Old Bridge in the Woods, a photo from Michigan, Midwest

Photographer's Note

As I have alluded to in the past, bridges have been and continue to be an important part of connecting people together in Michigan. The state has 36,050 miles (58,000 km) of streams and rivers obviously making these structures a necessity.

This covered bridge over the Flat River was built in 1871 by Jared Brezee. There had been 4 previous bridges on this site but they were destroyed by ice jams in 1839, 1844, 1849 and 1860. The current bridge owes its survival to its construction using the "Brown Truss" design which was invented by Joseph Brown of New York in 1857.

The first bridge, not covered, was built by John W. Fallas who moved to this area with his brother from New York. The next two were not covered either. The current bridge has been able to withstand the tests of time and is one of only three covered bridges in Michigan open to automobile traffic. It cost $1500 to build in 1871. The trusses are made of white pine timbers. It has seen some updating, however, to achieve its long use, including the replacement of its wooden pilings with concret.

On the other side of the bridge is the old town of Fallasburg, settled by the Fallas brothers. Some small homes and a one room schoolhouse all with markers line the road.

The sign on the bridge reads, "$5 Fine for Riding or Driving on This Bridge Faster Than a Walk."

In the workshop I have posted a more general view of the bridge and its surroundings.

orme, Liora, alpayzeybek, maphoto, supereira, hojper, mdchachi, Hanssie, elihesamian, bpelvan, papagolf21, gaetantgp, kajenn, bertolucci, robiuk, Kenny10pin, nmess, premels, Zanni, ChristianS, digi-mom, efimoore, apazevedo, Jean-Luc trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

orme (7219) 2004-11-04 0:17

A well framed shot, Paul. I like the detail and texture of the rocks in the foreground. The colour of the trees on the left and their reflection both add to the shot. Good POV - as it makes us look up into the dark bridge. Well done.

burdallet (0) 2004-11-04 0:18

It's one of the most american style type of works this type of bridge
I appreciate this angle of view

Liora (1857) 2004-11-04 0:25

Great shot and a most interesting note Paul. Fantastic very well defined colors and (especially after seeing the whole scene) I think you included just the right elements in the frame to show the beautiful scene yet focus on this remarkable bridge. I just wonder- why did they build it covered?

alford (4063) 2004-11-04 1:41

Very very good shot Paul! plus the notes are interesting! I love the clarity (esp. on the rocks, bridge and water) and colors you've captured here! Excellent work!

maphoto (8082) 2004-11-04 5:43

Nice scene Paul, and good point of view on this bridge, the reflection, the angle you chose, the autumn atmosphere, all nice elements in your composition, well done.

Spoony (3539) 2004-11-04 5:50

It´s a nice image... autumn image! ;)
Very well composed with lots of rich elements. River, uncomun bridge and vegetation are adorable.
Well done.

supereira (9576) 2004-11-04 6:04

I like the textures and the light.Very good composition and framing.I like a lot the colors and the contrast between them.Great reflections on the water.Good POV and sharpness.Great job!

hojper (2832) 2004-11-04 9:54

This kind of covered bridge will of course immediately make us Europeans think of "The Bridges of Madison County" by and with Clint Eastwood. What I like about the photo is how you manages to play down the dull white autumn sky by including a lot of interesting shapes and colours infront of the bridge. It is a fine example of the best to extract from that kind of day and light.

Hanssie (11022) 2004-11-04 10:54

Foreground, bridge, colours of the autumn and the green grass, great total-view, Paul.

elihesamian (26149) 2004-11-04 11:04

Paul,at a first time,your beautiful shot reminds me a movie which perhaps you have seen it :"The Bridges of Madison County" (1995),but I find an intresting page full of photos about this kind of bridges that used in this movie,and I invite you see it here.Hope you like it.
And surly I love your shot that has a autumnal atmosphere,nicely done,and a great info,too.
Yours
Mohammad

bpelvan (3798) 2004-11-04 11:06

A wonderful shot, wonderful note and wonderful workshop Paul. Very well framed and cropped picture. Composition is a real taste with the rocks in front than bridge with all details visible and finally left part of the picture with reflection and autumn colors.

The angle you chose shows all the layers very sharp and deep. well doen Paul. Thanks for sharing...

wilkinsonsg (8662) 2004-11-04 13:39

I like your POV and the shot is sharp and colour is good :)

One thing - what is the reason for covered bridges I have never come across them except in America - are they for shelter?

cgrindahl (6113) 2004-11-04 15:01

This is gorgeous Paul. Its nice to see you get out of the city every once in awhile... ;-) The sky adds nothing to the image, but the colors and details are so finely represented that there is plenty for the eye to appreciate without drama in the sky. There is no mention of a tripod, which makes the clarity of this image even more impressive. Depth of field is remarkable as well. The point of view you've selected is perfect, our eye led by the shoreline rocks up toward the distinctive covered bridge. Very well done on every level Paul.

