Cherry Blossoms along the Basin in DC
Mar 20, 2019 10:21:29 #
Check out East Potomac park.it is only a 1/2 mile from the basin and has more trees and the river for scenes. You can also get Washington Monument from there.And the parking there is free!
Mar 20, 2019 11:47:26 #
Attached is a scanned (faded) Ektachrome slide I took in the Spring of 1960.
2nd photo was taken in Bethesda, MD ...same time frame.
2nd photo was taken in Bethesda, MD ...same time frame.
Fotoartist wrote:
Try to frame the Jefferson Memorial between branches of cherry blossoms. You can do this from many vantage points. Crowds won't matter much for this shot. What will matter is depth of field. I tried multiple focus shots and combined them in the computer.
Mar 20, 2019 12:27:54 #
I have visited the Tidal Basin for many years and of course it's always packed with visitors, but I wouldn't let that stand in your way for a single moment. Besides the amazing cherry blossoms (which can still be beautifully photographed at any time of the day or evening), there is a carnival atmosphere that's fun to photograph too, and the annual parade on and near Constitution Avenue can present some great photo ops. So please don't forget that adding outstanding shots of people can often make your photographs a lot more interesting than the gazillion formal shots of the Tidal Basin when it's empty of all humanity. And by the way, I've seen very few rude people there, but I've seen plenty of kids and adults from all the way around the world having a great time together and putting on quite a show.
Mar 20, 2019 12:48:39 #
Kingman you got lucky! you'll catch blossoms at their peak!
"favorite shooting location(s) and best time of the day..."
Mother nature will play heavy into the mix here... That said if you want to capture the blossoms against the lovely Potomac River you will be dealing with heavy back-lighting on a sunny day... to this end pack a speedlight... unless you are keen on using chiaroscuro and silhouettes....
Best Advice? Use Washington DC's Metro rail to get close (avoid the stress of parking).
Below is a foray to last year's event with my top fashion model and her fiance... this was a last minute "hey can you come with us to see the cherry blossoms today?" We rendezvoused at a Metro Station and the day was virtually a fairy tale dream come true... zero stress... and we enjoyed Starbucks before and after...
Please keep in mind that folks come from all over the world to behold Japan's wonderful gift to the United States... We smiled all day long and help so many "challenged tourist" find their way... even stopped to take their pictures together with their own cameras! Please, please be an ambassador of our great nation, k?
Below please find a couple of images... Knowing the shooting conditions I packed light... a D7200 with a AF-P 70-300mm... plus a SB700 speedlight. Don't forget to take a speedlight, k? Used iTTL and reduced the SB700 by -0.7 and let the camera balance the scene. Keep in mind this with be pretty much akin shooting a wedding event... no time to think/plan/change settings... throngs of folks so you'll be shooting in a hurry between the crowds... hope this makes sense...
Best of luck Kingman and enjoy one of our most cherished national treasures...
.
"favorite shooting location(s) and best time of the day..."
Mother nature will play heavy into the mix here... That said if you want to capture the blossoms against the lovely Potomac River you will be dealing with heavy back-lighting on a sunny day... to this end pack a speedlight... unless you are keen on using chiaroscuro and silhouettes....
Best Advice? Use Washington DC's Metro rail to get close (avoid the stress of parking).
Below is a foray to last year's event with my top fashion model and her fiance... this was a last minute "hey can you come with us to see the cherry blossoms today?" We rendezvoused at a Metro Station and the day was virtually a fairy tale dream come true... zero stress... and we enjoyed Starbucks before and after...
Please keep in mind that folks come from all over the world to behold Japan's wonderful gift to the United States... We smiled all day long and help so many "challenged tourist" find their way... even stopped to take their pictures together with their own cameras! Please, please be an ambassador of our great nation, k?
Below please find a couple of images... Knowing the shooting conditions I packed light... a D7200 with a AF-P 70-300mm... plus a SB700 speedlight. Don't forget to take a speedlight, k? Used iTTL and reduced the SB700 by -0.7 and let the camera balance the scene. Keep in mind this with be pretty much akin shooting a wedding event... no time to think/plan/change settings... throngs of folks so you'll be shooting in a hurry between the crowds... hope this makes sense...
Best of luck Kingman and enjoy one of our most cherished national treasures...
.
Mar 20, 2019 13:59:08 #
Mar 20, 2019 14:21:34 #
rgrenaderphoto wrote:
What about if you went at sunrise?
I showed up an hour before sunrise a few years ago and parking was near impossible. There's no easy way.
Mar 20, 2019 14:39:37 #
I am already planning hours predawn to take the METRO to Arlington Cemetery Station and walk to the Basin.
Mar 20, 2019 16:13:22 #
Oh yes, most people will be taking people pictures with the blossoms, and rightly so.
Mar 20, 2019 16:18:44 #
Sunrise is better as the Jefferson Memorial is shown off. Also if you get there early, you mat find parking. It is extremely difficult to park around there. Walk the entire basin, starting from the boathouse
Kathi
Kathi
Mar 20, 2019 16:24:20 #
Believe it or not, Branch Brook Park, Newark/Belleville, New Jersey has more cherry blossoms than DC. You will have the same issue with people but not as bad as DC. If you live in the area, or are able to visit, give it a try. You won't have the famous buildings but if it's the blossoms you are after, it's a unique place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Brook_Park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Brook_Park
Mar 20, 2019 16:28:34 #
kathiandkim wrote:
Sunrise is better as the Jefferson Memorial is shown off. Also if you get there early, you mat find parking. It is extremely difficult to park around there. Walk the entire basin, starting from the boathouse
Kathi
Kathi
Thanks, I will becoming from the Arlington Cemetery
Mar 20, 2019 16:39:19 #
Just Fred wrote:
I didn't say "always." Of course there ... (show quote)
As someone that visits many parks quite often for hiking and kayaking, I’m happy to see people of many cultures taking advantage of our great park system. The people I don’t see much of in the parks are white Americans, but when I do they are just as likely to disregard our national treasures.
Mar 20, 2019 16:41:27 #
jwm1944 wrote:
Check out East Potomac park.it is only a 1/2 mile from the basin and has more trees and the river for scenes. You can also get Washington Monument from there.And the parking there is free!
Yeah, I kind of view East Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin as one entity. They’re pretty much attached.
Mar 20, 2019 16:56:10 #
Kingman wrote:
I am already planning hours predawn to take the METRO to Arlington Cemetery Station and walk to the Basin.
You might want to take metro to the Smithsonian station and come out at 12th & Independence. It’ll be about a 1/2 mile walk instead of 1 1/4.
Mar 20, 2019 16:58:53 #
I’m lucky. I’ll already be in town when they peak. I’ll just drive in before sunrise, park at my building and then it’s just a 5 minute walk and wait for the sun.
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