a busy place

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)

the clouds roll in

It wasn't too long in the day before the sun dipped below the ridge line, and the clouds rolled in. It was not a particularly warm afternoon on the boulders. The friction was spectacular. Sending temps. I desaturated this final shot of the trio to give the cool, grey mood of the later afternoon. Which of the three do you prefer?
(ISO 100, f/22.0, 1/6s)

with time to caption

I spent Saturday playing amongst the boulders of Northwest Branch, a tributary that eventually winds into the Anacostia River. One only needs to visit this fallen gem in the summer to figure out why the water quality of the Anacostia is so dismal. According to a sign at the trailhead, it was once a favorite urban escape of Teddy Roosevelt during his presidency. It's hard to tell these days with the stench of runoff & graffiti on many rock faces.

(ISO 100, f/22.0, 1/3s)

first in a trio

(ISO 100, f/22.0, 1/4s)

handheld

Hiking with my tripod this weekend was a waste. The shots I took with it attached were throwaways. Terrible composition and execution. This one? Handheld. Go figure.
(ISO 100, f/10.0, 1/2s)

munchkin in motion

As I tried to take static photos of the fall colors with a crash pad on my back and a day pack across my chest, a toddler "ruined" my shot. His parents apologized profusely for the "intrusion". I smiled slyly, knowing that the photo he'd joined had far more character than what I was attempting. Can't you hear his laughter echoing through the hillside?
(ISO 100, f/11.0, 1/4s)

just stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to

A little more detail of yesterday's vantage point. I did have to crop it a bit to get rid of the vignetting from stacked filters.
(ISO 100, f/13.0, 1/3s, 0.6 ND & polarizing filters)

national press club

On Monday night, I got to go to the National Press Club for dinner. I arrived a little early and had to wait for my better half. I amused myself with my camera, but forgot to get any pictures of the two of us, as usual.
(ISO 100, f/8.0, 3/5s)

motion

One of the skills that I never perfected in high school when shooting with film was panning to convey motion. It's easy to set up the tripod with a long exposure and let the subject's motion blur themselves; it's entirely another to shoot them clearly and blur the background. Within the span of 5 minutes, I was able to practice panning with this cyclist, a scooter, a SmartCar, and a Ferrari Testarossa without moving an inch.

(ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/40s)

mustang sally

I bought you a brand new Mustang, A nineteen sixty-five, h'uh! Now you come around...
(ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/10s

a warm winter's eve

Outdoor ice rinks are all over the place in Northern Virginia and D.C. We went to Reston to check theirs out. Crowded with children and parents, it was a fun hour-long diversion.
(ISO 400, f/8.0, 1.5s)

lengthy exposure

Long exposure on moving water always looks good. This may make a great print someday.
(ISO 100, f/22.0, 1.0s)

"kiss me..."

Made it out to Screen on the Green for the first time this season. When the HBO music comes on, we get up and dance interpretively to it. I tried to capture it. A little abstract, not sure what I think of it though. Opinions?
(ISO 1600?, f/4.2, 1/2s)

nothin' but the tail lights

ISO 100, f/29, 18.0s

skating with sculptures

my tripod broke. again. recommendations?