Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden

The first touristy thing I did after moving to Washington, D.C. was visit the Sculpture Garden on the National Mall.

There are two Sculpture Gardens: one is associated with the National Gallery of Art and one is associated with the Hirshhorn Museum.  The one I visited that day was the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden.

I have such fond memories of that day for a couple of reasons:
1. It was the first thing I did in D.C. and I remember being so overwhelmed (in a good way) with my new home.
2. The pictures I took that day were a huge turning point in my photography.  Something clicked inside of me and I went from trying to find a good picture to feeling an emotion about what I was taking a picture of.

I realize that probably sounds really fruity, but I believe very much that a good picture only happens when there is some sort of an emotional response.  You can have all the training, the fanciest equipment, and access to the greatest editing tools out there, but unless you have it in your gut, you'll never get "the shot."

These pictures were taken last spring, so maybe you're wondering why it took me so long to post them.
Well, I think that has to do with a realization that these pictures played a large part in taking my photography to the next level and because of the emotions I still have attached to them and the memory of that day.  For some strange reason, I've put off posting them.  Quite odd especially since the first two pictures are among my all-time favorite pictures and the sculpture (a casting) of The Burghers of Calais by Auguste Rodin (seen in the very last picture) is one of my very favorite sculptures of all time.

Despite the long delay in posting them, I hope you enjoy them.  Better late than never!

American Indian Museum

I've been looking through my files and have noticed quite a few pictures from various locations I haven't posted.  Hopefully in the coming days I'll be able to post several of them (though, that hopeful goal may have to be put on hold for a few days as I'm moving -- still staying in D.C., just going to a new house).

On that note, here are a few pictures I took last summer at the Smithsonian American Indian Museum.  The American Indian Museum is located on the National Mall.  The building is really visually interesting and makes for some great pictures against the amazingly blue D.C. sky (I always say D.C. has the bluest skies I've ever seen).  It's a great place to visit if you're ever in D.C.

Matisyahu (Baltimore show) Part III

This is the third and final sampling for Matisyahu's Baltimore show (see the first two here and here).

This sampling is comprised of shots of the venue (which was Pier Six Pavilion in Inner Harbor), the stage, a couple of the opening act, some audience shots, equipment, and the brightest neon green port o' potties I have ever seen in my life!

As always, click on the individual images to see full-size.

Matisyahu (Baltimore show) Part II

Another post on shooting the Baltimore concert for Matisyahu (you can see the first post here).

This post contains another batch of my personal favorites.
You may notice there aren't a lot of color shots.  I come from the old-school photography era (meaning I was educated by a very much pro black & white photography teacher) that the emotion in a picture is often best displayed not in color.  I definitely prefer black and white or versions of sepia, but I do still like color (as my portfolio proves), and since these shots are my personal favorites, I decided to post the color (or colorless) shots that I like the most.

I think I'll be doing one more post on this shoot, so keep checking back.

As always, click on the images to see full-size.