Bridge lift on A1

[Stephen]

I don't normally post any of my work related pictures on the forum, but I just thought I would share this one with you that I took on Saturday night. The A1 at Wetherby was closed to enable two 40 ton steel beams to be hoisted into position across the road. I had to photograph the whole affair which took about 4hrs. All the shots were taken using the tripod, ISO 800 and Auto WB. Full Manual exposure was used for the majority, it simply is not possible to use exposure adjustment in the Auto modes.

The photo you see here has had no adjustment for colour temp, infact I haven't altered any of them for WB. Oddly enough one of the Engineers working there was taking a few for himself with an Olympus 510, he showed me one he'd taken and it seemed very much warmer than mine, so maybe this is a characteristic of the camera.

[Pol]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

I spotted this one in your gallery and spent a while looking at it, totally fascinated by the details. Superb exposure and that fella in the middle of the road just finishes everything off nicely giving some idea of scale. It isn't often anyone can stand smack in the middle of the A1 like that eh!

What's that light in the sky just beyond the right side of the cable? Is it a 'plane?

Great shot though - loads of interesting details in it!

Pol

[Pops]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

I like this a a lot. There is a tremdous amount of detail to pick out.
Strangely enough my eye keeps going to the spot where the top of the crane should be.
Also seems funny only seeing the 1 person in the shot during what is obviously a critical part of the nights work.
I have carried a few abnormal loads in my time and would love to have been there to have seen this.

[Stephen]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

Thanks Pol & Pops, there were plenty of men around and they kept appearing. The guy in the shot had walked down the carriageway to have a look. As he walked back I stopped him and asked him top stand in that spot looking at the bridge. He happily obliged and I showed him the shot afterwards. His comment was that it added scale to the image, I have to agree. I did enjoy walking on the carriageway and climbing over the central reservation to move position. I kept off the structure of the bridge, but was allowed to walk pretty much anywhere else.

The light in the sky Pol is perhaps an aircraft, not sure, I was going to clone it out, but forgot Quite a few shots did get flare because of the lights, and I have been able to clone that out if it was within the black sky area.

Here are 2 more shots of the second lift

[Pol]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

I especially like the last one - though I wouldn't want to be underneath if it dropped!

I'd leave the aircraft in that first one if it were mine, but I can appreciate why you'd probably clone it out for them.

The exposures are wonderful. I suppose there was also good lighting on the site for the workmen.

Pol

[Stephen]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

I especially like the last one - though I wouldn't want to be underneath if it dropped!

I'd leave the aircraft in that first one if it were mine, but I can appreciate why you'd probably clone it out for them.

The exposures are wonderful. I suppose there was also good lighting on the site for the workmen.

Pol

Exposure was a problem at times Pol. Using the camera metering was quite problematical. Essentially there is such a vast range between the lit area and the sky that the meter can't cope. So I just underexpose until I get the illuminated area right. This means using full manual, but I tend to leave the aperture on F8-11 and adjust the shutter speed accordingly. Most critical shots were well bracketed though it really does help shooting in Raw. Getting the crane jib lit too was a problem as it extended beyond the lit area. They actually moved and added some lights for me to help with this in the second lift.

[Pol]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

Exposure was a problem at times Pol. Using the camera metering was quite problematical. Essentially there is such a vast range between the lit area and the sky that the meter can't cope. So I just underexpose until I get the illuminated area right. This means using full manual, but I tend to leave the aperture on F8-11 and adjust the shutter speed accordingly. Most critical shots were well bracketed though it really does help shooting in Raw. Getting the crane jib lit too was a problem as it extended beyond the lit area. They actually moved and added some lights for me to help with this in the second lift.

Well you certainly succeeded with those exposures because the jib and cable details are well seen here on my screen. That's one of the things that's so impressive imho.

Another thing I like about them is the way the light on the road is rather like your headlight view when your lucky enough to be on a quiet major route at night. A nice sort of 'open road' feel to them .. and you just happen to be passing through past the 'roadworks'.


Pol

[Autumn]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

Wonderful shots Stephen. I can see the problems with regard to exposure in the light/dark areas. I had noticed the crane jib, but it can still be seen.

Shots like these are quite a challenge. I would love to have been there just to have a practice.

Thanks for sharing your images. I almost feel I was there.

[Martin]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

Marvellous stuff Stephen - A little bit different to last weeks outing though but all a pleasure to view. Thanks.

[Pops]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

From the 2nd pair I don't like the first much at all...seems to cramped up.
In the 2nd you appear to have captured a critical stage of the nights work with a neat tunnel effect

[Pol]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

From the 2nd pair I don't like the first much at all...seems to cramped up.
In the 2nd you appear to have captured a critical stage of the nights work with a neat tunnel effect

The first one doesn't have the same sort of 'romantic' jorney-through-the-night feel to it, for me anyway.

However, I feel that first one is beautifully framed and executed to show the crane at night and what it's doing. Bloomin' good commercial shots though, eh! I'd love to be fully mobile again, twenty years younger and have those sorts of photo opportunities!

Pol

[mib2]

Re: Bridge lift on A1

Hi Stephen

As a military bridge builder I love it. Generally when I have built bridges in the past it has been in the dark in Germany.

Great stuff
Dave r