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Archive of ‘Personal’ category

Personal, Photography, Travel | 0 comment

Early Morning Washington DC Photos

Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC - ©TimeLine Media

Sunrise Light

The light in the sky just before sunrise can be stunning. On the drive into Washington, DC this morning, there was a beautiful dark blue sky that was lightening with each minute. The clouds that started gray, reflected pinks, red, then oranges as the sun started to rise above the horizon. I was attempting to get to one of the monuments or memorials on the National Mall while the sky still have this amazing color, but I knew that I would not make it. Right after parking, I jumped out and headed to the first open scene that I could find. This was right along the banks of the Potomac River looking towards Memorial Bridge and Arlington National Cemetery.

Potomac River and Memorial Bridge out of Washington, DC - ©TimeLine Media
Potomac River and Memorial Bridge out of Washington, DC – ©TimeLine Media

The blue sky and the pink clouds were stunning – but it was just a moment after they were at their most saturated. I felt lucky that I was able to safely get these images. I had contemplated pulling over the side of the road when it was perfect, but that was just too much of a risk!

Early Morning Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC - ©TimeLine Media
Early Morning Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC – ©TimeLine Media

The Lincoln Memorial is a strong monument to our 16th President. Normally, the grounds are swarming with visitors enjoying the views of the other monuments stretched out from the steps. Early in the morning, though, it is very peaceful and you can get unobstructed views of the structure and statues inside. I freely had the time and space to get all the photos that I wanted without disturbing any of the few visitors that were also there. There are only a few of the images from this morning, I’ll be sure to post more soon.

Statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC - ©TimeLine Media
Statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC – ©TimeLine Media
Gettysburg Address in the Lincoln Memorial - ©TimeLine Media
Gettysburg Address in the Lincoln Memorial – ©TimeLine Media
Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC - ©TimeLine Media
Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC – ©TimeLine Media
Statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC - ©TimeLine Media
Statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, DC – ©TimeLine Media 

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Personal, Photography, Travel | 0 comment

Iwo Jima Memorial Photography, Arlington Virginia

Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington, VA - ©TimeLine Media

These are the shortest days of the year. Although it can be depressing to have such a small duration of daylight, it works out really well for photography. The best light for outdoor photos are around the times when the sun is rising or setting. The sun will be closer to the horizon. Objects will take on more character with this kind of light. Shadows will work with you more from this angle. On this morning, I went out to the Marine Corps War Memorial aka the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, VA.

Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington, VA - ©TimeLine Media
Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington, VA – ©TimeLine Media

This is a popular spot for view the National Mall right across the Potomac River in Washington, DC. Being elevated above the Mall make a great vantage down onto the unobstructed view to the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol Building in the distance. The position of where the sun is rising this time of year does not make for the most dramatic view of the Mall, but it works very well for the Iwo Jima. The position of the memorial has the faces of the statues facing right into the rising sun. The light hits them on the lit side, then falls off to a nice shadow behind them at sunrise. Later in the day, a higher position for the sun will not be as dramatic. The shadows will fall underneath the statue, and whole scene becomes more flat and less interesting.

Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington, VA - ©TimeLine Media
Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington, VA – ©TimeLine Media

The good light and the lack of people around these areas are why photographers get out so early to get these photos. It is lucky to be so close and have access to them. I will definitely take advantage even though it is very cold! Soon, it will be necessary to get up very early to get these as the days will get longer, and the chase for the best light becomes harder.

Marine Corps War Memorial, Arlington, VA - ©TimeLine Media
Marine Corps War Memorial, Arlington, VA – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

Personal, Photography, Technology | 0 comment

Photograph Christmas Decorations – Bokeh Masters Kit

Christmas gift in front of tree - ©TimeLine Media

Tysons Corner Center

Every year, the Christmas decorations that pop up in the malls and office buildings in the area signal the holiday season. The strings of lights that wrap around the trees and line overhangs make for some pleasing light. They are usually a very warm yellow, and the many small points of light put together, make it a very soft light in photos. These are great for people photos, which is another reason everyone takes photos by the lit Christmas trees during this season.

Christmas Tree and Choir at Tysons Corner Center - ©TimeLine Media
Christmas Tree and Choir at Tysons Corner Center – ©TimeLine Media

The small points of light can also be used to make some unique photos while they are up. Bokeh a Japanese word that photographers use to describe the out-of-focus areas in the background of photos. Having the background completely blurred will help pop your subjects out of the frame. The amount of blur depends on how open an aperture you set on your lens. Additionally how far your subject is from the background affects the blur. If you have your subject a fair distance from the background, and you place your lens very close, you will have a nice out of focus background. If you have Christmas lights in that background, the shape of the lights will take on the shape of the aperture of your lens to make a nice shape with each bulb.

Christmas Tree Lights

Christmas gift in front of tree - ©TimeLine Media
Christmas gift in front of tree – ©TimeLine Media

An early Christmas gift from my in-laws was this Bokeh Masters Kit. The kit has hard plastic discs with shapes cut out in the middle of each. There is also another plastic mounting piece that you fit over the lens. When you fit this over your lens, then setup your subject as before, the pin point illumination from the Christmas lights takes on the shape of the disc.

Bokeh Masters Kit

Bokeh Masters Kit
Bokeh Masters Kit

This was the first setup I tried, and it works as advertised! Obviously, I tried the star disc for this image. The boxes were about 5 feet from the tree, and the lens was set to f/1.4.  There was a large amount of vignetting from the lens which was expected since the holder was covering a portion of the lens edges along with the disc itself. But you can clearly see the stars from each of the lights.

Christmas gift in front of tree - ©TimeLine Media
Christmas gift in front of tree – ©TimeLine Media

I will have to try this with other subjects and setups, but this was a good start! With all of your decorations up inside your house and outside in your neighborhoods, there are lots of opportunities to try this out. Thanks to our friends at Encore Ballroom Couture for the gift and still-life subject!

Christmas gift in front of tree - ©TimeLine Media
Christmas gift in front of tree – ©TimeLine Media

TimeLine Media – www.timelinedc.com
703-864-8208

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