More From DC and the A&S Museum

I don’t post a lot of photos from DC, but this reminded me of some favorite shots from the Air and Space Museum. You can see the Washington DC category shots here.

Daily Photo – The Lincoln Memorial

I got this photo in a hurry. I bet I raised a few security alarms too because of my unusual behavior.

I didn’t have much time, so I had my wife drive nearby and park illegally on the curb for a few minutes. She wasn’t a fan of that, but let’s not talk about this right now. So, I jumped out of the car, hauled my tripod out of the trunk, and dashed across the green hill towards the memorial. I grabbed photos in a rushed way and dashed back to the car and sped away.

更多精彩：华盛顿和航空航天博物馆

华盛顿的照片我贴得不多，但倒提醒了我还有些航空航天博物馆的得意之作。点击华盛顿影像。

每日一瞥——林肯纪念堂

这张照得有点仓促。貌似还触动了安全警报——行为异常……

时间有限，所以我拜托老婆把车开到附近，把车（非法）停在路边等几分钟。她可一点都不享受，不过先不说这个。我跳下车，拽出三脚架，直冲向纪念堂，匆匆忙忙一通快闪之后又迅速冲回车中开溜。

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3X, Travel, Washington DC

Twitter and Twitter Lists

Follow @TreyRatcliff

It’s been a while since I mentioned this stuff, and I know a bunch of y’all are on Twitter. A while back, I put together a bunch of “Twitter Lists” that will be helpful if you are new to Twitter or simply looking for more people to follow.

Daily Photo – Underwing

Here’s another handheld job from the Air & Space Museum in Washington DC. I sent out a tweet a few weeks ago and got in touch with the gal that works in the public affairs office… I twitter-charmed her into giving me the thumbs up to use a tripod next time! It took 140 delicate characters to make that happen… there are still more steps, but I am well on the way to getting proper permission. It’s too hard to sneak a tripod into this place… just forget it… armed guards and that sort of thing…

Filed under the categories: Alexandria, Nikon D3S, Virginia, Washington DC

Reminder on Zooming-In

If you want to get the original size photo, or simply zoom in to see some details, follow these steps:

• First, click on the image, and that will take you to the SmugMug gallery.
• Then, look closely at the top. You’ll see an “O”, which is usually to the right of X2 or X3. Click on that “O” – it means Original-Size

Daily Photo – The Blackbird in the Hangar

You may not even really need to be into planes to know about the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The way those letters and numbers fit together is almost poetic, isn’t it? SR-71. There is a melody to it that flows in a nice way. It almost makes me wonder if there is some military muse that comes up with some of the better names for these vehicles.

In the background there, waaay in the rear area, you can see the space shuttle. What a cool place! Of course, this is the new Air & Space Museum in DC. By luck, there was a rail here for me to secure my camera to take this HDR.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3S, Travel, Washington DC

Daily Photo – Landing in the Air & Space Museum

I love this place! This was about the only place I was allowed to use my tripod (on the outside), so I spent a bit of time hunting about for best ways to capture the amazing building.

I sent the Air and Space Museum a tweet to ask if I could use my tripod.  They responded and sent me to a FAQ.  I didn’t even have to go to the FAQ to know what it should say.  I think, frankly, it would have just been easier if they had tweeted back a “no”.

So, as you can see in the collection below, I did the best I could with a few handheld HDRs.

There are a few handheld tricks I employ:

• Lock your elbows inward, on top of your abdomen.
• Hold your breath like a sniper
• Increase your ISO so it takes the multiple exposures as fast as possible
• Pray

The Inner Sanctum of the Cavernous Museum

The following photos were all previously published here on the site, but I thought it might be fun to put them all here in the same post.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3S, Nikon D3X, Travel, Washington DC

My Best Tweet Ever

Some of you follow me on Twitter to get regular useful and useless updates throughout the day. Sometimes I check back to see which tweets get “ReTweeted” the most. By far, the best tweet ever was:

@TreyRatcliff This guy traveled the world in the early 1900s & captured it all in COLOR http://bit.ly/apc4MK

If you follow me, I promise never to tell you when I am standing in line at a coffee shop. I try to do 33% inspirational tweets about interesting art and cultural finds, 33% connecting people with others, and 33% links to my own personal latest works. The last 1% is “Wildcard” (said in the Charlie voice from It’s Always Sunny).

Daily Photo – Aerophilia

Is aerophilia a word? Probably not. People that are really into planes probably have a very specific word for this, and the “wrong” word probably really irritates them… so I apologize in advance.

This wondrous place is the new Air and Space Museum in DC. I thought I knew a lot about planes until I got here. I would recognize this and that, but the whole gestalt of the place was completely overwhelming. Overwhelming in an awesome way, of course.

I only took the Nikon D3S in here (see my Nikon D3S Review) because they would not allow tripods. The D3S is so much better at quick shots with low noise. All of my HDRs in here were handheld, so I had to be sure that I took the photos quickly and with very little noise.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3S, Travel, Washington DC

Meet me at OpenCamp!

