United States Air Force Memorial 03

If you have the time, please take a look at this entire folder.

The United States Air Force Memorial opened on October 14, 2006. I figure that many of you haven't had the opportunity to see it yet. I work down the street, and have watched it grow on the skyline of Arlington, VA. So I decided to share it with you. I went to shoot some photos of it on Saturday morning, October 21, around sunrise.

If you do get the chance to visit some day, please know that it is rather difficult to photograph from within the Memorial site because it is taller than just about any wide angle lens can handle. I used my 10mm for many of the shots in this folder, and still couldn't always get the shot that I wanted.

Another thing to point out about the images in this folder is that since the Memorial is made of curved lines, and because my wide angle lens has a tendency to curve lines out of perspective ... well, you'll see some strange lines. I hope that the images that seem to have such strange perspective will add to the artistry of the place. I also tried to find spots nearby that would give me a wide enough vantage point to use a more "normal" lens, so that you can see the Memorial without such significant distortion.

In honor of all of the members of the United States Air Force who have given their lives in service...

Lou Ann, Chapeau! you did a hell of a documentation to that impressive memorial. I like the design, that represents the subject with its swing to the sky and its partly turned to different directions. good light, nice variations, well done!

Pnina - thank you so much for going out of your way to look at these shots. I know that you've had to rest your eyes for some time, so I'm especially honored. I'll drop you an e-mail next week, as I have an image that I'm going to upload for you. Thank you again!

Lou Ann, what a wonderful folder you've put together. I can't wait to see this memorial the next time I am in DC. I think this image is my fav though; I love the light, and the composition. Somehow the trees really set the monument off in a neat way. Great job on all of the images. Best regards, Chris

Great! Thanks for posting these...your photos make me want to see it for myself.

Any comments or ratings are appreciated! Please read my comment on

this image.

This one grabed me...DC at it's best !

Hi Lou Ann!

Great photo and good eye.

Just a question, have you tried to correct the lens distortion to see which is more appealing? I have to say that the trees leaning in towards the sabers really draws you up the center one into the dark blue of the polarized sky (Air Force blue). The light reflecting off the walk really makes this photo work. I think you've caputered a lot of elements for interpretation (symbolism) in this photo.

Great job!

Hi Dave!

 

Thanks for your visit. I haven't actually played with any of these shots at all. I haven't had the time. I wanted to get them sized for upload quickly and just dump them in a folder ... more so that other people can view the monument than for the artistic interpretation. It would be interesting to try to straighten the trees here without losing the effect of the curved statue.....

 

Regards!

I had emailed you my thoughts on these wonderful photos, but I wanted to say here that this is my favorite! I love the beauty and simplicity of the monument itself, then add to that the blue sky and the trees and the sunlight adding a little glow...very nice! :) All of us who have worn the blue or are currently wearing it can be proud of this monument and your capture of it! Thanks!

 

Leslie

Well Lou Ann, I had some time so I've checked correcting the lens distortion. It will only work with this photo if you have cropped the photo and have more to work with at the bottom and sides. I'm downloading the thumbnail in case you have more to work with and want to see it with straight trees. As you can see, you loose too much at the bottom and sides altering this file size.

As Your original photo gives symbolism with the trees tipped in.

Dave - I like your rendering of it ... and will most certainly keep it in mind when I work it over.

 

Leslie, thank you for serving.

smile

I like this version with the added softness of the trees....A great body of pictures!

I was going to say I liked this for the contrast between the hard curves of the memorial and and the softer natural tree shapes but I see Linda beat me to it. I like the way the shadows fall here.

Colin - thanks so much for all of your comments! I love it when you visit. :-)

calm and collective and the greys and blues match... :)