The freeways in metro Phoenix are a wonder of layered swooping ramps, offering many striking views to a car passenger. But getting a striking photo of them is trickier than I once thought:
- Composition – many of the views I love rely on elevation I can’t achieve except in a vehicle, whizzing by on an adjacent ramp, and most of the ground-level viewpoints are marred by street signs, streetlamps, and wires
- Safety – many of the places I might like to stand are likely illegal (slopes in the midst of several ramps), and anywhere I can stand is at least adjacent to high-speed traffic
So this is the first of what will likely be many attempts over the next few years to capture these amazing structures.
Interesting that they added a wedge to the support beam.
Barry – My thought exactly! Or not . . . I’ve only just started to learn about trusses on bridges. I don’t ever expect to really get it, but it does help me appreciate (at least a little better) what I’m looking at.
I think that is a beautiful picture.
Paul – Many thanks. I love the lines/curves of those overhead freeway ramps, and the practice in metro Phoenix of colouring or otherwise decorating the concrete makes all the difference. I still want to find a safe and legal place to stand to get a few of them in one frame.
Wonderful. Muscular, yet lyrical.
Barbara – Yes! That’s why they’re so striking – obviously strong but smooth and graceful, too.
I’ve been admiring the ramps in Tucson as well, partly because of the same swooping designs (there’s one magnificent one I particularly like but I haven’t figured out the best place to photograph it from) but also because of the wonderful artistic decorations. We keep meaning to take a photographic tour along the freeway just to photograph the art on and around it.
Marion – Yes, I remember the first time I saw decorated overpasses and retaining walls as part of the Phoenix system – amazing! I don’t know whether it’s practicable in our northern climate, nor do I know how much it adds to the cost, but it’s sure lovelier than plain concrete.