The Powers That Be talked me into speaking at OpenCa.mp, which is Aug 27-29 in Dallas. Who is OpenCamp for? As the website says, “Webmasters and web developers, bloggers, podcasters, social media enthusiasts and anyone interested in web content creation!” This is put together by the same people who did WordCamp Dallas and DrupalCamp Dallas. This should be one of the biggest events for bloggers this year – so I hope you can come out!

Cali Lewis, one of the organizers, recently mentioned OpenCamp in her recent Geekbrief video. You can get a full list of the speakers on the OpenCamp Page… along with me will be Chris Pirillo, John P, and many others.  I’ve heard Leo Laporte may even join the festivities… that would be a lot of fun to hang out with him again!

Right after OpenCamp, I’ll be heading out to Burning Man in the middle of the Black Rock Desert. That will be a wild time!

Exclusive! Video to be released on Abduzeedo!

The crew over at Abduzeedo.com grabbed the Exclusive of my new video release on Friday. It’s a bit different than anything I have ever done… I hope you like it. I’ll link over there on Friday so you can be among the first to see it.

New Prints Available

If you go over to the Prints area of the site, you can get links to all the latest prints to be released. I only release about 1% or 2% of the works as Limited Edition Numbered Prints. One of them is featured today over in a new video over at OneMansBlog.com. That print should come available soon.

Daily Photo – Univac

I’m such a nerd and I love this computer.

My background is computer science and math, so I’ve always been into computers. This UNIVAC was just hitting its stride around the time I was born, and Moore’s Law was kind enough to keep the doublings at a manageable rate so it wasn’t a whole lot faster when I got my own first computer! I think I started with the Timex Sinclair 99 before getting into the C-64, then a whole host of Amigas before getting into the world of PCs (see these old vintage ads of computer stuff I tweeted about yesterday). Anyway, I’ll try not to geek out too much here!

This photo was taken at the new Air and Space Museum in DC. There is an area in the back with all the rockets that also had the computers that were used alongside them at mission control. So, if you have any geek in you at all, I really recommend it.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3X, Washington DC

David DuChemin’s eBooks

Who is David DuChemin? He’s a great photographer, a fantastic writer, an insightful teacher, and a fun guy. What else could you ask for?

I have been exploring and reading some of David’s new eBooks. David has published two “traditional” books through Peachpit (also my publisher), and now he is putting a lot of energy into eBooks. These are very reasonably priced (around $5), so I suggest you check them out.

After reading several of David’s eBooks, I can see how much time and thought he has put into them. The books are not huge, nor are they little pamphlets. They are just about right… there is no doubt that you feel like you got more than your money’s worth. To see more, visit PixelatedImage.com. Tell me what you think!

Daily Photo – The Lincoln Memorial

DC is certainly one of those no-tripod areas, especially when very close to some of the key installations. And, some of those Federal guards are not the ones who are up for a good argument. I wonder sometimes if they do a little face-recognition on me and get a general sense of my Libertarianism. That surely would not help me win any arguments…

So I had to take this one handheld. It was dark inside and the time was way past sunset. Since the only ambient light was manmade, I had to wedge myself into a corner to keep the camera as still as possible for the exposures. Of course, quick shutter speeds are a must, so I cranked up the ISO a bit to keep things snappy.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3X, Travel, Washington DC

Thanks John P!

John P from One Man’s Blog recommended that I go try to get some proper shots of Arlington Cemetery… so, you have him to thank for these photos. Thank him by visiting his blog… he’s got a whole potpourri of goodies on there; I’m sure you’ll find something you like!

OpenCamp Dallas

Speaking of John P – he’s putting together a mega-blogging conference in Dallas called Open Camp. I recommend it! Whether you have a small blog or a big blog… for fun or for money… I think you will learn a lot, meet interesting people, and have a good time!

I’ve gotten some questions – wondering if I am going too. I do not know yet! My schedule is up in the air… But I do have it penciled in and would like to make it happen.

Daily Photo – The Endless Rows of Arlington Cemetery

Not too far from the capitol in DC is the sprawling expanse of Arlington Cemetery. It is a very somber place… It was just my son and I, walking around for quite a while together. I think it all made an impression on him.

We stayed so long into the evening — we were the last ones there! Except for the security guards, who walked with us as we were leaving, since they locked up behind us. It was nice, however — they took their time and let me set up for a few final shots with the tripod as the light was falling behind the storm clouds.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3X, Travel, Washington DC

Want to see other popular reviews?

The Reviews section of the site is filling up fast! I only review stuff that I actually use, but I find myself using more and more stuff! Also, I figure that most people don’t have time to wade through a hundred reviews, and you just want the best stuff out there… that’s what I focus on – The Best Stuff!

Some recent popular reviews include the Nik Software Review, the Woopra Review, and the still-growing Nikon 85mm Review.

