Charleston Coal Terminal Trestle Aerial Black and White Photography
A Broken Trestle Runs Diagonally Across Open Water
From a helicopter above Charleston, I photographed the remaining trestle of the Export Coal Terminal extending into the Cooper River. The aerial view brings its long structure into focus against a broad area of water. A small building sits near the middle, while the trestle continues beyond it in increasingly broken sections.
The diagonal gives the photograph its direction. It enters from the upper left and reaches towards the lower right, with closely spaced supports creating a fine repeated pattern along much of its length. I find the interruptions especially noticeable from above: gaps and uneven edges alter what would otherwise be one continuous line. The pale building offers a more compact shape within that narrow structure, making it a small point of attention rather than the whole subject.
Black and white keeps the surrounding water quiet, but not featureless. Fine ripples cross the surface, with softer changes in tone appearing around the trestle. My photograph leaves a large amount of that water visible so the structure’s thin shape remains clear. The aerial perspective makes the relationship between the surviving parts easier to follow, while the wide view retains their setting. I am drawn to the contrast between the repeated supports and the irregular breaks, all seen against a surface with a very different texture.
© Dan Kosmayer, 2016
Premium Archival Fine Art Prints
Each photograph is produced using archival pigment inks on premium fine art paper, chosen for excellent tonal depth, fine-detail reproduction, and long-term image stability.
The refined surface provides beautiful detail while reducing distracting glare under normal indoor lighting, making it particularly well suited to both color and black-and-white photography.
Each photograph is sold as an unframed fine art print, allowing it to be framed according to your space and personal style.
Every print is made to order specifically for you.
Free Shipping
Shipping is included with every fine art print at no additional charge.
Your photograph is carefully packaged for protection during transit and shipped directly to your delivery address.
Tracking information is provided when your order ships.
About My Fine Art Photography
Every photograph in my collection comes from my own travels, explorations, and years behind the camera.
I create my work as photographic art rather than mass-produced decoration. From street portraits and abandoned places to landscapes, architecture, and the unusual subjects I discover along the way, each image begins with something that made me stop and look.
My photographs are available in multiple sizes so the same image can work in anything from an intimate wall space to a large statement installation.
