Thanks for commenting   Posted: 12/11/2024 03:10:18
This is a hard bridge to photograph just because of the length. It is 140 feet long and the longest covered bridge in North Carolina. The windmill just spins but pumps nothing and was added in the 1980s. Thanks for the comment.   Posted: 12/15/2024 02:55:31
(Group 31)