fauxtography phlog

year-round farmers

2012-01-28T21:23:00.001Z

I love that my farmers' market is open year-round. Sure, there's a few less vendors, but the ones that come every week still see a loyal customer base. I'm quite addicted to Asian pears from one orchard and the cider from Toigo. How many months until I can get a fresh tomato again?
(ISO 100, f/1.8, 1/2000s)

sitting, waiting, wishing

2012-01-22T20:37:00.028Z

On Christmas Eve, we took my parents to see the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in the District. While we wandered around, this pacing stranger nervously kept checking his cell phone for messages. It wasn't very warm out, and he was decked out for something important. After we'd walked to our car, we drove past him and his possible new fiancee walking past the Tidal Basin, both with impossibly large smiles. Mazel tov!

(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/500s)

deuteronomy 30:19

2012-01-21T20:36:00.001Z

I call Heaven and Earth to witness this day: I have put before you life and death, blessing, and curse. Choose life--that you and your offspring shall live.
(ISO 800, f/1.8, 1/320s)

led upward

2011-12-05T19:51:00.001Z

From the depths of the sinkhole, you have no choice but to go up.
(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/50s)

a few days late

2011-12-03T15:26:00.000Z

I don't often post pictures of my friends or family on this blog, but I think this one is called for. My dear friends Bubba & Liz were expecting when we went for a walk in the woods at Rock Creek Park in the District. The fall colors were beautiful. This week, they welcomed their son to the world with open arms. Congratulations!
(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/30s)

hangin' on

2011-11-15T23:29:00.000Z

Some of the leaves refuse to loosen their grip on any remaining chlorophyll. Upon reflection of the background, other deciduous brethren provide a colorful argument against that course of (in)action.

(ISO 100, f/1.8, 1/200s)

trying to find my way

2011-11-15T02:34:00.000Z

Life's cycles sometimes get in the way of that which we love. My two passions, photography & climbing, have been usurped by the demands of my classroom this school year. The attack on photography really began last year, and I've struggled mightily to remedy it. This year's assault on my time spent climbing, either on plastic or outdoors, is really wearing on me. The graduate course I've been taking has eliminated a night that I always climbed and has negated any gains in ability or strength I made over the summer. I'm hoping the winter and spring are kinder to my passions.
(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/50s)

sunset

2011-10-28T02:58:00.000Z

I'm not real quick on the draw for posting new photos. I'd love to get back to my normal grind and routine, but life keeps getting in the way. From National Harbor, just across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Hope your days are less hectic and afford you the chances to enjoy the sunsets that I somehow miss daily.

(ISO 200, f/11.0, 1/320s)

cumberland pit stop

2011-10-15T21:26:00.000Z

I told the story of why I stopped in Cumberland, Maryland a while back. I was hopeful for a clean photograph of the library linked above. I've often seen this town from above on Interstate 68. I'm glad I took the detour to photograph a building or two.

contrast

2011-10-14T21:23:00.008Z

Composing a shot of an alley on an overcast day to get proper exposure wasn't as easy as I expected it to be. Nothing I'll frame, but it turned out pretty nice with the contrast between the two walls.

mr. smith's

2011-10-13T21:21:00.007Z

I had no shot at getting this shot without pedestrians. Well, I guess I could've used a neutral density filter at sunset, but I wasn't about to go there with a roll of film. I'll try that when I'm a bit more confident in my film technique.

dixie liquors

2011-10-12T21:16:00.010Z

Dixie Liquors on M Street Northwest in Georgetown has been open since 1934. I have closer stores to my home across the river, but I always thought this building would be photogenic. It took me a while to get this shot sans pedestrians or cars.

(ISO 100, f/?, 1/?s)

drum major

2011-10-11T21:16:00.004Z

There's a bit of controversy regarding one of the quotes inscribed on the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the Tidal Basin. It was abridged, and made Dr. King sound a bit arrogant to some. The full context of the quote in question is, "Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."

