• Swing Bridge
  • High level bridge
  • Floating nightclub with revolving dancefloor!

    Megan / Kelly, It would be my pleasure to take you for a spin on the "boat".
  • I'll bring my dancing shoes! :) - Breakwater {Kelly}
  • That sounds so FUN. - MeganJane11
  • I got VERY drunk in here! - Paul J Pratt

Old scene new tricks

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS PICTURE LARGE ON BLACK

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY FAVOURITE PICTURE OF THIS SET

This picture is a classic scene of the original Tyne bridges which you can see are very different to the new MIllenium bridge. These bridges have long been icons to everyone living in the North East and so should be instantly recognisable to anyone with links there.

As for the picture, I have several versions from every angle but thought I would have a go at using some subtle HDR to bring out the details of the bridge which wouldn't otherwise be visible in this kind of light. The remaining pictures will be posted as is later. (Only my second real attempt at HDR so all tips suggestions welcome.)

History / Background (courtesy of Wiki)

The earliest bridge across the Tyne, Pons Aelius, was built by the Romans near the location of the present Tyne Bridge. Built around 122, it fell into disrepair, and a stone bridge was built in 1270 . This was in turn destroyed by the great flood of 1771 . In 1781 , a new stone bridge across the Tyne was completed. Increased shipping activity led to the stone bridge being removed in 1866 to make way for construction of the present Swing Bridge, which opened in 1876.

The idea for the present Tyne Bridge goes back to 1864 , although the first serious discussions took place in 1883 , due to concern about the cost of tolls on the High Level Bridge. Committees met over the next three decades, but it wasn't until the early 1920s that proposals were commenced in earnest, boosted by the chance to secure central government funding. On 29 April 1924, Newcastle and Gateshead approved the plans, and the Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead (Corporations) Bridge Act was passed on 7 August that year, with an estimated cost of £1m including land acquisitions.

Work started in August 1925 with Dorman Long acting as the building contractors. Despite the dangers of the building work, only one worker died in the building of this structure (Charles Tosh), which cost £1.2m when complete.

The Tyne Bridge was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson who based their design on the Hell Gate Bridge in New York which was completed in 1916, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was designed in 1916 and constructed commencing in 1923. During construction, before the road deck had been installed, the costermongers of Newcastle wrote to the Lord Mayor to express their concern that their horses would not be able to cross as the arch was too steep.[citation needed]

The bridge was completed on 25 February 1928 and opened on 10 October by King George V and Queen Mary, who were the first to use the roadway travelling in their Ascot landau. The Tyne Bridge's towers were built of Cornish granite and were designed as warehouses with five storeys. However, the inner floors of the warehouses in the bridge's towers were not completed and, as a result, the storage areas were never used. Lifts for passengers and goods were built in the towers to provide access to the Quayside, but these are no longer in use. The bridge was originally painted green with special paint made by J. Dampney Co. of Gateshead. The same colours were used to paint the bridge for the year 2000 . The bridge spans 531 feet and the road deck is 84 feet above the river level.

Thanks for looking

Gracias por mirar
Merci pour regarder
Dank für das Schauen
Ringraziamenti per osservare
Agradecimentos para olhar
Dank voor het kijken
見ることをありがとう
Спасибо за просмотр
Благодаря, че посетихте

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    recep-bg, lorytravelforever ༽♥ॐ, ~jjjohn~, _Val W, and 288 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. limando (51 months ago | reply)

    very nice night shot!

  3. recep-bg (51 months ago | reply)

    it must be seen on black!!!
    looks great!! lovely lights and colours...

  4. lorytravelforever ༽♥ॐ (51 months ago | reply)

    Ciao, sono amministratore di un gruppo chiamato Flickr winnr- Invited(Code)Photos only -Post 1/Comment 2. Ci farebbe piacere aggiungere le tuo foto al gruppo.

    Beautiful image as usual!

  5. ~jjjohn~ (51 months ago | reply)

    Nice!
    ---

    This Great Photographic Art was made by a Diamond Class Photographer!
    Please add your photo to Flicker Diamond The Diamond Class Photographer
    Read the group rules please and tag your photo DiamondClassPhotographer
    Invited with SIC 0.8

  6. Ian Bramham (51 months ago | reply)

    This is one of the best HDR shots I've seen.....it's subtle which I really like.

  7. _Val W (51 months ago | reply)

    I like the finish on this, not overdone, just enough to bring out the details.

  8. Philipp Klinger Photography (51 months ago | reply)

    Great! Love the violet colour of the sky

    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

  9. Heilah Alnasser (51 months ago | reply)

    looved the colors here & the reflections are great
    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

  10. Breakwater {Kelly} (51 months ago | reply)

    Bloody hell! If you can't take at least one mediocre shot, I'm gonna develop a complex. HA!

    Awesome, as always..

  11. Dani Balkanska (51 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called I Love It! (Invite Only), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

    That is amazing, the water reflection is incredible!!! Love it!

  12. Kaos2 (51 months ago | reply)

    I am in awe............ just a gorgeous shot Sean! love the color of the sky!

  13. vidterry (51 months ago | reply)

  14. vidterry (51 months ago | reply)

    This is a terrific photograph!
    You are invited to add this photo to
    EYE OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER
    Invitation is NOT required/Group rules ARE enforced.

