ANGELA B. PAN

I could not sleep Friday night. For some reason I woke up in the middle of the night so hot and of course I couldn’t fall back to sleep. So I decided to make my way over to the Reflecting Pool for sunrise. If was going to be up, I may as well as make it productive, right?

Turns out the sunrise on Saturday morning was a beautiful one. This image was taken when I first arrived at the pool. I was there about 30 minutes before the actual sunrise and as the sun was coming up, it created these beautiful tones and colors in the sky. I particularly like how the streaks in the sky match the streaks in the water. It makes for an interesting reflection and sort of reminds me of a line painting. As the morning went on, the colors in the sky became more and more vibrant.

So glad I didn’t miss it but the best surprise part about it was running into a whole bunch of photography friends so early in the morning. It was the best way to start the day with so many hugs and smiling faces.  Aww it makes me so happy to just think about it.

My camera settings for this image is F5.0 at 1/8th sec at ISO 2500 with my Canon 5D Mark II with my 17-40mm wide angle lens.

PS some people have been asking why I’ve been shooting with my Canon. Well it’s because my Sony is back in the shot. Long story but it got wet again while we were in San Diego. For the most part it was working fine but I just wanted to send it in for little tune up before more travel. Hope to get it back by the end of this week 🙂

This image was taken a week ago at the DCTography photo walk at sunset. It was one of the only images I was able to capture because I was having too much fun catching up with friends to actually take pictures. LOL.

It looks deceiving but the day was actually really nice – weatherwise. It had snowed all day the day before but the day of our walk felt like summer compared to the cold weather we had during the week prior. I think it worked out great because the icey Tidal Basin made for some really cool images plus the sunset itself was fantastic!

But this image captures one of my favorite trees at the Tidal Basin. I photograph it every year, but I don’t think I’ve ever put one of the images on the blog until now. This one tree is special. I think it got hit by a lightning bolt or something like that years ago. Please correct me if I’m wrong. But if you compared it to the other trees around the Basin, it doesn’t even look like it should still be alive because it’s so small. But every year it sprouts the beautiful cherry blossoms on it’s little branches and it makes me so happy that it’s still doing so well.

To be honest, I usually wouldn’t post something like this. My preference is to have clean, untouched snow but there was something about all the footprints that are circling this tree that makes me feel like I’m not the only one who loves it. Other people must be walking around it admiring it from every angle just like me. I also like how you can barely tell where the sidewalk ends and where the water begins just because there’s that much snow on the ground.

My camera settings for this image is F8 at 1/30th sec ISO 1000 with my Canon 5D Mark II and 70-200mm zoom.

Almost a week ago, I met up with some photo friends for a fun photo walk around northwest DC. We met in the middle of the day, something that I don’t usually do so I was interested in seeing the kind of photos we would capture. It ended up being a super fun afternoon filled with laughs and really cool architectural opportunities. Something I never really thought about doing in Washington but so glad we got together to do this.

Our walk was planned out by my friend, Zack who told us all to meet at the West End Library. The West End Library itself is a dream to capture but then we went on to the Pan American Union Building and finally ending at the Watergate. I’ve always driven past the Watergate but never even thought to stop and photograph it. Now that I’ve been, I can’t wait to go back.

I always assumed it was just a hotel, but turns out it’s much more than just that. It is also an apartment complex with stores, restaurants and businesses on the lower levels. This image was taken from standing on one of the lower levels looking up. I love all the curves of the building and even capturing it in the middle of the day allowed for some really nice shadow/light play.

But if you’re interested in capturing some photos of your own from the Watergate, I’d also recommend going to the rooftop of the Watergate hotel. You can get some really cool views of Georgetown and the Kennedy Center. You all know how I feel about a good rooftop 🙂

But definitely expect more images from this walk soon!

My camera settings for this image is F4 at 1/800th sec and ISO 400 with my Sony A7II and 70-200mm zoom.