This photo was the final shot on my roll of black and white. I'll be posting more of them this week. Enjoy!

what i learned

2011-10-02T19:25:00.000Z

It took months longer than I wanted it to, but I finally finished the roll of Ilford Delta 100 black & white film I purchased in May. It started at the National Arboretum and ended at the Martin Luther King Memorial. It was an interesting few months, with several lulls of activity for sure. I learned that my light meter is a bit off. Dead on exposure seems to be a bit underexposed. My chops with film need honing, and I now plan to have film in at least one of my 35mm from here on out. My penultimate goal: shoot an entire roll of frame-quality photos.

It's going to be a long road.

ghostly stars

2011-09-22T01:40:00.000Z

According to the plaque nearby, each of the 4,048 golden stars at the National World War II Memorial represents 100 Americans who died in that war. This photo only represents about 15,000 of the dead.

Chilling.

(ISO 100, f/4.5, 1/200s)

so close, yet so far

2011-09-14T01:45:00.000Z

A month and a half ago, I resolved to finish that pesky roll of film before school started. So much for that plan! Time for a new one: going out with a friend on Sunday to finally knock it out. I'm curious to see the difference between this shot and the film version. I'm hoping that the distortion will be nonexistent with the better glass on my 35mm, but I really have no clue about my exposure settings. I sure hope my light meter was accurate!

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/160s)

almost there

2011-08-25T18:30:00.000Z

It's amazing that for the six years I spent on campus as a student, I never once thought of this vantage point as particularly noteworthy. It's amazing what a few years of camera perspective can do for one's appreciation of beauty. (Of course, I can't take all the credit for the framing. A friend clued me in, then a random student walked by with the same idea and an iPhone.)

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/80s)

eyes

2011-08-19T15:30:00.000Z

I'm trying to see things in black and white these days. It's pretty easy for architecture, but decidedly harder for other subjects. Some things translate well, but others don't. I'm really curious about how my roll is going to turn out when I finally finish it up. It's been nearly five months!
(ISO 100, f/5.0, 1/100s)

bygone

2011-08-07T14:26:00.000Z

At the intersection of Pitt & Richard Streets is an old building that is filled with old automobiles. I thought at first it was an auto museum. There were no signs at all on the building, and I can't find a thing online. I think I need to ask my relatives for information. They live close enough that they might know something.
(ISO 100, f/10.0, 1/15s)

detour

2011-08-06T20:44:00.000Z

I took a detour back from visiting my grandma. It took me over the hills and through the woods. A much nicer drive than the Pennsylvania Turnpike! I stopped in Bedford for a cup of coffee and took my cameras for a walk. I should do this more often.
(ISO 100, f/16.0, 1/15s)

lobstermen

2011-08-01T11:37:00.000Z

I planned on getting up at sunrise on our last day to get some shots of the lobstermen taking their boats out. Turns out sunrise is somewhere in the neighborhood of 5AM. My walk started at 7:30 instead, far later than I wanted, but still much earlier than the rest of the tourists.
(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/30s)

summertime waves

2011-07-31T17:49:00.000Z

Something about summer makes me want to go to the beach. Florida still courses through my veins, yet beaches nearby are hard to come by. Sand Beach at Acadia National Park was good for my soul, but the water was far too cold for my tropical blood.

Longtime followers may remember my out-of-focus shots from Monet's house and gardens last year. I decided on this trip to try a few. I think this one turned out the best.

(ISO 100, f/14.0, 1/100s)
Related link: DPS article on intentionally taking shots out-of-focus

jordan pond, vol. 2

2011-07-30T13:59:00.000+01:00

We went for a ride around the park on our last full day in town. We stopped by Jordan Pond, which we'd seen from above on a hike earlier. It looks a bit different up close, yes?
(ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/200s)

doubled back

2011-07-29T14:21:00.000+01:00

On our second day's hike, we walked past this weathered stump on the descent. I thought, "Wow. That'd look great in black and white!" Fortunately, our dads wanted to take a break shortly after, so I doubled back to catch this one. The midday sun was pretty harsh, and I stacked some filters to get the depth of field I wanted. The vignetting was a side effect.
(ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/50s, 0.6 ND filter, circular polarizer)

