ANGELA B. PAN

I know I don’t usually do this but its my blog and I do what I want.

LOL

Last week I met up with my friend, Albert for what I thought was just going to be a regular, casual coffee date but turned out to be at this amazing new coffee shop that just opened up in DC. It’s an Australian inspired coffee shop called Bluestone Lane.

As soon as you walk inside, you know that it was going to be something special. I mean can we talk about these columns and that window wall? It’s literally like a pinterest/hipster dream. At one point in time the windows were reflecting this amazing rainbow on our table and on all of the floors. I mean how could you not fall in love? I’m just glad I had my camera with me so I could capture this as we were leaving.

I ordered the matcha latte and it was probably the best one I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve been craving it ever since we left. I don’t know if I’ve ever said this publicly, but I don’t actually drink coffee. I think in all of 2017, I may have had a cup less than 10 times in the whole year. It is not a secret or anything, I just don’t think it has ever come up. But I heard Bluestone Lane’s coffee is fantastic. Who knows, maybe next time I will give it a try. I do know that next time I go, I’m definietly trying more of their food. Avocado toast? YES PLEASE! 🙂

Welcome to the District, Bluestone Lane! Can’t wait to go back for more.

My camera settings for this image is F5.0 at 1/800th of a second at ISO 320 with my Sony A7II and 16-35mm wide angle lens.

Even though The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the newest museum in the National Mall and Washington DC area, it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. I’ve only been inside once but I’ve admired it from the outside numerous times. It’s so exciting to have this new space because there are so many new angles to explore. Like this one made possible by the enormous and beautiful reflecting windows that surround the museum.

Now that summer time is on us, I also think it’d be interesting to see what people do with the fireworks in this space. I was lucky enough to have special access to shoot the Independence Day fireworks on the grounds last year but it was sort of a bust. All day it had been rainy with super low clouds so it was sort of difficult to see the fireworks. And it was crazy because the fireworks that were super high in the sky were only heard, not seen. So this year I think it’d be interesting to see if fireworks would be able to reflect off the windows or even some of the outdoor features surrounding the museum. Weather permitting of course.

The camera settings for this image was F7.1 at 1/30th of a second at ISO 400. I shot this at sunset while being smushed up against the windows. A high ISO was needed to be sure everything stayed sharp and in focus. It was only afterwards, in post processing, where I thought this image would look even cooler in black and white. I think it really brings out the the drama and makes the angles look even sharper.

Can’t wait to go inside the museum again to capture the ‘cleansing fountain’. The first time I was there, it wasn’t up and running.