Richard Distlerath
July 2025 - Washington Monument at Night
About the Image(s)
Thes fastest lens in my collection is the Canon FD 50mm f1.4 that was purchased in 1974. I used an adapter to mount it on the Canon R5. I used a tripod from the far side of the reflecting pool and captured this image of the Washington Monument. The aperture was set wide open at f1.4 with a shutter speed of 1/2 sec and iso 800. All focus is manual. The original is mage was captured in color and converted to B&W as the background lights were a bit distracting. Image was processed in LR using adaptive B&W and a slight bit of sharpening of the edges. The full manual camera operation slows the process down and brings back memories of the old film days.
7 comments posted
Richard, this is gorgeous in its simplicity. I lived 35 years in DC and tried many times to get good shots of the Washington Monument… you did a great job, I like the composition, the reflection, and the black and white version. Nothing I can add! Posted: 07/08/2025 16:52:20
This composition is absolutely stunning. The perfect symmetry creates such a powerful visual impact! I made just one little tweak: darkening the sky slightly to enhance the separation between the pond and horizon, which really makes the reflection pop. What are your thoghts about this?
As someone who wasn't even born in 1974, I'm in awe of the awesome quality this lens achieves. There's something magical about vintage glass. Posted: 07/09/2025 17:41:24
As someone who wasn't even born in 1974, I'm in awe of the awesome quality this lens achieves. There's something magical about vintage glass. Posted: 07/09/2025 17:41:24
I ought to have included the original image in color. The starting point is going to heavily bias where I end up. I understand the idea and tried to process for desired effects. Thank you! Posted: 07/10/2025 02:55:30
I have never visited the site but of course have seen numerous images. I feel this is a stunning view of the monument.
I personally have been dabbling in B&W for a couple of years now. My biggest issue is getting my blacks saturated. Your original image here is a bit muddy IMHO, and I really appreciate the subtle change made by Rizwan. It leaves a clear distinction between the sky and the bushes, while deepening the black. My only issue with the edit is that it makes the actual sky darker than its reflection, which of course is not realistic.
My other request is for a little more detail in the mmt itself, if it exists.
I'm sure you are aware that you could have gone for a smaller aperture if desired, and a lower ISO, by increasing your exposure time using a tripod. I assume you did use a tripod, so I mention this mostly for other participants. I share your regard for "old glass," and in this case it seems to remain quite sharp.
Lillian Posted: 07/09/2025 20:40:18
I personally have been dabbling in B&W for a couple of years now. My biggest issue is getting my blacks saturated. Your original image here is a bit muddy IMHO, and I really appreciate the subtle change made by Rizwan. It leaves a clear distinction between the sky and the bushes, while deepening the black. My only issue with the edit is that it makes the actual sky darker than its reflection, which of course is not realistic.
My other request is for a little more detail in the mmt itself, if it exists.
I'm sure you are aware that you could have gone for a smaller aperture if desired, and a lower ISO, by increasing your exposure time using a tripod. I assume you did use a tripod, so I mention this mostly for other participants. I share your regard for "old glass," and in this case it seems to remain quite sharp.
Lillian Posted: 07/09/2025 20:40:18
Well you make a good point to experiment with a different exposure triangle. Depth of field was not really a concern here so I did not even consider this. But a smaller aperture, lower iso and longer exposure would modify the end result. Practical advice to be implemented on another shoot.
I reprocessed the image in Nik Collection Silver Efex full spectrum and amplified the blacks. The histogram is extended to the full range in above image and image below. Posted: 07/10/2025 03:11:06
I reprocessed the image in Nik Collection Silver Efex full spectrum and amplified the blacks. The histogram is extended to the full range in above image and image below. Posted: 07/10/2025 03:11:06
I really like the blacks in the re-edit. And there is indeed more detail in the mmt. Possibly you could amp the whites a bit in the new version? Not in the starburst lights of course but the building.
I think this image is competitive in both Travel and Mono.
Side comment: For some reason your image is posted at over 10,000 pixels on the long side. That makes for a very low-res showing to get it under the requisite 1M, and also makes it more difficult to look at full-sized. I have to save it, then open it in another program or else scroll the entire screen to max size, to see anything but the small default version. I believe that in this forum it would display better if you saved it at the 768 pixel height before posting.
Lillian Posted: 07/10/2025 09:05:53
I think this image is competitive in both Travel and Mono.
Side comment: For some reason your image is posted at over 10,000 pixels on the long side. That makes for a very low-res showing to get it under the requisite 1M, and also makes it more difficult to look at full-sized. I have to save it, then open it in another program or else scroll the entire screen to max size, to see anything but the small default version. I believe that in this forum it would display better if you saved it at the 768 pixel height before posting.
Lillian Posted: 07/10/2025 09:05:53
Thank you! I forgot to to check resize box....I did try to amp whites but the white blew out....appreciate your help! Posted: 07/10/2025 09:30:27