rule of thirds
Yes, but what points. In the posted photo at the left the bridge is at a 1/3 and the second piling on a 1/3 or the middle of the boat. It still looks off. Balance? Both the trees and the boat on one side or just the position of the boat?
It might depend on the bridge type (deck (low) vs truss (tall)), it's length size, lighting and what's around it that might limit your composition. In this case, the bridge is long, but foreground clutter didn't permit me to stand further away, so composition was limited and a wide angle lens was required. (Nikon N2020, 35mm, Kodachrome)
View attachment 239066
In this one, an end view worked best to fill the viewfinder. A tree and house roof on the other end limited other angles. (Nikon N2020, Kodachrome)
View attachment 239067
I find that a neat perspective is looking down on a bridge, though I've not had many opportunities for these. (Nikon N2020, 50mm, Kodachrome)
View attachment 239068
Your recent photo of the FEC train on the bridge was excellent!
There's no rule other than a few of the standard composition rules... as soon as someone defines a rule, someone else breaks it... When rules don't seem to fit... tell a story... If the image has a very interesting story, the composition rules seem to fade into the background...
... Have to plan the shot the bridge is so short lucky to get two shots. May have to find a longer bridge. ...
That's why I normally leave my D5100 on rapid fire. Just blast away and pick the best frame with the train where you like it. In your above shot sans train, I'd have maybe pulled back so as water, bents and bridge consumed the lower third of the frame, and with the front of the locomotive on the leftmost bent and the top third of the frame filled with that beautiful sky.
Adding 'Flipper" doing a splashy and theatric tailstand would be a nice touch too .......
rule of thirds
Looking for some thoughts on were to place bridges in a photograph.
View attachment 239034
In specific short bridges or portions of longer bridges, with or without the bridge being the subject.
Thanks