Washington DC Photography : Providing a Diverse Collection

I am truly fortunate to have the opportunity to license images from my collection of Washington DC Photography for such a wide variety of print and electronic media.  I recently licensed 12 images to Harlequin Books as Book Covers for The Fatal Series by New York Times Best Selling Author Marie Force - with more to come.  One advantage in providing a wide variety of DC Images is that whether it's an Art Buyer or Architectural Design Firm seeking images for a Corporate / Hospitality Decor Project - or in this case a Book Publisher requiring a series of diverse DC Images - I am typically able to fulfill their entire project needs as opposed to them having to source imagery from multiple artists.  This saves the Art Director or Art Buyer time and effort, makes their job easier, and is a big plus for me in acquiring ( and expanding ) projects and licensing images of Washington DC

Cherry Blossoms Washington DC

Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom with the Jefferson Memorial at sunrise while walking along the Tidal Basin in Washington DC

National Building Museum / HDR

It's taken me a while but have finally discovered HDR Photography - or at least how I might apply it to my work.  I've basically avoided using HDR until now mainly because most examples I have seen appear a bit overdone and perhaps a little to cartoonish for my taste.  I guess I shyed away from using it thinking that some of this HDR look might be faddish and appear dated in a few years.  But - I've seen other work by a few photographers that have used it tastefully - so I've given it a try with the idea of applying HDR and hopefully maintaining a somewhat "real" look.  Here's a sample of my first attempt using HDR - one of my favorite interior spaces in Washington DC - The National Building Museum.  You can see more images from this shoot towards the end of my Washington DC Architecture Gallery included in my Collection of Washington DC Photography.

Spring Time Washington DC - For a Day In January

It's January 29th - 72 Degrees and Sunny here in Washington DC. 

Incredible! - Such a wonderful break from our typical Washington Winter Weather - I'll take it -  had a Most Enjoyable Day in the Sunshine and am still feeling energized - but - the Dreaded February is upon us - the Longest Month of the Year for me. Hopefully we'll see a Massive Snow  ( or two ) this coming Month to shut things down and take us off the grid for a few days - then look forward to Spring when I always feel renewed and full of Hope and Promise.  Enjoy! and stay busy with whatever Satisfies your Soul.

Washington DC Stock Photography Licensing

Here's another example of licensing images from my archive of Washington DC Photography.  This image of the Jefferson Memorial was chosen for the cover of Washingtonian Magazine's Welcome Guide. Image selected from my Washington DC Architectural Details Gallery included in my Collection of Washington DC Stock Photography.

Postcard from this Week

US Capitol Washington DC

Fall Color in Washington DC

October is my favorite Month of the Year.  I am truly blessed to live in my little corner of this world that for a short few weeks simply glows with spectacular fall color.  The shots above are basically the view I enjoy through the large picture window in front of my desk, here in my office.  I hope you might,  as I do,  slow down and take a little time each day to enjoy the Beauty of the World around you.

iPhonography

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic

Details of WWII Fighter

Garrett County Airport  /  McHenry, MD

The iPhone Camera is your Friend

Glen Echo Park   iPhone w/Hipstamatic

Whenever I'm out shooting architectural details I naturally snap a few with my iPhone.  Many times afterwards I find, with certain images, I prefer the "quality" and "aesthetic" of several iPhone images over the the dslr images.  Here's a piece recently written by PhotoShelter co-founder Allen Murabayashi, included in Wired Magazine, that touches on this very topic.  Allen was kind enough to include me in the piece - it's funny to read the comments by readers.  I don't understand why so many appear to be dead set against ( afraid of ) the use of any and all the wonderful tools available in creating images.  The point is not to get hung up on the equipment or method - to me it's more about creative self expression - however it might be accomplished.