Nikon D3S

It’s a great camera. It’s so great I bought one to be a backup for my D3X. Truthfully, it’s more than just a backup — well, rather than repeat myself, you can read the full thing on the Nikon D3S Review page.

Here is a sample video taken with the Nikon D3S.

The D3S is very fast with low noise, so it makes for a great hand-held HDR weapon in your arsenal… and, with that, here is a new photo for the day:

This is a 5-exposure HDR of the Enola Gay at the Air and Space Museum in DC.  It was shot with a 14-24 lens and the Nikon D3S.  The aperture was F/8 and ISO 200.

Last, here is a picture of my daughter Isabella in very very low light, where the D3S really excels

Here is my daughter in downtown Tampa.  How’s that for low-light performance?  Shot with an 85mm 1.4 lens.  This is ISO 1250 on an 85mm lens shot at f/1.4.  1/90th of a second.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3S, Travel, Washington DC

Workshop review from Jim Caldwell

At the Florida workshop, a nice gentleman named Jim Caldwell came up to interview me on camera during the first lunch break.  He was a heck of a nice guy, and today he sent me this HDR workshop review that he just released.  Thanks Jim!

First Nikon D3S Photo

I’m still writing my Nikon D3S Review, so get ready for that.  I think I’ll give the first look to people that subscribe to the newsletter.  So, far, I’m very impressed.  In prepping for the event, below is an HDR photo I took yesterday with the new camera.

Daily Photo – The Shuttle in Spacedock

I finally got to see the Space Shuttle!  It’s one of those things a young boy always dreams of seeing, don’t you know?  I’m still waiting on that phone call from NASA where they invite me to see one blast off.  I’d love to do a creative shot there…

This was shot in the new Air and Space Museum on DC.  Yes, not that old one that I used to think was cool when I was a kid.  This is a new and improved center that is completely unbelievable. I had a small argument with a security guard that would not let me take my tripod.  He said I needed a “blue card”.  I asked how to get that and he said the only person that could possibly give it to me was probably at home.  There were a number of bureaucracies where I could have filed a series of complaints, but only if such complaints were filled out in a way as pre-approved by other bureaucracies.  I did send out a self-serving Tweet to @Smithsonian asking them for special dispensation — I hoped to sway them since, after all, one of my photos did hang in the Smithsonian.  They did indeed respond, but one day late. So, I’ll still keep @Smithsonian on one of my Five Twitter Lists.

So, I was forced to take my HDR shots with a hand-held pose.  How barbaric and depressing.  I would try to wedge myself up against a beam or a foreigner when possible, but that rarely works out as good as a tripod.  Those things are never placed in the right compositional spots, sadly.

But, I did have the Nikon D3S as a backup, and I fired this one off.  It was a 4-exposure HDR from -2 to +1.  ISO 400, 23mm, f/6.7 and 1/6 second shutter speed. The +2 exposure was too blurry, and I got most of the light I needed out of the +1 anyway.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3S, Virginia, Washington DC

Newsletter Soon

I’m working on a new newsletter… all sorts of interesting stuff. I try to give newsletter people sneak peaks, and I have a few things in mind for this time. As always, it’s free… something pretty for your inbox!

Silver Efex Pro

The shot below is a black and white HDR that had some treatment in Silver Efex Pro. I posted one of these not too long ago, but here is a pointer to my Silver Efex Pro Review for you. Even if you think you are not into B&W photography, you will be after using this! The coupon code of “STUCKINCUSTOMS” saves you money too, in case you decide you love the free trial and want to get it.

Daily Photo – The Raised Bones of Arlington National Cemetery

My friend John P from One Man’s Blog suggested that I visit this place while I am on my little trip to DC. It was already on my list, but he bumped it up! I went there to shoot at sunset, and got back to the hotel in enough time to process.

To be honest, it’s quite difficult to make 365 images per year that pass my quality standards! Really! Maybe it looks easy or something… but I assure you it is not! Hehe…

Anyway, it was just my young son and I wandering around the cemetery for a few hours as the sun was going down on a dreary and rainy day here in Washington, D.C. Arlington National Cemetery is considered hallowed grounds around here, and it was a life-changing experience for my son.

After a long walk in a nearly empty cemetery, we made our way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The entire facility was closing, and the guard told us it was time to leave. I talked to him for a moment, and he let my son and I through. We went to the steps of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and sat there for a long time. We were totally alone except for the solitary Honor Guard who was guarding the tomb. There was a light rain and not much day remaining. The Honor Guard walked towards one end of the path, clicked his heels, checked his gun, stood guard, then strode back and forth along his short route. It was completely amazing to be there alone in the rain… just watching this happen again and again.

Filed under the categories: Nikon D3X, Travel, Washington DC

I was informed by the gentleman that runs a very popular city guide service that one of my shots is in the city guide. It was taken at the Lincoln Memorial around midnight and I included it below. You can see it at the guide by clicking here.

Filed under the categories: Travel, Washington DC