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
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!)

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”

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Categories
Chester County Covered Bridges Downingtown Photo Journal Photography Projects

Gibson’s Covered Bridge (1872) – Part 2

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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Categories
Chester County Covered Bridges HDR Photo Journal Photography Projects

Rapps Covered Bridge (1866)

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.

Rapps Bridge (Main Sign) 065
Rapps Bridge (Main Sign) 065

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
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.

Rapps Covered Bridge (Side Detail) 028
Rapps Covered Bridge (Side Detail) 028

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

Rapps Covered Bridge (Underneath) HDR 043
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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Categories
Chester County Covered Bridges Photo Journal Photography Projects

Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (1859)

Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (1859)

Bucktown, Chester County [38-15-12]

It was a very sunning day, great temps, with clouds and some winds.

While taking this picture, standing in the water, I felt something brush across my foot.

Not thinking about it too much, I continued to shoot, thinking it was just some leaves or a small twig, but it persisted, and when I looked down, it was a small cray fish!

Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Exterior Long View Up Creek) 002
Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Exterior Long View Up Creek) 002

Gotta love nature!

From this location, I moved up-stream, and was able to capture these images.

Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Exterior Long View Down Creek) HDR
Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Exterior Long View Down Creek) HDR
Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Exterior Low View) 048
Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Exterior Low View) 048

From there, I moved back to the road.

I setup the last shoot, and it took longer then expected because of all the traffic!

Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Entrance) 027
Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge (Entrance) 027

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Tech Talk

Updates

July 27, 2012 – I got a chance to Revisit this Covered Bridge

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