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.

All I want is a roof over my head

All I want is a roof over my head, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

On this visit to Washington D.C. I knew I wanted to return to the National Cathedral and take my nephew Manny with me. Like me, he was awed by the size and beauty of this amazing place. We did have to contend with one of the docents that obviously disagreed with the cathedral's policy allowing tripods. She looked at both of us with disapproval as we entered and reminded us of the rules that forbid the blocking walkways or fire exits. We dutifully avoided doing either but she kept an eye on us the whole time and commented to me that she couldn't understand why we needed to use a tripod in the first place. I tried to explain the purpose but seemed unconvinced.  I guess we just looked like wild renegade rule breakers! - Ten exposure HDR with the longest being 30 seconds.

Oxcart Decendant

Oxcart Decendant, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The Mach 3+ SR-71 Blackbird greets guests to the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum at Dulles International Airport, Chantilly Virginia. This 10 shot HDR sequence was taken using my Gorillapod Focus camera support system. Udvar Hazy does not allow tripods but the guards seemed unsure what to say about my articulated wonder.

Vietnam Era Aircraft

Vietnam Era Aircraft, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly Virginia has multi-level walkways from which you can view the various aircraft that are on the hanger floor or suspended at various levels from the ceiling. I was able to wrap my gorilla pod to the hand rail of these walkways to steady my camera. This allowed me to take my typical 10 shot HDR's and avoid the security guards who zealously enforce the "no tripods allowed" rule.

National Building Museum - Great Hall

National Building Museum - Great Hall, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Built between 1882 and 1887 as a home to the US Pension Bureau and to provide a grand space for Washington D.C. social functions, this hall has been the scene of many Presidential inaugurall balls and other important events.

Compassion

Compassion, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

My Nephew Manny and I had walked along the Lincoln memorial reflecting pool in a driving rain when we saw the Vietnam Women's Memorial through the trees. It was very quiet as we approached the site. It was early and nobody else was around. The Vietnam Women's Memorial is dedicated to the women who served in the Vietnam War. It was designed by Glenna Goodacre and was dedicated on November 11, 1993.

Wakeup with a Bang

Wakeup with a Bang, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Kathy and I were walking around Chinatown during Chinese New Year and were shooting HDR sequences of a cable car where the California Street line crosses Grant when we noticed that all the lights on Grant were off. In a few minutes we heard sirens and several fire trucks drove by at high speed. While walking up Kearny we were crossing Commercial Street and saw that the fire trucks were at the end of the street which was only being illuminated by their red flashing lights. We decided to investigate and I spoke to this group of people who said they were all sleeping when they heard a loud bang and the ground shook. Then all the lights went out.

Do Not Cross

Do Not Cross, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This was taken on Commercial Street near the intersection of Grant. Kathy and I took a bunch of photos this night. The lighting was really interesting! We could smell something burning. Maybe a transformer exploded or something like that.

She Calls the Shots

She Calls the Shots, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

My wife Kathy takes a break from schooling me and looks over her shots. While I tend to shoot wide angle, her favorite optic is a 20 year old Minolta Maxxum 100mm F2.8 Macro lens. This is a very sharp, fast and contrasty lens and she really knows how to use it to maximum effect. You can see her photographs here.