Author: Andrew

A Father, Photographer and Computer Geek living in Chester County (PA).

My Photo Journal of images taken in Chester and Lancaster Counties, including Covered Bridges, Barns, Nature, Fine Art and Events. Images can also be found on VisitPA.com and ExplorePATrails.com.

Categories
Chester County Covered Bridges HDR Photo Journal Photography Projects

Mercer Covered Bridge (1860)

Mercer Covered Bridge (1860)

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

Mercer Covered Bridge HDR 02 (Low Point of View)
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)
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)
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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Categories
Chester County Covered Bridges Photo Journal Photostream Projects

Speakman #1 Covered Bridge (1881)

Speakman #1 Covered Bridge (1881)

Coatesville, Chester County [38-15-05]

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

Speakman #1 Bridge HDR 05 (Full View)
Speakman #1 Bridge HDR 05 (Full View)

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.

Speakman #1 Bridge (Looking Up Creek)
Speakman #1 Bridge (Looking Up Creek)

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.

Speakman #1 Bridge HDR 03
Speakman #1 Bridge HDR 03

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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Cross Links

Updates

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Categories
Chester County HDR Photo Journal Photography

Have GPS… Will travel!

Today is my first day using a GPS for this project, and boy, what a difference it makes! (Thanks Margie!)

After spending some time programming coordinates into the unit via Google Earth and CoveredBridgeMap.com, I was off!

After a beautiful drive down Rt. 82 south of Coatesville, I tried to find Speakman #2.

After getting to the end of Highland Dairy Road, talked with a gentleman that said that the surprise bad storms from couple of weeks ago, had made it impossible to get to the bridge. I had already read that one needed to contact the own for permission to visit, but with this info, I decided to continue on, and find Speakman #1 Covered Bridge.

– Andrew
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Categories
Blogging Online Life Photography Website

Open the Covered Bridges Project Website!

After much planning, and some recoding, I have finally started this Website Area, that is dedicated to Covered Bridges!

Update

Since this original post, I have switched my nomenclature, in an effort to accommodate the visitors…

Am I correct?

I have no clue…

If you have a better answer to presenting the data and images, PLEASE let me know!

Smiles and happiness,

– Andrew
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Categories
Chester County Covered Bridges Photo Journal Photography Projects

Locksley Covered Bridge (1964)

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.
Images taken at Locksley Covered Bridge in West Chester (Chester County) PA.
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 from East Goshen Township (5/27/2015)

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