Stark covered bridge Photo

Photographer’s Note

The covered bridge of Stark in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, New England USA.

The bridge was build in 1862. During the 1890's, high water removed the center pier and the bridge was washed downstream. It was brought back by men and oxen and set on new stone piers. Arches were added to strengthen the span and the center pier was removed. The bridge failed again in the 1940's and in 1954 was rehabilitated by removing the arch, adding steel, and building a center pier.

Covered bridges in the White Mountains are an integral part of the landscape and a place to wait out a summer shower or steal a kiss or watch raging river waters swollen by the melting winter snows.

Covered Bridges were often called "courting bridges." Their distinctive shapes form a signature for New Hampshire. Why the first covered bridges were built has been obscured by time. Some say that horses were more comfortable crossing an enclosed span than an open trestle. Others point to the fact that a bridge lasts longer if its heavy timbers are protected.

Certainly monetary considerations came into play: the first covered bridges were toll bridges. One bridge in Lebanon (now gone) was so profitable for its owner, that it provided a 70% annual return on the investment in the 1870's!

Covered bridges consist of a roadway supported on each side by a wooden truss and a roof. The frame, made of heavy timbers called chords, is made of two high walls that span the stream with cross timbers top and bottom for the ceiling, floor and foundation. The chords were connected with trusses. Tree nails, called trunnels, made of hardwood hold the bridge together.

asajernigan, dta, bukitgolfb301, gunbud, jhm, jean11-3, Uhu has marked this note useful

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bema (8357) 2009-02-03 8:58

Hi Paul,

since i had seen a film with Clint Eastwood (german title Die Brücken am Fluß)about those buildings, i´m a great fan of those buildings, this one looks real great..

have a fine evening, regards Bernd

asajernigan (13857) 2009-02-03 9:42

Paul,
This is a fine covered and not the usual red color. Your composition is fine showing the bridge from an angle that provides nice depth and direction. The lighting and colors are nice with excellent sharpness and DOF. The mountains make a nice backdrop for the shot. I think that I would probably clone out the piece of car in the lower left corner!
TFS,
Asa

AROBN54 (10649) 2009-02-03 9:55

Hi, Paul,
wonderful shot of this covered bridge. I love the glaring whiteness of it in contrast to the nature colors around it. Excellent POV and perspective and I love the graphics of the bridge. Fabulous light and contrast, mad good detail and beautiful clear color. This is a GREAT shot! Many thanks and kindest wishes,
Shelly

dta (4203) 2009-02-03 10:27

Hello paul ,
It is one of the things that I've discovered on TE : the beautiful covered bridge in USA . This one is very nice , perfectly framed in its rocky landscape .
Bravo

hdl (6733) 2009-02-03 12:32

Ik heb dit altijd al eigenaardig gevonden: waarom bruggen overspannen? Blijkbaar is het niemand heel duidelijk. In ieder geval, ze zorgen wel voor een origineel en mooi plaatje. Mooie foto en een heel interessante nota.

bukitgolfb301 (4381) 2009-02-03 13:11

Hello my dear Paul

This is another great photo. Framework and color management is outstanding. I like not only this old almost collapsed bridge but also background. Trees and rocks are very beautiful and match with the bridge. Best of best Job !

Best regards and many thanks

Takero

gunbud (27467) 2009-02-03 17:11

Hi Paul,
Love the rugged mountain backdrop with the rich autumn colors clinging to the cracks on the cliff.
You have handled white balance in this somewhat difficult light.
I find that the red bridges are much easier to deal with in less than optimal conditions.
Like the angle you shot this at catching peek at the village on the other side of the bridge.
Regards, Tom

claudees (490) 2009-02-03 21:37 [Comment]

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danyy (67810) 2009-02-03 22:44

Bonjour Paul,
excellente idée d'avoir photgraphié ce pont, bien typique de la région. Leur 'utilité' à etre couverts m'a toujours interpelé.
Un tout bon cadrage qui le place bien dans ce qui l'entoure.
Amicalement.
daniel.

jhm (81561) 2009-02-04 3:41

Hello Paul,

Very far from Belgium found you this bridge.
Thank you very much for your interesting note.
Perspective and colours are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

guitianmiranda (3484) 2009-02-09 13:26

Covered bridges are always really interesting to shot. In this case the picture made from this corner POV, makes it really close to the reality of the bridge.

Best regards Paul.

cadel (1839) 2009-02-17 11:24

This bridge makes me think about the Clint Eastwood film I don't remember the name. A typical american construction !
Nice shot

MarcT (20981) 2009-02-18 12:07

Hi Paul,
Did you see the film with Clint Eastwood..? I saw it and your picture makes me think about it but I'm not the only one...
Groet
Marc

jean11-3 (2799) 2009-02-22 6:19

Hello Paul,a very good PoV showing us two faces of the bridge.I like that we can see into the bridge and see the way that it was constructed.Good lead in line with the road.
The light has been well managed.I am used to seeing red painted covered bridges, so a white one really stands out.
Good bg with the forested hillside and the bare rock cliffs.
Interesting notes too.
Tfs, regards Jean.

Uhu (7322) 2009-04-07 8:19

Interesting! Strange idea - to build such a thing. I highly doubt that's because of the horsies. Anyway, great photo!

huahoa (3691) 2009-09-23 15:00

Hi Paul,
This bridge is very special with its roof.
Interesting background grows the value of this artwork.
Best
Hoa