Washington Monument at Peak Cherry Blossom time

[bugster0121]

Canon 60d with 24-105. F8 1/200 sec 100 ISO, 28mm

Went down to the Cherry Blossom Parade last Saturday. Captured this image after the parade. C&C welcomed and encouraged.

[Mike Buckley]

Congratulations for putting up with the crowds. I've actually gone down there at peak cherry blossom time with only a 180mm lens for the purpose of shooting candids of the people.

You did a really nice job of framing the monument with the blossoms. However, you positioned yourself relative to the monument so it is lit very flatly. If you had found a similar composition when you could have displayed one of the sides in shade, the monument would have appeared to be three-dimensional, unlike in this image when it appears to be two-dimensional.

Also notice the contrail at the top of the monument. I think you'll like the image better if you get rid of it.

[bugster0121]

Thanks Mike. Was down there early and left at 11:30 (springfield metro was PACKED when we got back) and did get some parade pics also that I may post. Started that book you recommend (light science and magic). Here is another flat lit one but just love the sky. (just a snapshot but the sky is crazy blue and the clouds are nice).

Thanks for your comments and I enjoy your insights.

Tim


Edited version:

[Mike Buckley]

The second one is a much better exposure that displays the detail in the monument. You might be able to increase the exposure by about 1/3 stop without losing detail.

[Marie Hass]

Beautiful. I so wish I had been able to go.

There is something special about DC in the spring.

Agree with Mike about the 2 vs 3 dimensional perspective of the monument in #1. Still a lovely image.

Marie

[IzzieK]

Contrails will always be prevalent in the sunny skies. This place is a good opportunity to catch one of the contrails actually lining up to the tip of the monument...don't you think? I like the second shot.

[bugster0121]

Hi Izzie and Mike tyvm yes it would be a good place. Thinking about entering one in at the lical NVPPA competition may enter the second one. Will tweak the exposure when i get home tonight. Thanks again

[bugster0121]

Just posted the edited version above. Mike you were correct it was underexposed (1/4 according to lightroom) Thanks again.

Tim

[Mike Buckley]

If it was mine, I would try achieving the brightness and detail of the monument about halfway between the two images and I would go with the brightness of everything else as in the revised image.

[bugster0121]

Hi Mike I put an adjustment over the monument and the building in front and applied an -.13 adjustment to the exposure. It does bring out more of the detail. Thanks again.

Marie: thanks for your comments. Maybe next year you can make it down.