Korean War Veterans Memorial - Washington, DC

Korean War Veterans Memorial - Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” - General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command in Korea

For me personally I have always found the Korean War Veterans Memorial one of the most profound and at the same time saddest memorials on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It may have to do with the fact that it is often overlooked by the nearby memorials of the ever so popular Lincoln Memorial and emotional Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Korean War has been nicknamed, “The Forgotten War” since it has been overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War. It is unfortunate that most Americans still overlook this period of our history.

The memorial consists of nineteen stainless-steel soldiers on combat patrol marching through rough terrain. It was dedicated in 1995 to honor the nearly 37,000 Americans who gave their lives in the 1950-1953 war (or conflict as some may call it).

As a photographer I have alway found it difficult to photograph the Korean War Veterans Memorial from an artistic point of view. It doesn’t have the grand Parthenon-inspired architecture like the Lincoln Memorial nor does it have the majesty of the World War II Memorial. Also, the lighting on the statues can be very contrasty and not consistent from statue to statue. I have been at this memorial many times and I have always had a hard time looking for a creative angle. One morning I walked down to the memorial before sunrise and circled around the soldiers before I eyed this composition.

I was playing around with Nik HDR Efex Pro 2 and I came up with this unique color scheme. It reminded me of those old Korean War film footage that were shot in black and white and later converted to color.

2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Korean War. In light of the Memorial Day holiday, which in the United States is a day to honor and remember the fallen who have given their lives in service to their country, I wanted to pay tribute to these soldiers and let them know they have not been forgotten.

Honor the Fallen!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Political Storms bursts over Washington, DC

Political Storms bursts over Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

People accuse me of “Photoshopping” my photographs. That’s crazy! All my photographs are SOOAA, that is “straight out of Apple Aperture.”

I was walking in Lafayette Square, a public park located directly north of the White House, in Washington, DC last week. I noticed these cumulus clouds and composed a couple of photographs. I know this is Washington, DC where everything is an illusion, but I pulled no magic tricks in post-production. I simply increased the contrast and bumped up the vibrancy. Mother nature gets all the credit for this one.

It has been a roller coaster week here in the nation’s capitol. Scandals have burst over the political weather front from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limiting free speech to the Justice Department spying on reporter’s phone records.

I guess my “Photoshopping,” I mean my SOOAA skills, aren’t the only scandals brewing in Washington, DC.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Springtime at the U.S. Capitol - Washington, DC

Springtime at the U.S. Capitol - Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

"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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Photobombing Thomas Jefferson - Tidal Basin, Washington DC, USA

Photobombing Thomas Jefferson - Tidal Basin, Washington DC, USA, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

No, I am not an impostor! This is Sam Antonio Photography’s official travel photography blog.

For my friends and for those for some odd reason who follow me and my second rate photography, know I love to shoot in saturated colors. So what is this black and white photograph?

I love going out to the Jefferson Memorial because it is not swamped with tourists as other memorials and it has gorgeous views of the tidal basin since it sits on prime real estate. Besides, Thomas Jefferson is considered one of America’s most intellectual president, just showing up at his memorial makes me that much smarter.

I love this anecdote of President Jefferson. Reflecting on Jefferson’s broad-based knowledge, President Kennedy once welcomed a group of forty-nine Nobel laureates to the White House with these words:

“I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” (Address to Nobel Laureates, Dinner for Nobel Prize Winners of the Western Hemisphere, 29 April 1962.)

The inside of the memorial has very dull colors so I went with black and white to give it more of an artistic flair. I jumped into the frame of this long exposure shot at the last minute. I just love photobombing Tommy Jefferson!

I’m Sam Antonio and I approve this photograph.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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A Charlie Brown Christmas from Washington, D.C. 2012

A Charlie Brown Christmas from Washington, D.C. 2012, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Last year I spent time in Washington, D.C. visiting my sister and photographing the monuments and memorials. I was at the U.S. Capitol to photograph the Capitol Christmas Tree (this year’s White House Christmas Tree was a dud).

Besides the Christmas tree, there are two other temporary changes at the Capitol if you look closely. One, you can see the scaffolding on the Capital lawn preparing for President Obama’s inauguration ceremony next year. Two, the Capitol flags are at half-staff as a sign of respect for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

I will leave it to the Peanuts character Linus to explain the true meaning of Christmas. In this classic cartoon, Linus recites from The Book of Luke to tell Charlie Brown the true meaning of Christmas.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid, and the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Happy Travels!

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The National World War II Memorial - Washington, D.C.

National World War II Memorial - Washington, D.C., a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

I had a tough time photographing the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. due to the weather. The day I was photographing the memorial it was overcast and raining. The one break I had was when I took this photograph, when for a brief moment the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

I love the many juxtapositions in this photograph. The World War II Memorial contrasted against the Washington Monument. The warm light shining on Admiral Nimitz’s words contrasted against the dark sky. The group of youthful teens oblivious to the aging veteran (as seen in his shadow) paying his respects to his fallen comrades.

Travel photography is 95% frustration and 5% pure joy. I love it when that 5% comes together!

Happy Travels!

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Do you know about "The Three Servicemen" in Washington, D.C.?

Do you know about "The Three Servicemen" in Washington, D.C.?, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

"The Three Servicemen" is a bronze statue, on the Washington, D.C. National Mall commemorating the Vietnam War. It was created and designed to complement the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, by adding a more traditional component to the Memorial.

Did you know that The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by a 21-year old Yale University architecture student, Maya Ying Lin from Athens, Ohio out of a total 1,421 entries received as part of the design competition.

Did you know that "The Three Servicemen", unveiled on Veterans Day, 1984, was designed by Frederick Hart, who placed third in the original memorial design competition.

Taken with my iPhone 4s.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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