Ancient Bridge, a photo from Lancashire, England

Photographer's Note

We drove to Trawden to spend the day with Bev and her husband Len. When we arrived it was raining heavily. We decided to do the planned walk anyway and donned full waterproof gear. Just to prove Sod’s Law is active, the rain stopped and the sun came out, as you can see on this picture. It’s patently obvious that if we hadn’t worn waterproofs, the rain would have continued all day! :D
We walked to the nearby village of Wycoller, which is a pretty little village that survived plans to dam the stream and obliterate it under water. It is now designated a ‘Country Park’. Wycoller Hall, which is the building you can see on the right through the trees, is now in ruins, and many think it was Charlotte Bronte’s inspiration for Feardean Manor which features in Jane Eyre.
There are seven ancient bridges over the stream. This one is Packhorse Bridge, which is thought to be 800 years old, although renovations have been done over the years.

As we were on a walk I didn’t take my tripod, which accounts for the ISO320, so I could get a hand-holdable speed with a good DOF.
See map link right, which I hope pinpoints where I stood

WS1 is a front view of Packhorse Bridge, showing the uneven arches.
WS2 is a view of the ruined Wycoller Hall

ISO320, FL18mm

ChrisJ, dta, cbrman, holmertz, lucasgalodoido, akm, jwmunro, Dashab, snunney, delkoo, Cricri, Dyerco, Sistercosmo, supi4u, InasiaJones, JCG, delpeoples, xuaxo, Angshu, shevchenko, gunbud, Royaldevon, plimrn, arpitadoc has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ChrisJ (172466) 2010-01-13 6:07

Hi Kath & howdy TE neighbor!

The old, moss covered, double arch bridge is a superb focal point & leads the eye deep into the frame. Beautiful colour, sharpness & composition. Tfs!

dta (98848) 2010-01-13 6:22

Hello KAth ,
What an outstanding composition , one more time ! This superb old stoned bridge , covered by moss , the ruin , the little benche , the beautiful trees . The pleasantly saturated colors of the early autumn are very effective , too . The WS are also very good .
Regards

Greg1949 (9011) 2010-01-13 6:23

Great shot Kath, wonderful detail and color and a great handling of the shadows along the bridge.

Greg

Adrian_S (1179) 2010-01-13 6:54

Hello Kath!

The number of shapes and tones of green in your photo is almost overwhelming. Truly a typical british landscape in every element: the colors, the luxuriant nature, the ruins and yes, the ancient bridge.

Tfs and for the good note.
Adrian

bema (26591) 2010-01-13 6:55

Hi Kath,

very fine capture of these really impressive foot-brigde, includes also the marvelous pictureґs at WS..
think this old buildings could tell wonderful stories, so we could here them..
from the technical site a perfect composed capture..

have a nice afternoon, best regards Bernd

mortijo (12828) 2010-01-13 7:39

Hallo Kath,
An excellent shot of this old bridge with nice shades of green and brown. The pictures in the ws are equally high standard, as usual.
Greetings from a white Grand_Duchy
John

DRAKOLIMNH (1224) 2010-01-13 7:47

Hello Kath,
a nice frame full of great colours with great sharpness and many points of view-i like this small bridge we have so many in our country i really love them-congratulations,
Petros

mattharvey1 (1044) 2010-01-13 8:24

This is a delightful English country scene, makes you want to cross the bridge and explore.

How much do you have to pay the Troll ?

cbrman (21685) 2010-01-13 9:00

Hello Kath,

Un endroit ou les rкves et le passй semblent se rejoindre. J'adore l'endroit. Ce vieux pont de pierre est superbe et la composition est bien pensйe.
Un endroit que je visiterais volontiers. Superbe.

A+

Dominique

holmertz (103762) 2010-01-13 9:42

Hello Feather,
What a perfectly idyllic place, and although October is not my favourite month it looks very much nicer than what we have right now. It's a fine composition where we are lead from the lower right corner across the bridge and turning slightly left into the centre of the photo.
This reminds me of the old time England I learned about as a child (long ago) when we were sent photo books and fairy tale books from English friends.
Kind regards,
Gert

[2]

PixelTerror (0) 2010-01-13 11:57

Kia Ora Kath
From this pov we don't see much of the arches (unlike in the WS) but more of the ancient pathway and with all these greenies mixing in it gives a feeling of being in the Hobbit country ;-)
Have a nice day JY

francio64 (39888) 2010-01-13 13:40

Ciao Kath,
piacevole composizione che invita al relax.
Ottima la gestione della luce, la resa cromatica e lo sharp.

Well done!
Francesco

gilou530 (34) 2010-01-13 13:44

salut kath
verdoyant ce paysage et ombragй ce vieux pont a beaucoup de charme et un endroit qui respire le calme, beau travail
amitiйs
gilbert

akm (1216) 2010-01-13 15:10

Hello Kath,
What a lovely walk that must have been, with everything freshly washed! This is a fine composition, with a cooperating sky, beautiful light and a real painterly feel to it. Your extra shots are excellent too -- especially the brooding sky over the ruins.
Best regards,
Mary

jwmunro (286) 2010-01-13 18:50

Hello Kath -

Spring time already?? :) This screams ancient England. I like the composition with the narrowing path leading out of the corner of the image and directing us onto and around the bridge. Plenty of detail in the shadows while controlling the highlights. Well done!