papagolf21 (152605) 2004-11-04 17:20

Cher Paul,
Après avoir vu les deux photos, celle publiée a plus d'impact.
Le cadrage serré met en valeur ce pont vénérable ! Une vue que l'on voit souvent dans les films en provenance des Etats-Unis.
Les couleurs sont naturelles et le ciel laiteux correspond tout à fait au mois d'octobre.
Un grand merci, Paul, pour la note toujours très riche en informations.
Bien amicalement.
Philippe

gaetantgp (1310) 2004-11-04 19:42

Nice shot of the covered bridge Paul. We have a few of them in my area also I always want to go take shot of to post the, but... time... The reflection in the water on your Workshop post is splendid, excellent note also. Well done as usual...Gaétan

kajenn (2462) 2004-11-04 20:05

A very nicely composed image of this old and special bridge, Paul. The way you've gone low and also close to the road, including the boulders and embankment, places the bridge in the upper right part of the picture. Although not showing so much of the bridge over the water, more is seen from the entrance and inside of the covering - including the spectacular sign. There are nice autumn colors surrounding, as well as natural colors on the bridge and nice reflections in the water. I've read your explanation for the covers, which I didn't know. It seems logical, as I read somewhere that it was to ease the crossing for horses - which is contradicted by the fact that the three first bridges were not covered. Very well done!

I know of one covered bridge in Europe - over the Rhein river between Liechtenstein and Switzerland - built in the 60s... ;o)

bertolucci (14052) 2004-11-05 16:26

Hi Paul, looking ath this very pleasing pic my eyes are drawn to the very nicely taxtures of the boulders, the embankment and the faded wood of the bridge and the reflective water. The road and the bridge strings them together in a wonderful way.
This atmospheric pic makes me think of the Clint Eastwood/Meryl Streep 'the bridges of madison country' movie.
Y'r pic in the WS is wonderful capture in its own right and the note is very informative. Great job again!

robiuk (10807) 2004-11-05 18:14

Paul, this is a beautiful capture of th ebridge. With your composition there are so many things to look at and it gives me such a pleasure to see all these from your interesting and (at least for me) unusual POV.

RGatward (20108) 2004-11-06 1:55

nicely executed portrayal of this structure, and an intersting note to go with. I suppose you've got Merryl Streep waiting in your pick-up, just off the frame.

jrzufferey (7305) 2004-11-06 5:52 [Comment]

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Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-11-06 8:50

Great calm colours here and the barn is also a good stature too, very good work

jhm (211734) 2004-11-06 11:45

The small rocks with a little green, together with the autumn colours, and good point of view on this bridge, the reflection, and the construction above the bridge make a great composition Paul.

harold (2377) 2004-11-06 14:27

Très belle réalisation, l'angle de prise de vue est parfait, joli travail.

Zanni (6108) 2004-11-07 2:34

Scendendo verso la riva del fiume e non accontentandoti di una foto dalla strada hai già fatto un ottimo lavoro, essendo questo decisamente un notevole punto di vista anche perchè ammiriamo non solo tutto il ponte preso in diagonale ma anche un tratto di fiume e l'ambientazione autunnale che ben si addice ad un vecchio ponte. Forse, ma potrebbe essere un problema del mio monitor e della imperfetta regolazione dei suoi colori, le pietre in primo piano "sparano" un pò troppo nel senso che abbagliano un poco e perciò distraggono.

ChristianS (2997) 2004-11-07 16:23

Very nice photo and very well composed. I like the low perspective on the subject and the autumn colours are beautiful. Well captured!

sn00zie (2384) 2004-11-08 11:02

well framed and a well chosen subject... nice and interesting and barren in its own way

oochappan (4880) 2004-11-11 13:55

I prefer this one as you got a very good textured foreground giving more depth in the photo and having a more expressiive perspectif on the bridge. Excellent Paul.
Henk

efimoore (2126) 2004-11-12 18:53

Well composed shot of the wooden bridge. Good low angel that gives nice details on the big rocks. The leaves and the naked trees (and the lack of sun) gives a pleasant feeling of the beginning of winter… Since the letters on the bridge sign are blurry I might be suggesting to crop it out.
Also I like the WS shot (especially the trees reflections on the water)

apazevedo (5469) 2004-11-13 13:37

Very beautiful photo, Paul, excellent depth, colour, framing and perspective. Excellent and elucidative note, giving us a complete understanding of the place. I always liked your workshop, that place is really wonderful!

Jean-Luc (5488) 2004-11-22 5:36

Pourquoi les ponts sont-ils couverts au Michigan? quelle en est la motivation?
Quoiqu'il en soit cela nous permet d'avoir une magnifique vue d'un environnement rural.
Très belle composition qui nous laisse aussi admirer les couleurs de l'automne.
Note intéressante.
Bravo Paul!

taivo (1843) 2004-12-02 11:11

Great autumn colours. The tunnel bridge reminds me of the movie with Clint Eastwood and Meryll Streep (I forgot the name of the movie). It's a pity the sky did not cooperate; it's quite overexposed. The perspective is great, like you are walking from the brook towards the bridge

joseelias (0) 2004-12-10 8:42

I dont' know which photo I prefer. If this one or the WS! Both are very nice. If this one has a more daring POV the other shows the nice involving areas which add rich details.

About this one, and considering the sky was not helpfull at all (bold clouds would be a nice addition both in this overcast sky as well in a blue one) I think a conversion to BW could be a good option. This way, increasing the contrasts the textures of the stones and wood would gain a big importance and would look very nice.