  15. Thad Roan - Bridgepix (51 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Bridges at Night, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

  16. MeganJane11 (51 months ago | reply)

    You rock at these shots, Sean.

  17. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks for all the lovely comments and support (it is appreciated especially coming from my contacts because I'm inspired by their work).

    Paul. Hope your head has recovered!
    Limando
    recep-bg
    lorytravelforever
    ~jjjohn~
    Ian
    Val
    Tiquetonne2067
    Philipp
    Heila N.
    Kelly (your pics are every bit as good if not better)
    Danroka
    Kaos2
    vidterry
    bridgepix
    Megan

  18. Sabine Dukes (51 months ago | reply)

    okay, everyone, do yourself a favor and view this large!

    Fantastic detail in this Sean, and the tones are just luscious.

  19. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks Sabine, you're ace.

  20. louistib (51 months ago | reply)

    Nice night shot and long exposure

  21. syropinka (51 months ago | reply)

    Love this too! I Love It!I Love It!

  22. Toni_V (51 months ago | reply)

    wonderful nightshot!
    The motive is fantastic!

  23. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks louistib (great photostream BTW)
    Thanks syropinka
    Thanks Toni (very flattering coming you)

  24. Indig (51 months ago | reply)

    Very good work !
    --
    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

  25. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks Indig

  26. _Harry Lime_ (51 months ago | reply)

    Great colour! Always worth getting out in the blue hour

    --
    Seen in Bridges at Night (?)

  27. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks Harry

  28. Rui Palha (51 months ago | reply)

    Very beautiful nocturn.

  29. Valentin Velican [deleted] (51 months ago | reply)

    Wonderful shot!

  30. César Augusto (51 months ago | reply)

    Another fantastic work my friend.

    Congrats.

    You Are A Blue Ribbon Winner! If you haven't done so, please add your photo to:
    Blue Ribbon Photography (Invited Images ONLY)
    Please tag your photo: BlueRibbonWinner


    This is an Amazing Shot!     Please consider adding your photograph to the group Amazing Shots!!

  31. aswirly (away) [deleted] (51 months ago | reply)

    Good job with the hdr, especially for a 2nd try. Awesome!!...Its really is useful in bringing out the details. This is a great shot with that rich blue and the lights...love the bridge too :))

  32. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks Amber.

  33. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks Rui
    Thanks 1123581321345589144
    Thanks César

  34. bowie22 (51 months ago | reply)

    Nice shot !!!!

  35. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks bowie22

  36. catklein (51 months ago | reply)

    fabulous....

  37. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks Cat :-)

  38. janetfo747 (51 months ago | reply)

    Outstanding photo

  39. Vittorio Ubertone (51 months ago | reply)

    From 400ASA.IT
    This is an excellent photo!!!

    Accept this prize and admit your photo to a noble contest among the finest in:
    www.flickr.com/groups/400asa_award
    and please remember to tag this photo 400asa award

  40. screpion [deleted] (51 months ago | reply)

    Fantastic. Love the violet colour of the sky.

  41. Juan Ospina (51 months ago | reply)

    man, this is awesome, well done!
    I don't know much about HDR, but the detail on this one is outstanding!

  42. D.O'Brien (51 months ago | reply)

    beautiful
    --
    Discovered using FlickrFox. (?)
    ---

    You deserve "Another Diamond" on your Great Photo!
    I have seen your Great Photographic Art in:
    Flickr Diamond: The Diamond Class Photographer
    Commented with SIC 0.8

  43. hexaplex21 (51 months ago | reply)

    Excellent work!

  44. Lisa{santacrewsgirl} (51 months ago | reply)

    you were very busy for such an oearly morning shoot! golly there is nothing not to love in this...(does that make sense?)

  45. *kevin@eyes* (51 months ago | reply)

    thank you for visiting my photosteram. Sean. i am glat that you will like my picture and also like your works very much!

    This is a Great Shot!

    The Great Shooter Invitation

    This photo has been selected for The Great Shooter Award BRONZE MEDAL!!!
    Please join our group and add this image to     The Great Shooters Award 2 Fave 2 And tag the photo with "TheGreatShooter"

  46. d5e (51 months ago | reply)

    wow - stunning shot!

    very crisp and amazing colors!

  47. sharaff (51 months ago | reply)

    i like this one. the blue is pleasing

  48. UGArdener (51 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful picture!

  49. Sean Mantey (51 months ago | reply)

    Thanks Janetfo747
    Thanks Vittorio
    Thanks screpion
    Thanks oxpeena
    Thanks D.O'Brien
    Thanks hexaplex21
    Thanks santascrewsgirl
    Thanks "kevin@eyes"
    Thanks d5e
    Thanks sharaff
    Thanks UGArdener

  50. photo61guy (51 months ago | reply)

    www.flickr.com/groups/410369@N23/

  51. antsplan (51 months ago | reply)

    great shot

    You are invited to display your image and join our group.
    I wish I'd taken it!!!

    Damn! I Wish I'd Taken That!!!
    Invited Images Only
    Post 1, Award 2

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