Hotter than Georgia Asphalt

Hotter than Georgia Asphalt, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Ok I wasn't in Georgia. This was taken in Santa Ana, California but just the same I think summer is here. When taking photos of cars, I usually just collapse my tripod completely and spread out the legs as wide as they will go so the camera is only 6 inches above the pavement. This of course means in order to frame the shot, I need to be laying on the ground. This is generally not a problem in the cooler months but today the asphalt parking lot was so hot, I almost got roasted. Gotta borrow the wife's yoga mat or something.

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Manny and I were on the National Mall in Washington D.C. near the U.S. Capital Building when we realized that the sunset that evening was going to be absolutely stunning. We started walking as fast as we could (pulling our rolling camera backpacks behind us), towards the Washington Monument. I spotted a cab driving down the National Mall and flagged him. He drove us over to the grassy knoll just across the street from the Monument. I paid the driver and he helped us get our bags out of the taxi's trunk. We scrambled up the hill, setup our tripods and started shooting before this spectacular sunset had vanished. You will never realize how quickly the sun sets unless you take the time to watch one.

Red and White Delight

Red and White Delight, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Kathy and I decided to drive over to Bob's for the Wednesday night car show. We had dinner and talked while watching the classic cars roll in. Afterward, we had started walking around when this '55 Ford Fairlane Sunliner stopped me in my tracks. It was so clean and perfectly restored, I was just in awe. I think I took 5 or 6 HDR sequences of this car alone. I met the owner, nice guy. He was kicking around the idea of selling this car. I gave him the address for this website. Hopefully he will see his baby here.

Sakura American Style

Sakura American Style, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

My Nephew Manny and I had the good fortune to be in Washington D.C. during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. One of the things we learned is that the Cherry Blossoms are not just located at the tidal basin that surrounds the Jefferson Memorial. They were nearly everywhere we visited, even Capitol Hill.

We the people...

We the people..., originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The cornerstone for the United States Capitol building was placed in 1793. It was built, burned to the ground by British troops during the war of 1812, rebuilt and expanded several times even in the midst of a bloody civil war. It has seen the rise of of representative democracy, tolorated and abolished slavery, heard declarations of war and endured the resulting hardships. An extraordinary place to visit and learn.

La Casa Blanca

La Casa Blanca, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

My nephew Manny and I walked over from the Washington monument to the ellipse facing side of the white house. I spoke to one of the guards and asked if I could take pictures using my tripod. They said I could so long as I stayed on the ellipse side of the street. While taking some HDR sequences, we noticed that the 3rd floor, first family residence lights were on and we could see someone walking around and a TV was on. Everyone needs to kick back after work I guess.

At the top of the low down crowd

At the top of the low down crowd, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I always get lots of lens flare (digitally removed here) with my 14mm sigma f2.8 lens especially when I point it toward the setting sun. This 1940 Chevy Master Deluxe looks so cool it makes up for it. I had to ask some of the Gente to excuse me so I could take this shot before the sun sank below the horizon. Bob's Big Boy Broiler (BBBB) in Downey CA. Kathy shot the same car on the same day. You can see her version here.

Chief Washakie

Chief Washakie, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Before I left for Washington, I made reservations to take a tour of the United States Capitol Building. In the time since I last toured here, a very large underground visitor center has been built. This is one of the many impressive statues located in Emancipation Hall. The subject here is Chief Washakie, who was a Shoshone indian warrior and spokesman. He spoke several languages including english and french.

Phantom on Deck

Phantom on Deck, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This is an amazingly restored McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter bomber on the flight deck of the USS Midway aircraft carrier museum which is located in San Diego bay. No longer in active service with the U.S. military, the Phantom was an all weather, two seat, twin engined aircraft used extensively during the Vietnam war. This aircraft is located in the landing area of the flight deck. A volunteer docent who was a former F-4 pilot with over 600 carrier landings was available to explain how Navy aircraft are recovered aboard.

Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac Ranch, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

3 classic Cadillacs in a row at the Bob's Big Boy Broiler car show in Downey California. Check out those cool tail fins. Does it get better than this?