52Frames_Night Photo Challenge

I really didn’t like the photo challenge at all this week. Maybe it’s because all I have is an 8 Plus iPhone for my camera and the subject was night. That usually means very grainy images. But I tried my best under the circumstances, even getting another app called Slow Shutter that might help with low light, motion blur, or light trail. Having terrible rainy and stormy weather didn’t help either. I usually like to take photos on our morning walks rather than at night. So I started at our building using a makeshift tripod and tried a few things - a staircase, the building, waiting on the balcony trying to get a “light trails” shot of some car headlights. I wasn’t very happy with the results. Then we waited until Thursday - without rain - to take a ride to town and see what might work - a street scene on Pennsylvania Avenue, row houses, Neptune’s fountain in front of the Library, the Capitol reflecting pool. I ended up posting Neptune’s fountain and then changed it at the last minute to the reflecting pool. Since the subject was night, this image had more night than not. The highlights of going in to town was driving past the library where the Princess Bride was showing in the lawn in the near 100 degree heat, and the hundreds of ducks that were hanging around the pool. There was also an unusual police presence that we learned was for a funeral procession for a fallen colleague. It’s usually very quiet on Capitol Hill at night  - the flashing red lights made it less so. 

Terrible Night Photos in DC

I really hated this week’s 52frames photo challenge. The subject was “night” - and if you only have an iPhone for a camera, it’s a tough call. I downloaded an app that is supposed to help in low light situations, motion blur and night trails. But the camera needs to be propped on a tripod or it will be fuzzy. To make matters worse, I am not sure how to use the settings. We took a special evening trip in to DC and spent time in our old Capitol Hill neighborhood. I was willing to try anything - street scenes, monuments, rowhouses, fountains. The whole experience was disappointing. We did pass by the movie Princess Bride being played on the lawn by the Library of Congress. The problem was us that we were driving around in the car, I would jump out, and everything seemed so very rushed. A most interesting Washington monument with the moon next to it was a mess. What is supposed to be a fun experience turned in to something more stressful, and that isn’t the point. Miraculously a few photos actually turned out, but there were so many more that were hideous. Most weeks I really like at least a couple of photos. This week? Not so much.