Category Archives: Featured Photo

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Photo courtesy of Dwood Photography
Holiday Lights – Washington Style
courtesy of Dwood Photography

Bokeh. I swear it’s an actual word…though, granted, it is Japanese. It describes the aesthetic effect of having a blurred background or depth of field in a photograph. It’s a hard effect to get, mainly because you have to have a really good (read: expensive) lens to get it. But when you can get the effect, it can look great. And the ways of using are almost infinite. It helps that all the Christmas lights give it a way to shine…so to speak.

Dwood Photography uses the bokeh to great effect in his shot. Not only does he keep the shape of the National Christmas Tree, but he also has the Washington Monument in shot, giving it that DC flair. It helps that the lights on the tree have a nice circular look, giving the shot a unique look. Definitely a shot that can get one into the Season!

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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of ep_jhu
Crossing The Moon
courtesy of ep_jhu

There are many ways a photograph comes into existence, artistically speaking. A photographer can simply leave everything to chance; just got out the door one day, and find a photo in what is presented to him or her. Or a photographer could plan out a shot ahead of time. If one goes this route, it’s amazing what details a photographer can control, such as the placement of celestial objects. As humans have known since ancient times, the moon and sun follow a predictable course through the sky. While this information is normally used for assisting with farming and keeping time, it’s also possible to use it to create striking photos.

Take ep_jhu’s photo above. Knowing the time and placement of the setting full moon allowed him to catch Luna as it was setting against the city’s skyline. The photo gives a fascinating scale for both moon and buildings. In fact, the shot is very reminiscent of Ansel Adam’s famous Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. It is a simple and stunning, well planned shot.

And if you’re interested in planning out a moon (or sun rise) shot, I can recommend the Photographer’s Ephemeris. It will give line of sight views on the tracking of both the moon and sun, along with all three times for settings. A well informed photographer could not ask for more!

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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of pablo.raw
Flamingo
courtesy of pablo.raw

The eyes, the eyes, the eyes. I’ve said it before: to get a good wildlife shot, you have to aim for the eyes. Now, Pablo’s shot may not be a strictly true wildlife shot (wild flamingos not be native to the DC area, especially in the colder months), but it certainly is an excellent animal shot. And once you get beyond staring at the eye, you start seeing the wonderful detail of the bird’s feathers and beak, which is nicely highlighted by the black background. A shot to be proud of, that is for sure!

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Photo courtesy of
‘National Harbor 2011.11.26 3.jpg’
courtesy of ‘JasonianPhotography’

A long exposure can make for an excellent photo. By keeping the shutter open for a few seconds, a photographer is able to pick up a wider range of lighting than in a fraction of a second shot. It can also give some great lighting effects, like the starbursts from the very bright street lights and spotlights. JasonianPhotography certainly shows us what kind of lighting is around National Harbor and the Awakening statue, does it to great effect.

And, of course, the photo helps us get into the Christmas spirit!

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Featured Photo

Photo courtesy of
‘Leafy Vines’
courtesy of ‘caroline.angelo’

A nice Fall, leaf picture; what more could one ask for? Well, I guess I could say more. Not only do the light reds and yellows of the leaves compliment the strong red of the brick wall, but the dark color of the window nicely interrupts the lines of the wall, brick pavement, and vines. Further, when you look at the picture, you start to notice that all the leaves are pointing down, as if the shot was taken between gusts of wind. And you start waiting for the next gust, to start moving these leaves. Back to the lines of the vines; going from bare to leafy, left to right, adds a fascinating depth to the shot. Not so simple of a shot, now is it?

Yep, caroline.angelo certainly captured a perfect Fall scene. It really makes you miss those wonderful colors.

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Dupont Circle Streetcar Tunnel
Dupont Circle Streetcar Tunnel by ep_jhu

There are few things that get my mind racing like the secret history of Washington, DC. It can be hidden tunnels under Dupont Circle or miniature Washington Monuments buried by the real thing; I just love it. Flickr user ep_jhu stumbled across a part of DC which isn’t exactly secret, but is just not well remembered: the old trolley tunnels under Dupont Circle.You’ve no doubt seen the old streetcar entrances in your travels around the circle, and there has been talk of developing the area into commercial ventures. Though I don’t know how he found his way in, Ep_jhu found a historical DC landmark which isn’t often photographed. The colors natural to the scene, subtle as they are, speak to utilitarian construction. Rather than shooting the scene from eye level and having all walls converge at similar angles, he shot low, emphasizing the size of the tunnel while making it more dramatic. Check out his other photos from the tunnels. They’re all very well done.

