Category: Covered Bridges

The category for Covered Bridges.

Mercer Covered Bridge (1860)

Post author By Andrew
Post date August 4, 2010

Mercer Covered Bridge (1860)

Christiana, Chester county [38-15-19, 38-36-38]

Mercer Covered Bridge HDR 02 (Low Point of View)

On the way to Mercer, I tried to find another small private bridge that I had read about, but after driving by the reported location, I could not find it and continued on.

I was easily able to find Creek Road, and continued through the park until the road split. Bearing left on Bailey Crossroads Road, I finally came upon Mercer covered bridge, which was built in 1860.

There was parking lot for the shots that I was planning I had to drive through the bridge and parked on the corner of Walter Road.

I grabbed my gear and headed back towards the bridge. Unfortunately the sun was shining directly into my face as I approached the entrance. There was just going to be too much lens flare for me to take a decent picture so I continued through the bridge and found my first acceptable location.

I took two different scenes, one from the road as if you were in the car, and the second on left side of the bridge, just below the road grade looking up.

While setting up for the second shot, I kept on being poked by thorns as I moved the tripod around trying to get a good frame on the bridge. Just one of the minor hazards, of working with nature.

After the second shot was complete, I moved back up the bank, across the road, and down the other side, but this time little more into the woods.

Mercer Covered Bridge HDR 03 (Reflections)

It was from this viewpoint, that I saw my shot of the day.

One of the great things about doing picture in HDR, is that water becomes “glass-like” because of the long exposures and multiple shots.

Finishing these HDR captures, I moved back to the road and through the bridge, down another small bank and was finally able to get to a suitable location from underneath the bridge.

From this vantage point it was easy to capture the geometric shapes of the wood beams, and in the background you can also see the location of the three previous shots.

Mercer Covered Bridge HDR 04 (Underneath)

Once I was done with this capture, I looked at my watch and new I had to pack up and start heading home.

I was very thankful that I had the GPS, because I really had no clue where I was.

It was a very pleasant drive home the temperature had dropped a little and felt good as I drove with all the car windows down and my music blaring.

All in all, it was a good day of shooting!

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Tech Talk

Updates

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Tags 1860, 38-15-19, 38-36-38, Bridge, Burr, Chester County, Christiana, Covered Bridges, HDR, HDRI, Keystone State, Mercer, Mid Atlantic, Pennsylvania, Red Covered Bridge, Truss, USA

Chester County Covered Bridges Photo Journal Photostream Projects

Speakman #1 Covered Bridge (1881)

Post author By Andrew
Post date August 4, 2010

Speakman #1 Covered Bridge (1881)

Coatesville, Chester County [38-15-05]

Speakman #1 Bridge HDR 02 (View of the entrance)

Driving south of Coatesville on Route 82, was definitely one of those days where you had the windows down and the stereo cranked up.

Initially I wanted to find Speakman #2 (Mary Ann Pyle CB), but when I got to the end of Highland Dairy Road, I encountered a local resident and asked about the bridge. He informed me that the bridge had been damaged in the recent storms back in June. He had not been there, but he had heard that the bridge had washed away.

I turned around and continued south on Route 82, which only took me deeper into the horse country of Chester County.

It was easy finding DuPont road which led to frog Hollow Road and I parked at the intersection.

This Burr bridge was built in 1881 by Menander & Ferdinand Wood, and is located in a very quiet and secluded area where one could only hear water running of the stream.

Unpacking my tripod and camera gear, I set out to do some interior shots of the bridge from the road.

There was some graffiti scrolled onto the dark walls of the interior which added some color.

I look for position where I could go full-sized shot of the bridge, but the weeds were very thick, and I decided to cross the bridge to the other side.

once on the other side, I found an easy path walking upstream, and was quickly able to find a dried area where I could set up to do my full-length shot.

It was a nice relief walking through the cool stream water because it was such a hot and humid day.

After taking my full-length shots, I started looking around at the beautiful scenery, and just swiveled the tripod head 180°, looking back up the stream, capturing the following image.

I spent a few more minutes letting my eyes take in the beauty, as I splashed cold water onto my head and neck helping to cool me off.

reluctantly I started back downstream and got to the edge of the bridge, where I set up to do my final detailed interior capture.

Here is another example, where I did not notice the lens flare on the cameras LCD screen, but did notice it when I was editing the images and Adobe Lightroom.

I crossed back over the bridge, put my gear into the car, selected my next bridge from the GPS, and headed off to Mercer Covered Bridge in Christiana.

