Hello all!
I hope you all had an amazing Fourth of July weekend! Jake and I definitely had a very busy one, but it was all filled with great activities!
As I mentioned before, Jake and I were invited to attend the DC fireworks from the White House lawn because of his position with the Office of the President. (Very official right?)
So we headed downtown around 3 to get there before the large crowds, and checked out the Smithsonian Folk Festival for a little bit before hand. The Folk Festival has different areas with different themes. This year it had Columbia, Peace Corps and Rhythm and Blues.
I hope you all had an amazing Fourth of July weekend! Jake and I definitely had a very busy one, but it was all filled with great activities!
As I mentioned before, Jake and I were invited to attend the DC fireworks from the White House lawn because of his position with the Office of the President. (Very official right?)
So we headed downtown around 3 to get there before the large crowds, and checked out the Smithsonian Folk Festival for a little bit before hand. The Folk Festival has different areas with different themes. This year it had Columbia, Peace Corps and Rhythm and Blues.
After snarfing down some juicy watermelon, we headed over to the White House to wait in line for the gates to open at 7. Once inside, I was a little bit in shock about where we were and it felt very surreal! I took the pictures on the Mall and these pictures below with my 35mm f/1.8G DX Lens.
Wow, I look at these pictures and I am still kind of in awe that we were there. The best part was seeing the First Family enjoying some quality time. President Obama made an appearance on the courts but I couldn't get a photo in time :(
The day was definitely a challenge for me shooting wise because of the different locations but especially the different lighting. It was sunny but overcast all day, but brighter where the sun was beginning to set, so I was constantly changing my shutter speed and aperture. I kept my ISO at 200 for most of the day, until it started to get a little darker and I wanted shots of special guests Amos Lee and Train performing.
The day was definitely a challenge for me shooting wise because of the different locations but especially the different lighting. It was sunny but overcast all day, but brighter where the sun was beginning to set, so I was constantly changing my shutter speed and aperture. I kept my ISO at 200 for most of the day, until it started to get a little darker and I wanted shots of special guests Amos Lee and Train performing.
Shooting a "concert setting" was interesting and provided for some good learning experiences. you have to deal with the lighting from the stage, as well as the lack of lighting around it. Also, people in the crowd can always make things more interesting.
Finally, the fireworks started and I was able to start my first attempt at shooting them. I did not haul my tripod onto the White House lawn, so most of these are taken just hand held, and some I propped the camera on Jake's shoulder. Our position on the lawn had the fireworks peaking through and over some of the trees on the lawn, which I actually liked. We were also dealing with a cloudy sky and a lack of wind which did cause some smoke to gather. However, all in all I was pretty impressed with what I was able to get
Finally, the fireworks started and I was able to start my first attempt at shooting them. I did not haul my tripod onto the White House lawn, so most of these are taken just hand held, and some I propped the camera on Jake's shoulder. Our position on the lawn had the fireworks peaking through and over some of the trees on the lawn, which I actually liked. We were also dealing with a cloudy sky and a lack of wind which did cause some smoke to gather. However, all in all I was pretty impressed with what I was able to get
I kept the aperture at 200, which now I think I could have bumped up slightly in hind sight. I started with my 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 lens, and then moved back to my 35mm f/1.8G DX lens. From what I can tell, there was no huge difference between the two lenses, but I think I had better luck with the first one. I varied the shutter speed and aperture a lot because I wasn't sure what would work without a tripod. I do have a 55mm to 200mm that I did not bring which may have been interesting to shoot with for a comparison.
What I really noticed about shooting these, and I am not sure if it was because I had no tripod, but I noticed that while I was taking them I kept thinking they were a lot worse that what they turned out to look like off the camera. I know this is common when shooting anything, but I found it especially true for the fireworks. So my advice is to wait until you get home to really look through them.
I really did have such a great day walking around and experimenting with my photography a bit more before I leave on Friday!!
What I really noticed about shooting these, and I am not sure if it was because I had no tripod, but I noticed that while I was taking them I kept thinking they were a lot worse that what they turned out to look like off the camera. I know this is common when shooting anything, but I found it especially true for the fireworks. So my advice is to wait until you get home to really look through them.
I really did have such a great day walking around and experimenting with my photography a bit more before I leave on Friday!!
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