Photography: Cherry Blossoms by Night
Cherry blossoms approach peak bloom at the Tidal Basin Sunday evening
Having missed this weekend's Cherry Blossom festival kick-off due to a mini-vacation, I took a trip down to D.C. Sunday evening to try out my new camera and external flash. Let me begin by saying that I would highly recommend viewing the blossoms at night. There was plenty of parking, no crowds, and it was absolutely gorgeous, even at night. It's a different experience strolling down the Tidal Basin walk in almost complete silence, without thousands of tourists pushing through from all directions. Most of the time I saw no-one else, which kind of surprised me, given that the blossoms are almost at peak bloom.
I found a tree that aligned with the Jefferson Memorial and set up my tripod and camera. I also wanted to try to include the walkway in the photo, something that's not possible to photograph during the day given the constant flow of tourists down the same walk. Well, just after setting up my gear, a lone couple decided to stop and gaze at the Jefferson, right in front of me and the camera. I'm thinking, the entire Tidal Basin is empty and the two of you decide park yourself right next to me? I patiently waited, and after about five minutes they realized they were not alone and quickly moved on. Perhaps it was my super bright external flash hitting them from the side that ruined their moment, not sure. :) Anyway, it just took a moment to photograph the scene that I wanted and I quickly made my way back home after a super busy weekend. The camera details are as follows: Sony A350, ISO 100, F9, 13 second exposure with external flash.
By Kevin Ambrose |
March 31, 2008; 7:00 PM ET
Cherry Blossoms
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Photography
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Posted by: Camden, Capital Weather Gang | March 31, 2008 7:16 PM
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Nice pics.
I was at the Tidal Basin twice today, and was surprised at how the weather really affected the crowds. We drove down at 630 this evening and easily found a parking place near the Tidal Basin. We walked around the entire basin with just a few people out for most of the way. Only ran into a few large groups near the Jefferson Memorial.
Posted by: Curmudgeon | March 31, 2008 11:55 PM
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Hey Kevin. Awesome pic at night, I like this one alot. I was in D.C. on Saturday for the first day of the festival and it was so beautiful. I got more photography during the daylight hours and not as much at night and there was that Smithsonian Kite Festival, which scores of people crowded into the National Mall. But I might go back to the Tidal Basin again very soon within the next day or so and capture more angles and perspectives.
A gorgeous time of year.
Posted by: Jim Schuyler | April 1, 2008 7:58 AM
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I went to check out the cherry blossoms this morning after reading this post, but the cherry blossoms were 80% gone! Apparently the winds that kicked up last night after midnight blew most of them off the trees!
Posted by: Kalorama Park | April 1, 2008 7:58 AM
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ThaKevin, thanks for a great photograph! After leaving an event at the KC last night about 10:30, I drove by the tidal basin and marveled at how beautiful it was, even at night. The mist on the trees made the whole scene practically glow from the street lights. Truly one of the magical scenes we stumble upon every so often as we go about our daily lives in this city.
Posted by: Ft Washington | April 1, 2008 10:44 AM
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Kalorama, I hope that's a bad April Fools joke!
Posted by: Ian, Capital Weather Gang | April 1, 2008 10:47 AM
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Sounds like a bad april fools joke to me. All indications I see still show peak bloom at the Tidal Basin. Needless to say, a gorgeous time of year.
Posted by: Jim Schuyler | April 1, 2008 11:40 AM
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It was, I just haven't been able to get into the site this morning to let you know! So here it is...APRIL FOOLS!!!!
Posted by: Kalorama Park | April 1, 2008 1:41 PM
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Several years ago I did an April Fools post about a tornado that sucked off all of the cherry blossoms and then dumped them on Baltimore. I even photoshopped a pink tornado with one of my Tidal Basin photos. The funny thing was that a few people fell for it. :)
I took more photos yesterday and I plan to go back tomorrow so I hope to have at least one more cherry blossom photo post this week. Stay tuned...
Posted by: Kevin, Capital Weather Gang | April 1, 2008 2:20 PM
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Hey Kevin. I will be going back during the day tomorrow as well, I'll be at the tidal basin and vicinity all day long starting with the early morning shots from near the Jefferson and then it's on from there.
I'm so psyched to get more pics again.
Posted by: Jim Schuyler | April 1, 2008 3:10 PM
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Kevin, I hope everything works out for you on the photo shooting end tomorrow. It should prove spectacular and I'll be at the tidal basin and vicinity basically all day.
-Jim
Posted by: Jim Schuyler | April 1, 2008 3:12 PM
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way to go - this is gorgeous... new camera or not, you have full-on skills! :)