Opie's Grist Mill

The Opie's Grist Mill in Bridgepoint Historic District, Montgomery Township during a rain storm in March.

It rained all day. I spent Saturday morning watching the Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix. Normally on a cold rainy day like this, I would just sit inside and stream a movie or engage in a photo editing session. I wanted a few more cans of the Mittelfrüh Pilsner by Source Brewing. I made a trip out to a package store in Libby's Liquors in Lawrenceville. The roadways in Lawrenceville were like streams and flooded in many areas. When I left the Libby’s I got water inside my sneaker from the puddle in the parking lot.

On the way home, I realised that the weather might provide some interesting opportunities for photography. On Hollow Road at the northwestern border of Montgomery Township, I stopped at Rock Brook near the bridge at Grandview Road. Without a tripod, it was challenging to get long-exposure photographs with my Fuji X-T3 or iPhone 11 Pro.

The Rock Brook runs southeast to Bessie Grover Park at Camp Meeting Road. My friend Chris once lived in a house across from Bessie Grover Park. I tried using some small rocks to balance the camera but without a tripod it was challenging. As I drove slowly along Camp Meeting Road back toward home I remembered Opie's Grist Mill on Dead Tree Run Road.

The photograph showcases Opie's Grist Mill, a historic structure perched by the side of Dead Tree Run Bridge in the Bridgepoint Historic District of Montgomery Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. The mill, clad in red panelling, stands out against a winter backdrop with its vibrant colour. It is a multi-story building featuring a prominent balcony overlooking the river. The foreground is dominated by the muddy waters of The Rock Brook, displaying a smooth texture with ripples and reflections that suggest a rapid flow. The bare trees surrounding the mill create a stark, almost solemn atmosphere. The sky is overcast, casting a diffuse light that softens the entire scene, enhancing the mill's prominence. This tranquil setting captures the essence of historic rural America, where such mills were once the heart of local communities.
Opie's Grist Mill in Bridgepoint Historic District · 2 March 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF27mmF2.8 R WR

Opie's Grist Mill is located on Dead Tree Run Road in the Bridgepoint Historic District in Montgomery Township. The mill and the one-lane stone bridge were built in the early 1800s. A prominent, richly coloured red structure, the mill has retained most of its historical architecture, with its traditional wooden build and gabled roof. With the deluge of water from the incessant rain, the water of the Rock Brook had expanded right up to the edge of the Dead Tree Run Road and the mill almost seemed surrounded by water.

I stood on the southern side of the bridge, using small rocks to steady and level the camera. The iPhone 11 Pro was wedged between two rocks for stability with a flat rock underneath to level the frame. I used the Reexpose app from Reeflex to make a 7-second simulated (stacked image) exposure. The app was made for use with their line of iPhone camera lenses, none of which I own. I used a 3-second timer to reduce the effects of any camera shake from pushing the shutter button in the app.

Rustic Red Barn on Mountain View Road

It was one of those winter days where the air was crisp, and the light was just perfect.

After visiting the Kingston Grist Mill, I decided to drive to Zion Crossing Park on Hollow Road. I couldn't remember taking any pictures of the park in the snow, so I didn't want to miss the opportunity. I planned to take Cherry Valley Road to Greatown-Franklin Turnpike (CR-518) to get to Hollow Road. However, while driving, I suddenly realized that there might be some great photography opportunities on Mountain View Road. So I turned off Cherry Valley Road onto the southern end of Mountain View Road.

There are no sidewalks or shoulders on the old country roads of Montgomery Township. Parking and stopping on the grassy areas on Mountain View Road can be difficult, especially with the possibility of ice under fresh snow. To take a photo, I made a U-turn and parked my Acura as close to the edge of the road as possible. Then, I put on the flashers and quickly grabbed my Fuji camera, which was still attached to the tripod. I ran over to the corner, roughly the same spot where I took a photo a few years ago, and set up the tripod to capture the moment.

Standing on the familiar spot on Mountain View Road, I surveyed the serene scene unfolding before my eyes. It was one of those winter days where the air was crisp, and the light was just perfect, creating a scene that looked as if it were painted.

The subject of my photo, a rustic red barn, sat amidst a sea of fresh snow. I found it hard not to be drawn to the charm of this barn with its vibrant red panels that seemed to glow against the stark, white landscape. The snow lay thick on the ground, untouched in many places, giving the scene a pure, undisturbed look.

Rustic Red Barn in the snow
17 February 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR

There's a stately tree to the left, bare and beautiful in its dormancy, with branches that stretch up into the sky like the delicate lines of a drawing. This tree, along with the others at the edge of the frame, forms a natural border that frames the barn wonderfully, creating a composition that feels balanced and inviting.

The sky is a masterpiece in itself, with clouds that are soft and fluffy, creating a dynamic backdrop of varying shades of blue and grey. The clouds seem to whisper the possibility of more winter weather to come, adding a sense of anticipation to the stillness.

In the distance, other buildings hint at farm life beyond what my eye can see. The shadows cast by the trees on the snow add depth to the photo, highlighting the contours of the land and the texture of the season.

Capturing this photograph, I felt a connection to the landscape and a deep appreciation for the quiet beauty of the moment.

Morning Walk

I think the best time of the day is the early Spring or Fall morning, between 7 AM and 8 AM. It's quiet and peaceful. I can hear the birds singing sweet songs, creating a peaceful ambience. When I go out for a pre-workday walk, the air is cool and refreshing. Not cold. The sun rises over the horizon and the sunlight filters through the branches of the budding trees magically casting shadow and golden rays of light in just the right places.

I think the best time of the day is the early Spring or Fall morning, between 7 AM and 8 AM. It's quiet and peaceful. I can hear the birds singing sweet songs, creating a peaceful ambience. When I go out for a pre-workday walk, the air is cool and refreshing. Not cold. The sun rises over the horizon and the sunlight filters through the branches of the budding trees magically casting shadow and golden rays of light in just the right places.

Maybe I could get more dynamic range and better image quality if I had walked with my Fuji X-T3 and XF26mmF2.8 R WR lens. But the iPhone 11 Pro fits into the pocket of my pants without bulging offensively or bouncing uncomfortably with each step.

25 March 2024 · Apple iPhone 11 Pro · iPhone 11 Pro back camera 6mm f/2
25 March 2024 · Apple iPhone 11 Pro · iPhone 11 Pro back camera 6mm f/2
25 March 2024 · Apple iPhone 11 Pro · iPhone 11 Pro back camera 6mm f/2
25 March 2024 · Apple iPhone 11 Pro · iPhone 11 Pro back camera 6mm f/2