Photograph CT

After logging many miles together with our cameras over the highways and back roads of Connecticut, getting up before sunrise in hopes of creating that spectacular shot, my friend and I decided to share our discoveries with others who would also like to photograph the special places of Connecticut.

This project to photograph CT began in 2009, when the two of us first met volunteering in the beautiful gardens at Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington. It is fitting that the first posting on this blog will be that site.

We hope this blog gives you ideas of new places to go, whether you live in CT, vacation here or are just travelling through. Look for a tourist tip along the way: we share some of our favorite eating places or shops in some of the places that we go back to over and over.

Most of the places we talk about are within easy walking distance from the road, although there might be a few that might require a bit of walking to get to scenic points or lookouts. This will be noted in the descriptions. Most locations identified are accessible to the public, and do not need a reservation. Most are free, but when there is an entrance or parking fee, this will be indicated.

The sites are divided geographically into five sections:

* Southwest Connecticut

* Litchfield Hills

* Central River Valley

* The Shoreline

* Eastern Connecticut (including the Quiet Corner)

Search the 'labels' using these locations as keywords to find other places within a geographic section.

There are so many photo opportunities in this beautiful state, and I'll be adding new locations regularly, so check back often. You can also follow the blog to be notified when new locations are added.

So whether you like to shoot landscapes, nature, wildlife, gardens and flowers, architecture, street scenes or people, follow along, and we'll take you on a scenic tour through this beautiful, historic and picturesque state!


Friday, July 5, 2013

Drake Hill Flower Bridge, Simsbury

Seasonal Rating: Spring ** Summer *** Fall *** Winter * 

Drake Hill Flower Bridge overlooks the Farmington River
The Drake Hill Flower Bridge in Simsbury is the only bridge of its kind in Connecticut, and was inspired by the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne, Massachusetts. The metal-truss bridge, built in 1892, is lined on both sides with 48 flower boxes that are planted to the brim in the spring with colorful annuals. By early summer, the flowers are dancing with joyful color, overflowing their boxes, and providing a colorful foreground to the views of the Farmington River, visible for several hundred yards in either direction. At both ends of the bridge, there are small flower beds filled with perennials that bloom throughout the season.

What to Photograph
Flowers drape over the historic bridge from baskets and boxes
The brilliant display of colorful blooms makes a great subject, both for flower portraits and close-ups, vignettes of the flower boxes, or as foreground for longer landscapes of the river and wooded surroundings. You might also use the colorful bridge as a backdrop for portraits of people. It's a popular spot for wedding photographs, and is often visited by walkers, bikers and other sight-seers during the warm summer months when the blooms are at their peak. When to go The peak time is during the warm summer months, from June through September, but depending on the weather, the blooms may last well into October. Go early in the morning for good soft lighting on the flowers, and perhaps a mist over the river. Later in the day or early evening is also good for lighting, but you will find more people at that time of day. Tips and Techniques Try bringing a reflector to direct the light onto the flowers, especially when you are working with a nice backlight from an early sunrise. If the light is brighter than you would like, use a diffuser to soften the light and avoid harsh shadows.

 Directions
Drake Hill Road and Old Bridge Road
Simsbury, CT 06072
860-658-3255
For More Info, click here

Map Coordinates (for GPS): Latitude: 41.868858, Longitude: -72.79983

Parking is available in the small lot at the west end of the bridge.

Hours: Open to the public; no set hours.
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Location: Drake Hill Road & Old Bridge Road, Simsbury, CT 06070, USA

1 comment:

  1. ODHFBSeptember 11, 2015 at 5:35 AM

    The Old Drake Hill flower Bridge may be reserved by contacting Simsbury Culture, Parks and Recreation Dept., 860-658-3836. The bridge is located at 1 Old Bridge Road. ODHFB is funded solely by donations and maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers

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