The Lincoln Memorial at night is very cool. The crowds are gone, the light is soft and dim, and there's something calming about being there at that time. Here's a shot I took recently, trying out the Hydra app on my iPhone.
 |
| Lincoln Memorial |
During the solstices, the sun shines directly into the memorial at sunrise, casting unique golden light on the white statue.
 |
Golden Sunlight on Lincoln
|
I think Thomas Jefferson is my favorite president. He was a complicated man, responsible for our legal system, author of the Declaration of Independence, president at a crucial time in our history, and a man of his time, i.e. a slave owner. So, good and bad, a mixed bag. Monticello is amazing. He was a tinkerer, which reminds me of my grandfather. I like Monticello better than Mount Vernon or any European palace (and I've seen a lot of palaces). Monticello would be on my list of favorite photography locations in Virginia, except they don't let you shoot in there. Anyway, back to DC. The Jefferson Memorial, with its bronze statue of Jefferson, and its location on the Tidal Basin among the cherry trees, is a great place to visit. Lately it's kind of run-down, with regular flooding. It needs renovation. But it's still a great place to visit.
 |
| Jefferson Memorial with Cherry Blossoms |
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is sobering and difficult to photograph well. I've tried. I've never been able to get a shot of the wall without people in the way. The memorial statues are a little easier to shoot. Here are two shots (taken with my iPhone and Hydra) in the dark of night, after a snowstorm.
 |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
 |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
The Newseum Balcony has the best view of the US Capitol building that's open to the public. I was there on a crappy hot, overcast day, so the photo is poor, but I like the spot.
 |
| US Capitol Building |
Roosevelt Island might be my favorite memorial. It's an island in the Potomac, in DC but accessible only from Virginia. The parking lot fills up on nice days because it's a popular place among locals to go for a walk in the woods. The memorial statue of Theodore Roosevelt is not especially impressive, but the island trails through the woods, within sight of the Kennedy Center and DC, are a quiet place to have a peaceful walk.
 |
| Theodore Roosevelt Memorial |
 |
| Roosevelt Island |
Georgetown Waterfront Park is another nice place for a stroll along the river, on the bank opposite Roosevelt Island. This location gives great views of the Key Bridge, Roosevelt Island, the Kennedy Center, and the Watergate complex. On nice days there will be lots of boats and plenty of rowers.
Another spot across the Potomac River from the Capitol Mall is Lady Bird Johnson Park. This is my preferred spot to watch the annual July 4 fireworks show.
 |
July 4 Fireworks |
No comments:
Post a Comment