coastline

2011-07-28T12:19:00.009+01:00

Growing up in Florida, I'm still awed when I see craggy coastlines like those in Maine. As a climber, part of me wants to put my shoes on and climb them too!
(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/125s)

realized

2011-07-27T14:21:00.006+01:00

It was somewhere near this flower that I realized my mistake and frantically went back through the gardens we were in, trying desperately to recreate some of the shots I'd taken in the last 20 minutes or so. The boat cruise was a lost cause.
(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/250s)

in the weeds, vol. 2

2011-07-26T15:21:00.000+01:00

Following our Cadillac Mountain hike, I noticed an old work truck rusting in the weeds behind our motel. I couldn't just let it sit there without taking a portrait or two.
(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/20s)

the reason

2011-07-25T17:38:00.000+01:00

Shooting the quick sunset at the summit of Cadillac Mountain was the reason for much of my dissatisfaction. I was shooting in aperture priority mode, dropped my exposure to two stops underexposed, and forgot to reset it for our harbor cruise the next morning. Translation: all of my shots from the boat were severely underexposed and full of noise when I corrected them in post. Guess I'll have to go back to Maine with new glass and a lesson learned!

(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/30s, eV -2.0)

unsure

2011-07-25T00:05:00.000+01:00

Upon returning from Maine, I had about 450 shots. I culled them down to about half that, but I'm still not even sure which Maine photos are worthy of sharing. I wasn't able to get some of the shots I anticipated. The heat made me lazy, and I wanted to enjoy the trip beyond my lens. I'll go on popular opinion (of my household anyhow!).

(ISO 400, f/8.0, 1/15s)

jordan pond

2011-07-20T21:03:00.000+01:00

I recently returned from a trip to Maine with my wife, father, & father-in-law. We did a bit of hiking. I took a few photos. Here's an interactive panoramic collage, stitched together by Photosynth. I think I'll take more of these in the future. It's pretty neat.

(ISO 100, f/10, 1/125s)

thirty clams (or so)

2011-07-15T14:06:00.009+01:00

For my wife's birthday on Sunday, we took a trip to the Southwest Waterfront & bought some clams. I made linguine with clam sauce for her and her family. Delicious dinner. Fabulous company. She had a blast.
(ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/6s)

indiscriminate

2011-07-14T12:46:00.007+01:00

With the canoe leaking all over my flip flops, I took great care to protect my camera by hanging it on my person. It wouldn't have helped much if we went over, but I was fairly certain that wasn't going to happen.

(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/125s)

baiting and waiting

2011-07-13T12:43:00.010+01:00

If you get upset when you don't catch fish when you go out, you're doing it wrong. It's called fishing, not catching.

(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/15s)

a leaky canoe

2011-07-12T12:42:00.000+01:00

Even on the calm Severn River, it's a bit hard to take a stable shot in a boat, much less a canoe. We moored ourselves to this decrepit dock...and promptly snagged the bottom with our rods in opposite directions.

At least the beer was cold.
(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/160s)

a week late

2011-07-11T13:43:00.000+01:00

As usual, I find myself with much to strive toward in capturing the beauty of fireworks. Perhaps it's because I like them so much that I find my photos don't do them justice. Or maybe it's because I see such great shots by Luis Gomez & Foggy Dew that gives me motivation to improve my own next year!

(ISO ???, f/9.0, 4.0s, 55mm)

the view

2011-07-10T18:35:00.000+01:00

By virtue of her new job, we were able to watch the fireworks with a different vantage point this year. It wasn't too crowded, and we didn't have to deal with the fubar of Metro at Rosslyn like last year.

