Some pics from DC - *MORE ADDED*

[bradk]

Some samples of pics I took today. And I apologize for the sensor dirt, it was worse, it's hard to tell just how bad it is from the camera

 

[rossb]

Looks good, must have been cold. I see the dirt.

 

[annnewjerz]

Great shots, love the ones of the monument lit up and the building with the wreaths. We're taking our first weekend trip to DC since getting my dSLR in April for the Cherry Blossom Festival, so it's nice to see what I have to look forward to shooting (not the wreaths, of course )

 

[bradk]

thanks, that's union station incidentally. used to have the largest main hall for a train depot.. until grand central terminal stepped in

 

[annnewjerz]

thanks, that's union station incidentally. used to have the largest main hall for a train depot.. until grand central terminal stepped in

How about the picture with the glass atrium style ceiling?? That looks like it would be a really neat place to shoot.

I've only been to DC once and it was a long time ago when I was in High School, I'm really looking forward to shooting there this Spring. Any places you recommend for some really interesting shots?

 

[bradk]

that's the old post office pavilion. right now it's mostly just a food court with some shops. i think it might be 2 levels worth? but the selling point is the bell tower observation deck. the pic before that one of the washington monument was taken from there, although most of those smudges are from the plastic 'window,' not the camera. most of the window area is actually open but they have firm wires in place that you can't really get an SLR lens through unfortunately (which makes me appreciate the eiffel tower at the paris in vegas even more since they built in camera holes).

it's considered the poor man's washington monument because it doesn't require a ticket, there's never a line and it does offer some interesting views of the city. you ride up in a glass elevator that overlooks inside the building (although my shot was actually through a window on the 10th floor (the observation deck is on the 12th)).

i'm sure you'll find plenty to shoot, especially with the cherry trees. DC is loaded with monuments of all kinds, to people and events. my top 2 tips would be: (1) get your washington monument tickets in advance through nps.gov - it costs $1.50 per ticket, but it's so worth it. unless you line up really early in the morning, you won't get a ticket otherwise. (2) contact your senator's office well in advance. last time i checked, white house tours were offered on groups of 10 or more so they may have something they can arrange, but it has to be done at least 3-6 months in advance. also your senator may be able to arrange for a special tour of the capitol. a page from their office will lead it starting at the senator's office and you get to take the underground tram the senators take to get to the capitol.

you'd also do yourself a great service by taking a tour or two. i found them so overwhelmingly informative that i've convinced myself i need to take one of them here in NYC. i did the DC Ducks tour which is an amphibious vehicle that drives around the streets of DC pointing stuff out and then ends up in the patomac. one of the things i learned that made me want to go back and shoot it was the sculpture behind the holocaust museum when i learned it was meant to be a dismantled swastika. unfortunately i had already visited the museum prior to the tour and never was able to get back there, not even this trip. there's so many things going on in dc, a lot of symbolism, a lot of overtness, a lot of meaning and a lot of anecdotes.

 

[bradk]

and samples from yesterday, same rules apply

 

[bradk]

 

[er3465]

Awesome shots, I love D.C. I interned there last fall and am interning there again this spring. I see you got to go to the National Museum of American History, it is my favorite and was closed while I was there, I am really looking froward to seeing all of its refurbishments. Thanks for the pics!

 

[bradk]

yes, it just re-opened this past weekend. it was pretty much my reason for going. some really impressive stuff, unfortunately the pop culture section got nerfed big time. stuff like mr. roger's sweater, fonzie's jacket and archie bunker's chair are no longer on display. at least not currently.

they did add a couple of really amazing collections though. the transportation one is basically a complete automotive museum in its own right. plus full size train engines and cars, a chicago rapid transit system car and even part of a ship's engine room

 

[n2mm]

Hey, did you see me waving? I work in the building in one of your pictures. The picture of the elipse -- I'm in the building on the right -- rectangular with the red roof -- that's the Department of Commerce -- been here almost 29 years now.

You got some great shots, and yes, I knew every picture. I know Union Station too well, since I take a commuter train in and out every working day! Hope you had a great time in my neighborhood.

 

[bradk]

if only i had known, i would have brought out the big zoom. next time

i love DC. i always end up wishing i had more time to spend there.

 

[SueInBoston]

Thank you for the great pictures!! We're planning a trip to DC for April vacation week. Your pictures give alot of shooting ideas!!

What tour did you take?

Sue

 

[bradk]

on this trip, just the tourmobile's monuments by moonlight because it gets you to FDR and iwo jima a lot easier than any other transportation other than your own car does. fair to say the same for the lincoln memorial too (on the following day, i woke up and took the metro to the smithsonian stop which is at the washington monument side of the mall, walked to the monument, to the american history museum, back to the monument, to the korean/lincoln/vietnam memorials to albert einstein, to the white house, etc.. i'm all for saving walking whenever possible now).

but as i mentioned earlier, i've also done the dc ducks tour in the past which i also enjoyed thoroughly.

 

[WriteDisney]

Awesome pics! I work/live by DC.... I've been wanting to see the Newseum and the new visitors center.

 

[*Valdez*]

I love DC I interned there in 2006 and would love to go back. It is a city I could never get tired of.

I see you got to go to the National Museum of American History, it is my favorite and was closed while I was there, I am really looking froward to seeing all of its refurbishments.

I was interning in DC when the American History closed. That summer it rained so bad that it flooded. I had already been there twice that summer before it closed, but it is my favorite and bummed I couldn't go again. I remember everything was closing because of the rain.

 

[jmskinner]

Thanks for posting these pics. They are wonderful and you got some fantastic shots. We lived in the DC area 5 years ago and I just loved it. Wish I would have had a digital camera back then.

 

[Girldreamer02]

You have some awesome shots! DH and I lived in fairfax march-september of this year and took many trips to d.c. although we took those many trips via metro...i still feel like we didn't see even a fraction of what d.c. had to offer so I hope to make it back again some day! We did make it to the newseum...i thought that was rather awesome, but the american history museum was closed while we were there...glad you got to see it though. I saw it when I went for my 8th grade trip and it was my fave. Love the pics...thanks for posting them!

 

[Mischa]

yes, it just re-opened this past weekend. it was pretty much my reason for going. some really impressive stuff, unfortunately the pop culture section got nerfed big time. stuff like mr. roger's sweater, fonzie's jacket and archie bunker's chair are no longer on display. at least not currently.

they did add a couple of really amazing collections though. the transportation one is basically a complete automotive museum in its own right. plus full size train engines and cars, a chicago rapid transit system car and even part of a ship's engine room

I'm another local here in DC. I work at the Department of the Treasury.

Great pics Brad (as always) - thanks for sharing! I'm bummed to hear that some of the stuff I grew up with (fonzie's jacket...etc) isn't on display any more. I haven't gotten a chance to visit the museum since it reopened and the Newseum and the new wax museum are also on my "to do list"!