Bridges are the lifelines of Stockton, San Joaquin County and the Delta. Without them we would be cut off from places, events and even friends and family that could otherwise be just a few minutes away.
A labyrinth of rivers, creeks, sloughs and canals crisscrosses the Central Valley and it’s all connected by bridges. This makes them a perfect subject for the latest Readers Photo Challenge.
In the Delta most of the crossings are truss bridges with strong steel interconnected beams that give the bridge structure and strength. Most are also drawbridges that raise up when a tall boat approaches.
In the cities, many bridges are extensions of the roads themselves, looking like just an ordinary street when from the viewed from the top. Many motorists probably don’t even realize that they’ve crossed a bridge while driving the streets of Stockton.
Bridges can provide many opportunities for photos.
The beams of a truss bridges can give an imposing impression of solidity and strength.
You can photograph draw bridges in the closed position or wait for a big enough boat for the bridge to open.
Bridges can be the main subject of your composition or a just part of an overall scene. You don’t have to get the entire bridge. Look for portions that are picturesque. You use the beams as a frame for other things such as a tree, building, the sun or moon, or even a bird in flight.
Most bridges cross over rivers or other bodies of water and you can use that to your advantage.
If it’s a fast moving river then you can put your camera on a tripod, use a slow shutter speed and blur the water to give a sense of movement. Conversely, if it’s a very slow river then you can use the stillness of the water as a mirror and get the bridge and/or its surroundings reflected in it.
Look for great lighting. Early morning late afternoon light will give your scene a nice warm glow. The blue hour of just before dawn or at twilight can give the sky a rich blue color.
Many bridges, especially truss or suspension bridges, are great for sunsets/sunrises. Placing a rising or setting sun behind a bridge can make for some great silhouettes. Some bridges are illuminated after the sun goes down and can make for great night shots.
Adding people can add scale and context to your bridge scene. It could be as simple as someone walking, jogging or biking across the bridge. You can also have a people in the foreground and the bridge in the background.
All these are just suggestions on how to approach this challenge. Ultimately, it’s up to you to find your way across the bridge over artistic waters.
How to enter the Readers Photo Challenge
1. Photos have to be taken between Oct. 7 and Oct. 21.
2. Include your name (first and last), hometown, the kind of device you used and where it was taken (eg.: John Doe of Stockton, Canon 5D Mk IV. UOP, Stockton).
3. If there is a recognizable person or persons in the photo please identify them (name, age, hometown) and describe what is going on in the photo. Please indicate if and how they are related to you (friend, mother, father, daughter, son, etc). For example: “My son John Jr. rides his bike across the Donald B. Wood pedestrian bridge over the Calaveras River during sunset in Stockton.”
4. Please feel free to include any interesting anecdotes or stories on how you took the picture.
5. The number of photos is limited to 10.
6. Entries can be emailed to coto@recordnet.com. The preferred format is jpeg. Type “Bridges” in the subject line.
7. The deadline for submission is Oct. 21. Top picks will be published in the Oct. 28 Record. An online gallery of all the photos on the same day at recordnet.com.
8. First, second and third top picks will receive 16×20, 11×14 and 8×10 prints, respectively, by UlmerPhoto in Stockton. Additionally, first place will receive a $25 gift card to a local restaurant.
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This article originally appeared on The Record: Bridges are focus of October Readers Photo Challenge; here are some examples that inspire
Reporting by Clifford Oto, The Stockton Record / The Record
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