Stuart Ord  


Elan Valley Bridge by Stuart Ord

May 2023 - Elan Valley Bridge

About the Image(s)

Taken when travelling across Wales, from Ludlow to Cardigan, last month.

Olympus OM-D E-M1ii, Olympus 14-150mm lens at 20mm, 1/500sec, f10, ISO 200. Converted to mono in Affinity.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted




John Roach   John Roach
I like the image perspective and its overall tonality is quite nice. It is nice and sharp and has layers of interest. Nonetheless, I feel like the foreground distracts me a bit too much from the bridge. That is perhaps because I don't know if this ice, soapy like water, pollution, sediment that is swirling on the indented area of the water. Also, what adjustments and conversion was done in Affinity. Not knowing about that software, I have no idea how you achieve the conversion and get the tonality you chose.   Posted: 05/04/2023 14:52:20



Don York   Don York
I agree with John. It appears you have two centers of interest and as there is substantial amount of white in the water, this is where your eyes first go. This is OK and it would make an interesting image if the top portion was cropped out. However, the bridge is also an interesting part of the image and could well stand on its own.   Posted: 05/13/2023 09:59:29



Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
I had thought that the white (foam, scum??) on the water contrasted well with the white on the stone on the bridge, but it is a weak association, I understand your comments.
I'm in the process of revising my computer system and don't have access to the Affinity file at the moment, so sorry I can't tell you how I did the conversion. Nothing unusual was done.
  Posted: 05/13/2023 13:26:14



Jerry Snyder   Jerry Snyder
I like the gritty reality in this image. The efflorescence on the bridge matched the floating scum along the stream. I would have liked to see a longer shutter speed to show movement or circulation of the surface scum and smooth out the texture of the water, which does not add much to the image in my opinion. The efflorescence would not be affected by a longer shutter speed and this would add contrast to the floating scum.   Posted: 05/19/2023 09:29:10
Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
That's a good idea, Jerry, the foam also wouldn't look so grotty then, although it wasn't moving much. I would have needed a big stopper or similar, which I don't usually carry with me. Maybe I should.   Posted: 05/20/2023 17:11:23



Chris Prior   Chris Prior
Nice composition with good fore, middle and background detail. The swirl in the foreground grabs my attention and takes me up the river to the bridge which is strategically placed on an intersecting third. Wispy sky adds extra value. Also has a nice range of tones which separates different sections of the image, defines the hills and hollows and makes it quite a gentle image; easy on the eye.   Posted: 05/22/2023 05:25:15
Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
Thanks, Chris. Patterns of foam in water have long interested me, maybe due to my interest in hydraulics. I liked the patterns, but pattern photos are not often compelling, so I thought it went well with the scene and bridge. I like your description of it - not an effect I was aiming for, but once pointed out, it's true I think.   Posted: 05/22/2023 15:44:22



Helen Sweet   Helen Sweet
Stuart, I agree with John and Don in seeing two images. The patterns in the foam are interesting, an image in itself. The bridge with its reflection is, too. But the two don't seem tied together despite the leading, wavy line of the right bank and the echoing of the bridge's shape in the narrow, light line at the top of the foam.   Posted: 05/23/2023 00:46:16
Stuart Ord   Stuart Ord
I take your point, Helen (and others). Perhaps had the foam been closer to, and maybe underneath the bridge, it would have been less disjoined. The foam had found its way into a little backwater and accumulated there, so it would have flowed away elsewhere. Perhaps I should have got the camera low down, reducing the amount of space occuped by the water between the two, to improve it.   Posted: 05/23/2023 02:05:37