| Places to photograph; best time
of day/year to shoot; tips about shooting there: |
The 11-mile-long stretch of Route 61 known as Ashley River
Road is a designated National Scenic Byway. The road was built
alongside the ambling Ashley River, which has been used for
transportation of people and goods for centuries. From the National
Scenic Byways map: “Few roads in the United States possess
the history, scenic qualities and cultural resources of such
stature in such a compact area. The Ashley River Road passes
by three National Historic Landmarks — Old Saint Andrew's
Church, Drayton Hall and Middleton Place — as it traverses
a National Register Historic District that traces the history
of European and African settlement, commerce and industry from
colonial origins to the present. In the early 20th century,
this road was recognized as one of the first scenic automobile
touring routes.”
Take care when working on this route. The posted speed limit
is 55 mph, but it should be less. Considering that the road
is so scenic and attracts tourists (who tend to drive more slowly
to orient themselves and look at sights), the high speeds that
cars drive at there create dangerous situations, especially
for photographers standing at the side of the road (I speak
from experience).
The road is lined with trees indicative of the southern landscape,
such as large oaks, cypress, magnolias and cedars, and is quite
scenic itself. However, due to the trees, shadows can be very
tough in bright conditions. Overcast conditions are a must for
doing photo work of the actual road.
However, you can be more flexible about when to work certain
spots along the route, such as those listed below.
Plantations
Landscape work can be done on the several
plantations along Ashley River Road. Drayton
Hall is the oldest of the plantations, dating back to colonial
times. Middleton
Place was built in the 18th century and features several
long-standing landscaped gardens. Magnolia
Plantation features nature trails, gardens, old slave cabins,
an old graveyard, a wildlife refuge and the black-watered Audubon
Swamp that provides reflections of old cypress trees and is
home to water fowl and alligators. All plantations require admission
fees that range from $5 to $12.
(Also, note that Middleton Place has a policy that requires
permission to photograph at a few locations.)
Other plantations are along the road, too, but they’re
mostly private. Many of the plantation gates are photogenic,
but the amount of trees (and therefore shadows) on the grounds
behind them call for care in choosing lighting conditions.
Churches
Old St. Andrew's Church and Springfield
Baptist Church are both on the route. Old St. Andrew’s
is the oldest church in South Carolina, having been built in
1706, and is flanked by an old graveyard. The church grounds
are surrounded by trees, so early-morning and late-day light
do not hit the church. However, it’s tough to shoot in
overcast conditions because the trees are not tall enough to
keep out of a composition without standing on something (such
as a stepladder) to heighten your angle.
Springfield Baptist Church was built in 1863 as one of the
first freely organized Baptist congregations in the Charleston
area. Trees surround its grounds, too, but do not block as much
light at the magic hours. One good angle is from across the
road, but there’s not much room to work safely.
Also …
Fort Bull is a Civil War fort on the
Ashley River, also along the drive. I did not visit there, so
I cannot report on it.
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