(ISO 800, f/9.0, 1/5s)

vineyard vines, v2.0

2011-07-09T14:13:00.000+01:00

Virginia is apparently becoming quite the oenophile oasis. It didn't take me long to find an industry page, and each winery I've been to toots their own horn quite loudly. I'm not well-versed enough in wine tasting to tell the difference, but I did enjoy most of the wines at Breaux last weekend.
(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/30s)

vineyard vines

2011-07-08T17:09:00.006+01:00

No, not funny colored britches with tiny embroidered whales!
(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/125s)

cooled off

2011-07-07T13:57:00.001+01:00

It was a hot day. Finding shady spots in the breeze helped. So did cool bottles of their crisp summertime whites.
(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/125s, 4x close-up filter)

geaux-ing tasting

2011-07-06T14:43:00.000+01:00

We took a trip to two local wineries to belatedly celebrate a friend's birthday. We spent most of our time at Breaux Vineyards in Purcellville, Virginia. Coincidentally, it was also our anniversary, and we were able to enjoy some time with friends who attended our wedding a year ago.

(ISO 200, f/8.0, 1/400s)

independence

2011-07-04T16:28:00.000+01:00

Whatever your political stripes, we can all agree on days like today that they should be red & white with our field of blue nearby. I'm hoping to snag some fireworks shots this evening, but I'll have to do so without my cousin's long zoom that she let me borrow last year. Have a splendid Fourth of July!
(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/250s)

somewhere over the rainbow

2011-07-04T00:59:00.000+01:00

Way up high...
(ISO 200, f/9.0, 1/125s)

cliche gear shot

2011-06-07T03:30:00.000+01:00

Never have I been able to snap such a good shot of gear on a climbing trip. Perhaps crash pads don't photograph as well? I think it's because his gear has the character of someone that's been climbing for twenty-plus years.

(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/125s)

humidity

2011-06-04T04:41:00.000+01:00

A foggy lens and a little bit of sun flare created an ethereal effect for this swollen waterfall at Summersville Lake in West Virginia. This is pure camera; no post trickeration at home. I think this one will look quite nice in our new bedroom once we get settled.

(ISO 200, f/22.0, 2.2s)

secretary mabus

2011-05-16T02:55:00.000+01:00

During his remarks about my friend, he made several references to Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. He was also awarded the Navy Cross...after being awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor.

Here. Go read his Wikipedia page. Impressed? You should be.

(ISO 100, f/5.0, 1/500s, 200mm)

eighth and i

2011-05-13T02:47:00.001+01:00

The Marine Barracks at Eighth & I Sts. Southeast is the oldest post in the Corps. I was told on Tuesday night that out of respect for these Marines that the British did not harm their barracks on their way to burn down the White House. Today, they have been charged with protecting the Capital were it to be attacked. In their spare time, they have one hell of a drill squad.

(ISO 100, f/5.0, 1/320s, 200mm)

three stars

2011-05-12T02:14:00.002+01:00

On Tuesday, I was able to attend an award ceremony for my best friend in high school. Aside from family, I was one of very few civilians there as he was awarded the Navy Cross. This three star general wasn't even the highest ranking officer in attendance. Pretty awesome.

(ISO 100, f/5.0, 1/320s, 200mm)

sixteen and a quarter

2011-05-12T01:25:00.010+01:00

Think yesterday's bonsai was impressive at a century? Give it a couple more, and see what it becomes. This Japanese white pine is nearly 400 years old.

(ISO 200, f/7.1, 1/125s)

bonsai

2011-05-11T01:19:00.010+01:00

I want to learn how to train bonsai. Toringo crabapple. In training since 1905.

(ISO 400, f/10.0, 1/200s)

protested zen

2011-05-10T03:14:00.002+01:00

"Why are you taking pictures of rocks at the Arboretum?" she asks.

(ISO 400, f/10.0, 1/80s)

little. yellow. different.

2011-05-09T03:11:00.007+01:00

The histogram for this seemingly simple shot looks like the Hindu Kush in central Asia.

(ISO 800, f/10.0, 1/50s)

the others

2011-05-08T03:06:00.008+01:00

We went for a walk on the azalea-lined path. Few of those shots came out. I was much more pleased with the random ones I showed some lens love to. This one would've fit nicely with all my out-of-focus Monet-inspired shots from last summer.

(ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/100s)

old dominion

2011-05-07T03:02:00.008+01:00

"Janie, the dogwood is a tree. It's not a flower."
"Actually, it's a tree and a flower."

