Harpers Ferry Photo

Photographer’s Note

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is located at the scenic confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers in the states of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The park, located 65 miles from Washington D. C., is comprised of 2,500 acres.

The strategic location where the Potomac River, fourth largest river along the Atlantic Coast, and the Shenandoah River converge resulted in early development. In the 1790s President George Washington suggested the establishment of a national armory. The arrival of the railroad and the C&O Canal speeded things along. By the mid-1800s, the town had a population of 3,000. Unfortunately, the combination of the Civil War and several severe floods in the 1800s caused the area to be abandoned by most of its citizens.

Today Harpers Ferry has restored buildings including a blacksmith shop, dry-goods store, provost, marshal’s office, clothing store and a jewelry store. Other exhibits include themes of industry, John Brown, the Civil War, African-American history, natural history, and transportation. There are hiking trails, lovely shops, good restaurants, and an excellent ice cream shop in the village.

My picture was taken from the top of Jefferson Rock named for Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States. Writing to his friends in France, he assured them that the view was worth a voyage across the ocean.

St. Peter’s Catholic Church on the left is the third structure in the church’s history. The first was a log cabin that was washed away by the floods. The second was built in 1830 and survived the Civil War when the town changed hands 11 times, but was torn down to build a nicer church in 1896.

serp2000, gunbud, ilDottore, mafegan, belido, axiotea, stego, AROBN54 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

serp2000 (9733) 2008-09-08 20:08

Privet, Betty,
An interesting note! Fine landscape! Good composed, I like colours and sharpness!
Best wishes from Russia,
Serghei

testmaniac (12262) 2008-09-08 20:19

Hi Betty, nice and very good composed photo with natural colors and good POV. I like it!

TFS

Phil

gunbud (28165) 2008-09-08 21:18

Hi Betty,
I love the combo of the old stone church steeple and the striking river background.
The old railroad bridge makes an effective seperater between the river and the distant hills.
The summer haze adds a brooding quality to this fine historic image.
Regards, Tom

batalay (21213) 2008-09-09 0:34

Hello Betty,

I like very much the vantage point you've selected for this image — presenting the spire of the church, against the background provided by the river and its old bridge. The spire creates a strong focal point, and just at the ideal place in the frame. Except that the particular metal bridge and the church are unfamiliar to me, the scene could be Falmouth, Virginia. There is similar bridge over the Rappahannock River, similar brick houses, including an early 19th century church, and a raised roadway providing such a vantage point. The scene in this case is Falmouth, VA. The depth of field is super — ironwork in the bridge as sharply defined as the brickwork in the church spire. The note, as usual, is fabulous.

Warm regards,

Bulent

ilDottore (4004) 2008-09-09 1:08

Hi Betty,
Very good panoramic shot with beautiful hills, shallow river and nice church. It looks like Poland in southern part. :)
I like natural colours on your photo, also POV is perfect.
Best Regards!
Chris

mafegan (4517) 2008-09-09 3:10

Hello Betty
A very attractive scene with the exposed rocks in the river, the church, the bridge and the tree-clad hills beyond. TFS, Marlene

jmdias (19935) 2008-09-09 8:08

betty

fabulous landscape, remember us a little piece of Europe. Fantastic mix of nature and architecture. I liked the framing and the light too

hugs

jorge

belido (16899) 2008-09-10 7:16

Hi Betty,

very beautiful scenary! Your composition is really good. The bridge over there breaks nicely the surrounding nature. The church is a good focal point too. Great luminosity and details. Well done!
Regards,
Carlos

axiotea (16305) 2008-12-22 6:52

Hello Betty
Yeah! T.J. was right about the view ;) You handled well the light condition which seemed to be strong and offered us this beautiful panorama with the church and bridge adding more interest to the image. Thanks for the interesting note!
Cheers
Marilyn

stego (22482) 2009-02-13 15:21

Hi Betty,
You were very clever taking profit of the advantageous PoV over that beautiful landscape. The framing is perfect, with the charming church on the left and the river encircled by the forests. You weren't too lucky with the haze on the BG, but that is just a minor detail that isn't enough to do any real harm.
It's intriguing how the bridge looks slightly inclined to the right and the tower to the other side. I guess the latter is because of the downwards perspective. But again, that's just a minor detail.
Regards, José.

AROBN54 (10791) 2009-03-08 11:43

Oh, Betty,
now this is near and dear to my heart. I am a native West Virginian and you have shown my state in a wondrous and beautiful manner. Wonderful light, lovely clear color and marvelous detail. Excellent POV with the church spire perfectly placed and the river drawing the eye into the shot and framed by the mountains. I am SO looking forward to going home soon. This is just awesome. Many thanks and warm regards,
Shelly

denisn72 (7079) 2009-06-29 16:21

Hello Betty!
It seems a nice place. The church tower in the left foreground and the bridge further away are good element to the composition. Depth of field is very good. Informative note. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards
Denis!