TOWER BRIDGE
LONDON UK
Image Number 276
Tower Bridge (built 1886–1894) is a combined bascule and suspension bridge. The bridge crosses the River Thames close to the Tower of London and has become an iconic symbol of London. The bridge consists of two bridge towers tied together at the upper level by two horizontal walkways, designed to withstand the horizontal tension forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers. The vertical components of the forces in the suspended sections and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two robust towers. The bascule pivots and operating machinery are housed in the base of each tower. The bridge's present colour scheme dates from 1977, when it was painted red, white and blue for Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. Originally it was painted a mid greenish-blue colour. The bridge deck is freely accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians, whilst the bridge's twin towers, high-level walkways and Victorian engine rooms form part of the Tower Bridge Exhibition, for which an admission charge is made.
TECHNICAL NOTES
The image was taken with a tripod-mounted Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 35. Exposure of 1/10th of a second and aperture F9. 28 mm wide angle Schneider Kreuznach lens with leaf shutter. The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.