vanishing point

When I was in elementary school, we learned about vanishing points in art class. They came up again in high school when we learned how to do three-dimensional elevations of our designs in drafting class. I enjoy trying to capture them with my camera, but the lines often curve. With Lightroom, it's a one-click fix to correct barrel  distortion on my cheap kit lens and make shots like this look more polished. If only I'd been able to get on the other side of the glass here!
(ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/5s)

tilted politics

I'll refrain from making any disparaging remarks about our nation's lawmakers as a caption. I will go on the record and say that it's really hard to do so.
(ISO 200, f/10.0, 1/100s)

trumped

Donald Trump recently purchased the Old Post Office Pavilion with the intent of turning it into a hotel. At first, I was aghast at the possibility of him ruining such a beautiful building. As I read more about it, there's not much he can do to the exterior of the building since it's a National Historic Landmark, and he has to keep access to the clock tower open to the public. Looking at this picture, I think the interior would make a striking hotel. I hope I can afford to stay there someday!
(ISO 800, f/5.0, 1/60s)

lightroom lessons

All my photographer friends have been telling me since I first bought my D60 that I should be shooting in RAW. It took the Lightroom 4 Beta for me to finally make that leap. Now all I need is some memory because I foresee my hard drive filling up much faster!
(ISO 800, f/7.1, 1/320s)

an egyptian obelisk

Yes, that's right. The Washington Monument's design was influenced in part by the ancient Egyptians. Bet you didn't learn that from your third grade teacher! At 555 feet, it stands as the tallest structure in Washington D.C. From this perspective, it looks somewhat smaller.
(ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1600s, eV +0.33)

down pennsylvania avenue

From the perch of the Old Post Office tower, Capitol Hill seems small indeed.
(ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/800s, eV +0.33)

old post office pavilion

I happened by the Old Post Office Pavilion on my wanderings last week. It's a gorgeous building that offers amazing views of the National Mall & Capitol Hill on its three hundred sixty degree perch. If you're nearby, I highly recommend taking the half-hour or so detour.
(ISO 200, f/18.0, 1/20s)