The Last Images from Washington

Its been a long time processing some of the hundreds....OK thousands... of shots taken in Washington this summer.  I hope you have enjoyed them and also learned a little about the rich history that accompanies these images.

The Smithsonian Castle.  Did you know that the Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum complex & research organization, consisting of a national zoo, nineteen museums and nine research centres? In 1826 James Smithson (British Scientist) left his estate to his nephew, who then died in 1836 leaving no heirs. According to Smithson's will, should the nephew die without heirs the entire estate was to then be given to the United States to found the Smithsonian Institution.....and the rest, they say, is history.

 

The National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art - East Building

This shot is one of my favourites, even though taken looking directly into the sun makes for harsh light. Taken at 16mm with the camera about 18" off the ground, this shot is virtually uncropped. The Washington Monument in the BG is just over a mile away and getting the shot with no people on the walkway was a challenge.

Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. The speech became the defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement when it was delivered to over 200,000 supporters who had gathered for the March On Washington for Jobs & Freedom Rally. The speech lasted only seventeen minutes and has been regarded by scholars as the top American speech of the twentieth century.

And finally a few more from the Washington National Cathedral

The crucifix in this image is life size (not the door on the right for reference).

I rarely do much post processing other my normal work flow, however I did take some liberty with this last image in order to keep the shot.  Let me know what you think.