Shine on you crazy diamond

Shine on you crazy diamond, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun? 
The National Building Museum (NBM) in Washington D.C. is a huge space to a big guy like me so it must look even bigger to my Nephew Manny here. As you can see he took it in stride. The great hall is supported by several of the giant columns you see in the background. They are truly colossal in scale. While the NBM is not the most popular destination in Washington, it's a fantastic place to go if you are in town.

This is a 3 shot HDR which is the largest number of exposures I can generally shoot hand held and have some chance of aligning and stitching together. Since the kid is naturally wired, he moved around during the sequence so I had to mask him into the HDR image from the middle exposure and adjust his saturation and tonal values so he seamlessly blends into the background. Shoot right into the sun? Sure. Photoshop just rocks!

When wide isn't wide enough

When wide isn't wide enough, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The security at the US Capitol building is pretty tight. While I understand very clearly why it needs to be this way, I also realized that due to the rules, Manny and I woudln't be able to carry our backpacks into the building with us. Hence no extra lenses. I chose to take my 28-135 which is a nice general lens but not wide enough to capture the entired rotunda dome. I do think the off center framing adds interest. Oh well. Maybe next time I'll take my 14mm.

I got a rocket in my pocket

I got a rocket in my pocket, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Light-weight, low slung and fast. What more could you want? OK maybe power brakes and steering, and air conditioning. Whatever. Still way cool.

Fly me to the moon

Fly me to the moon, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This is an actual lunar module which was built to fly in space during project Apollo. Its mission was to separate from the command module, fly about a hundred miles away and then link up with it again. This is the second of two test Lunar Modules built. It was never used because the first test item worked perfectly during the Apollo 9 mission.

Wide Angle View of the City by the Bay

Wide Angle View of the City by the Bay, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This was a cool guerrilla photo shoot. I was staying at the San Francisco Hyatt Regency and had found a platform on the 17th floor just adjacent to the emergency stairway. There was a concrete wall with a 9" wide gap in it that allowed me to put my camera and lens through it. This is what I saw.

Eternal Vigil

Eternal Vigil, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

It was early morning and the rain had slowed down a bit by the time Manny and I arrived at the statue of the three Vietnam soldiers in Washington DC. Located just across from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, they seem to have emerged from the trees and have paused to stare at the black wall of names. They are extremely realistic and detailed. The overall feeling there was one of sadness.

Stepped into a Painting

Stepped into a Painting, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

When Manny and I got out of the taxi that dropped us off at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., the sun was so bright and the sky was so blue it felt like we had stepped into a dream or a painting Mary Poppins style. After exploring the place and taking about a thousand photos, we decided to walk back outside and take a photo of both of us in front of the Cathedral. One day I hope he brings his kids here and remembers being here with me.

Back in Black on Acid

Back in Black on Acid, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Ok I have no idea what make or model this car is. All I know is it was massive and low slung. I would guess in an accident it would tear up any Honda or Toyota and suffer very little damage. Just look at that bumper! I should mention that while I was busy taking this shot, Kathy was getting some awesome shots of a Thunderbird that had pulled in when I wasn't looking. You can actually see me taking this shot in her photo (look on the right) here

Under one roof

Under one roof, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

San Franciso's Crocker Galleria has an amazing glass atrium that stretches the full length of the building. I was thrown out of the shopping center by the tripod police (security) just after taking these shots. I'm glad I had already eaten lunch before breaking out my camera gear.

La rue n'est pas doux, the street is not kind

La rue n'est pas doux, the street is not kind, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I had worked a very long day and was heading for some dinner and then back to my hotel room for some much needed sleep. I was waiting for the light to change so I could walk into San Francisco's ferry building when I spotted good old no. 1007 heading my way. I very rapidly setup my tripod and mounted the camera. By the time I had attached my off camera shutter release and took 5 of my 10 shots she was moving out of the frame. So what you see here is a single shot psuedo HDR, something I rarely ever do.