Washington DC

[Rachel Foster]

It's daunting to the newish photographer to shoot places as often as public buildings in DC have been. There are many, many, many better shots than mine, but this is the best of what I came up with. My favorite is

"Future Mr. President"

This is a twelve-year-old boy in a candid moment during his first visit to the White House.

ISO 125, f/6.4, 1/400.

The next two are a testament to the 5d II. (All images shot hand-held.)

Both shot at ISO 6400, f/4.5, 1/60.

Perhaps the most interesting was

ISO 250, f/5.6, 1/160.

C&C portfolio here.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Rachel,

I like monument pictures. I do not see postcards here, but that's often the result. Have you thought of the possibility of joining pictures 2 and 3. That may look so beautiful that it might be that really slick postcard shot we don't want! still, could you look to see if it can, at least work?

If you know the person in the first picture, at leat it qualifies as a family or friends memories. Its good to sat what a picture is about, otherwise for all I know that's a guy casing out the joint for a robbery or preparing for a shoot featuring leather jackets. Which is this: fun, work or art? I'll assume it's the first unless otherwise specified!

But Riskit! could be or should be the beginning of some idea you are working on. so let us know!

Asher

 

[Rachel Foster]

I know the kid, but what struck me was his body language while staring at the White House. I could almost see the thoughts "Some day.....some day" over his head. The other photos of the White House (as most of what I got) were snapshots. One really needs several days to get the best time of day and a tripod to get the really good stuff.

 

[Ron Morse]

I like the monuments Rachel, but the first one is my favorite. It looks like the young man is looking at the presidential palace in awe.

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thanks, Ron. I see a child/adult dreaming big dreams when I see that photo.

 

[Ken Tanaka]

There are actually three things going on with your images, at least to my 1-minute eye.

1. The first image, as Ron and Asher have remarked, is that it prompts the viewer to wonder what the kid is contemplating. That sort of mystery is the gem at the heart of so much excellent photography and, far more often, the missing ingredient from dull images. Decompose this image further and you'll discover that gesture and location are the two key components at work here. The boy's posture --his gesture-- suggests winsome contemplation. Perhaps contemplating becoming president? Perhaps wondering just how many lenses are trained upon him from that roof. Many of the most renowned photographers, particularly journalists, became masters of capturing such gestures often to reinforce a story line. Timing, location, and a keen eye. Nicely done. Now do it more.

2. The second and third images of familiar monuments are a bit dark. But they do display very familiar American icons in a way not very familiar. That's also a good trick when shooting overly familiar locations; find a new shot.

3. The third image, of the Capital, is similar to #2. I strongly suspect that you were looking for a "pretty" shot. But if this was used in, say, a story about Congress' current mountain of economic challenges it would nicely portray a feeling of the Irish Fisherman's Prayer: "Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small." The Capital is normally shown as a frame-filler, but rarely as a bump in a lonely landscape.

Hope this provokes thoughts. Keep clickin'. You're doin' fine.

 

[Asher Kelman]

There are actually three things going on with your images, at least to my 1-minute eye.

1. The first image, as Ron and Asher have remarked, is that it prompts the viewer to wonder what the kid is contemplating. That sort of mystery is the gem at the heart of so much excellent photography and, far more often, the missing ingredient from dull images. Decompose this image further and you'll discover that gesture and location are the two key components at work here. The boy's posture --his gesture-- suggests winsome contemplation. Perhaps contemplating becoming president? Perhaps wondering just how many lenses are trained upon him from that roof. Many of the most renowned photographers, particularly journalists, became masters of capturing such gestures often to reinforce a story line. Timing, location, and a keen eye. Nicely done. Now do it more.

2. The second and third images of familiar monuments are a bit dark. But they do display very familiar American icons in a way not very familiar. That's also a good trick when shooting overly familiar locations; find a new shot.

3. The third image, of the Capital, is similar to #2. I strongly suspect that you were looking for a "pretty" shot. But if this was used in, say, a story about Congress' current mountain of economic challenges it would nicely portray a feeling of the Irish Fisherman's Prayer: "Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small." The Capital is normally shown as a frame-filler, but rarely as a bump in a lonely landscape.

Hope this provokes thoughts. Keep clickin'. You're doin' fine.

Ken,

An excellent review. I especially like you take on the first and last images.

Asher

 

[Rachel Foster]

Ken, thank you! Your review is so very helpful and encouraging.

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Rachel

all are wonderful!

I especially love the last 3
the night shadows with the reflections of light are captured beautifully in my opinion-

Charlotte-

 

[Mike Shimwell]

Rachel

I cannot add anything to Asher and Ken's critique, but just wanted to say that i really enjoyed the last picture you posted. The delicacy in the sky and the relatively small scale of the buildings engage me - it actually reminds me of phots of the Taj Mahal!!

Mike

 

[Rachel Foster]

Thank you all for the feedback.

I'm almost beginning to take photos that please me. Almost. They can always be improved, though!