Happy Easter every one. I am writing this post from my iPhone as my computer is down and I want to post something, so I’m giving this iPhone app a try. So far so good although even though I have been reading all of your posts, somehow I can’t seem to leave any comments. I will as soon as I get myself back online. The photo is from my iPhone. Cheers, Lionel
I am sure most people know about the cherry blossoms that line the Tidal Basin here in D.C.. For those of you who don’t, a hundred years ago Japan gave the U.S. 3000 cherry trees as a gift and they were planted around the Tidal Basin near the Washington Monument. Every year I try to make the trek to see them, and sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t. This year I didn’t, and truth be known I am glad because the crowds and traffic this year were particularly horrific. Word to the wise: If you ever make your way here for the blossoms, go during the work week. This year I decided to shoot our own cherry tree. It is large: It’s about 25-30 ft high and it’s branches stretch across our driveway. In fact, when we pull in the driveway, it’s as if you just drove into some pink/white cloud. The only problem I have in shooting the tree is the fact that for me to get a proper shot, I would have to include my neighbor’s house, and although I like my neighbor, I don’t want their house in the photo as well as the tree. Call me picky. I decided instead to focus on the statue of our dog Sia (at least that’s our opinion) that somehow seems to find her way around the yard in various gardens or under different trees. For the last two years she has been guarding this cherry tree, and from the looks of it, she seems quite proud. I know the tree is not actually in the photo, but I figure the petals were a dead giveaway.
Canon 5D Mark II, EF 24-70 L, ISO 160, 1/125 @ f/4
As per a previous POST, It seems that these three were at it again last night. Now I’m not one to imply anything, but if you can sleep with someone’s feet on your head, then you must be drunk.
Canon 5D mark II, EF 24-70 2.8 L, 580 EX II, ISO 800, 1/100 @ f/2.8
While rummaging through the folders on one of my hard drives, I came upon quite a few photos from about nine years back. That is when I first switched to digital. I had been a film shooter for many years, and to be honest, I did not want to make the leap into something that at that time, was a fairly new medium. But time, as they say was not on my side. My Olympus OM-1 was getting long in the tooth (35 years), and it was getting harder and harder to find batteries for it. So I bit the bullet and bought myself a Sony DSC-717 Cybershot on the advice from a friend who was a pro shooter. The thing that sold me on the camera was the fact that it had a Zeiss lens, a view finder, and I could shoot manually, something that I was used to and not about to give up. It also had a 5MP sensor, which was a big deal at the time. It cost about a grand at then, which for 5MP it now sounds outrageous considering that fact that my iphone 4S is basically a hand held computer, a phone and an 8MP camera that costs about one fifth the price of the Sony. To see the rest of this series click HERE
Sony DSC-717 Cybershot
Living near protest city (Washington D.C.), there is one every other day and almost all just come and go. There are a few mainstays however, and the guy in the photo above is one of them. His name is Start Loving (really) and what his manifesto is I can’t still don’t know. He usually parks himself in front of the White House everyday, and depending on the week, he has a different cause to protest for and a sign to match. This particular day it was global warming. His face is truly something to behold. He has three large crosses tattooed across his forehead and his name tattooed across both cheeks. I have spoken with him a few times to try and understand what he is trying to say, and the range of topics are anywhere from religion to nuclear arms. I enjoy the fact that whether you agree with them or not, everyone has the right to speak their mind, and trust me, this guy has a lot on his.
Canon 5D mark II, EF 24-70 2.8 L, ISO 100, 1/1250 @ f/6.3
We have a large window that goes almost to the floor in our living room, which is perfect for Sia as she can sit on the sofa or the floor to survey her domain.
Canon 5D mark II, EF 24-70 2.8 L, ISO 800, 1/50 @ f/2.2
It is no secret that fellow blogger Nia has a dream of one day going to the Himalayas. I happen to have the same wish. Since Nia lives in Istanbul and I live here in the U.S., hopefully she will get there sooner than me as she is probably closer than I. Until I get the chance to go, I guess I will just have to settle for this ride at my local fair.
Canon 5D mark II, EF 24-70 2.8 L, ISO 3200, 1/200 @ f/5.6
Last summer Sheila and I were walking the streets of Baltimore when we came across this unique art installation. It is an arbor made of metal that has been fashioned in the likeness of vines, twigs, and branches. The thing that struck me as odd was the fact that this was installed on a playground of an elementary school. Instead of this being placed in dirt, this piece was installed on some kind of rubber mat or flooring that stretched all the way across the playground. I find it ironic that you can’t actually play on it, yet it takes up one quarter of the schoolyard. It was a mighty grey that day and I was not feeling it as far as taking photos were concerned, which is why I am glad I happened upon this beautiful structure.
Canon 5D mark II, Ef 24-70 2.8 L, ISO 100, 1/100 @ f/8
This, as the title of the post implies, is Noah. He was rescued by Sheila’s son Camron and his lovely wife Erika. He was part of a story that made our local news here where a woman was caught hoarding an insanely large group of dogs, all of them living in neglect. Needless to say the dogs were removed from the house and Noah was one of them. As of today he is doing just fine. He gets along with our dogs pretty well, and as you can see, he has made himself right at home.
Canon 5D mark II, EF 70-200 4 L IS, ISO 1600, 1/40 @ f/5
Yet another photo from the “Will you come out and play?” photo shoot. This was taken the morning after while we were waiting for the kids parents to come and pick them up. The Idea for this was a spur of the moment type of thing, so we did it on the fly. Rachael threw on the wig, dress, and baby mask and I told her where to stand. I managed to get in one shot and that was it. It sort of reminds me of the movie “The Grudge” hence the title.
Canon 5D mark II, EF 24-70 2.8 L, ISO 1600, 1/10 @ f/5.6
