"I love to go to Washington - if only to be near my money." - Bob Hope
The U.S. Capitol Building’s distinctive dome stands as Washington DC’s famous landmark. The 19th-century neoclassical building has served as the seat of American lawmaking since the first Congress in 1800.
If the bright colorful flowers don't bring a smile to your face then maybe this will:
Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. - P. J. O'Rourke
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Showing posts with label Scenics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scenics. Show all posts
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Cherry Blossom Sunrise at the Jefferson Memorial - Tidal Basin, Washington, DC; USA
This is not a true HDR photograph since this is from a single RAW file. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark II with 21-megapixels and if I shot HDR with multiple RAW exposures I would need to start clearing out my camera gear to make room for more hard drives.
The Yoshino Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC only bloom in the spring and the window of opportunity is very small. I photographed this on a Tuesday when the cherry blossoms were at their peak and by that Friday night strong winds blew most of them off the trees. As with any once-a-year photographic opportunity, it can be very crowded with people, especially at sunrise.
The most photogenic groups of cherry blossoms are located around the Tidal Basin which is a man-made inlet adjacent to the Potomac River. That morning hordes of photographers were jockeying for position to get their shot and in the process stepping into each other’s shots. Having spent some time at the Tidal Basin the day before I scouted out a great place to photograph the sunrise for the next day.
I stood on the bridge between The Jefferson Memorial and The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. I set up my tripod right against the bridge railing so if any photographer wanted to get in front of my shot, he or she would find themselves swimming in the Tidal Basin, a very dirty Tidal Basin.
The weird looking sky is compliments of airplane contrails. I think some lowly government bureaucrat ordered a fly by just to ruin my sunrise shot.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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The Yoshino Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC only bloom in the spring and the window of opportunity is very small. I photographed this on a Tuesday when the cherry blossoms were at their peak and by that Friday night strong winds blew most of them off the trees. As with any once-a-year photographic opportunity, it can be very crowded with people, especially at sunrise.
The most photogenic groups of cherry blossoms are located around the Tidal Basin which is a man-made inlet adjacent to the Potomac River. That morning hordes of photographers were jockeying for position to get their shot and in the process stepping into each other’s shots. Having spent some time at the Tidal Basin the day before I scouted out a great place to photograph the sunrise for the next day.
I stood on the bridge between The Jefferson Memorial and The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. I set up my tripod right against the bridge railing so if any photographer wanted to get in front of my shot, he or she would find themselves swimming in the Tidal Basin, a very dirty Tidal Basin.
The weird looking sky is compliments of airplane contrails. I think some lowly government bureaucrat ordered a fly by just to ruin my sunrise shot.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Friday, August 23, 2013
I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever - Wai' Oli Hui'ia Church, Kauai
I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever - Wai' Oli Hui'ia Church, Kauai, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.
For over 100 years the Wai’oli Hui’ia Church’s green, gothic, iconic sanctuary has been a landmark in the small town of Hanalei, located in the North Shore of the island of Kauai.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Tuesday, August 20, 2013
You can take a crappy shot of Paradise - Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
In Kauai, Hawaii you have sunshine and rain and then more rain. That’s fine with me as long as there isn’t any snow in the forecast. Remember there are no snowblowers in paradise.
Last month I was on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii (The Garden Isle). This photo I took of Hanalei Bay, in the North Shore of Kauai, is straight out of the camera (and Santa Claus is a real guy). It was raining and overcast when I took this shot so I had to do some tweaks in Apple Aperture. The photo was in bad shape.
Maybe I can blame it on my camera lens. Look closely and you can see that most of the scene isn’t very sharp. I attribute that to my beaten up Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens. I think it is in need of calibration, but I am too lazy to bring it in to the local Canon repair center.
I am trying to remember when my lens when out of whack. Was it when I took it along on an ill-advised horseback riding trip in Costa Rica where I was nearly thrown off my horse? Maybe when I was photographing on top of an elephant in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Riding an elephant is fine for the first ten minutes, but then all the swaying back and forth gets old and besides, it isn’t the safest thing for an expensive camera lens. Perhaps it was when I was in the back of a motorbike in Vietnam. I kept hearing this clanking noise and I thought it was the motorbike about to fall apart. Only did I realize since I was carry my camera with a Black Rapid camera sling, that the lens was banging against the motorbike. Not a good thing.
Or perhaps I suck as a photographer.
I seldom make Flickr Explore (has anybody figured out how that works) and I rarely win any photograph competitions (maybe it would help if I submitted some photos).
Okay, is there a Un-Suck filter in Apple Aperture?
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
Why don't you join me on Facebook?
