Forth Rail Bridge

Forth Rail Bridge

The structure was designed by Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker, and built by Glasgow based company Sir William Arrol & Co between 1883 and 1890.

“The bridge was opened on 4 March 1890 by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, who drove home the last rivet, which was gold plated and suitably inscribed.

“During its construction, over 450 workers were injured and 98 lost their lives.

“There is a scene on the bridge in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film The 39 Steps.

“The bridge was built in steel alone, the first bridge in Britain to use that material. It was the first major structure in Britain to be constructed of steel; Its contemporary, the Eiffel Tower was built of wrought iron.”

Quoted from Wikipedia.

Here’s a beauty of a shot from George Gastin.


Comments

12 responses to “Forth Rail Bridge”

  1. That’s a great shot, David! The black and white, with its increased contrast, makes it so much more dramatic.

    D5000, eh? Like it? I love my D40!! Though I do miss the tilt and swivel screen my Canon PowerShots have and I thought about the D5000 because of that. I just don’t like lying on the ground or guessing where to point my camera down for certain shots!

  2. Such a gorgeous photo. The detail and color levels are just perfect. Very nice work.

  3. nice photograph, gives me that vintage sci-fi feel when i stare deep into it.

  4. That George Gastin shot is absolutely beautiful. Is it possible to shoot from the other side and avoid those mobile buildings / shipping containers?

  5. Ah, this brings back memories! I used to live in Scotland and our family would travel south via Edinburgh every year. The Forth Rail Bridge always fascinated me as a kid as we crossed on the adjacent road bridge. Its a marvel of engineering and beautiful to look at. This photo’s been taken at a great angle and the perspective helps capture the awe you feel when you’re actually there. The black and white treatment really adds to the drama – in fact, I think I can see Robert Donat (The 39 Steps) swinging from a steel beam if I look close enough… ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Hi Lauren, loving the new camera. Picked it up with a decent tripod and an 18-105mm lens (my first DSLR, so thought it best to go for a wide range).

    The tilt screen is great for low shots, absolutely. I read one or two reviews calling it gimmicky, but I can definitely see the advantage. Plus, it’s handy that you can fold the screen away to protect it from scuffs. Did you sell your Canons, or is it just that the D40 is a better camera?

    David, Oscar, glad you like, and thanks very much for the Twitter mention, David.

    Ian, I’ve not stopped on the other side before โ€” the south-side, closer to Edinburgh โ€” but I will. I love how Gastin’s longer exposure creates that smokey water effect.

    Mark, I can’t remember the scene in 39 Steps (been so long). I should have another watch. Apparently the bridge gets more exposure in the 1959 remake. Would you ever return north, or is London now your home?

  7. Nice. If you don’t mind a thought: try going in closer, for some structure/texture shots. Avoid well known perspectives (I usually go for a climb). Also, I’d try shooting without the ground visible, if the sky is pretty, curious how that might look (since the base pillars are so beautiful too).

  8. My very first digital camera was the Canon G3. It was (is!) a great camera. Shots are clear, colors are beautiful and accurate. After I got my D40 for Christmas, I gave that one to my mom.

    I also have a Canon Pro1, which I just don’t use much now that I have the D40 (also my first DSLR, I have a 18-55 and a 55-200 lens). Of course the D40 being a DSLR takes better shots. The focus is much more accurate, the shots are clearer, color is nearly perfect even on auto white balance (I always had to change the WB on my Canons because auto was crummy).

    I also bought a hot shoe flash, which was a really great investment. The SB400, if you’re interested. I paid $95 USD for a refurbished one, but they regularly go for $130. A great deal either way in my opinion. A side-by-side of the on-board and hot shoe flashes http://tinyurl.com/y65jxa6

  9. What a great story behind the bridge and what a great shot. Black and white seems to bring out the massiveness of the structure.

  10. Amazing shot David, it shows exactly the construction that went into a brilliant piece of engineering. Well done.

    Best wishes
    Graeme

  11. I LOVE this bridge – it’s one of my all time favorite large structures. (We also just studied it in my class the other week!) I’m kicking myself for not making a trip to see it during our vacation to England a few years back – next time…

    I also love my D5000 – it is my first DSLR, and I’ve had a great time with it – I got the kit lens and a cheap 70-300 telephoto. I love the zoom for railroad and architectural shots. I also thought the lcd was gimmicky at first, but have found it great for shooting at awkward angles, and excellent for shooting candid portraits – flip it out horizontally and shoot from the hip and you won’t distract your subject as much.

  12. That’s a really nice shot there, David!

    When I was younger I used to love taking photos, and dabbled a bit when at University. But… I never really got myself a good enough camera to get properly immersed in photography – I would LOVE to though.

    I might take it up again – could be a good way to pry me away from my mac!

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