Here's the piece:  Why Instagram is Terrible for Photographers, and Why You Should Use It

Stock Images are Wherever You Are

I always say, " Beauty is all around us, Art is Wherever you are".  The same can be said for creating marketable stock photography.  Images are everywhere - you just have to look around.  I recently came upon this cover I licensed an image for a while back.  This was shot on vacation, and for me yet another random architectural detail type image that I obsessively create and add to my collection of stock photography.  But - to this savvy art director - the perfect image they were seeking for their cover.  You can see many more similar images in my Eastern Shore Virginia Gallery - all shot on vacation btw.

Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

If you plan on shooting the Cherry Blossoms this year you better get ready.  The Cherry Blossoms in DC, around the Tidal Basin,  are reaching Peak Bloom very early this year. Peak Bloom expected Tuesday 3/20.  Get down early to beat the crowds and capture wonderful views to include the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial.  If you happen to miss them around the Tidal Basin you always have the chance to catch them a bit later on the grounds of the US Capitol - the West side of the US Capitol offers some opportunity for great images as well as the East Side near the Supreme Court.  Here's an article included in this month's Popular Photography including a few tips from me on photographing the Cherry Blossoms in DC.  I'm hoping for a day or two of dramatic early morning light to add images to my Cherry Blossom Gallery within my collection of Washington DC Images.

No Snow

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic + OldPhoto 

February is over and Spring is almost here - by now our chances of any substantial snowfall in the DC Area are about 0%.  Too bad - I love a massive crippling accumulation when everything shuts down for a few days - it also makes for great images.  Going through my iPhone Photo Gallery I came across this image from last year at the beginning of one such Storm. I don't mind though - and am ready for Spring in DC.  I live in the Enchanted Forest and soon everything will be blossoming and blooming.

Chincoteague Island Mermaid

iPhone w/Hipstamatic

Stumbled upon this lovely display in someone's front yard while Walking the Earth - (actually riding a scooter) - through the back streets of Chincoteague Island, VA.  I have so many good images from wandering around Assateague / Chincoteague Island in the early morning hours - just viewing the World around Me - the best way to start your day -  Art is Wherever You Are.

Washington DC / Springtime in February

iPhone w/ Hipstamatic

This has been the mildest Winter in Washington DC that I can remember.  I've been taking advantage of this Spring-like weather to add images to my Washington DC Galleries and Stock Images Galleries.  I'm always working towards building the most comprehensive collection of stock photography images of Washington DC I can.  I love the beauty and architecture of DC.  Prior to a meeting last week I took a wonderful stroll around the US Capitol - that's how I've built up my entire collection of DC images - just being there.

Rainy Day Near Dupont Circle

iPhone w/ PixelBender

Crossing the street near Dupont Circle in Washington D.C. on a rainy day.  I always say, "Bad Weather makes Good Photos". Wherever you are at any given moment there are interesting images to be had - you just have to look around.

Glen Echo Park Carousel

Glen Echo Carousel

iPhone with Hipstamatic App

I love the architectural details within Glen Echo Park.  Feel free to view more images in my Architectural Details Gallery included in my Collection of Washington D.C. Stock Photography.

Marine Corp Memorial / Washington DC Skyline

Marine Corp Memorial with Washington DC Skyline and Full Moon
See more in the War Memorials Gallery in my Collection of Washington DC Stock Images

The Art of Imaging / Washington Design Center

I am thrilled to have some of my work featured, along with nine other accomplished Washington DC Photographers / Artists, at the Architectural and Design Photography / The Art of Imaging show held at the Washington Design Center.

The show is sponsored by Dodge Chrome and Washington Design Center and is to showcase innovative imaging techniques by designers of Dodge Chrome, Inc. Various examples of these techniques, including " environmental interior decor " where photographic images are printed on a myriad of environmental surfaces, including metal, acrylic, wood, canvas, and paper, will show how these processes have revolutionized the design field.

A special thanks to Theo Adamstein, Carol Ann Boyd, and Ann Dominiski for including my work in this show.

To view an online archive of my Washington DC Stock Photography and other imagery used extensively by designers and art buyers for Hospitality, Healthcare, and Corporate Decor please click here: Washington DC Stock Photography

Postcard from this Week