26 bridges – Portraits of Saskatoon Bridges

In 2016 I have decided to do a mini-project on Saskatoon bridges.  I’m aiming for 26 unique shots of the 7 main bridges in town.  One final photo per outing.

Load Limit

#1/26 is a view of the old traffic bridge, one day before two sections were demolished with explosive charges.

load limit

Although I do truly like the colour version for that pop of yellow, I went with a black and white conversion for the first prints that I made of this photograph.

Rail Bridge Bird House

#2/26 is a view along the supporting structures of the old rail bridge, showing a couple of it’s inhabitants just hanging out.  I had many other photos from that day, but this one that  shot extending the camera lens through the fencing on the access stairs is my favorite because of the repeating lines and placement of the birds.  This one is also available as a print.

rail bridge birds

Eva and 22 Birds Under Idylwyld

#3/26 was a shot that I was unsure how to handle.  The Senator Sid Buckwold bridge on Idylwyld bridge is rather boring and utilitarian in it’s design.  My goal here was to find an interesting angle, which I did from underneath.  Eva provided a point of interest to the photo as she is watching many of the birds that make this bridge home.

22 birds under idylwyld

February 7th, 2016

#4/26 is a bit of a sad but dynamic one, showing demolition of one of the traffic bridge spans.  This was the oldest of the Saskatoon Bridges and one close to my heart as I used to drive over it in the middle of the night when coming home from work in the early 2000’s.  It was a chilly morning and I brought the kids along with me to see the detonation.  The sound and physical shock waves were more impressive than the photo itself.  As much as I will miss this landmark, it was sure interesting to witness the changing of history with it’s demolition.  This has also been made into a print with more details in the blog post and print details page.

demolition traffic bridge

Lego Date on the Traffic Bridge

#5/26 is a departure from full scale into the world of Lego.  A Lego couple hanging out on Andre Lalonde’s model of the traffic bridge.  This is also available as a print with more details in the blog post and print details page.

DSC_3147 small

Vintage CPR Rail Bridge

#6/26 was a visit to the CPR rail bridge.  Shot from river level by the fishing platform.

vintage rail bridge

The Truss on Top

#7/26 was a photo of the section of the old Grand Trunk rail bridge on the south end of the city.  This is the only section where the truss is on the top.  A little high contrast black and white in this photo.  More details in the blog post.

DSC_6456 bw

Circle Drive North

#8 was a trip to the Circle Drive north bridge.   A low vantage point combined with sun flare and sienna colour tinting to play with the lines of the bridge and walkway.  More details in the blog post.

north circle sunshine

After selecting this colour tinged image as my favorite from the day I did return for a re-edit to make this black and white version which is available as a print for purchase.

Animal Tracks and Bridge Support

#9 was from a cold winter day on the old CPR rail bridge.  A view looking down at the river, bridge support and animal tracts.  Although not directly recognizable as one of the Saskatoon bridges, I love how the details, lines and curves came together on this one.

1908. 2013.

#10 was from a calm summer evening sunset at the Grand Trunk Rail Bridge and Gordie Howe Bridge.  The only two of the Saskatoon Bridges running directly parallel to each other.  I love the reflections and colours on this one. It is for sale as a print.

The Rise of the Traffic Bridge

#11 was a photo of the growing traffic bridge rising above the ice fog on a -40c day in February 2017.

Remai and Buckwold

#12 captured a motorcyclist on the end of the Sid Buckwold Idylwylde bridge, as reflected in the windows of the Remai Modern art gallery.