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I thought that with the opening of the Big Four Bridge set for Thursday morning I would look back over the past six months of my posts about the bridge. Photographing this project has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life as an artist and photographer. Shooting almost daily, getting to know the construction crew, learning about bridge building, seeing my hometown from a vantage point few have ever experienced and expanding my photographic skills are all things that happened because I chose to create this blog which then led to my gaining access to the project.
I started the SpeedDemon2 blog last summer and tried to post a new image each day. Had I not posted a photo of clouds moving over the bridge after a thunderstorm on the blog, it would not have been seen by the Waterfront Development Corporation. Without them seeing that photo the Waterfront Development Corporation wouldn’t have had any reason to contact me or grant me access to the project and I would not have gotten the opportunity to go up on the bridge during the final phase of the conversion from abandoned railroad bridge to a pedestrian bridge and a central component of Louisville Waterfront Park.
When people ask me about how to get recognition for their photography I always tell them to blog about their work. I relate my story about the exposure and opportunities blogging has given me and my work, not only here in Louisville but around the world too.
I can’t begin to list everyone who helped me and took me under their wings as I moved forward with my personal plan for this body of work. I want to thank the Waterfront Development Corporation, Construction Solutions LLC and T&C Construction for all the support and access they have granted me.
I especially want to thank all the Ironworkers, Carpenters, Laborers and Equipment Operators for their cooperation and understanding as I went about documenting their day to day activities. These guys have become friends that I hope to stay in contact with for years to come. Without their skill and expertise the Big Four Bridge conversion could not exist; their dedication to craftsmanship and love for the bridge are evident in every detail. They never cut corners or took an attitude that something was “good enough” instead they took the approach that “perfection equals pride in a job well done” which shows everywhere one looks. Everyone who sees and uses this bridge owes them a debt of gratitude.
The Waterfront Development Corporation has restored Louisville’s Commons and given our city a park that celebrates our roots as a river city. Their vision and leadership will be enjoyed by the people of Louisville and her visitors for generations to come and exemplifies the title “The City of Possibility”. Waterfront Park gives the entire community a gathering place far greater than any of us who have lived here our entire adult lives ever dreamed possible.
- Big Four Bridge at Sunrise
The image above is the one that was seen by the Waterfront Development Corporation and landed me on the bridge. I was subsequently allowed to shoot this final phase of the conversion from abandoned railroad bridge to a pedestrian bridge between Kentucky and Indiana.
Great shots! I think I would have been shaking in fear if I had to make most of them from those heights. Amazing how opportunities can present themselves.
Thanks JA I was very fortunate to be able to do this.
Nick, truly spectacular to look back and see the Big Four Bridge project through the lens…a great accomplishment made possible by your vision, focus, good eye and of course the Waterfront Development Corp. What a tremendous job documenting this from beginning to end and bringing Louisville beyond the city limits. Due to your documentation I hope to one day visit Louisville and experience all it has to offer. Thank you Nick for a job well done!
Thank you Phyllis your comment about bringing Louisville to folks elsewhere in the world is a very nice thing to say; I’m just glad I was allowed the opportunity. Thanks too for the kind words about my work.
It is a great bridges gallery. It seems you are a big fan of this kind of architecture and engineering. Now I understand why you left a comment on my post and pointed to the bridge picture in it. I enjoy a lot this gallery. Thank you.
Thank you Lautal and yes you are correct I really like bridge architecture and the engineering it entails. I also like seeing how the construction crew solves problems and works as a team.
Reblogged this on karenlawrencephotography.
How kind of you to share this with your readers. Thanks
Really interesting, i enjoyed reading about the work and the photos are great.
Thanks
Really have enjoyed this event progress. Love the photography.
Thank you Reba, stick around I have more coming now that there are people on there.
Wonderful work Nick.
Thanks Richard.
Wow, Nick, you should gather these photos into a book to be published. I’m sure it would find buyers not only among your fellow locals but also among tourists and other visitors, not to mention people elsewhere who enjoy stunning photography and especially images of bridges and engineering.
Thanks Nancy, I’m in talks with the Engineering and Construction management company to produce a book about the project showcasing my photos. We have had a couple of preliminary meetings to discuss how we will go about publishing the work. The seeds are in the ground so to speak.
What a wonderful series, Nick. Beautiful work! It’s really nice to see these images together.
And you right about blogging and making images daily – you never know where it could take you, and who you might meet.
It all comes back to Practice, Practice, Practice…. Thanks for the reinforcement of my core idea about blogging and gaining exposure. I learned today that my LinkedIn profile is in the top 5% of all LinkedIn profiles researched. It has to be due to my blogging activity and my use of LinkedIn to expand the blog’s audience.
Thanks for sharing the info and photos
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My pleasure Julie; thanks for stopping by.
Nick,
I simply don’t have the appropriate words to express my favor of these photos. Absolutely outstanding composition, exposure, and post processing. Truly fabulous. Great work Nick in documenting this enormous project.
Thanks for the kind words Brian I’m happy you think so highly of these images.
I really enjoyed those views! The spectacular vistas appear to have been done with HDR software, lending a really neat backdrop of the bridge and sky. The views from the top of the bridge girders reminded me of a similar bridge project in Cincinnati, the “Purple People Bridge”, a former railway/highway bridge converted into a linear park. Thanks for sharing these images – I look forward to being able to pedal across this fine old bridge!
Thanks for the many kind comments Jim. Hopefully Indiana will have the ramp on their side open in the spring. You are correct that many of these images are HDR as well.