PDA

View Full Version : Washington DC - Large PICS

Phil U.
Apr-19-2005, 02:23 PM
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...

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044629-L.jpg

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

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044630-L.jpg

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044638-L.jpg

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.

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044639-L.jpg

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...

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044640-L.jpg

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.

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044642-L.jpg

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)

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044644-L.jpg

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

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044646-L.jpg

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.)

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044647-L.jpg

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)

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20061358-L.jpg

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
Apr-19-2005, 02:27 PM
:clap This one's a winnah.

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044647-S.jpg
Eric&Susan
Apr-19-2005, 02:59 PM
:clap This one's a winnah.

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044647-S.jpg


:agree GREAT SHOT!!!

Eric
rahmonster
Apr-19-2005, 03:13 PM
:clap:thumb:clap:thumb

They are absolutely fantastic!!!
Phil U.
Apr-19-2005, 06:07 PM
:clap This one's a winnah.


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

Thanks waxy!
Phil U.
Apr-19-2005, 06:07 PM
:agree GREAT SHOT!!!

Eric
Thanks Eric - I appreciate it!
Phil U.
Apr-19-2005, 06:11 PM
:clap:thumb:clap:thumb

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. :freaky
sash
Apr-19-2005, 08:27 PM
:clap This one's a winnah.

http://philu.smugmug.com/photos/20044647-S.jpg
wow, no kidding... awesome shot, phil! :clap i love it... this one and especially the other night shots. great work :thumb

sash
Shima
Apr-19-2005, 10:28 PM
Awesome photographs... I need to get back to DC for a visit again, i haven't been there in about 3 years :/
Phil U.
Apr-20-2005, 01:41 AM
wow, no kidding... awesome shot, phil! :clap i love it... this one and especially the other night shots. great work :thumb

sash
Glad you liked them - thanks!
Phil U.
Apr-20-2005, 01:43 AM
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
Apr-20-2005, 02:46 AM
Excellent series Phil, all unique. :thumb


AJ
KevinKal
Apr-20-2005, 08:33 AM
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
Apr-20-2005, 04:23 PM
Killer photos well done:clap

The pano is awesome too

Thanks
Fred
Phil U.
Apr-20-2005, 04:39 PM
Excellent series Phil, all unique. :thumb


AJ

Thanks dude - I was hoping to have a different take on things.
Phil U.
Apr-20-2005, 04:46 PM
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.
Apr-20-2005, 04:47 PM
Killer photos well done:clap

The pano is awesome too

Thanks
Fred

Great! I was wondering if anyone would mention anything about the pano. Thanks Fred.
trippy64
Apr-22-2005, 03:05 PM
My favorite is the post dusk shot of the Washington Maonumnet, with the fountain in th eforeground. Just deautiful.
Andy
Apr-22-2005, 03:33 PM
i thoroughly enjoyed these shots, you should be proud - well done! :clap
Phil U.
Apr-22-2005, 06:26 PM
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.
Apr-22-2005, 06:38 PM
i thoroughly enjoyed these shots, you should be proud - well done! :clap

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
Apr-23-2005, 08:01 AM
Outstanding Phil http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ylsuper.gif


The Wall of Lost Souls shot is classic.
Phil U.
Apr-23-2005, 08:41 AM
Outstanding Phil http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ylsuper.gif


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
Apr-23-2005, 12:44 PM
Beautiful! Makes me want to visit D.C. The panorama was amazing! :thumb
ian408
Apr-23-2005, 10:38 PM
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.
Apr-24-2005, 06:03 PM
Beautiful! Makes me want to visit D.C. The panorama was amazing! :thumb

Thanks Peter. The idea that the photos would make you want to visit is quite a compliment :wink
Phil U.
Apr-24-2005, 06:06 PM
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
Apr-24-2005, 09:40 PM
Cool tour of DC, thanks for sharing these images. I especially like number 8.:thumb


Susan
Phil U.
Apr-25-2005, 03:20 AM
Cool tour of DC, thanks for sharing these images. I especially like number 8.:thumb


Susan

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