The Second Severn Bridge, a photo from Gloucestershire, England

Photographer's Note

The original Severn Bridge was built to carry the M4 on its way to Wales from London. Exciting and revolutionary as this bridge was in its day, time and traffic began to take its toll, no pun intended, and the M4 was rerouted across this new crossing, a cable stay bridge, a design which is intended to have a much longer lifespan.

I have driven up and down the M5, frequently, looking out for both these landmarks for decades, and it was only this week I took the time to a, cross one, and b, photograph them. it must be a sign of old age !

Taken on a very grey day, the concrete and towers seemed to merge with the estuary and sky. Luckily a brief moment of sun highlighted the towers and stays, and the moment was duly recorded !

For those unfamiliar with the geography of the M4, M48, M5 and all the associated slip roads, link roads etc etc, map view will explain all !

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tyro, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

macjake (39227) 2012-04-14 7:07

Hi Martin
wow, what a photo you have captured here. see, sometimes it pays to get out of the car and snap a few off! :)
I think the grey cloudy sky worked in your favour, i really like the monochrome look to it, i honestly do. the bottom fg on the right corner is very sharp, and also given the fact just how long the bridge deck curves into the depth of the photo - it too is well photographed.
all around, a great post for TE, thanks.
craig

Bluejeans (64227) 2012-04-14 7:29

Ola Martin ,
Belo plano de visão desta ponte , parece enorme , bonitos os detalhes de construção , parabéns !!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Turkoglu (0) 2012-04-14 7:39

Selam
Çok güzel bir fotoğraf olmuş ellerinize sağlık.selamlar

Afsanehbagheri (3206) 2012-04-14 9:44

سلام دوست من

محیط زیبا و دوست داشتنی و از زاویه خوب

تبریک

jjcordier (62280) 2012-04-14 23:59

Martin
Belle photo de ce superbe et élégant pont. le cadrage est excellent et j'aime les tons doux de l'image.
Amicalement
JJ

tyro (13065) 2012-04-15 5:03

Hello Martin,

An interesting note and a fine picture to illustrate it. I see from the map that this new bridge is, in fact, longer than the previous one, spanning points lower down in the Severn estuary.

A well composed photograph with excellent perspective and exquisite sharpness. The colours are nicely subdued on account of the poor lighting but you have made the most of the weather and still come up with a very fine picture. Spot-on exposure and excellent presentation.

Lovely!

Kind Regards,

John.

karacabeylis (1283) 2012-04-16 6:45

nice shot!

mkamionka (24505) 2012-04-16 11:50

Hi Martin,
I guess not only Middlesbrough has a photogenic bridge... Although I am recently trying to figure out the POV to photograph the Tees Bridge (the one next after the Transporter Bridge). I would photograph it at the blue hour but am a bit afraid to walk there after dark so if you are inspired to have a blue hour session let me know :)
This one here is beautiful, I like very much the simplicity of modern design which is captured at the fantastic light conditions. Great composition with asymmetric positioning. Nice effect with the line disappearing far in the distance.
M

eldancer1 (17008) 2012-04-23 8:45

Wow! Beautiful architecture compared to our bridges which are boring! Nicely captured with great pov and dof with nice details. Very well done, tfs.

delpeoples (44904) 2012-04-27 5:00

Hi CCL

Wow, what a tongue twister. I wouldn't want to have to say it after 3 or 4 pints. An amazing bridge, one I;ve not seen on TE before. The graphism and perspective are unreal. Superb work, a stunning photo.

Thanks for sharing, have a good Friday to you and the Crew
Lisa