Forth Bridges Sunrise

This slightly lesser-known location takes in both Forth Bridges from Port Edgar east of South Queensferry. The Forth Road Bridge was completed in 1964 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built. It was replaced in 2017 by the Queensferry Crossing as it simply wasn’t designed to handle the volume of daily traffic that crosses the Forth. Today it is used for public transport, cyclists and pedestrian traffic only. This quiet viewpoint rarely draws a crowd at sunrise, so you will have the place to yourself.

This striking location brings with it a couple of framing complexities. Firstly, a super-wide lens is required to get everything in, and create space in the frame. Secondly perspective distortion can be an issue as the towers of the Forth Road Bridge need to be more or less straight to feel balanced, yet shooting level means you catch the rocks in the foreground that sit below the railings. It’s not an impossible shot to take by any means, but there are a few limitations to be aware of. Stitching a panorama is possible but the span of the road bridge makes this complex also. Note that the sun is only in this position for a short time each year in April and August. Pre-sunrise light works very well also and the position of the sun is less pivotal.