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Last month I was on the beautiful island of Kauai, Hawaii (The Garden Isle). This photo I took of Hanalei Bay, in the North Shore of Kauai, is straight out of the camera (and Santa Claus is a real guy). It was raining and overcast when I took this shot so I had to do some tweaks in Apple Aperture. The photo was in bad shape.
Maybe I can blame it on my camera lens. Look closely and you can see that most of the scene isn’t very sharp. I attribute that to my beaten up Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS lens. I think it is in need of calibration, but I am too lazy to bring it in to the local Canon repair center.
I am trying to remember when my lens when out of whack. Was it when I took it along on an ill-advised horseback riding trip in Costa Rica where I was nearly thrown off my horse? Maybe when I was photographing on top of an elephant in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Riding an elephant is fine for the first ten minutes, but then all the swaying back and forth gets old and besides, it isn’t the safest thing for an expensive camera lens. Perhaps it was when I was in the back of a motorbike in Vietnam. I kept hearing this clanking noise and I thought it was the motorbike about to fall apart. Only did I realize since I was carry my camera with a Black Rapid camera sling, that the lens was banging against the motorbike. Not a good thing.
Or perhaps I suck as a photographer.
I seldom make Flickr Explore (has anybody figured out how that works) and I rarely win any photograph competitions (maybe it would help if I submitted some photos).
Okay, is there a Un-Suck filter in Apple Aperture?
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
Why don't you join me on Facebook?
Still figuring out Google +
Follow me on Twitter!
I'm over at Pinterest too!
Sam's Photography Blog
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Sunday, August 18, 2013
The Beach Boys “Surfin’ USA”
The Beach Boys classic song, “Surfin’ USA,” mentions some top surfing beaches in San Diego County. Here they are featured in the lyrics in bold.
Watch the Beach Boys perform “Surfin’ USA”
If everybody had an ocean
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody'd be surfin'
Like Californ-i-a
You'd seem 'em wearing their baggies
Huarachi sandals too
A bushy bushy blonde hairdo
Surfin' U.S.A.
You'd catch 'em surfin' at Del Mar
Ventura County line
Santa Cruz and Trestles
Australia's Narrabeen
All over Manhattan
And down Doheny way
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
We'll all be planning out a route
We're gonna take real soon
We're waxing down our surfboards
We can't wait for June
We'll all be gone for the summer
We're on surfari to stay
Tell the teacher we're surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
Haggerty's and Swami's
Pacific Palisades
San Onofre and Sunset
Redondo Beach L.A.
All over La Jolla
At Waimea Bay
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin U.S.A
Yeah, everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin U.S.A.
I took this sunset photograph of Oceanside Beach which isn’t featured in the song.
It doesn’t matter because...
Everybody’s gone surfin’
Surfin’ U.S.A.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Watch the Beach Boys perform “Surfin’ USA”
If everybody had an ocean
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody'd be surfin'
Like Californ-i-a
You'd seem 'em wearing their baggies
Huarachi sandals too
A bushy bushy blonde hairdo
Surfin' U.S.A.
You'd catch 'em surfin' at Del Mar
Ventura County line
Santa Cruz and Trestles
Australia's Narrabeen
All over Manhattan
And down Doheny way
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
We'll all be planning out a route
We're gonna take real soon
We're waxing down our surfboards
We can't wait for June
We'll all be gone for the summer
We're on surfari to stay
Tell the teacher we're surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
Haggerty's and Swami's
Pacific Palisades
San Onofre and Sunset
Redondo Beach L.A.
All over La Jolla
At Waimea Bay
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin' U.S.A.
Everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin U.S.A
Yeah, everybody's gone surfin'
Surfin U.S.A.
I took this sunset photograph of Oceanside Beach which isn’t featured in the song.
It doesn’t matter because...
Everybody’s gone surfin’
Surfin’ U.S.A.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Friday, August 16, 2013
You stay classy, San Diego!
"Mmm. San Diego. Drink it in, it always goes down smooth." - Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Sunny days and mild, year-round weather make San Diego’s beaches a world class destination. Winter in San Diego is the best time to photograph landscapes and seascapes due to clear skies (no haze or fog).
Imperial Beach is a residential beach city in San Diego County, California. It has the distinction of being the most southwesterly city in the continental United States. If you were standing on the Imperial Beach Pier you would get a clear view of Mexico, which is only a stone’s throw away (that is if you have an arm like quarterback Cam Newton).
I took this photograph of the pier right before sunset. As luck would have it a young couple ran across the beach and into my frame. That’s San Diego for you...having fun in the sun!
I hope you are enjoying my San Diego series and as Ron Burgundy would say in his signature sign off for each broadcast, "You stay classy, San Diego!"
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
Why don't you join me on Facebook?
