ANGELA B. PAN

Like I said before, I showed up to the Women’s March pretty early last week. I live really close to a metro stop and I just remember the huge lines that were coming out of the metro last year for the walk. So this year, I wanted to make sure I didn’t have wait in any of those lines. But I arrived so early that I had time to walk around the Tidal Basin.

My original plan was just to check out what the ice looked like over the water but as I was approaching, I felt inspired to take pictures of the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. The way that the sun was just above it, creating these shadows made it look so epic. This is the view from behind the memorial. I took similar shots from in front, but I just liked the way this one looked better. The way that its simplified to this one little opening is very interesting to me. I think I want to keep this image in mind and keep on working at it. I know I could make something really cool out of it on a beautiful sunrise day.

It being the day of the women’s march and just walking around the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial felt right. He has several famous quotes around the memorial but this one was perfect for the day, “Make a career of humanity, commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a great person of yourself, a great nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” Thank you so much for that Dr. King. I just got the chills.

The camera settings for this image is F22 at 1/200th of a second at ISO 160 with my Sony A7II and my 28-70mm lens.

The only way to get an image like this is to wake up super early. Way earlier than you actually want to. Way earlier than your body wants to. But it’s worth it. Theres no other time where you’ll get that amazing purple glow or find the stillness in the water or sidewalks. Nobody’s there rushing by you or getting in your way because there’s hardly anyone else there. Ive said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s such a beautiful way to start your day.

And don’t get me started with that fog. That fog just made the morning so much more enjoyable. It really fills the air with warmth like you’re walking through a  big puffy cloud. Its  hard to say, but I really do think my favorite weather to shoot in is dense fog. It just simplifies everything and your limited to what’s right in front of you. There are so many more ways to see things when you’re limited by the fog. I don’t know, did that make sense? I mean that everything is just so simplified that you have no other option but to see and think of objects you see everyday differently.

This image was shot at F/8 2.5 seconds ISO 160 with my 16-35mm on my tripod. My intention was to get the water silky smooth so you can really see the reflections of the cherry blossom trees and to get more color saturation from the fog. It was shot looking onto the the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial while standing close to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. What do you think of it? Do you like the lights from the memorial shining through the cherry blossom trees or no? I’m still on the fence but I think the colors made for a cool, slightly noticeable contrast.

Out of all the places to photograph in Washington DC, the Tidal Basin is on top of my list. Why? Because it’s so just so dang easy to find free parking!

Please use the above map for reference.

You can park in Park A, the Paddle Boat Rental parking lot or all along Ohio Drive for up to 3 hours for FREE!!! And I’ve never really had any trouble finding parking in any of those places. The only exception is that you may have to drive for a bit on Ohio Drive to find parking if theres a baseball game or something going on, but free parking for up to 3 hours in Washington DC. Tell me that’s not a deal!!!

However this is not always the case during Cherry Blossom season. The Paddle Boat Rental parking lot is reserved for vendors and the rest is a free-for-all. Best of luck to you my friend. I’ll be there trying to fight the crowds as well.

All joking aside, the Tidal Basin is gorgeous all on its own. I love how you can walk from the Jefferson Memorial and in a few minutes be at the FDR Memorial or MLK Jr. Memorial all the while having fantastic views of the Washington Monument. And don’t even get me started on Cherry Blossom season, probably the best time of year to be in the District.

This was taken at sunrise along the small foot bridge between the Jefferson Memorial and FDR Memorial during Cherry Blossom season.

Another epic image from the foot bridge. It’s difficult to get a bad picture from this spot.

View of the Washington Monument as you’re walking through the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

One of the newest memorials in DC, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Even in the autumn time, the Cherry Blossom trees are fantastic

Along Kutz Bridge.

And I had to add this one last one because I love it so much. Such a crazy foggy morning but the moisture from the Tidal Basin makes this absolutely perfect.

In case you missed it, click here for my Lincoln Memorial guide

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Taken just a few minutes after this image, I was in love with the clouds in the back.

I thought it would be fun to check out the sunrise this morning from the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial since today is his day. I was surprisingly welcomed by beautiful colors in the sky and a great start to the day!

I try to visit the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in DC… FAIL