We just got back from a weekend shoot about 90 miles to the south and it was cold and foggy until Monday afternoon. Tuesday was a gorgeous sunrise with rain in the afternoon. It rained all night Tuesday and we had a warm sun today - praise the lord! Rain is on it's way by weeks end.

Thank you for sharing it is beautiful.

John

[2] +

Dashab (2564) 2010-01-13 23:44

Hello Kath,
English countryside has so many picturesque features to offer... I love old stone bridges and this one is a beauty.
Perfect composition, we are led right across to the bench and the house (or what remains of it, what a pity!). A nice light and perfectly natural colours.
Compliments,
Dasha

Graal (103040) 2010-01-13 23:55

An interesting presentation of old bridge. Good composition and complementary WS. No tripod but quality of photos is ok. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

Gerrit (62042) 2010-01-14 0:10

Hi Kath,
fine rural and autumnal view. Good composition with the old bridge leading us into the garden of this ruined house.

snunney (130967) 2010-01-14 0:51

Hello Kath,
The old paved bridge helps draw the viewer into the scene and invites us to wander over to have a look at the ruined house. Pleasing natural colours and very good sharpness. Looks to have been a very nice day in the end.

Ricx (13495) 2010-01-14 2:32

Hi Kath, another stunning photo.. I must say that Iam learning so much from your photos in the aspect of clarity, sharpness and composition.. You are certainly my favourite of all favourite photographers.. Thanks for the great notes

delkoo (68) 2010-01-14 3:47

bonjour kath,
the picture is really beautiful and nicely shows the countryside, Interesting image with a very well observed POV.

didier

Cricri (176) 2010-01-14 4:36

Hi Kath
Un paysage verdoyant avec les vielles pierres font toujours beaucoup de charme, une jolie invitation a passer le petit pont, bons WS, surtout celle avec la vue sur les arches me plaоt bien aussi
Friendship
cricri

ktanska (45126) 2010-01-14 5:59

Hi Kath,
It looks old but I would not have guessed it 800 years old! Cosy looking green garden, close to nature. Shape of arches on WS is special. Light is great on WS2 and would be my choice for the main upload.
Kari

Dyerco (10185) 2010-01-14 7:36

Hi Kath
I love these old bridges and such. They have a real charm to them. Also we don't see a lot of them here in Canada. Good light management such that we can see the sunlit areas and the shadow. I like the Wycoller Hall shot as well.
Phil

coco (30439) 2010-01-14 7:52

Hi Kath.

This place looks really a very nice one and your composition is very good too.
I love the colour and light of the photo and the note is also a good one.

Regards.

Waylim (25436) 2010-01-14 10:00

Hi Kath,
Very beautiful photo, I like how you use the path way, lead us in over the ancient bridge into this beautiful natural surrounding with gorgeous light that illuminated the pre autumn season colors, so rich in tone, with the lush green lawn and the warmer green of the foliage just before they turn golden brown. I can see the dated quality of the bridge with all the moss growing all over the stone. Beautiful shot, thanks Kath.
Way

cherryripe (21033) 2010-01-14 10:49

Hi Kath
This is so lovely and green and I bet it's all covered in snow now. This sort of scene with a charming bridge and the garden remind of pictures in the This England my grandmother used to have.
Regards
Nikki

Sistercosmo (242) 2010-01-14 11:32

Hi Kath,

what a romantic shot, so wonderfully calm. Love that blue sky shining through and the rich greens - thanks to the rain. ;) Stunning!

Hugs!
Linda

john1 (4028) 2010-01-14 13:42

Hello Kath,

An excellent composition fall, a romantic place with the bridge and its architectural appearance. All its fall colors on trees, beautiful light and clarity.
A superb sharpness and contrast is wonderful.
Thank you for sharing.
good evening.
John

jaywalker (16105) 2010-01-14 16:14

Hi Kath, I love this country scene with the moss covered bridge adding character, it is beautifully composed & superbly detailed, you have framed the picture very nicely & great sharp quality, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

supi4u (601) 2010-01-14 17:27

Hi Kath

Very eye-soothing landscape. The green is all over. POV is excellent and sharp image. Exposure and light control is awesome. Well Done and TFS
-Supriya

InasiaJones (31566) 2010-01-15 0:35

Hello dear Kath,

Such a lovely scene! If marriage was one of my value, I would like it to take place just there, where my wife would cross the bridge in her white dress and curly hair... :-P)

A soft light despite the beautiful sky, with partial shadows and selective highlights. The stones of the bridge seem to open their arms to feel us welcomed in your scene.

Have a great weekend!

Andrй

BennyV (34780) 2010-01-15 7:08

Hello Kath,

Ultrabright, yet with a touch of impressionism. This is a very painting-like composition. I love the light in the windows of the ruin, and the brigde itself is just a great subject.

