PHOTOGRAPH INFO

This photograph of the Erwinna covered bridge at Lodi Creek was taken on Sunday in nearby Tinicum Township. The National Historic Register dates the bridge at 1871, but Bucks County records say 1832. It's the shortest covered bridge in Bucks -- 56 feet long and 15 feet wide, built with lattice-type construction.

Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any other state (over 200), and Bucks County is home to 11.

Why did they cover bridges? Wooden bridges with exposed structures are open to the elements and deteriorate quickly. Covering the bridges with a roof protects them from the weather so they'll last longer. Must work! :)

Post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens at 24mm, ISO 200, shutter speed 1/3200s and aperture f/2.8. Curves adjustments for contrast and saturation; color balancing for tone.

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NOTE: Looks like A Walk Through Durham Township has been nominated in the 2006 Weblog Awards for "Best Photo Blog." Thanks to whomever nominated -- I didn't even realize it was going on! Check out the other nominated blogs -- great stuff there, especially from my friends Joe, Sam, David and Travis.

Vote here if you like: 2006 Weblog Awards.

Thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

Simply lovely composition. I like the lighting and the DOF still sharp enough to define the bridge in the background, yet nicely smooth. Oh, and the foxtails -- I like foxtails. :-) Well done!

Nice image, as usual, but you misstate the primary reason for covering bridges: to stiffen them. Notice that few of them have any undergirding structure to support their weight. The principle can be understood by holding a flat piece of paper by one end--it flops downward. Now roll it into a tube--it is rigid, a good quality in bridges. Even short ones need help staying up, but when they get as long as the 449 foot Windsor-Cornish bridge (http://www.gribblenation.net/nepics/cornish/cornish2.jpg) they need all the help they can get. Pa may have more covered bridges, but on a per capita basis, you can't beat Vermont.

Great shot. The DoF is fantastic! Very nice job.

DOF and composition are excellent! Stunning shot.

Beautiful. The light on the foxtails is adding a nice touch. And the DoF is taking the pic into perfection.

I like the foxtails and I like this shot, but I'd really like to see more of the covered bridge. I've recently done two series' of two covered bridges in my area on my blog (and still need to do a third). I'm really starting to get into covered bridges and this one looks really sweet.

Absolutely beautiful. Wonderful use of DOF and light.

beautiful shallow depth of field and backlit foxtails, this has so much going for it...nice shot!

This shot has a feeling of warmth and safety, just as if it was in the middle of placenta. The foxtails seem so soft and fluffy, the color of the sky reflected in the water is subdued (with a bit of your help probably) and finally, the covered bridge must be a perfect place to hide in. Since, as you say, Pennsylvania has the biggest amount of covered bridges, I regard those places as Just-Like-Heaven.

Stunning. I absolutely love the colors and depth. Something about the way the depth of field pulls the background into abstraction is just beautiful. Great shot.

Awesome shot Kathleen. I love the light play on the foxtails. Everything about this shot works.

*sigh* I've been totally lacking inspiration lately. Maybe I need to move out of the suburbs...everything looks the same here.

The darker water really helps the in-focus foxtails standout.

Great color and DOF. Wonderful shot.

I'm delighted, Kathleen, that you were able to capture this bridge while it is still up. Perhaps the folks at the railroad should have covered theirs.

Dittos to all the above approvals. It certianly is amazing the things that can get in your way when your trying to shoot a bridge.

Very cool I like the dof here.

Great pic!

Absolutely beautiful.

Nice backlighting on the foxtails. :)

I love the perspective on this one. The shallow depth of field, the bright colors of the background... Unique composition! Very well done. :)

The simplest subjects are just the most elegant. This is a perfect example.

BTW, bridges are covered so lovers won't get wet when it rains.

nice work kathleen - your use of colors and light is outstanding.

You can practically breathe in the softness.

Super Shot. Love the light and the shallow DOF.

Beautiful shot, they could open some nice windows on covered bridges and it will not reduce their stiffness.

Gorgeous shot.

neat, very nice. i love when you play with selective focus...

Great eye...

Not being able to leave a message in your guestbook ( I get a silly error message), I will try to contact you via comments. Just testing :-)

So commenting instead of signing your guestbook does seem to work ?

I will use this way then to inform you that I look at your photos regularly. I have great admiration for your style of shooting and for that reason I have added your site to my favorite photographers links on my web site. I hope you do not mind.
If you object to the way I did this, just let me know and I will correct my actions

regards BdM

You've capture that rare window of opportunity. Light is just perfect! Love the covered bridge as a backdrop.