Pre-Dawn DC

MB1 · 10-10-2007, 04:09 PM

I'm thinking about starting a new series of very early morning DC images.

#1 Tidal Basin

#2 Steps of the Lincoln Memorial

#3 Neptune Fountain at the Library of Congress (notice the full nudity and no fig leafs

).

threelions usa · 10-10-2007, 09:03 PM

i think that they are all very good but i especially like number 2.

the foreground is dark and i am sure it's meant to be, but seems like a few folks (family maybe) out enjoying the evening. i know the focus is on the monument but the sky attracted my attention BIG time.

fantastic sky. great cloud formation. i really like the feel of it. i would like to see a little more of the family but as they are NOT the focus i am not sure seeing them might make me lose perspective.

i do really like that one particular shot the best though.

thanks for sharing.

PrevailingConditions · 10-10-2007, 09:24 PM

I really like #1 & #2. Great colors and composition. It looks like getting up early is a good thing.

PC

DrRoebuck · 10-10-2007, 10:10 PM

MB

I'll never get tired of seeing your pre-dawn DC shots. I agree that the first two are the best.

I do wonder how #1 would have looked without the shrubbery in the foreground. The colors in the sky and water are so phenomenal, it's a shame they're obscured.

**Greg McCary** · 10-11-2007, 03:23 AM

Great composition and exposure but they all seem to be leaning to the right?

**Didache** · 10-11-2007, 03:39 AM

Early morning shots are always attractive! The first two are certainly the best, although I am a little concerned that there is a little too much shrubbery/tree on the left. There is room, I think, for a crop on the left, although I appreciate you may have wanted to keep the monument central. No 2 is easily the best of them imo - I would be inclined to bring up the people just a little - they are a very important part of the composition, but seem a little dark I think, and easily missed. Nice work though.

Cheers
Mike

**Xia_Ke** · 10-11-2007, 05:21 AM

I really like the first 2 shots MB. Great colors and well composed. The second is my favorite but, seems to have a decent lean to it. I agree with Mike on the first one. While the branches/shrubbery frame the monument nicely, there is a little too much.

**Frog** · 10-11-2007, 09:42 AM

I agree on 1 and 2. I don't think its too much shrubbery and I sort of like the people in 2 being so dark as because they aren't noticed at first, its when my eye starts travelling that they suddenly pop out adding a new perspective. I do wish the light spot in the sky was lower so that the top of the monument was backgrounded by the dark cloud but I guess you'd have to talk to God about that.

**GB1** · 10-11-2007, 10:56 AM

MB - Three good shots here. I think the first two could jump another level if they had the following:

# 1 - Love it but just wish the walkway on the left wasn't there

# 2 - Great idea, good overall execution, but the people in the foreground need some artificial illumination. A lamp or two, etc would be great.

# 3 I do like but it also seems to be missing something. Not sure what...

Gb

freygr · 10-11-2007, 12:16 PM

I have to agree that 1 and 2 are the best of the group. I think a crop of 3, so you have only the fountain.

engineer · 10-11-2007, 12:27 PM

the second one is it for me, but please level the horizon.

freygr · 10-11-2007, 12:27 PM

I have to agree that 1 and 2 are the best of the group. I think a crop of 3, so you have only the fountain.

MB1 · 10-12-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB1

....# 2 - Great idea, good overall execution, but the people in the foreground need some artificial illumination. A lamp or two, etc would be great...Gb

George Washington University is just a short walk from the Lincoln Memorial so I assume they were up early but seeing as how they are college students they could just as easily have been out late.

I was on my way to work......

**GB1** · 10-12-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB1

George Washington University is just a short walk from the Lincoln Memorial so I assume they were up early but seeing as how they are college students they could just as easily have been out late.

I was on my way to work......

Better, IMO

-GB

threelions usa · 10-12-2007, 06:48 PM

lighting on the last coupled with the overall picture from 2 and "ladies and gentlemen we have a winner' ..

well not my call nor am i expert enough to decide which is which but i like the last one, AND i LOVE the 2nd one...

could you call them and ask for a re-shoot ??

before i go, is this where the centre of the focus can be the centre of the shot or should there have been a different angle ??

just trying to learn.

still i would love to have been able to say that those were MY shots...

**gahspidy** · 10-13-2007, 09:47 PM

I like the colors and glow of the first shot, surrounded and framed nicely by the trees. I agree with mike that there could use a crop from the left side to rid some of the foliage. I do like the centering of the monument here and so would suggest a crop from both sides to perhaps an 8x10 ratio.
The second shopt also is strong but I agree with others that it could use some more lighting in the fg by the people. The horizontal frame of the similiar scene you posted later is good, but i feel it could use some deeper saturation and some more glow.
Good start on the series.

**Xia_Ke** · 10-14-2007, 04:21 AM

Congrats on the sticky MB

**Greg McCary** · 10-14-2007, 06:10 AM

I am with Aaron, congrats.....

Len J · 10-14-2007, 08:23 AM

Great pics as usual MB1.

The 3rd one doesn't work for me......I think it's the metal grid in front of the upper building, it's distracting. So are the shawdows behind the statues.

Len

MB1 · 10-16-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threelions usa

....before i go, is this where the centre of the focus can be the centre of the shot or should there have been a different angle ??

just trying to learn.

....

Well the "Rule of Thirds" is just a general guide for one way to make interesting images, it is NOT the law. For strong images like the Washington Monument and here with great skys the viewers eye is going to move around the image (note how everyone noticed the girls in the foreground even though they are very dark) and the guides don't necessarily apply.

romelm · 10-18-2007, 10:26 AM

Great shots, as most other posters have said, I really like the first two. I don't think should crop the 1st either.

For my learning, can I ask what camera settings you used for 1 and 2?

readingr · 10-18-2007, 12:04 PM

MB,

I missed this one - I love the colours in the first and the trees framing the monument. Congrats on the sticky.

Roger

CLKunst · 10-19-2007, 09:32 AM

I have always suspected that the first intent for the Washington Monument was to use it as a lighthouse!!! Great shot MB!! What a gorgeous morning. Congrats on the sticky!

slee320 · 10-22-2007, 01:38 PM

Really nice shots. #s 2 and 4 especially.

What were the ISO settings on these?

Photo Critique Forum