Autumn's Reflection: A Covered Bridge in Fall

Most of my photographs happen because something catches my attention while I'm out exploring.

This one was different.

For once, I actually had a plan.

I'd visited the Madison County Nature Trail before, back when I was trying to put together a photography series featuring covered bridges. That project never really came together, but one location stayed in the back of my mind: Cambron Covered Bridge.

The bridge sits along a trail that circles a small lake, surrounded by trees. I'd always thought it would make a good photograph when the fall colors started appearing.

So that's exactly what I went back to photograph.

When we arrived, there was a wedding or reception wrapping up nearby. It was a little busier than I'd expected, but it was still a pleasant, warm early-fall day.

Since I'd been there before, I already knew the layout. I walked along the trail, looking at the bridge from different angles until I found the composition I wanted.

What caught my attention was the way the trees surrounded the bridge.

From that particular angle, the foliage almost completely concealed both ends. Only the middle section of the covered bridge remained visible, tucked between the trees.

And then there were the reflections.

The still water mirrored the bridge and the surrounding autumn colors, bringing everything together.

I made several photographs from different positions, but this was the one that worked best.

At the time, I remember thinking I might have come a little too early. Another week or so, and more of the leaves might have changed color.

But looking at the photograph now, I actually like the balance.

The greens are still there, mixed with the yellows, oranges, and reds of early autumn. Instead of a scene completely covered in fall color, there's a little bit of everything.

And I think that works.

Not every photograph needs an unexpected discovery, an adventure, or a complicated story behind it.

Sometimes you remember a place, picture how it might look during a different season, and go back to see if you were right.

This time, I was.

Available as Fine Art

Autumn's Reflection is available in my Autumn in the Wild Collection, featuring my fine art photographs of Alabama's changing fall landscapes.

Explore the collection at Bama Price Photography.