Still figuring out Google +
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Sunny days and mild, year-round weather make San Diego’s beaches a world class destination. Winter in San Diego is the best time to photograph landscapes and seascapes due to clear skies (no haze or fog).
Imperial Beach is a residential beach city in San Diego County, California. It has the distinction of being the most southwesterly city in the continental United States. If you were standing on the Imperial Beach Pier you would get a clear view of Mexico, which is only a stone’s throw away (that is if you have an arm like quarterback Cam Newton).
I took this photograph of the pier right before sunset. As luck would have it a young couple ran across the beach and into my frame. That’s San Diego for you...having fun in the sun!
I hope you are enjoying my San Diego series and as Ron Burgundy would say in his signature sign off for each broadcast, "You stay classy, San Diego!"
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Sunday, August 11, 2013
There are no Snow Blowers in Paradise
This photograph is for to all my friends who live in areas where winter is defined by freezing temperatures, bleak skies and the sound of snow blowers.
This is the beach at Tulum which is located in the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. White, limestone sands and crystal blue waters all dramatically situated by ancient Mayan ruins.
Paradise found!
I was born and raised in San Diego, California where the sun shines year around. When the weather dips below 60 degrees we call that freezing temperatures in Southern California.
A couple of years ago, for some odd reason that I can’t explain even today, I decided to take a job promotion in Appleton, Wisconsin. So I traded in the sand for the snow and left the sunny shores of California for the Midwest.
Big mistake.
One winter day in December a blizzard greeting us by dumping an enormous amount of snow. Later that evening, after work, I was out in my driveway shoveling snow. I didn’t have a snow blower for two reasons: (1) I thought I wouldn’t be in Wisconsin very long (I ended up being there for two years). (2) I thought shoveling snow would be great exercise. My neighbor next door saw I was getting nowhere fast so he came over with his snow blower to help me out.
Mind you this was in the evening where the temperature dropped down to about twenty degrees. This California boy was bundled up in my thickest down jacket with five layers of REI’s best synthetic clothing. My neighbor kept warm with just camouflage sweat pants and a Green Bay Packer hoodie.
“Are you warm in that?” I asked.
“Oh this is nothing. December is when we get all the snow, but in January is when the temperature really drops, sometimes below zero,” he replied, “you know, you should really buy a snow blower.”
I never did buy that snow blower.
I ended up buying a round trip ticket to the Philippines where I enjoyed nearly three weeks of sunshine in January.
I never did see a snow blower in the Philippines nor in Tulum, Mexico and I don’t ever intend to see one ever again.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
Why don't you join me on Facebook?
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This is the beach at Tulum which is located in the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. White, limestone sands and crystal blue waters all dramatically situated by ancient Mayan ruins.
Paradise found!
I was born and raised in San Diego, California where the sun shines year around. When the weather dips below 60 degrees we call that freezing temperatures in Southern California.
A couple of years ago, for some odd reason that I can’t explain even today, I decided to take a job promotion in Appleton, Wisconsin. So I traded in the sand for the snow and left the sunny shores of California for the Midwest.
Big mistake.
One winter day in December a blizzard greeting us by dumping an enormous amount of snow. Later that evening, after work, I was out in my driveway shoveling snow. I didn’t have a snow blower for two reasons: (1) I thought I wouldn’t be in Wisconsin very long (I ended up being there for two years). (2) I thought shoveling snow would be great exercise. My neighbor next door saw I was getting nowhere fast so he came over with his snow blower to help me out.
Mind you this was in the evening where the temperature dropped down to about twenty degrees. This California boy was bundled up in my thickest down jacket with five layers of REI’s best synthetic clothing. My neighbor kept warm with just camouflage sweat pants and a Green Bay Packer hoodie.
“Are you warm in that?” I asked.
“Oh this is nothing. December is when we get all the snow, but in January is when the temperature really drops, sometimes below zero,” he replied, “you know, you should really buy a snow blower.”
I never did buy that snow blower.
I ended up buying a round trip ticket to the Philippines where I enjoyed nearly three weeks of sunshine in January.
I never did see a snow blower in the Philippines nor in Tulum, Mexico and I don’t ever intend to see one ever again.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Saturday, August 10, 2013
Maybe the world was upside down before, and now it's right side up!
Maybe the world was upside down before, and now it's right side up!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.
The feeling of not knowing where you are and where you are going is indescribable. No plans, no reservation, no itinerary.
I love to travel because it is all about the people you meet and the things you see along the way.
I suffer from a serious case of wanderlust.
After six months in Southeast Asia I headed back home to San Diego, California. After two months I was itching to get back on the road, so I packed my bag, dusted off my camera lens and headed south of the border, down Mexico way.
Tulum is a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city located on spectacular cliffs, along the East coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
I photographed this woman doing a headstand on the beautiful beach of Tulum with the Maya ruins and the turquoise water of the Caribbean in the background.
