Potomac River Bridges

I like photo projects. I started this personal photo project of photographing all the bridges of the Potomac river in July, 2000. The Potomac meanders over 383 miles from Fairfax Stone, West Virginia to Point Lookout, Maryland. There are over three dozen bridges that cross the main branch of the Potomac, and dozens more on the other branches of the river. I've photographed all of the bridges that cross the main branch up to Cumberland, Maryland. During the spring of 2003 I started work on photographing the bridges of the other branches of the Potomac that divide off at Cumberland and that extend into the mountainous areas of West Virginia and Maryland.

I've chosen to use a large format (4"x5" ) view camera. The view camera helps keep the bridges in correct architectural perspective and records fine details. I've also chosen to use the wonderful Polaroid Type-55 extremely high-resolution, fine-grained and full tonal scale instant negative film for this project. I process the film in the field as I shoot the photos. This allows for instant feedback on composition, focus and exposure. I carry a little waterproof case full of the clearing solution (sodium sulfite) to store the processed negatives and later wash the film once I get to a motel or arrive back home.