photographer – Bill Swartwout Photography

December 14, 2022December 16, 2022

The Making of a Classic Bridge Photograph

Charles W. Cullen Bridge over the Indian River Inlet at Sunset

Once in a while I get asked, “How long did it take for you get that picture?” My usual answer is, “less than a second, but…there’s more.” Yes, “but” – because there is a lot more involved than snapping that shutter at 1/125th of a second or thereabouts.

Indian River Inlet Bridge at Sunset Printed on Canvas — Sunset under the Indian River Inlet Bridge printed on artist-quality canvas.

Imagine planning to create a pleasing sunset photograph of a popular and photogenic bridge – such as the Charles W. Cullen Bridge over the Indian River Inlet at the Delaware Seashore State Park. Here’s a sequence to think about: 1) Packing the camera gear, 2) don’t forget the tripod), 3) driving to the location, 4) setting up the gear and tripod, 5) calling on years of experience to frame the shot from the right angle (or several angles because one is not enough), 6) repacking the gear and trekking back home, and finally 7) editing the image captured from the outing to create just the “right” couple of images for display and to offer for sale. The 1/125th of a second to get “that” picture was actually several hours of time on “that” day and, really, might have been several years in the making. Also, figure in the complexities of the weather – to have the clouds and the sun cooperate in just the right way.

Camera Screen with a Scene of the Indian River Bridge at Sunset — Trusty ol’ Nikon on a tripod on the north jetty at the Indian River Inlet.

Not only did I have prep and driving and time on site, I also had a slight bit of danger involved. (Cue the ominous music here.) I had to walk out on the rock jetty with no handholds and water-sprayed rocks (slippery?) while carrying my camera bag, a tripod – and me. But the result was well worth it. Shots from this particular photo shoot have proven to be quite popular photograph over the years, having been purchased by several art buyers to decorate their homes and offices. Another photograph from this location has appeared in a popular Indian River Bridge Calendar.

Indian River Bridge at Sunset Wall Art in Room Setting

Where would you hang this in your home?

Click the links below to see the actual image in a larger size and to browse or shop the different substrates for wall art and/or a variety of home décor items.

Link: Indian River Inlet, Bay and Bridge Wall Art

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine art America

But, please don’t get me wrong. I am in no way complaining. I love doing my photography – as I have for the last half century. It gets me outdoors and it provides exercise. It is mentally stimulating and fulfilling – to know that, in my own way, I am contributing some art to the world.

There can be more…

Oh, yes, once the image has been rendered as it was envisioned then some creative editing may be applied. Here is a simulated watercolor version of the above photograph. This version is popular for t-shirts and other apparel items.

sunset under the Indian River Bridge Watercolor — Simulated watercolor of the sun setting under the Indian River Inlet Bridge at the Delaware Seashore State Park.

January 15, 2022January 15, 2022

Mother Nature Is My Favorite Artist

…regardless of using a Vivid or a Monochromatic palette…

Mother Nature is my favorite artist. Whether her palette is abundant with vivid colors or monochromatic, grayscale or black and white, she creates beauty and intrigue all around us. My “job” as a mortal artist is to capture some of that beauty with a camera – so it can be shared with others.

With “brush strokes” of bright yellow on a red-orange canvas, She painted these leaves in Bar Harbor, Maine for all to enjoy.

The only “color” in this scene (below) was created my man. Mother nature provided the silver monochrome sky and reflections in the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Inlet in Coastal Delaware.

Indian River Bridge Moonlight Panorama Framed

My respect and admiration for Mother Nature is reflected in my artworks. In most of my collections, nature is the co-creator of each piece I have created or, you may say, documented with my camera. The sun, the sea, the trees, and everything I see in my wanderlust are captured where they are most beautiful.

Click below to browse larger images and to see more like this.

Link: Autumn Foliage in Bar Harbor, Maine (Fine Art America)
Link: Autumn Foliage in Bar Harbor, Maine (Pictorem)

Link: Indian River Bridge Moonlight Panorama (Fine Art America)
Link: Indian River Bridge Moonlight Panorama (Pictorem)

Link to: Full Gallery at Fine Art America

Link to: Full Gallery at Pictorem (w/ Free Shipping)

Two thoughts about Mother Nature’s creations…

Wherever we look, nature is fashioning her own personal art scene. From a sweeping prairie to a quiet pond, from the hills of Tuscany to the streets of New York City– Mother Nature inspires with the perfect canvas and the richest pigments. The result? A celebration of color so brilliant it captivates us all.
Soft white clouds and a bluebird sky may welcome a calico kitten or may be a perfect compliment to the serene grayscale image of a mother deer in her misty woodland home with her fawn. A tranquil scene reminds us all that we can enjoy the simple pleasures in life and breath easier knowing that there is such beauty everywhere around us.

March 15, 2020January 20, 2022

Social Distancing as a Photographer

Unique times and a call for Social Distancing to help keep everyone healthy.

We are currently experiencing another epidemic turned pandemic around the globe. As a preventative means to help mitigate the spread of this COVID-19 Coronavirus, we have been asked to keep a safe distance from one another. How we all do this is a matter of choice and/or regulation. Social distancing in photography for me is what I usually practice – because I am, primarily, a landscape/seascape photographer.

Some of my best-selling works are of landmark bridges on Delmarva. That’s the “eastern shore” portions of Maryland and Virginia plus the State of Delaware. I live in southern Delaware so the bridge closest to our home (15 minutes) is also my favorite subject. I have some buyers who own both of these “bridges” and display them on the walls in their homes.

Likely one of the best-known bridges on the East Coast is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland.

Another (very) popular bridge is the Charles W. Cullen Bridge across the Indian River Inlet at the Delaware Seashore State Park in southern coastal Delaware. It is quite popular because it is located at a wonderful beach destination and is visited by hundreds of thousands of people annually.

At the very southern end of Delmarva is an engineering marvel known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The 17.6 mile bridge-tunnel crosses the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, connecting Cape Charles with Virginia Beach, Virginia.

When out and about photographing these, and similar, locations I am usually alone. There are seldom people near me when I find “the right” locations from which to photograph some of my favorite landscape and seascape scenes. It appears that I have been practicing “Social Distancing” for much of my photography career. However, when there are other people about and it’s difficult to social distance, you’ll see me wearing a face mask to help keep us all safer.

Please visit my online gallery at Bill Swartwout Photography to see more of my work. To see my photographs on jigsaw, puzzles and other items please visit my Zazzle Store.