Bridge at Num Ti Jah Lodge, Bow Lake

[Stephen]

Footbridges such as this always draw me to them. This one on the shores of Bow Lake in the heart of the Canadian Rockies is no different. I'd appreciate any comments about the composition. It is not a straight out of the camera shot, I have selectively adjusted levels and contrast to try and get more out of the shot. Taken with the Olympus E-P1.

[Pol]

Re: Bridge at Num Ti Jah Lodge, Bow Lake

Footbridges such as this always draw me to them. This one on the shores of Bow Lake in the heart of the Canadian Rockies is no different. I'd appreciate any comments about the composition. It is not a straight out of the camera shot, I have selectively adjusted levels and contrast to try and get more out of the shot. Taken with the Olympus E-P1.

David and I have been having an animated discussion about it this end so I'll try to pull together one or two of the points we're discussing. We're essentially in agreement apart from the fact his natural eye leads from right to left and downwards whereas mine leads from left to right and upwards.

Probably the main point is that we both feel the bridge is a tad too dominant, too in-yer-face and that it also seems to split the picci in half. It makes the picture 'bilateral' - too symmetrical. David sums it up by saying "it confuses the eye, splits his eyes in two directions" and I agree with that. Dunno whether to look left or right.

I'd have preferred it shot slightly further back so that the bridge was integrated into the landscape in a more gentle way. I think I might've have stood more to the left, looking upwards and to the right. A slightly angled view from further back.

It's just that it seems to beg the question as to whether it's a picture of the bridge or a picture of the landscape when I feel it could've been a picture of a bridge better integrated into the landscape in a way that was easier on the eye (ie without pulling the eyes apart).

Hope that all makes sense.

Pol

[Stephen]

Re: Bridge at Num Ti Jah Lodge, Bow Lake

David and I have been having an animated discussion about it this end so I'll try to pull together one or two of the points we're discussing. We're essentially in agreement apart from the fact his natural eye leads from right to left and downwards whereas mine leads from left to right and upwards.

Probably the main point is that we both feel the bridge is a tad too dominant, too in-yer-face and that it also seems to split the picci in half. It makes the picture 'bilateral' - too symmetrical. David sums it up by saying "it confuses the eye, splits his eyes in two directions" and I agree with that. Dunno whether to look left or right.

I'd have preferred it shot slightly further back so that the bridge was integrated into the landscape in a more gentle way. I think I might've have stood more to the left, looking upwards and to the right. A slightly angled view from further back.

It's just that it seems to beg the question as to whether it's a picture of the bridge or a picture of the landscape when I feel it could've been a picture of a bridge better integrated into the landscape in a way that was easier on the eye (ie without pulling the eyes apart).

Hope that all makes sense.

Pol

Thanks a lot Pol for expressing your thoughts, and Davids, on the shot. I can accept your comments. The bridge is in yer face Somehow though I'm always drawn to this sort of view when I encounter bridges. I see them as leading one into the photo and in this case its to the lake and mountains beyond. I took other shots looking down the lake to the mountains, but they are all water and pebbles in the foreground and somehow lack something in the foreground to pull you in over all this to the mountains. I do have one view along the lines of your suggested viewpoint, I'll try to show you that too. I must say though that my personal choice is for this one still

[Stephen]

Re: Bridge at Num Ti Jah Lodge, Bow Lake

Here we are Pol, the same bridge from the side. I mentioned in my blog a while ago that the problem with taking photos in these places is that you want to get the classic view, but then everyone else has done it too, so there is nothing original. I sometimes just like to try an angle that is a little different and challenges the senses to look at things from a different perspective. I think this is the safe shot, whilst the first one is a little more challenging to the senses

[Pol]

Re: Bridge at Num Ti Jah Lodge, Bow Lake

Here we are Pol, the same bridge from the side. I mentioned in my blog a while ago that the problem with taking photos in these places is that you want to get the classic view, but then everyone else has done it too, so there is nothing original. I sometimes just like to try an angle that is a little different and challenges the senses to look at things from a different perspective. I think this is the safe shot, whilst the first one is a little more challenging to the senses

Well there's no contest there, is there. The first one is definitely the better of the two - a whole different league, despite the in-yer-facedness of it.

I just tried viewing it (the first one) standing further back - viewed it from across the other side of the room. I liked it a lot better that way - less pull on the eyes and more of a lead in from the bridge. The sky also had more inmpact for me when viewed that way easier to get an better overall view.

I think I'd still have liked it shot from slightly further back - just enough to see a touch more of the base (or step) onto the bridge but maybe that wasn't possible.

Pol

[Tom]

Re: Bridge at Num Ti Jah Lodge, Bow Lake

I like the high impact of this shot; mainly due to what I think is an excellent perspective. Talk about drawing you into the shot; it almost misses the lake and you end being thrown up in to the distant mountains instantly.
The earthy colours of the mountains on the right (as we look) are really lovely. On my monitor (calibrated) the hills on the opposite side look a bit blocked up hopefully there is enough there for you to give them a little lift. The healthy, cool, outdoor freshness really comes through too and there is fantastic sharp focus from front to back.
So, other than the dark hills I think this shot is rather perfect.

Footbridges such as this always draw me to them. This one on the shores of Bow Lake in the heart of the Canadian Rockies is no different. I'd appreciate any comments about the composition. It is not a straight out of the camera shot, I have selectively adjusted levels and contrast to try and get more out of the shot. Taken with the Olympus E-P1.

[Stephen]

Re: Bridge at Num Ti Jah Lodge, Bow Lake

I like the high impact of this shot; mainly due to what I think is an excellent perspective. Talk about drawing you into the shot; it almost misses the lake and you end being thrown up in to the distant mountains instantly.
The earthy colours of the mountains on the right (as we look) are really lovely. On my monitor (calibrated) the hills on the opposite side look a bit blocked up hopefully there is enough there for you to give them a little lift. The healthy, cool, outdoor freshness really comes through too and there is fantastic sharp focus from front to back.
So, other than the dark hills I think this shot is rather perfect.

Many thanks for your comments Tom, they are much appreciated.
You are correct about the dark hills on the left, infact the original had a little more detail. What you see is a by product of adding a little more contrast. I would think therefore that it would be easy to pull back some more detail in this forest area.