52Frames Get Low Weekly Photo Challenge

It was much too busy to visit the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin this week for the weekly 52Frames photo challenge. So I knew I would have to find something of interest when we took a trip to visit the family in central Virginia over the weekend. The subject matter this week was “get low” with extra credit for leading lines. We first stopped by UVA to visit our grandson and have dinner. His mom met us there and we had a nice walkabout campus - until the rain came. But while it was nice out it was a change from the last time we were there right before Thanksgiving. The place was much more lively this time. Then we drove another hour to central Virginia. I also knew I would have a subject with the Vizsla grand pup. She did cooperate and we spent a bit of time together  - she was lounging on the couch and also in the sunlight next to the windows. The feel of the renovated warehouse also makes for interesting backdrops. The photo that was submitted was the very long hallway of the main living area that runs the length of a football field in this 1800’s renovated warehouse. It’s also a gallery wall with a painting of a person named “Brent” that captures your attention across from the kitchen. When we went to visit the “cabin” by the river there were also some opportunities. A lot of landscaping has taken place there and there are several steppers of interest. I wasn’t exactly thrilled with this week’s entry but it was a nice getaway weekend - something we haven’t done in four months. 

Taking Photos Lying Down

Sometimes you just need to get on the ground to get the right angle for a photo. I must admit I never did it before, but since I joined the 52Frames weekly photo challenge I need to look at things a little bit differently. So when the “get low” challenge came along, we drove over to the Tidal Basin because I wanted to get a photo of Fala at the FDR memorial. Luckily, there was no one else in sight so it made things much easier - for me. While I was there, my husband took pictures of me taking pictures of them. Not only was Fala a subject, but the bread line and Eleanor were too. Since my only camera is an iPhone, I can’t get the exact shots I would hope for. I primarily take photos for this blog, and 52Frames is an excuse to stay occupied for a while every week. After we left the FDR Memorial we walked along the Tidal Basin over to the MLK Memorial. Usually these places are packed with visitors, but being winter, and with all the extra security measures in town, we were about the only ones there. So I tried the same technique with MLK. All in all it was a very pleasant morning after we walked over to the Korean, Lincoln and Vietnam Memorials. Everything is pretty close together. Since we moved to northern Virginia from our Capitol Hill neighborhood we try to drive in at least once a week. This is a good excuse. 

MLK Memorial

On Monday we went to the Tidal Basin and were able to park by the Martin Luther King Memorial before all the inaugural road and bridge closures. The area was devoid  of pedestrians, and there was an enhanced police presence with helicopters. I was on my search for a 52frames “get low” challenge photo and spent most of my time at the FDR memorial with Fala the Scottish terrier. After that, we walked over to the MLK Memorial and it was also starkly empty. In order to capture a “get low” image, I needed to literally lay on my back. My husband captured the oddity of it all. In the end I didn’t use the photos from MLK for the challenge, but got a few lovely images to celebrate the MLK holiday tomorrow. The memorial is located on the tidal basin and is surrounded by the Washington monument, Jefferson Memorial, and all the other landmarks in the area - the Lincoln, Korean, Vietnam Memorials. In spite of what all has gone on in the Capitol city, it was a wonderful way to spend the morning. And we had it all to ourselves. I wonder if that will ever happen again?

52Frames_getlow Challenge

Depending on your perspective, “getting low” for the 52Frames photography challenge this week was interesting. My interpretation was looking up at something to make it seem larger than life, but also focusing in on the detail of an object that is low to the ground. I had an idea to use Fala at the FDR Memorial as the subject. So we drove over to the Tidal Basin, parked by the MLK Memorial, and walked over to a favorite spot in DC. In order to take the photo, I needed to crawl in to the space where FDR and Fala sit. Since I was so close to the subject I wasn’t able to pull back as far as I would have liked. I also tried taking photos of the breadline and Eleanor. My husband was taking photos of me to show how ridiculous it all looked to get the right shot. We then walked over to the MLK Memorial along the Tidal Basin path. I’m still amazed that there are no guard rails along the way. One little slip and you would be in the water. During the week I tried to get a couple more photos in the park just to see if something else was more appealing. But the chewed up tennis ball, leaves, park bench, broken glass, and children’s book at the library didn’t match up to the original idea. In the end I selected Fala with a twist. I added a tiny photo of me taking the picture on the rock in front of the subjects. Probably it won’t be noticed, but it was the best part of the challenge. 

FDR Memorial and Fala

In an attempt to get a photo for the 52Frames photography challenge this week, we drove over to the tidal basin to one of my favorite places - the FDR Memorial. The location is simply lovely nestled in the forested area. It’s even more spectacular in cherry blossom time with the fountains running, but in winter they are not. We had the place completely to ourselves; however, the presence of helicopters and police was sort of unnerving. But I was on a mission to take a photo of Fala, the Scottish terrier standing beside the President for the “get low” challenge. Along the way we walked through the entire exhibit including Eleanor and the Great Depression line. In order to get the image from Fala’s perspective I needed to crawl in to the memorial and literally lie on my back. My husband was taking photos of me doing this all along the way. After all, the idea was to get down to the level of the dog and make Fala look as big as her owner. In the end I liked one photo more and my husband liked another one. I usually post the image he prefers, even if it’s against my “artistic” judgment. It was an interesting way to spend the morning - all for the sake of a photo challenge!