Eager to keep testing my new gear, I got up early a couple of mornings ago and headed to a small beach area that sits along the Arkansas River below the Big Dam Bridge in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The Big Dam Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that was built over the Murray Lock and Dam. I have visited the locations a few times before but hadn’t been there since 2022, so I thought it was time to make a return trip.
It was still pretty dark when I arrived about 20 minutes before sunrise, and I waited until the light level increased. To get to the small area of sand I was trying to get to, I had to make my way down over some big, sharp rocks, and I certainly didn’t want to do that until I could see where I was putting my feet. With rain expected later in the day, clouds had moved in overnight. But, a small hole had formed allowing some light to shine through and allowing it to become bright enough for me to see.
As I began to make my way down the rocks and get closer to the small beach, I noticed the whole area was bathed in an incredible, soft, pink light. I quickly scurried over the remaining few rocks, reached the small beach, and hurriedly looked for something to photograph. Unfortunately, by the time I was able to get the camera set up, the pink light had faded.
I began looking for other subjects and compositions when I noticed the lift arms that raise and lower the dam’s floodgates. I set up the camera again and framed up this composition.
Floodgate arms, Murray Lock and Dam, Arkansas
I liked the shape and repeating pattern of the arms, and I wanted to emphasize those attributes in the final image. Converting the file to black and white and increasing the contrast so the lighter-toned steel of the floodgate arms would stand out against the dark tones of the concrete supports achieved the effect I wanted and created an image I am rather happy with.