Contribute all your great shots from around town to our flickr pool! You may just get featured on this blog.

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David Wax Museum- 930 Club- 9/14/11
David Wax Museum- 930 Club by sightlyworn
As a guy who has photographed many musicians, I know the challenge in capturing the intensity and energy of a live show. Slightlyworn nailed it with this photo. The motion blur is what really makes this photo, because you can just see the guitarist moving and howling into the mic, pouring his heart into every verse. It’s a strong composition; he didn’t focus too closely on the musician, which left plenty of room for the purple and blue divide caused by the stage lights, which is one of the most important features of the photo. Adding a second singer to the frame and including part of the drum kit definitely frames the context of a musical machine working together. Well done, sightlyworn.

Remember to contribute your best shots of DC to our flickr pool. You may just get noticed for our featured photo or weekend flashback.

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Photo courtesy of
‘View from a friend’s place’
courtesy of ‘Veeresh_ai’

Well, Halloween is now behind us. October is officially kaput. I always view November 1st as the real beginning of Winter, regardless of what the calendar, weathermen, or thermometer says. And with this end of Fall, I also like to say that “sunset season” has ended. I normally consider that season to stretch from beginning of September to the end of October. In that two months, there are lots of dramatic sunsets but, more important, sunsets we all get to see. We see them while walking home from work; or while out with friends; or after seeking shelter from all those late summer/fall rain storms.

Veeresh_ai does a fantastic job capturing the beauty of this season. He has wonderful gradation of colors in the sky; as well as some simply beautiful colors, from a brilliant orange to a great, deep purple. And then he was able to get a perfect silhouette of a fascinating building; a building that gives the viewer a sense of scale of the sky. Truly, a picture for all seasons; but, most importantly, for sunset season.

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Photo courtesy of
‘The Confederate Advance’
courtesy of ‘Rob Shenk’

Let’s go back 150 years. DC, or the Federal City if you will, is under siege; and not that happy go lucky, Steven Seagal Under Siege. An up-start new country materializes across the Potomac; and the newly elected president, one Abraham Lincoln, isn’t going to let them leave the Union without a fight. This disagreement quickly escalates into the American Civil War. There’s a quick, but brutal, battle at a place called Bull Run. Not much else happened in 1861, except for the Battle of Ball’s Bluff.

Wait, we don’t have to imagine what happened at Ball’s Bluff. Rob Shenk beautifully captures the reenactment. Looking at his pictures, wonderfully smoke filled that they are, takes you back to October 21st 1861. Musket flashes; a rainbow of woolen uniforms; the Stars and Stripes and the Stars and Bars competing for the field. It is as if you could hear the Rebel Yell and the Battle Hymn of the Republic on the wind. Simply put: excellent photographs.

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Specimenlife saw an especially beautiful capture recently by the Naval Yard. Two birds decide to break free and spread their wings while the flocks rests. The tones of the photo are especially nice; black and white works beautifully with this shot.

If you have some beautiful shots from around the DC region, please contribute your photos to our Flickr Pool. You may just get featured!

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Photo courtesy of
‘Mallards Coming in for a Landing’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

Urban wildlife; sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? But there really are quite a lot of interesting species of wildlife within the boundaries of DC. There are hunting eagles; baby deer; even foxes along the Mall! Most times, you just have to keep your eyes open and you’ll see some fascinating animals cross your path.

I know ducks aren’t necessarily that fascinating, we see them everyday after all, but a good picture of ducks is fascinating. And Mr. T’s photo is certainly a good shot. Catching the ducks landing, in formation no less, with a fast shutter speed to freeze the movement is what makes this shot. And if you’re interested in seeing more of the wildlife DC is blessed with, do what Mr. T does and go down to Constitution Gardens. You’ll see some fascinating birds, I can guarantee it.

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"To Go Against the Church is to Go Against God"
“To go against the church is to go against God” by andrade✖cobain

Every so often a camera phone can grab a truly stunning shot, as happened with andrade✖cobain‘s iPhone shot of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Dupont Circle. City lights shining into clouds light the church in the dead of night. The grain from the high sensitivity of the camera’s sensor shape it into a fantastic glimpse into space, with millions of stars backlighting the church. DC’s light pollution obviously prevents any such spectacular stargazing from ever actually happening, making andrade✖cobain‘s shot all that more unique. Well done.

Contribute your best photos from the DC area to WeLoveDC’s Flickr Pool!

