Washington DC - Large PICS

Phil U.

I spent my day off yesterday in and around DC. You may have already seen a few pics in a couple other threads:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=10000
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=10011

Let's start out this thread with an everyday building - found this one in the so-called Chinatown. I found out yesterday that DC's Chinatown is kind of lacking. I had high hopes, but they were dashed...



Next up, we have a building that is a little less ordinary but quite a bit more recognizable:





On a somewhat funny note - when I was at the White House, I noticed there were a whole bunch of TV cameras and such setup. They were all covered and there were just a couple guys milling around. I figured something was going to be happening, but I wasn't sure and I didn't want to wait around all day. I moved on and while I was shooting the birds in the thread I linked above, in comes the presidential helicopter. Ugh.

Anyway. I spent a lot of time around the new WWII Memorial. I really like it. I decided that what I really wanted to do was shoot it at and after sunset. So I played around and looked for shots I wanted while I was waiting for it to get dark.

Here is one of several metal carvings implanted in the walls - done in B&W. I liked how the light was hitting it showing off the 3D nature of it.



I saw this guy posing for his girlfriend and thought he looked kind of cool. I had just barely enough time to snap this off before he moved. Again - gotta love late evening light...



Now for the ones I was wanting to take.

Sunset: It wasn't a great one, but I did what I could with what I was given. This is looking across the WWII Memorial.



This was stacked for noise reduction and also for dynamic range. (oh, on a different note, they are STILL doing construction around the Washington Monument - apparently the normal lighting system isn't working too well at the moment)



If only the blue would stay in the sky longer after sunset... (stacked as above)



This one I have titled "Wall Of Lost Souls". As I understand it, the stars on this wall are to represent the soldiers' lives lost during the war. The way I see it, the coldness of plain B&W (untoned) is the only way to show this. (Side note: I had to keep waiting for the stupid ducks to get out of the water and for the water to settle down so I could get a decent reflection - I almost gave up.)



Ok, and now my finale'. My first ever panorama attempt. I'm calling this a semi-serious attempt because it was almost an afterthought as I was preparing to leave the area. Another reason to call it semi-serious is that I didn't take the time to do the extra exposures for dynamic range stacking - I REALLY REALLY wish I did now that I see the result. It would have been MUCH better if I had. Oh well - there's always next time right? (here again, you can see there are several light bulbs that need replacing)



Please feel free to view the much larger version of the panorama here:

http://PhilU.smugmug.com/photos/20061358-O.jpg


I hope you enjoyed your tour. Any feedback or critiques you have are very appreciated.

wxwax

This one's a winnah.

Eric&Susan

wxwax wrote:

This one's a winnah.

GREAT SHOT!!!

Eric

rahmonster

thumbthumb

They are absolutely fantastic!!!

Phil U.

wxwax wrote:

This one's a winnah.

Great! I'll be looking for the cash - or at least the beer :slurp

Thanks waxy!

Phil U.

Eric&Susan wrote:

GREAT SHOT!!!

Eric

Thanks Eric - I appreciate it!

Phil U.

rahmonster wrote:

thumbthumb

They are absolutely fantastic!!!

I'm not sure about all that - I guess I'll just have to take your word for it. Let me send one your way.

System

wxwax wrote:

This one's a winnah.

wow, no kidding... awesome shot, phil! i love it... this one and especially the other night shots. great work

sash

Shima

Awesome photographs... I need to get back to DC for a visit again, i haven't been there in about 3 years

Phil U.

sash wrote:

wow, no kidding... awesome shot, phil! i love it... this one and especially the other night shots. great work

sash

Glad you liked them - thanks!

Phil U.

Shima wrote:

Awesome photographs... I need to get back to DC for a visit again, i haven't been there in about 3 years

Thanks! Yea, I know what you mean. I'm only about 1.5 hours away (that's with no traffic) but I've only made it there 4 times since I've lived here.

Take the trip and share the pics!

MuskyDude

Excellent series Phil, all unique.


AJ

KevinKal

Well done...
Hi Phil,

Great series as everyone has pointed out...I also find myself captivated by your wall of stars shot - fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

Kevn K.

USAIR

Phil
Killer photos well done

The pano is awesome too

Thanks
Fred

Phil U.

MuskyDude wrote:

Excellent series Phil, all unique.


AJ

Thanks dude - I was hoping to have a different take on things.

Phil U.

KevinKal wrote:

Hi Phil,

Great series as everyone has pointed out...I also find myself captivated by your wall of stars shot - fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

Kevn K.

I have to admit that when I was doing my first scan through the take, I liked that one but it wasn't on the top of my list. It grew on me through post though. I still have trouble spotting potential I guess. Thanks for your comments.

Phil U.

USAIR wrote:

Killer photos well done

The pano is awesome too

Thanks
Fred

Great! I was wondering if anyone would mention anything about the pano. Thanks Fred.

trippy64

My favorite is the post dusk shot of the Washington Maonumnet, with the fountain in th eforeground. Just deautiful.

Andy

i thoroughly enjoyed these shots, you should be proud - well done!

Phil U.

trippy64 wrote:

My favorite is the post dusk shot of the Washington Maonumnet, with the fountain in th eforeground. Just deautiful.

Thanks - I also like night shots the best with the blue in the sky. Unfortunately the window of opportunity is small and it's gone before you know it.

Phil U.

andy wrote:

i thoroughly enjoyed these shots, you should be proud - well done!

Thanks! I'm glad you liked 'em.

Yep I am a little proud of these. There's nothing quite like flipping through the take and finding out you've got a batch of keepers.

Harryb

Outstanding Phil


The Wall of Lost Souls shot is classic.

Phil U.

Harryb wrote:

Outstanding Phil


The Wall of Lost Souls shot is classic.

Thanks Harry - I'm sure that one especially will find it's way on to my wall.

PeterGar

Beautiful! Makes me want to visit D.C. The panorama was amazing!

ian408

Very nice Phil. Especially the Wall of Lost Souls. The reflective surface adds
to the feeling one gets looking at the image.


ian

Phil U.

PeterGar wrote:

Beautiful! Makes me want to visit D.C. The panorama was amazing!

Thanks Peter. The idea that the photos would make you want to visit is quite a compliment

Phil U.

ian408 wrote:

Very nice Phil. Especially the Wall of Lost Souls. The reflective surface adds to the feeling one gets looking at the image.

ian

Thank you very much Ian.

SusanB

Cool tour of DC, thanks for sharing these images. I especially like number 8.


Susan

Phil U.

SusanB wrote:

Cool tour of DC, thanks for sharing these images. I especially like number 8.


Susan

Thank you Susan - I'm glad you enjoyed them.