'tis the season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)