Thanks again to everyone who came out this past Saturday evening for DCTography’s very first photowalk. It was a great excuse to finally break out of the house and feel some “warm” air on our skin. I had a blast seeing everyone and finally catching up after what seemed like the longest January ever. An evening that started at the Martin Luther King Jr memorial ended with a spectacular sunset and lots of snow and ice for us to capture with our cameras. I am still smiling ear to ear. Thanks again and especially to Carlos from DCTography for putting together this photowalk and allowing me to lead it. He also provide the group shot of us above 🙂

And like every photowalk, I like to share some of the awesome images from the photowalk and the #Snapdc feed:

Love the colors in this one, Virginia! And including the snow from the frozen Tidal Basin was a very nice touch.

Amir, the silhouettes on this one is so interesting. I love looking at each individual one and trying to figure out what they’re doing. The airplane on the top right was perfect timing as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtbA8iWAgUe/

Goutham, I love this shot of Zack. It’s a total candid portrait with great lighting. Props.

Another great framing image, Dave. I love the overall winter vibes of this one.

Karen, it was great chatting with you and love this image. I just imagine this photographer being lost in the moment and sunset. Also, the play of scale with the tree just to the left. Beautiful!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtZqr0CFnFg/

Brande, I’m not sure if anyone else caught this perspective. Great eye! And almost didn’t see that figure right in front of the column.

Thanks again everyone for coming out. There will definietly be more photo walks in the future!

After coming home from a long trip to Southern California, I knew one of the first places that I wanted to go back to take pictures was the Tidal Basin. I love it and have captured some of my favorite images from there. I personally feel like I’m back when I’m walking around the Tidal Basin and ducking my head under the low hanging cherry blossom tree branches. Luckily while we were gone, Washingtonians experienced a good amount of snow. I’m all for snow but I don’t like how it gets so messy while it melts. This time it worked to my advantage because it actually created some great puddles in places that there aren’t usually reflections.

The whole mood of this image perfectly describes what it was like being there. It was cold and kind of wet. I especially like how that little piece of ice in the foreground. But trying to get myself back on east coast was a bit of a challenge. I basically forced myself out of bed but once I was out, I was happy… and cold.

Also sorry for the last minute notice but if you’re around the Washington DC area this weekend and don’t have plans on Saturday, come out to the tidal basin for sunset. At 4:30p, I’ll be leading a free photowalk with DCTography starting at the Martin Luther King Jr memorial and then ending the walk at the Jefferson Memorial. It will be a great time and a great way to meet other photographers in the area. I’ll be talking about light and trying to capture it as we walk and the sun dips below the horizon. Hope to see you there 🙂

My camera settings for this image is F8 at 1/4th sec at ISO 800 with my Sony A7II and 16-35mm wide angle lens.

This image was captured almost a year ago to the day. It’s crazy because I can still remember it like it was yesterday and looking at it brings back so many memories.

I had been messaging with my friend, Birch, about something random. I don’t think it even had anything to do with photography when she finally said that she had just got into the city and it was layered with fog. Luckily I had no plans that Sunday morning so I was able to quickly get ready and meet up with her. We spent the next couple of hours just talking and taking pictures. It was the best.

Everything felt so surreal about this photowalk. The fog made it feel like we were walking through a dreamland but it was also eerily deserted. For being the National Mall on a weekend, there was no one out! Usually you would see people walking around enjoying the monuments but there was something about the fog and very light rain that must have deterred people from coming. I was not complaining though. It  made for amazing images and it was so awesome not having to worry about being in other people’s way. Parking was easy smeasy too!

I really hope that after we’re done with this subzero cold front and wind that Washington DC is going through now that we will get another day like this again. It really was magical. But until then I hope this image of fog warms your day up just a little (as I sit here at my desk still wearing my winter jacket and two layers of pants)… books flight to Florida. JK. LOL.

My camera settings for this image is F4 at 1/1000th sec at ISO 320 with my Sony A7II and 16-35mm wide angle lens.