(ISO 800, f/10.0, 1/200s)

up trunk

2011-05-06T02:59:00.008+01:00

Interesting leading lines or textures can really make a shot like this. I love the contrast of the green ivy and the rough bark on this one. The bokeh bonus didn't hurt either.

(ISO 800, f/10.0, 1/15s)

verdant

2011-05-05T12:22:00.001+01:00

The result of all the spring rainshowers is a bright injection of green into our flora. It's going to be a vibrant summer!

(ISO 200, f/13.0, 1/500s)

capitol columns

2011-05-04T11:54:00.000+01:00

At the National Arboretum, there are columns from the Capitol building before they expanded the east wing. I've always wanted to check them out behind the lens. I finally got my chance on Sunday. I even brought my fully-functioning 35mm and shot some film. Being judicious with those shots, I have to finish the roll first. That may take a while!

(ISO 200, f/13.0, 1/160s)

[insert gasp here]

2011-04-25T17:14:00.004+01:00

At least that was her reaction to this shot. More depth of field needed?

(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/160s)

buona pascua

2011-04-24T12:32:00.009+01:00

(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/80s, 55mm)

hardly unnoticed

2011-04-23T12:29:00.013+01:00

Oh, hi there. I almost missed you gleaming on the curbside, attracting curious and lustful looks. Care for a picture?

(ISO 200, f/9.0, 1/50s)

escaping shadows

2011-04-22T12:25:00.010+01:00

I've often tried to get a shot like this. I don't love this one, but it's my best attempt yet. I need to learn how to straighten out perspective so all the lines square up. I feel like that's a Photoshop trick.

(ISO 100, f/10.0, 1/80s)

les artistes?

2011-04-21T02:03:00.002+01:00

Assumptions can never be confirmed without talking to the unknown subjects.

(ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/250s)

a busy place

2011-04-21T00:30:00.014+01:00

Many tourists visit. Few stop to talk to the vendors. In thirty minutes, I didn't see a single sale. At least the weather was nice. (In the comments, opine on the color of this photo. Check it out in black and white on Flickr. Which do you prefer?)

(ISO 100, f/36.0, 1/2s)

high line vending

2011-04-19T23:06:00.011+01:00

Subject matter was not lacking at The High Line in the lower west side of Manhattan last weekend. More street shots coming up!

(ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/80s)

bakery bypass

2011-04-18T22:55:00.006+01:00

On our way to the Big Apple to visit with mia famiglia, we took a Jersey detour into Hoboken to visit the famed shop of Buddy Valastro, a.k.a. the Cake Boss. Seeing a line that stretched for blocks, we ate lunch first, then inquired about the line. A three-hour wait just wasn't worth it. We booked it to Greenwich Village and the center of the cupcake universe, Magnolia Bakery.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/60s)

turbulence ahead

2011-04-17T20:52:00.006+01:00

That's what we expected at least. Our tiny little plane took off and landed with no troubles to arrive back home at Reagan National ahead of schedule with unexpectedly warm temperatures.

(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/40s)

stormy weather

2011-04-16T20:52:00.000+01:00

I love a stormy day. Just not when I have to catch a flight!

(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/640s)

reptilian delight

2011-04-15T02:44:00.000+01:00

I hadn't seen a lizard in ages. I was delighted to see a bright green one whilst unoccupied at the rehearsal.

(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/250s)

life finds a way

2011-04-13T00:50:00.000+01:00

I'm always amazed at the small places where plants germinate.

(ISO 100, f/11.0, 1/40s)

bridge over ol' man river

2011-04-09T22:29:00.008+01:00

We hadn't the time to stop for me to be more meticulous about my composition. I improvised from the passenger's seat.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/320s)

splashed with pink

2011-04-08T22:27:00.006+01:00

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/40s)

wrought

2011-04-07T22:23:00.006+01:00

All enter into peace.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/60s)

the big picture

2011-04-06T22:23:00.000+01:00

She complained about my not taking the big picture shots this weekend. I guess I have been on a details kick lately. Here's something closer to the big picture from the National Cathedral.