Benny

JCG (35153) 2010-01-16 7:50

Hello Kath,

That it must be charming this small village isolated far from the urban tumults. A beautiful series of photographs on this calm and green place. I like much your framing on this old bridge which gives on this kind of small public garden, I see several benches… Small village with the tourist and historical interest undeniable. A luminous and plesant image, thank you Kath.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

delpeoples (60342) 2010-01-17 2:09

Hi Kath, isn't that Andre an old romantic? But I can see his point. Far from the 3 trolls, it's a very romantic scene and like something you'd see in Midsomer Murders. Maybe you should be doing their photography. I like the POV, the bridge leads the eye away to the left to more mystery. The coolness, damp and shade make this so inviting. A picnic and a bottle of white wine would go down a treat here, hope you partook. Have a wonderful weekend, Lisa

sacimar (38173) 2010-01-18 10:11

Hi Kath,

interesting composition with the ancient bridge, I like the different green tones we can observe in the image, good light management and details, well done,

Best regards

Sergio

xuaxo (6854) 2010-01-18 13:18

Hi!
This is a view of rural England as I have it in my mind. Lovely!
Greetings,
Francisco
☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺
20 de janeiro: Dia da alegria no TE! ☼ ☺ ☼ January 20: Good mood day on TE!
☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺ ☼ ☺

Angshu (56760) 2010-01-18 20:44

Hello Kath
Good perspective created by the old stone bridge. Quite green here, alongwith moss, spelling good amount of rainfall. the arches maybe more visible in the WS, but this is certainly a better shot. Appreciate the exposure through light & shade.
Best Regards
Angshu

Bluejeans (64251) 2010-01-19 5:48

Ola Kath ,
Que beleza de composiзгo com estas cores de outono , a natureza deste lugar e muito rica em tons de verde , gostei muito da luz natural a enriquecer a paisagem , bom ponto de visгo com esta velha ponte em primeiro plano , parabйns!!
Um abraзo Gonзalo

batalay (41261) 2010-01-19 20:48

Hello Dear Kath,

As I looked at the photo, I thought of Charlotte Brontй, I thought also of those remarkable 1840's novels. Your note complements the extraordinarily beautiful photo perfectly. The light, composition, colors and resolution — all perfect. It's clearly a product of a painterly eye and a superb camera.

Warm regards,

Bulent

shevchenko (20560) 2010-01-20 18:57

Hi Kath,
The old bridge is not prominent than the greenery environment in this photo, however the WSs are clear to show the old architectures, sunlight and shading add extra effect, thanks for sharing the abandoned ancient architectures.
Ally

danos (110407) 2010-01-22 0:30

Hi Kath,
nice this landscape view with the trees and the whole greenery to have covered the little arch stone bride.I like the creative perspective,as the brilliant light of the day,with the sharpness and the clarity to be well captured.

Have a nice day,Danos

gunbud (34066) 2010-01-22 19:04

Hi Kath,
Lovely country scene with the old stone moss covered bridge leading the eye gently towards the ancient ruins.
Love how the two trees make a lovely natural frame for this fine image.
Regards, Tom

Royaldevon (86598) 2010-01-24 2:38

Hello Kath,

Oh, this shot has rekindled memories of that wonderful day; maybe rain and sun but laughs all the way!

You have really produced a fine shot of the packhorse bridge with Wycoller Hall, in the b/g, adding to the mood. You have made it look easy but, believe me, it is not easy to produce such a fine shot here; the trees, the foliage, the crowds, the angle, all work together to compound the problem!
Love how you have linked the bridge with b/r/h corner, inviting the viewer to cross, and providing fine details to enjoy along the way.
The two tree are well placed giving fine balance to the shot.

Have a great Sunday,
Bev :-)

We will have to meet up again after your exciting trip!

plimrn (21344) 2010-01-27 17:21

Hi Kath,
I really like all three views; I would have been had pressed to choose among the photos had they been mine. Here the light through the ruin gives a sense of mystery while making it stand out. The bridge view show the cures of the support and the shadowed path invites exploration. The threatening sky is perfect for showing the ruin (and your good fortune in escaping the rain.)

The map link shows your ingenuity in framing the photos without unwanted interference; I would never guess there were so many buildings nearby.

Well I guess you're off to NZ with the time difference.
Happy travels, Pat

foozi (7101) 2010-03-30 22:04

Hi Kath,
after such a slow involvement in this forum, upon looking into your shots....I dont know which one to talk about. They are so beautiful and so lovely.
I went to Portsmouth last Nov as work visit, so time is too short for me to exploit the beauty of UK.
At least it sooth and pacify me alot upon looking at your excellent composition.
Lovely views.

Regards,
Foozi

kordinator (8738) 2010-04-23 5:13

Hello Kath,
Photography is what the color and ideas for,well executedHi Kristijan
Photography is what the color and ideas for ... well executed
Composition is fantastic ...
Me personally like a lot ...
Thank you for this beautiful picture ...

Respect
Sasa

humayun (3129) 2010-05-15 19:41

hello dear...
Hello, good idea for the picture... and very great shoot........
Tfs.................................

arpitadoc (50) 2011-12-30 23:01

its beautiful!..so dreamy..like childhood fairytales-book!..somuch to learn from you! cudos!