Smardale Gill Viaduct, a photo from Cumbria, England

Photographer's Note

Smardale Viaduct - as taken with the last rays of the wintery setting sun and a few days after the freezing weather earlier this month.(Some of the worst weather locals had seen in many a year.)

The spectacular Smardale Gill viaduct which, 90ft high on fourteen stone arches, crosses the dramatic valley of Scandal Beck a few miles west of Kirkby Stephen.

It was built in 1861 by the Cumbrian engineer Sir Thomas Bouch as part of the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway, which crossed the Pennines to carry coke to the iron and steel furnaces in the Barrow area and West Cumberland. The line was closed in 1962 after steelmaking finished.

The trackbed for several miles at each end of the viaduct already belonged to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust as a national nature reserve, and the viaduct was vital link between then two sections. In the Autumn of 1992 after a major restoration, the viaduct was formally handed over to the trust by the late Lord Whitelaw, together with the nearby Drygill viaduct, to become a permissive footpath.

The viaduct has been restored by the Northern Viaduct Trust into its present excellent condition, and a public footpath utilises the viaduct to cross the valley. This can be accessed from near to the old station (NY 741082) where there is also car parking space.

Smardale Gill itself is a nature reserve under the care of Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

BWJ, belido, feather, delpeoples, JCG, Buin has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

alin-m (3716) 2010-01-21 4:30

Nice image of this great viaduct.
Interesting colors in yours picture.
Best regards.Alin.

BWJ (3094) 2010-01-21 19:20

Hello Rich,
The height of the viaduct is very impressive. Your POV is well chosen and creates a wonderful sense of perspective. Light is well managed; golden colors are simply beautiful. It is a gorgeous scene. Your note is excellent.
Kind regards,
Betty

belido (19934) 2010-01-22 3:07

Hi again,

good theme to be photographed but there you were for this pleasant image. Lighting is very special, you chose the right moment for shooting. Great one!
Regards,
Carlos

fabianoleite (13575) 2010-01-22 4:22

Wonderful bridge, and it looks very imponent, with great surroundings. Congratulations and regards from Brazil!

feather (51130) 2010-01-26 6:52

F14 has given you excellent depth with front to back sharpness although I detect softening because of down-sizing. I see you have adjusted that yourself in a WS. It isn't an issue with this image but sharpening an image overall, can affect the sky and make it look 'noisy', or make tiny leaves look over-sharpened. I always sharpen on a layer and then any parts that don't need sharpening can be erased. (just a tip you might find useful in the future)
The composition is good with the perspective of the viaduct leading the eye into the scene in one direction and the wall and stream doing the same job in the other direction.
Evening light is always good for photography but watch out for it being too yellow. I detect a colour cast, so I tried a WS.
All-in-all well worth getting away from auto. Keep up the good work.
Kath

[3] [workshop] [compare] +

BeBeHooker (0) 2010-01-29 0:17

Hi Richard!
Amazing old bridge. Wonderful landscape. Fantastic colors. Good point of view and capture. Superb shot.
Cheers!

delpeoples (60342) 2010-01-29 6:10

Hi Rich, the golden tones are what immediately drew my eye to this photo, but it is also the wonderful detail and composition that keep it here. You have captured the light superbly, what a magic moment to witness. I like Kath's Workshop aswell, her critique (as usual) I found very helpful. TFS and have a wonderful weekend, Lisa

janusz2054 (2) 2010-02-04 6:16

Hi Richard,
Amazing old bridge.Very nice golden colors. Good composition.
Regards
Janusz

ciakgiak (30) 2010-02-08 3:44

Hello Richard,
what a great capture, the view of the bridge is great and I like a lot its architecture and its colour, very well inserted in the landscape. The image is very pleasant, congratulations, TFS.
Friendly regards
Giorgio

Fis2 (171907) 2010-02-13 12:09

Witaj Richard!
I love bridge :)
A very interesting construction.
I like the frame and warm colors.
Well done.
Have a nice sunday
Krzysztof

JCG (35153) 2010-02-24 8:33

Hello Richard,

You awaited a very beautiful light to emphasize this massive viaduct. I like much the graphic aspect of the image and the softness of the colors. A place which must be very pleasant for the walk, according to what I can see in bottom of the pillars, I think that it is a way… Pretty and interesting glance, thank you for the Richard note.

With all my friendships and a very good evening,

Jean-Charles

Buin (42580) 2010-02-28 2:11

Hallo Richard!
I have had a short walk in your collection here on TE - and this one caught my eyes. I like this symbiosis of architecture and nature here - and this wonderful warm light. A fascinating place - and photo as well. And a good note!!
Greetings from stormy Germany - and have a nice Sunday!
Frank

HimalAnda (10671) 2010-02-28 23:33

Hello Richard,

The winter light is beautiful. I also like the composition: the bridge seems to be so tall. Very good point of view.

Stephane