(ISO 200, f/16.0, 1/80s)

exiting the garden

2011-04-02T23:15:00.008Z

I love using framing and interesting points of view. The cherry blossoms are a bright addition to an otherwise dreary Sunday.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/80s)

snowdrop

2011-04-01T22:48:00.002Z

The snow had all melted by the time I made it to the cathedral. Too bad; it would've been lovely.

(ISO 100, f/8.0, 1/40s)

'tis the season

2011-03-31T22:46:00.000Z

It's been a few years since I've managed to venture out at exactly the right time to get a decent shot of D.C.'s famous cherry blossoms. It's that time of year, and yet again, I'm going to miss peak bloom; this time because of a wedding. One of these years, I'll get down to the Tidal Basin before sunrise and get some classics.

(ISO 100, f/3.2, 1/250s)

planning

2011-03-30T01:56:00.008Z

With snow on my windshield, I found my way to the cathedral with a freshly-charged battery. I had a few ideas in my head for what I wanted to capture. It took a little while longer with services going on, but I needed some religion anyhow.

(ISO 800, f/5.0, 1/20s)

market bling

2011-03-29T21:36:00.005Z

She loves going to Eastern Market to support local jewelry artists. I love the colors and antiques and food and dogs and people watching and...

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/1000s)

capitol hill books

2011-03-28T21:25:00.025Z

Located across the street from Eastern Market, Capitol Hill Books has narrow aisles between floor-to-ceiling used books that can overwhelm even the most ardent bibliophile. We wandered around the claustrophobic stacks and managed to find three that piqued our interest: War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel, & A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. A nice consolation prize for the day.

(ISO 800, f/4.0, 1/20s)

details

2011-03-27T21:21:00.007Z

I'd planned on getting some cool detail shots around the Cathedral. I had my close-up filters at the ready. I guess those can wait, even though the blossoms might not.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/60s)

rookie mistake

2011-03-26T21:14:00.000Z

I looked forward to going out to shoot all week. Predictably, I forgot to charge my battery last night, so I didn't even make it to the National Cathedral. So much for cherry blossoms. I'm such a bonehead.

(ISO 100, f/9.0, 1/125s)

fine tuning

2011-03-17T01:05:00.015Z

I've often looked at photos of doorways and wondered how the eyes behind the lenses trained themselves how to compose the shots, making them catch the viewers' eyes as it caught theirs. Something I've learned recently: practice. Everyone seems to have their own tricks. If it's the color you want, make your camera capture the color. Fool around with the settings, and take 100 different shots of the same door. Bring them home, and critique them. Good luck remembering the setting you liked best!

(ISO 1600, f/1.8, 1/50s)

customary break

2011-03-16T01:01:00.000Z

It's been a long winter. Despite few changes to the routine since last winter (aside from that whole marriage thing), I haven't been nearly as prolific or motivated to getting a good photosafari under my belt on a weekly or biweekly basis. I could proffer some excuses, but that's all they'd be.

Excuses. I won't bore you with them and hope that springtime brings new opportunities for photogging adventures to share. Cheers!

(ISO 200, f/1.8, 1/200s)

family talent

2011-02-23T00:49:00.000Z

My kids are going to be artistic. I may not be able to produce art as a quote-unquote traditional artist, but my photographer's eye improves each time I click the shutter. My better half, on the other hand, is spectacular at creating tasty (and beautiful) masterpieces. These peonies aren't real, and she made them for a cake order.

As a hobby.

(ISO 400, f/11.0, 1/500s)

colored window

2011-02-06T02:28:00.004Z

Last one from my snowy walk with Jack Frost.
(ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/125s)

kit and caboodle

2011-02-05T02:25:00.006Z

Surveying the whole scene at Bluemont Junction.
(ISO 100, f/10.0, 1/80s)

post snow glow

2011-02-04T02:20:00.004Z

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/60s, 55mm

crossbucks

2011-02-03T02:17:00.008Z

This sign looks a bit different than the one in Vienna.
(ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/200s)

groundhogs

2011-02-02T14:25:00.011Z

If last week's snow is any indication, we're not getting out of this cold winter anytime soon. What say you, Punxsutawney Phil?
(ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/40s)

