Photo Friday: Washington D.C.

[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”20872686″]

One of the main focuses of the photography workshop I taught at BlissDom this year was how to capture well-known landmarks and scenes in a new light. When we were in D.C. last week, I’m not going to even pretend we tried to go off the beaten path. I’ve been to the capital a half a dozen times and haven’t done anything “touristy” since my first visit more than a decade ago, so by god, we were going to see the side of D.C. that 15 million travelers (literally) come for every year, which naturally meant we started at the National Mall. Plus, we’re looking at buying a house this summer so we’re all about the city breaks at a low cost—a role D.C. plays quite well given its long roster of free things to do (we used hotel credit and didn’t pay to go in a single attraction so I think we succeeded in that category).

Here’s a glimpse at how to diversify your travel shots, with the Washington Monument used as a guinea pig. (It was quite the willing participant.)

You can snap just the tip-top…or photograph it with a fisheye from below.

You can ask an insane person in a dress to jump in front of it (always smart).

You can pose a jaunty puppy on its lawn.

You can use a filter and shoot into the sun.

You can photograph it peeking out from over a high school choral group singing in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

You can shoot it from above on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. (No one else may be able to see it, but you know it’s there.)

You can wander all the way over to the National World War II Memorial and glimpse it from afar.

And while you’re there, you can attempt a long exposure or two.

One thing you can’t do, however—at least at present—is photograph it in front of the famed Reflecting Pool (well, you can—technically—but it’s more of a concrete jungle). So if you’re going to D.C. with such expectations, I’m afraid you’ll be rather disappointed.

Good thing you have so many other options with which to work. Who knew such a phallic monument could be so photogenic?

*****

This post was made possible by Wimdu, a year-old, Germany-based company that offers affordable holiday apartments around the globe. If you don’t want to pay out the wazoo for a hotel on your next getaway, consider an apartment rental with Wimdu to keep costs low, as well as enjoy all the comforts of being in your own home.

COMMENTS
  • April 27, 2012

    You are SO creative and that is exactly why your BlissDom presentation was so awesome! Such a great visual to inspire others. It looks like you’re enjoying the fisheye too, huh? Oh, and one more thing, LOVE the striped dress … where oh where can I find it? Every time I see your posts I’m a little more inspired to actually try wearing dresses and with a vacation in a week, I need to shop 🙂

    • April 27, 2012
      Kristin

      Thanks, Angie! I can’t take all the credit, though–Scott and I share photographing duties, and he’s got quite the creative eye!

      The striped dress is from Banana Republic this spring, so you might still be able to find it in the store.

  • April 27, 2012

    Great photos! My favourite is the jaunty puppy on the lawn in front of the monument! Can’t believe that you were wandering around Washington in a summer dress – I had to get my winter coat out this morning. I am so ready for some of that beautiful spring weather!

    • April 27, 2012
      Kristin

      It was beautiful and hot (high-70s) the two days we were in D.C.–I was actually sweating while walking around!–and then it turned cold and rainy (mid-30s, low-40s) while we were in Charlottesville and I only packed summer clothes so I about froze while there!

  • April 27, 2012

    Love the fish-eye photos! Not sure if my camera does those, though.

    • April 27, 2012
      Kristin

      It’s a lens actually, not a camera function. We recently added another lens to our photography collection, the Sigma 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC Circular Fisheye HSM. It’s a lot of fun!

  • April 27, 2012

    I can’t wait to go home and spend some time in DC before I leave for Thailand! These are great tips to change up how you take pics. 🙂

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      I’m jealous you get to claim D.C. as your home! Such an amazing city; I’m often regretful I never got the chance to live there.

  • April 27, 2012
    JeJe

    You’ve inspired me…I need to go back to DC, ditch all those pics I have of just sky and monument, and try again! Thanks for these.

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      If you go, do take me (and your dogs) with you, please?

  • April 27, 2012

    Lovely! Tell me, where did you get that Cute Husband filter? I’d love to be able to apply to all my pictures.

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      Now, that one was the most difficult of all. It’s called “patience and years of chasing before he finally comes to his senses.” Luckily, all the effort put forth wound up being worth it. 😉

  • April 27, 2012

    Lots of great ideas in here. I one of those who get more creative when in front of famous landmarks. Sometimes I strugle to get interesting photos.

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      Getting down low (even if it means laying on the ground in public–something we do often!) is a great first step to changing perspective. Too many shots in general are taken straight on and they wind up just being tired and boring.

  • April 27, 2012

    You are ridiculously creative. And Ella is ridiculously photogenic — as are you!!

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      Ella fulfills her role of muse well! I forgot you two have had the pleasure of meeting =)

  • April 28, 2012

    Wow, love the long exposure and the fisheyes! Makes me wish I saw your presentation!

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      We just got a new circular lens, and I LOVE it. Though it’s taking some learning and readjusting our exposure constantly (lets in soooo much light).

  • April 28, 2012

    Love the pic of Ella w the Washington monument!!!! DC is beautiful and I love how all the museums are free.

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      While hotels there are pretty pricey, I do love how you can spend a weekend in D.C. on a mega-budget and still manage to accomplish a lot.

  • April 28, 2012

    I do think Washington has so much to offer for photo subjects. Just so bummed that my last trip was to quick to exploit it. I am going to try again real soon!

