There is something very inviting about benches. No matter where you are, in all kinds of settings – sometimes tranquil, sometimes crowded, sometimes lonely – they call out to us to sit for a while, rest, and enjoy the view. Whether that view is out over the sea, across a green meadow, or even onto a simple garden, benches make for the perfect place to break up a peaceful stroll, morning, noon or evening.
While on Hvar island, Croatia, one of the things we liked to do was to sit on benches by the sea, gazing out to the deep blue Adriatic sea, watching the tides coming in and out. Sometimes, it was just staring into emptiness, thinking of nothing and sometimes, watching the yachts coming into the harbor or gazing at small fishing boats bobbing in the sea. . . . . . sweetly doing nothing.
Over the years, I have photographed many bridges, especially footbridges in my travels.
Those who have been following me know that I like bridges. They serve as positive connection from one place to another. They may cross over small streams, big rivers, valleys, canyons and gorges or even oceans. They allow us more accessibility.
The first footbridges may only be a plank, bridging over streams. Over the years, people have developed the skills of building more and more complicated bridges with increasing spans.
From just a stone tablet, people learnt how to use masonry and rely on the arching effect to increase the span so that they may cross over deeper rivers or valleys. The use of cables either in suspending or staying the deck have stretched the spans into the thousand meter ranges.
The subsequent use of concrete, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, cast iron, steel, composite material and even structural plastics have allowed bridges of longer spans and different configuration to be built.
People understand that bridges cannot be visually obstructive; they need to be in harmony with the environment and should be aesthetically attractive.
I like bridges which are in an attractive setting, with a pleasing form and articulation. There are many of these built around the world, starting a couple of thousands years ago.
I have been fortunate to capture some of these and will show some of them from my archive.
Unfortunately, I have lost many of the images and will never be able to get back to the same spot to take them at the best of time, under an ideal setting etc.
These include the Blue Bridge at St. James Park, London, Bridge of Sighs at Cambridge and some bridges in Venice etc.
retireediary 