circular reflection

2011-02-01T14:22:00.010Z

The red caboose really popped in the winter snowscape.
(ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/15s)

southern

2011-01-31T14:12:00.002Z

I've often ridden by the caboose at Bluemont Junction on the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. This fall, I resolved to visit it in the winter. I remembered.
(ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/100s)

we're gonna need a bigger boat

2011-01-30T13:49:00.005Z

I tried my hand at framing Georgetown's iconic spire in the arches of the Key Bridge. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get the right perspective. I think I need a kayak or canoe to accomplish it. The way the Potomac looks, I doubt it will be anytime soon.
(ISO 200, f/11.0, 1/100s)

exit through the gift shop

2011-01-29T12:17:00.015Z

After watching Banksy's documentary about graffiti, she made a comment about the lack of street art in D.C. I ventured a guess that it'd be hard to get away with for one, and two, people might actually respect historic buildings around here. That theory is lost on lame street taggers though.

(ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/160s)

keyed up

2011-01-28T12:17:00.000Z

When I first got my Nikon, I took it for a walk in the city on a snow day. I somehow found myself in Georgetown, staring at the Key Bridge as sleet began to fall with a mile to walk either direction to a Metro station. I clumsily took a few haphazard shots and wound up with one of the best shots I've taken since moving to D.C. This time around, I had far more knowledge. Compare the two. Which do you like better?
(ISO 200, f/11.0, 1/125s)

cell phone photography

2011-01-27T04:04:00.001Z

Several months ago, I tried to upgrade my cell phone to one that wasn't falling apart at the seams. The one I found turned out to be a camera with a cell phone glommed onto it. It did neither job well. So, I returned it for a phone that was more phone and less portmanteau. It turned out to have some cool photo features, including a night vision setting. Without my camera yet again, I spotted a power line sparking in tonight's snow storm that was causing the lights in an adjacent church to surge as if someone was messing with the dimmer. Reminds me a bit of the blizzard shots in Charlie Chaplin's Gold Rush.

(ISO yeah right, f/who knows, 1/nth)

ho hum

2011-01-26T20:22:00.000Z

I'm not nearly as driven to take shots, process, and post them lately. Since school began anew in September, I've taken my Nikon out for a walk rarely. When I do, I've been having trouble with the motivation aspect of my craft. I'm not seeing things like I used to, or sadly when I do, my camera is nowhere nearby. I think I need a change of pace. Inspired by Todd Metcalfe's Android-powered month of black and whites and Scott Bulger's awesome black and white work, I am challenging myself with something retro new.

I went to Dominion Camera in Falls Church and bought two rolls of black and white film for my Canon AE-1. With tonight's predicted snow, I have the opportunity to carefully craft some shots. I'll share them when they're done. Cheers!

(ISO 800, f/1.8, 1/50s)

belated christmas cookies

2011-01-19T13:50:00.003Z

After the annual cookie swap, she was disappointed that no one made these classics. The only logical thing to do then is make them and not share them with anyone. WIN.
(ISO 800, f/1.8, 1/160s)

long overdue

2011-01-18T13:50:00.000Z

New year, old picture. This one and possibly another from our trip to Florida for Christmas. Pop's been watching a lot of Food Network lately. The salad he concocted for Christmas dinner was great and unlike any salad or slaw I've had before: fennel slaw with prosciutto & pistachio pesto. You must try it!
(ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1/5s)

alligator mississippiensis

2011-01-02T19:57:00.014Z

It was a long season for my beloved Florida Gators. The defense ensured a victory for Urban Meyer in his final game as head coach. I am hopeful for a longer tenure for Will Muschamp. Something on the order of Joe Paterno's legacy would be really nice, but I don't think that's real likely.
(ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/125s)

happy new year

2011-01-01T02:09:00.009Z

May you be blessed with strength & optimism for the coming year.
(ISO 100, f/16.0, 1/100s)

empty cafe table

2010-12-31T13:26:00.003Z

As we wandered in Florida, we stumbled upon a small whole foods market. We were lured in by the promise of hot coffee. We stayed for the bulk dates & the interesting proprietor.
(ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/250s)