Tag: Swinging Bridge

Twirling Swinging Bridge

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The third image I entered in the 2022 Iowa State Fair is titled Twirling Swinging Bridge” This image was submitted in the “Anything Goes” class, which means the image is to be dramatically computer enhanced or radically altered. This type of processing is something I do for fun. I have used this type of processing on several images, but Twirling Swinging Bridge has captured the most attention on social media.

The image was radically altered in Adobe Photoshop using the twirl filter. With this filter l find it best to use multiple layers and save the file as a photoshop file. One time, I failed to save the file with all the layers and saved it as a .jpg file after merging the layers. Oops! I wanted to change something and couldn’t. I tried to recreate the image again, but guess what? The filter never works the same way twice! I was unable to duplicate my original enhancements. Lesson learned.

Often I am asked what the original imaged looked like. Below is Twirling Swinging Bridge and Swinging Bridge in Spring.

Twirling Swinging Bridge
Swinging Bridge in Spring

I have photographed this scene in all seasons. Making a black and white image of this scene still dances around in my head. But the vision I have, well let’s say, it might not be so easy to get to this location to make that vision come to life.

There was an image on display for this class that the photographer had used the twirl filter in Adobe Photoshop. What was different from my image? The colors were all primary, red, blue, green and yellow. And the image was more geometric. It reminded me of patterns I made using Spirograph from the 1970’s. Did you have a Spirograph?

I’ll never know why at least one judge like the other image over mine. And yes, it stings to know that someone who used the same technique had an image on display and mine didn’t make the cut. I keep reminding myself it is a tough competition and this year only 29% of the images submitted were chosen for display.

There will be one more image for me to write about, so stay tuned! Until then, leave me a comment on your thoughts about Twirling Swinging Bridge.

Swinging Bridge In Winter

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Bob and Molly on the swinging bridge at Oakland Mills State Park
Bob and Molly on the swinging bridge at Oakland Mills State Park

My favorite image of 2015 was the swinging bridge at Oakland Mills in Henry County, Iowa made this fall.  It is a scene that I plan to photograph often and in the different seasons.  Earlier this week we had about 3 inches of sleet and snow.  Hoping to find the bridge covered in snow, but no tracks, my husband, Molly and I ventured out to the park yesterday.

 

Skunk River at Oakland Mills, Henry County, Iowa
Skunk River at Oakland Mills, Henry County, Iowa

 

Although it is Christmas break, no one had crossed the bridge and the snow was untouched with the exception of a few squirrel tracks, which had been partially covered with a light dusting of snow very early yesterday morning.  I made a similar image to the one I had made in the fall.  I wanted the same soft light and waited for a heavy cloud to shade the sun.  Across the bridge the trees were basking in the soft winter sunshine.  After the image was made, we headed across the bridge and down to the Skunk River.  On the way back I made a quick image of Bob and Molly crossing the bridge to provide perspective as to the length of this swinging bridge.  To see a high resolution image or to purchase a print, click on the image below.

swinging bridge oakland mills state park henry county iowa The swinging bridge at Oakland Mills State Park in Henry County, Iowa in winter.