Photo Notes:
The "Double Reflection" comes from the two different sources. The lowest reflection is from an accessory pool at the back of the WWII Memorial. The middle reflection is from the Reflecting Pool.

Photo Notes:
I thought the flag motion was pretty unique. I also like how the monument becomes a co-element versus being THE main element. Just something a little bit different.

So last week I was out in Washington, D.C. for the MAPLD 2006 International Conference. I can 100% guarantee that none of my readers know anything about this, nor do they care. It's basically a bunch of electrical engineers getting together to talk about computer chips that go into space or into planes. The highlight of the week was an evening at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum with a special presentation by Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise. As I put it, "There's nothing like a bunch of space geeks at a space museum!"

Nevertheless, I was able to get out and take some photos a couple of my nights there.... My D.C. shots will be put up over the next few posts.

Photo Notes:
The Washington Memorial viewed under the Wilson Memorial Arch. My coworker and I had just hopped off of the metro train at the Smithsonian station. This the first view I had of the Memorial and I liked how the arch framed it, so of course I set up the tripod and got a few shots.

The other thing I like about this photo is that usually when you are shooting you make sure there is a clear foreground, middleground, and background in the shot. Typically the foreground object is on the bottom of the picture, but here it lies on the top - the stones of the bridge.

On the other side, you smile as you sit and think of all of the good times that you had with them while they were here. All of the laughs and interesting talks that made your day. And with that, you think, "At least I have those memories to hold me over until we see each other again."

You hope for the best for them in thier future endeavors and pray that time and distance aren't too much of a barrier for your friendship. You move on with the glimmer of hope that you will, once again, be graced with their presence.

To my little Belgium explorer, I wish you the best in your adventure. I hope that grad school is fun and that those you meet are as kind-hearted as you. Keep in touch and let me know if you need anything. I hope to see ya again soon.

Insulation? No prob. Just run down to Home Depot and pick some up, right? Exactly! Finding and buying the poly insulation was no problem. In and out in a jiffy. Now I was standing in the Home Depot parking lot, in the 100ºF heat with 60% humidity, with four (4) sheets of 4'x8'x1.5" poly insulation. Needless to say, the VW Bug I arrived in instantly seemed about the size of a matchbox car.

I thought to myself, "No problem, I've transport other sheets of 4'x8' material in the bug before by cutting them into 2'x8' sections." Of course those were thinner sheets along the lines of 1/2" thick. I went through the motions of pulling out the bottom cushion of the back seat and the head headrests. Next I pulled the back seat down and dialed the front seat back as flat as it would go. The Bug was now looking a little more spacious; about the size of a Tonka trunk...

I pulled the first sheet off the cart, scored and separated it down the middle, length-wise, and stacked the 2'x8' sections from the floor in back to the dash in front. "Fits like a glove," I thought, impressed with myself. Cutting and sliding in the second sheet started to get me a little worried; the stack was quickly nearing the roof since each sheet ended up 3" high. The third sheet got split and put in. "Wow, not much room left. Nothing to do but try the last sheet," I thought. With the last sheet cut, I slid in the first half. It didn't look like anymore would fit: "Well shit on me". I slid in the last half, keeping my toes and fingers crossed. "Perfect!" The stack came right up to the bottom of the rearview mirror. I quickly cut a couple of small pieces off of the corners in the back and I was good to close the hatch and take off. Needless to say I got a few odd looks while driving down the road with the bright pink poly insulation as my passenger.

With some pleading, Bensbane helped me cut and install the insulation. We opened the door between the house and garage and fanned in cool air. Ahhh, the comforts of AC. The garage cooled and much bouldering was done.

Mission: Success!

Photo Notes:
I just liked the colors in this photo.

Photo Notes:
I like that there is spectator in the foreground. He leads the viewer (or at least me) to the main focal point: the Fiery Sun. The dark, out of focus foreground also puts more emphasis on the brilliant sun.

Photo Notes:
Clearwater Beach Pier in Clearwater, FL.

Photo Notes:
This, again, was taken at the Clearwater Beach Pier in Clearwater Beach, FL. The original picture was a landscape shot that didn't fill the frame. The left side was boring/bland, thus reducing the interest of the photo. I cropped out the center of the picture that had the most interesting composition. Typically I don't like centering main objects (the peir/people & sun), but I think it worked out well here.

Lesson Learned:
1) Fill the frame; I need a 400mm so I don't have to crop (w/ 200mm) :-P
2) Probably not the smartest thing to mangify the retina burning ability of the sun by looking through a view finder with a magnifying lens attached.

After all of that hard work, I leave you with this photo...

Photo Notes:
This was taken at Clearwater Beach Pier in Clearwater Beach, FL. I had set up the shot to just include the sun, pier, boat, and dissolved sand castle. At the last instant before I took the shot, the little girl ran into the scene. She adds an energetic backlit human element along with an interesting shadow.

Lesson Learned:
Sometimes good shots come from preparation, patience, and vision... other times it's just plain luck.

While I was in Florida I got a chance to hang out at the Clearwater Beach. Let's just say that Clearwater Beach over Memorial Day weekend has a lot of eye candy... including a beautiful sunset. I will be putting up some of the sunset pics over the next few posts.

I'm off to Florida tomorrow so hopefully I'll hit up some cool places and get some new fun pics. See yall in a couple of weeks.