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      Your job is so insane, I don’t know how you have time to be a tourist (let alone sleep)!

      • April 29, 2012

        That’s kind of funny coming from you 😉

        • April 29, 2012
          Kristin

          Well, my job often entails being a tourist (though, yes, the sleep thing is never of prominence). You have a crazy awesome job, meetings, work dinners, events AND you blog. And Tweet. And Facebook. And enjoy the city you’re visiting. I think you must be like the Internet version of the Energizer Bunny! I’m just plain tired all the time and lethargic these days 😉

          • April 29, 2012

            One would never know it by your eternal enthusiasm and sunshine of a smile! I think it is like most things in life kind of the-grass-is-always-greener, it is spurts of fun and lots of corporate politics, bureaucracy budget cuts and fights, etc. By the way I am writing a post for today on my second visit to the Valley of Fire, I had my husband try a “Kristin shot” (yes, he know you by name…don’t ask) which was me jumping the air around some big rocks! They are funny and I need lots of practice if I ever want to publish one, but it was a fun experiment, one that need like 20 takes! Also, check back on my blog on Monday as I have a J’adore completely dedicated to you…hope that doesn’t sound too stalkerish…it’s not meant too!

            • April 29, 2012
              Kristin

              Scott knows you by name, too, so not weird at all! Next up: getting the four of us in one place at the same time =)

              Can’t wait to see your “Kristin shot,” and I am eternally flattered by all the social media love you throw my way. THANK YOU for being YOU (and being awesome).

              • April 29, 2012

                The comment string that will never die….I am not posting the jumping photo…need tons more practice before I ever would but thought you would get a kick out of the thought that I tried!

  • April 28, 2012

    Well done! Beautiful shots. I love trying to show a place in a new light – sometimes it’s incredible difficult, but it looks like you have it down.

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      Thanks, John! There’s always room for improvement 😉

  • April 29, 2012

    Yet another reason to travel with your pup: spice up otherwise boring photos! Ella looks particularly patriotic in these.

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      Fact: One of our primary motivating factors for photographing D.C. was so we could pose Ella in front of Lincoln (Scott’s big goal in life). We succeeded, though I’m saving that for a separate photo post entirely =)

  • April 29, 2012

    i love DC! had i known you were going, i would have told you to go to the vienna inn {in vienna, va} for breakfast. it looks like a bit of a dump but their pancakes will knock your socks off…and they only cost a dollar or two. i still dream of those pancakes – we used to eat there every saturday morning when we were living there. so next trip, make this a must!

    • April 29, 2012
      Kristin

      Oooh our friends who came to meet us in Alexandria live in Vienna, so I have a feeling next time we’re in town, we’ll be staying with them on their farm. Consider it done!

  • April 30, 2012

    Perfect sky for the pics!

  • April 30, 2012

    Amazing shot! I really enjoyed watching them! The one I love is that of you jumping! Your dog as well is so cute! Thanks for sharing!

    • April 30, 2012
      Kristin

      Thanks, Francy! We’ve been working for years on perfecting our jump shot (me, the actual jumping; SVV, the photography!) =)

  • April 30, 2012

    Love these! Very creative 🙂

    • April 30, 2012
      Kristin

      Thanks, chickadee!

  • May 1, 2012

    We were in DC in May with some friends who hadn’t been in years and years and they were really excited to see the Reflecting Pool except for it was a giant mess instead. It was simply a dirty hole in the ground then, so it’s good to see they’ve made some progress.

  • May 3, 2012

    I miss DC! Even the oddly phallic Washington Monument, which I always found a bit weird and unattractive.

  • May 3, 2012

    My fav is the fisheye fountain one. Definitely different! I always giggle at phallic monuments. They piss me off when they catch me off guard with my 50mm though – can’t fit everything!

  • May 15, 2012

    My second home! I was always partial to taking photos of the Lincoln Memorial, myself. The bridges in DC, particularly the Memorial and Duke Ellington bridges, have always been a favorite of mine, but I never took the time to shoot them. Next time I go back I’ll have to do that!

  • May 18, 2012

    Love you dress!!!

  • June 13, 2012

    Great pics. Especially love the ones with the fish eye lens! I’ve always wanted one of those! We currently live in DC and there truly are so many free things to do in the city – that’s my favorite part of living here!

    • June 24, 2012

      I wish D.C. were closer–I’d go back once a quarter if it were an easier drive. You can’t beat a vibrant city with a great food scene, plenty of green space and, best of all, FREE attractions everywhere you look!

  • June 22, 2012

    Its not the first time I have seen DC pictures, but above photography is made in really good weather conditions. Clear sky and really clear pictures, very nice post.

  • July 8, 2013

    Merely the slightest move up or perhaps down, and
    you will be in the funds, finding a fixed commission on your investment decision, regardless of how bit of a of which move will be.
    Most of these feature’s contain “Auto-trade”, that enables buyers to produce a similar deal around 5 effective periods and the “Close” and also “Extend” learn binary options giving people the options in order to in close proximity a profitable business early to lessen the loss or boost the expiry time period in order to increase benefit. Regarding learn binary options, a similar is valid, other than the market industry doesn’t have to move considerably inside either direction to find out the income
    — one beat in any event . can certainly enable you to get a chosen income.

Leave a Comment