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.

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.

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.

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.

Nave of the National Cathedral

Nave of the National Cathedral, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This vertorama was shot looking east to the main alter of the National Cathedral in Washington DC. The nave will seat about 3,500 people. The flags of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories line either side of the nave. Even though we arrived early, I was surprised at how few visitors were in the Cathedral. The reflections of the stained glass that were being projected onto the limestone columns were amazing. I definitely want to visit again.

I did have to apply some geometric corrections to this image. My 14mm lens tends to distort and that distortion is exaggerated by panoramas and vertoramas.

Jet-Age Rivals

Jet-Age Rivals, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The Russian built Mig-15 Fagot and the American F-86 Saber jet fighters were adversaries during the Korean war. Very closely matched, either could be deadly in the hands of a good pilot.

A Capital View

A Capital View, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The reflecting pool, world war II memorial, Washington monument, Smithsonian castle turret and the U.S. Capital building enhance this night shot taken from the base of the Lincoln memorial. Ten exposures were combined to create this image.