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Tags 1881, 38-15-05, Bridge, Burr, Chester County, Coatesville, Covered Bridges, East Fallowfield Township, HDR, HDRI, Keystone State, Mid Atlantic, Pennsylvania, Photostream, Red Covered Bridge, Speakman #1, Truss, USA

Chester County Covered Bridges Photo Journal Photography Projects

Locksley Covered Bridge (1964)

Post author By Andrew
Post date July 30, 2010

Locksley Covered Bridge (1964)

West Chester, Chester County [38-15-A]

I did not have much time to devote to bridges, and was still trying to figure out the best way to track them down.

At this point, I am still using Google Earth and CoveredBridgeMap.com (by James Walsh) to print out directions.

I hate to say it, but trying to read hard copy directions while driving, is very difficult and best. (Kids – Do NOT do this!)

Images taken at Locksley Covered Bridge in West Chester (Chester County) PA.

Finally, I found Locksley bridge in a small neighborhood in West Chester, which crossed over a small little stream.

Right behind the far wall in this picture, you can begin to see the beautiful water garden that is feed by the stream, and the whole scene is a wonderful addition to this neighborhood.

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Tech Talk

Updates

June 15, 2015 –

I got a call over the weekend from a neighbor of the Locksley CB [38-15-A] in West Chester… She called me to see if I could help her…

Apparently, earlier in the year, the township voted to destroy the bridge, WITHOUT input from the neighborhood!

Needless to say, this was rather shocking news!

Has anyone else hear about this?

Later in the Day

I’ve heard from another neighbor of the bridge, who has sent me the following info –

Letter to Supporters 01

“with covered structure and roofing eliminated”

Agenda – East Goshen Township (5/27/2015)

Minutes - East Goshen Township (5/27/2015)

Minutes from East Goshen Township (5/27/2015)

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Tags 1964, 38-15-A, Bridge, Burr, Chester County, Covered Bridges, East Goshen Township, HDR, HDRI, Keystone State, Locksley, Mid Atlantic, Pennsylvania, Truss, USA, West Chester

Chester County Covered Bridges Downingtown Photo Journal Photography Projects

Gibson’s Covered Bridge (1872) – Part 2

Post author By Andrew
Post date July 26, 2010

Gibson’s Covered Bridge (1872) – Part 2

Downingtown, Chester County [38-15-10]

I went back today after taking my daughter on a Nature walk in new area.

When we got there, she really seemed to open up to the bridge.

It was “cool”!

The sun was just hitting the water at such an angle, that light was coming up from underneath, which was very helpful!

The weeds have NOT gotten any better!

and JPEG Compression can REALLY kill a HDRI image!

Gibson-Harmony Hill Covered Bridge - HDR 001 — Gibson-Harmony Hill Covered Bridge – HDR 001

Gibson-Harmony Hill Covered Bridge - HDR 002 — Gibson-Harmony Hill Covered Bridge – HDR 002

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Tech Talk

Updates

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Chester County Covered Bridges HDR Photo Journal Photography Projects

Rapps Covered Bridge (1866)

Post author By Andrew
Post date July 22, 2010

Rapps Covered Bridge (1866)

Phoenixville, Chester County [38-15-14]

Quick History

National Register of Historic Places
Built by Benjamin F. Hastman in 1866
Named for George Rapp, who ran the Snyder’s Mill in East Pikeland
Reconstructed in 1978 and 2011

Here again was an instance, where I had been over this bridge, many a times, while visiting a friend in that area and near gave it much thought.

I parked in the little lot to the right of the bridge, as you’re heading away from Phoenixville, and noticed a family of four, playing along the creek, enjoying the wonderful summer day.

Note – I did use Photoshop to make this read a little bit better…

From the Parking lot, I crossed the street, and setup to for this traditional long side shoot of the bridge.

Rapps Covered Bridge (Exterior Long View) 016

Moving a little closer to capture some more detail of the construction.

The flow of the river has cut out the roots of a tree on the other side of the bridge, which can just be seen in this picture.

Then I walked under the bridge, and was captured by this view…

Rapps Covered Bridge (Underneath) HDR 043

This was my first shoot taken under a covered bridge, and I have been doing them ever since!

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Tech Talk

Updates

July 27th 2012 – Got a chance to revisit Rapps Damn Covered Bridge after the 2011 Reconstruction.

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Tags 1866, 38-15-14, Bridge, Burr, Chester County, Covered Bridges, HDR, HDRI, Keystone State, Mid Atlantic, Pennsylvania, Phoenixville, Rapps, Truss, USA