DC Line Up

[CLKunst]

Here's a picture I've been meaning to do for a while and finally got around to while out walking the dog last night. I like the car light streaks at the bottom as they seperate this from being your typical postcard shot. What says the forum?

[MB1]

It needs to be roatated to the left a bit; it looks like the Washington Monument is about to fall over..

I am afraid that no matter what a photographer tries to do a photo taken from this area is always going to look like a "typical postcard shot". Nothing wrong with that if is is done well (sometimes you have to embrace the look rather than try to run from it).

[CLKunst]

Yes there is some rotation of a few nths of a degree needed, although wiggling about with the adjustment if I make the Washington Monument look straight then the Lincoln looks off kilter. Here is a landscape version of the shot which is more level. Which do you find preferable?

[GB1]

I'm more attracted to the light trails than the monument. But I suppose that's because I grew up in that area and have seen it a couple million times.

The composition is very organized and I like how dark the black area is. The red looks spectactular on the black, just wish there was more of it, and maybe in a more creative design (circles, etc). Maybe if some fireworks were exploding over the monument it would reaally be neat (sounds like a PS experiment waiting to happen !?)

GB

[CLKunst]

Thanks for the guidance GB. Here is a little PSE experiment per your suggestions. I've been looking for a good but static picture to play with and your comments reminded me that this was probably just what I was waiting for. Does this help to up the interest and spread the red? or does it just look cheesey?

[Chunk]

I really like the shot without the nearest light trails but that's probably because I don't get to see the buildings all the time. The effect of the telescopic compression is terrific and I like the color difference between the capitol and the monuments. The silouhettes against the monument and its reflection are also very nice.
I think the appearance of tilting is strengthened by the optical illusion cause by the slanting of the light trails.
I like what you have done with the light trails in the third pic, very creative and they now somehow balance with the rest of the pic rather than overpower it. Cloning out that streetlamp from the first pic was a good idea. That vortex could easily represent what happens to our money when it get out into that area.

[GB1]

Thanks for the guidance GB. Here is a little PSE experiment per your suggestions. I've been looking for a good but static picture to play with and your comments reminded me that this was probably just what I was waiting for. Does this help to up the interest and spread the red? or does it just look cheesey?

Yeah, that looks neat! Not sure a purist would agree, but like Chunk says, it is a hole for our tax dollars. You might find some missing common sense down there too.

Keep shooting -- you will find the right angle eventually. Just remember that it very well may not be from an easily-accessible area, eg, one that you can pull your car over next too etc. You might have to do some hiking, or making friends with someone in an apt that has the great view you've been looking for, etc. Such is the life of a dedicated photograher.....

GB