The Bridges of Sydney Series: Alfords Point Bridge

Opened in 1973 Alfords Point Bridge is a duel lane bridge that joins the Sutherland Shire region and the Bankstown region in Southern Sydney.

It is also the western most bridge in the Sutherland Shire behind the Captain Cook bridge, Tom Uglys bridge, Como bridge and Woronora bridge. Totaling 5 bridges in the region.

It’s also the only bridge in the region that joins Sutherland to Bankstown. The others all join to St George except the Woronora bridge that joins two Sutherland points. More of Tom Uglys here https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2021/10/20/the-bridges-of-sydney-series-tom-uglys-bridge/

The first of the bridges was built in 1973 with the plan to always build an adjoining bridge, which was then completed and opened in 2008.

Just like with the other bridges in the area, Tom Uglys Bridge and Captain Cook bridge. Alfords Point bridge replaced the punt. More from Captain Cook bridge here https://chasinglight.photo.blog/2021/10/17/the-bridges-of-sydney-series-captain-cook-bridge/

So as the region become more populated the punts were replaced by the new bridges one by one. So no punts remain in the area.

As with many of the bridges in the area, Alfords Point bridge also passes over the famous Georges River.

At 445 meters long it is definitely a great bridge to photograph. The length is impressive and it also has a nice curve to it that makes for some interesting pictures.

All of these photos are shot from the Sutherland side both from bridge level and from below. One day I’ll get around to shoot the other end and even from the water I think will be a great angle too one day.

But for the moment I think the best view is from below it and slightly at an angle. It is a far more impressive view form below as on the road view it just looks like another road.

But showing the pillars from underneath gives it its justice. All in all it’s a great looking bridge and I think at sunset it will look even better. So I’ll definitely add it to my list.

My favorite view from underneath and to the side.

Til next time!

Chris

The Bridges of Sydney Series: Tom Uglys Bridge

Tom Uglys Bridge in Sydney’s southern region is really a tale of two bridges. Joining the St George region from the north to the Sutherland Shire region to the south. Both passing over the famous Georges River, it’s a great looking structure from many different angles.

Taken during the bushfires of October 2013. On the 17th of October 2013 as haze and smoke engulfed the Sydney region.

The western bridge (above) was completed and opened in 1929 and the eastern bridge (below) completed and opened in 1987.

The eastern side bridge at sunset.
Fog covers the western side one winter morning.

As the population grew in southern Sydney in the late 1920’s the punt that was used to ferry the people and cars access the two points was replaced with the new bridge in 1929.

As the population grew again after WW2, the people in southern Sydney needed a second bridge to handle the increase in traffic and eventually the second bridge was built in 1987.

Now with the two bridges, the original bridge is for north bound motorists and the newer eastern bridge is for the south bound motorists. Making 6 lanes in total with 3 each side.

It’s a bridge I photograph and cross quite regularly, and the two bridges really have their own personality. I’d have to say I prefer the older and original one the most as it really is a great looking structure. And it just photographs really well.

My favourite of the two, the original and western side bridge.

As nice as the second bridge is, the older style one just looks great in pictures. But also the view of both of the bridges from underneath is quite amazing too, as they are not exactly parallel to each other. They are closer together at the northern end and it makes for a cool picture from underneath due to that.

The view underneath the bridge from Sylvania.
The picture at the top of this page as seen in a tweet from the SMH during the bushfire of October 2013.

Til next time!

Chris

iPhone and Modern Photography

Sydney Sunrise on a iPhone

When iPhones first came in, myself and many photographers were reluctant to use the new technology in the camera world.

Holding on to the idea that it’s not a real camera and it and the iPhone are not for real photographers. A toy or a fad, but real photographers would never use the iPhone or even accept it for a real replacement for traditional cameras.

Whether that’s our pride or ego talking or based on the fact that it isn’t a real camera. More referring to the modern SLR that many photographers use as their camera of choice.

So after all these years since the first iPhone with a camera came out. And it’s vast improvements in technology, where does it sit now in the photography world?

Well I’m not sure myself, but that’s a question for everybody to answer themselves. One great advantage is that many a picture that was left untaken in the past, can now with a few simple presses of the buttons on your phone come to life.

This picture here of a beautiful sunrise from this morning was simply on my walk to my early morning gym session. 5+ years ago I’d be cursing myself for seeing such a beautiful sunrise and not having my camera handy.

A moment lost and a beautiful picture forgotten. So whether it’s cool or not, or a “real” camera or not. At 6am on a spring morning, gym towel in hand I did not give two sh..s.

And I pressed the button on my iPhone like everyone else.

Good times!

Til next time!

Chris