After all the media hype last year of Maya apocalypse end of the world scenarios you would think the world was turned upside down. Maybe the world was upside down, but this woman’s handstand has and now made it right side up!
So where is your wanderlust taking you this year?
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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Saturday, March 9, 2013
Reflections on Washington, D.C.
On my last night in Washington, D.C. I returned to the Lincoln Memorial, not necessarily for photography, but to reflect on my journey.
When I was a political hack many years ago I would frequent the Lincoln Memorial steps at night to take in what I believe, in my humble opinion, is one of the most inspirational views in the United States of America. From the memorial steps you can take in the views of the entire National Mall: the Reflecting Pool, The National World War II Memorial, The Washington Monument and The U.S. Capitol.
The last two years I visited the memorial the view from the steps were to say the least very uninspiring since the Reflecting Pool was undergoing structural improvements, which meant it was drained of all its water and a big, hideous fence enclosed the entire area. Without any water in the pool the iconic shot of The Washington Monument reflected in the pool was not possible. It was here at the pool that one of the most famous scenes in American cinema was filmed. Remember when Forrest Gump and Jenny ran across the Reflecting Pool to embrace one another? Now that the water was gone so was the magic.
In the two weeks I was in Washington, D.C. I would always walk past the eyesore formerly known as the Reflecting Pool. One day I was doing research for photo locations around the city when I came across a news report that the construction on the pool was done and they would start refilling the pool with water on the day before I would depart D.C. The speed of the U.S. federal government moves slower than a handicapped snail, so likewise I was not expecting them to meet their deadline.
On my last evening in D.C., I took a stroll across The National Mall toward The Lincoln Memorial. To my surprise the fence was taken down and the pool was partially filled up with water.
I sat there just enjoying the views when suddenly a tour group of high school girls approached the memorial steps and were taking pictures. I overheard one of them say, “Why is there a swimming pool there?”
“Well, like, you know, it gets hot in D.C. during the summer,” replied one girl.
I had to take this photograph just to remember the huge laugh I had that evening.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
To purchase prints, use an image for your site or to license an image please contact me at www.SamAntonio.com or leave a comment.
Why don't you join me on Facebook?
Still figuring out Google +
Follow me on Twitter!
I'm over at Pinterest too!
Sam's Photography Blog
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When I was a political hack many years ago I would frequent the Lincoln Memorial steps at night to take in what I believe, in my humble opinion, is one of the most inspirational views in the United States of America. From the memorial steps you can take in the views of the entire National Mall: the Reflecting Pool, The National World War II Memorial, The Washington Monument and The U.S. Capitol.
The last two years I visited the memorial the view from the steps were to say the least very uninspiring since the Reflecting Pool was undergoing structural improvements, which meant it was drained of all its water and a big, hideous fence enclosed the entire area. Without any water in the pool the iconic shot of The Washington Monument reflected in the pool was not possible. It was here at the pool that one of the most famous scenes in American cinema was filmed. Remember when Forrest Gump and Jenny ran across the Reflecting Pool to embrace one another? Now that the water was gone so was the magic.
In the two weeks I was in Washington, D.C. I would always walk past the eyesore formerly known as the Reflecting Pool. One day I was doing research for photo locations around the city when I came across a news report that the construction on the pool was done and they would start refilling the pool with water on the day before I would depart D.C. The speed of the U.S. federal government moves slower than a handicapped snail, so likewise I was not expecting them to meet their deadline.
On my last evening in D.C., I took a stroll across The National Mall toward The Lincoln Memorial. To my surprise the fence was taken down and the pool was partially filled up with water.
I sat there just enjoying the views when suddenly a tour group of high school girls approached the memorial steps and were taking pictures. I overheard one of them say, “Why is there a swimming pool there?”
“Well, like, you know, it gets hot in D.C. during the summer,” replied one girl.
I had to take this photograph just to remember the huge laugh I had that evening.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
To purchase prints, use an image for your site or to license an image please contact me at www.SamAntonio.com or leave a comment.
Why don't you join me on Facebook?
Still figuring out Google +
Follow me on Twitter!
I'm over at Pinterest too!
Sam's Photography Blog
Sam's Travel Photography Gallery
Monday, January 21, 2013
Jumping for Joy in the Ta Phin Village - Sapa, Vietnam
Jumping for Joy in the Ta Phin Village - Sapa, Vietnam, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.
A young boy jumps for joy in front of his school room at the Ta Phin Red Dzao ethnic minority village in Sapa, Vietnam.
I spent the day exploring this village while in Sapa which is located in the Northeastern part of Vietnam.
You can read more about my encounter with the Red Dzao by clicking this link.
Happy Travels!
Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography
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