The Capitol Christmas Tree, Washington, DC - wide angle

So ... I have several more photos from this scene that I'd like to share with you all. Partly to share with you the spirit of the Season. Partly to continue the follow up to Cole's photos from the Walla Walla end of the story. Partly to seek critical suggestions for night shooting, wide angle lenses, post processing, and any other thoughts that you might have on photographic technique. For example, does the distortion created by the wide angle lens bother you?

Any comments are always appreciated!

Any comments or ratings are appreciated!! :-)

Quick! Catch the tree! It's falling.

The shot seem very out of balance. What did it look like about 50' to the right with the Capitol Dome and the tree equally off center?

Well, Lou Ann, look at the bright side - You've captured the perspective and POV of the squirrels on the Mall! LOL. I sure do like the light and your exposure though. Just a perfect time for the picture to be taken. I love that sky.

Hey! great fun with the leaning tree. You could straighten it up but I like it leaning like that. Beautiful dusk sky - very nicely done. I might think about cropping a little sky but it is no big deal.

I could crop a little sky ... but I wanted the entire width of the Capitol building. I can't thank you enough, Colin, for getting me hooked on this lens. I often have to talk myself out of using it exclusively (I tell myself ... "Get more variety!") :-D

 

A funny story about squirrels. Another teacher and I took a group of ten photographer-wannabe students (14-year-olds) down here on Thursday afternoon. We built it up as a trip to photograph this tree and other holiday decorations downtown. The kids were VERY excited to see the tree ... and then they all chased after the multitudinous squirrels that are EVERYwhere in DC (and all over this part of the country). When I tried to remind them that "we have squirrels in Arlington, too" (which is where I teach), they replied, "Yeah, but these are DC squirrels!!!" As if that makes them different. Hah! I'm sure that most of the kids have more photos of DC squirrels than they do of this tree or the Capitol. LOL!! I'm sure their parents wondered why we needed a "field trip" for that purpose.

Excellent shot and best wishes for Merry Christmas. Michael.

Lou Ann I love the wide angle, wow, what a dramatic impact... Love the almost night sky here too, but is it me, or is the tree really leaning? :) Love seeing the tree all done up.. Looks great!

I like your "leaning tree", sometimes the wide angle lens can be fun when shooting structures and tall "things", we all live in a topsy turvy world so the perspestive feels sorta natural........hum. Ho Ho Ho to you and yours this holiday season.

This is a wonderful shot (where you have, expertly, taken advantago of the qualities of the extra wide angle) which I will take as a way to wish you and your beloveds a most Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2007, full of great photographs and much happiness.

Perfect exposure, Lou Ann, with sky, tree, and Capital building all perfectly lit. I know that you could correct it with perspective correction, but I like it as it is.

 

--Lannie

what a great shot

Happy Holidays, Lou Ann!

Thank you,,merry christmas and happy new year

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, Lou Ann!

Merry Christmas, Lou Ann. It is already that here....he he. Maybe 2007 will bring you our way...you never know!