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Photo courtesy of
‘windows are my floor’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

I’m fascinated by window washers. Every time I see them setting up at building downtown, I just want to stop and watch them work. I think it’s the combination of being gusty enough to trust your life to a rather thin piece of rope while also having a unique “office” view. The suction cups they use also remind me of 1960s Batman.

So imagine how I feel about Phil’s photo above. Take one part unique perspective, add the mystique of window washers, and then throw in the blown out highlights of the sky; you get one great shot.

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Photo courtesy of
‘Performer’
courtesy of ‘yostinator’

The rock and photography gods smiled on yostinator with this photo! Between shooting into the sun, the chaotic crowds of the H Street Festival, and trying to get an interesting photo of a rocking rocker, quite a bit could have gone wrong. But she pulled it off, and came away with a Prince of the Universe shot. Rock on!

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Special Featured Photo: Sunset Edition

Super Sept Sunset - darkview

Photo by Kilohoku

As we walked out of an impromptu Happy Hour at Mighty Pint on Thursday night, we were greeted by the incredibly beautiful sunset sky over downtown, with regal golden hour light washing over the office buildings, casting shadows on the ornaments of St. Matthew’s, on the Federal-styled squat buildings all along the Connecticut Avenue corridor. The Mayflower looked its finest, standing in the orange hued lights.

What a wonderful, incredible, beautiful city we live in. We Love DC, and this is part of why.

Thanks for the great capture, Kilohoku!

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Doggy in the Window
‘Doggy in the Window’ by Mondmann

In a world where photographers are often more concerned with flashy presentation or outstanding technique, Mondmann reminds us that simplicity is key to capturing a unique moment. The photo makes me think of a 70-year-old man who has lived in the same house for 50 years, sitting to watch the world pass by, yelling at kids to get off of his lawn. The dog just looks like a curmudgeon, although I’m sure if you asked him, the dog would say, “Stop anthropomorphizing me!” Well done, Mondmann.

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Photo courtesy of
‘A Barbie Girl In A Barbie World’
courtesy of ‘[F]oxymoron’

The things you can see, when you’re walking around the city, can be fascinating. You could run into people doing interesting things; you could see the sky change into fascinating colors; you could even see the little details on the street. Yes, living in the city is many things, but lacking fascinating sights is not one of them.

The picture above by [F]oxymoron certainly falls into the little details category. It’s just some random trash littering the street. Yet chance has arranged it in such a way as to make it look as if the street has eyes. Or, better yet, that a person is emerging from the pavement below the photographer’s feet. It’s certainly a perspective that 99% of people will miss, but we were lucky enough to have someone there to see and capture it. And everyone, keep your own eyes open for things like this; be sure to enjoy them as much as I do.

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Self-Portrait in the metro
Self-Portrait in the metro by pablo.raw

Self portraiture is a challenge at times, but to capture both the self and the environment creatively takes a clever mind. Enter pablo.raw. His photo from the metro isn’t about the subway tunnel on which he’s focusing, but about his act of taking a picture. Placing himself out of the focused area emphasizes his role in the product, and is a truer portrait of him as an individual – he’s doing the photographer’s job. It’s creative and masterfully executed – a portrait of a creative mind at work.

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Photo courtesy of
‘Looking Into the Past: Doing the Charleston at the Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC’
courtesy of ‘jasonepowell’

Hey, it’s an old photo, and a new photo, in one…and it’s of people doing the Charleston on the doorstep of Capitol Hill! What more could you want in a photo?

Jason is quite the innovator with this style of photo (I call it a “Flashback”; Jason calls it “Looking Into the Past”; whatever you want to call it, we can all call the results awesome). He takes historic photos from publically available collections (mainly the Library of Congress), gets enlargements made, and then tries to line up the old picture with the present scene. It can make for quite the sight: some you see how much has changed, others how little, and then you see the downright weird. If you want to read more, Jason’s work has been highlighted by some high profile outlets recently.

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Sunset on the Potomac
‘Sunset on the Potomac’ by specimenlife

It’s difficult to capture the vastness of nature through photography. A track of mountains or an ocean stretching infinitely on the horizon are unquestionably photogenic, but the challenge lays in conveying the scale before you. In the case of specimenlife’s photograph, a wandering cloud finds several points of scale to remind the viewer just how big they actually are. Land, air, and sea are all dwarfed. Clouds are so present in our daily lives that we only think twice about them if they pose a threat to our outdoor activities or commute, but specimenlife turns this ordinary occurrence to the extraordinary. His compelling colors and strong composition keep your eye moving around the photograph. The lines the sun draws through the cloud and along the sky leave one in awe of the majesty of nature.