Photographic Randomness: I figure I share a little bit of the Tidal Basin shoot experiences.

The night before I set everything up on my big camera bag (it is a lot easier to distribute the weight comfortably on the big backpack comparing with the smaller one when it is completely loaded), and went to bed…

4:30 AM – Alarm rings, I turned it off and stretched…

5:30 AM – I actually wake up, curse the gods of alarms, and the scientist (for not yet given me a time manipulation field) equally, and start getting ready.

The original plan called for a 5 o’clock arrival to DC, I was going to park at Union Station, get a coffee, perhaps a pastry, and then take a cab to the Tidal Basin area… Instead, I arrived to DC at 6 AM, parked in Ohio Drive (you’re not supposed to do that until 8 AM), and ran to the Tidal Basin area (with a total lack of caffeine in my system) to meet with Kevin (seriously, check this guy’s HDR work).

Then off course, I ran into a bit of problems with my chosen focal length (I recently mentioned that I only carry the 50 and a 85mm now… well, what I forgot to mention was this)

my 50 took a fall

So I was left with the 85mm as my primary lens… not the best of options.
Anyway, I took a ton of pictures, I borrowed Kevin’s 17-40 and made some more panos, and life was good.

I decided that I was gonna go back, and hopefully the blossoms would be out, Kevin went today and said that there were some, but hopefully tomorrow would be better (it will be the last time I go out this season), and I’m bringing this puppy with me.

So testing for review, and perhaps future purchase… we will see.

Please check Kevin’s site for more pictures, also, Gilmar Smith started a blog (if you haven’t seen her shots… go do that now… fine, HERE), subscribe, and I am really waiting for her to start posting lighting diagrams and tutorials… it is very promising.

Here are some more pictures from the weekend.