‘Washington D.C.’ Posts⁽²⁶⁾

The other day I realized it had been about a decade since I saw the Kennedy brothers at Arlington National Cemetery, located just across the Potomac from DC. Spent a sunny sunday afternoon wandering around the Cemetery, the Netherlands Carillon and Iwo Jima.

I had a spare Saturday night with little to do, so made my semi-annual treck around D.C.’s national monuments at night. I last did it in 2003, and haven’t done it with my new camera. It’s amazing how much of a difference the camera makes …

Spent a cloudy day touring the National Arboretum in extreme Northeast DC. The trees and plants were wonderful, but due to the heavy clouds blotting out the sun, it was very hard to get anything to “pop.” Definately going to make a return trip some afternoon when the sun is a little more cooperative.

I rarely — if ever — venture into downtown D.C. when the Cherry Blossoms are in bloom, but something inspired me this year. Not only do you have to deal with city traffic, but tourists, and they seam to get stupider each year.

Not to mention, I honestly don’t like the look of a cherry tree in bloom … at least not up close. They look like a floral pipe cleaner. I like my blossoms a little more random and well spaced. Maybe a dogwood, or magnolia.

This time, I went down the day before peak … and did it at some obscene hour of the morning. The foot traffic around the tidal basin was predictably insane (and I hereby vow to never do it again, again) but the more remote groves — like this one, north of the monument — were just as stunning, and much less crowded.

I got tickets to the Washington, DC regional of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this year (“Oh, brother … where art thou?”) and watch George Mason rampage through the region from the nose-bleeds in the upper deck.

This particular gem of a picture was taken at the tipoff for overtime, with the score tied at 74. By the time it was over, Mason had upset Connecticut 86-84. Going into the game, I was actually a little apathetic, until I read Uconn coach Jim Calhoun shoot his mouth off:

“It’s going to be nice playing an away game,” Calhoun said. “I’m looking forward to that. I think that part of the system is really working out to protect the 1s.”

Come on, Coach. Do number one seeded teams really need to be protected against number ELEVEN seeded teams? Oh wait. i guess they do …

Went to the zoo today, with a borrowed telephoto lens. Cheap little thing, but it still managed to take some great pictures that just wouldn’t have happened with my regular 28-70mm lens. Also, turns out that you don’t need tickets to see “Butterstick” the panda… Just go to the Panda Cafe and peer over the wall in the outdoor dining area.

Wanted to go to the Building Museum for quite some time, and had the opportunity when my parents were in town. Great lines, and stunning architecture. Take the tour, which gets you on to the 4th floor which is otherwise closed to the public.

So, I bought a new camera. I have been saving for this moment for a little less than three years, using a crappy 2 megapixel camera (Canon A60 — its actually a nice camera) while I bided my time.

It’s a Canon 20d, a 8.2-megapixel camera that captures images up to 3504 by 2336 pixel. It’s twice the camera of either of my old film cameras (Canon EOS Rebel X and a Canon AE-1) and four times the A60.

The lens I bought with it (well, separately, not part of a package) is just outstanding. It was recommended by the Director of Photography at my job, who said it was the best lens he’d ever seen for under $500. It’s a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di, and the clarity is just amazing. Love it.

Anyway, I took my new kit down to the Arlington side of the Potomac River, and took some snaps. I’m definately having some problems adapting to the camera’s exposure — I’ve been cheating with the A60’s preview screen for too long — but hopefully it will all come around.