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Reflections on the Potomac
3rd PlaceReflections on the Potomac
levyj413


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Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Rivers & Streams (Advanced Editing VI ("Time Lapse"))
Collection: Best
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon
Location: Washington, DC
Date: Jan 12, 2008
Aperture: 16
ISO: 100
Shutter: 30s,15s, and 4s
Galleries: Urban, Architecture
Date Uploaded: Jan 13, 2008

 Tough choice for this challenge. I spent about 90 minutes shooting across the river, getting some really nice smooth reflection shots of the Key Bridge and office buildings in Rosslyn. Then I looked to my left and saw this view. I decided to go with the unusual vs. what I think is a prettier shot.

I nearly lost my camera to a slippery rock while walking along the shore to the right vantage point. It was mounted on the tripod, and I was holding the collapsed tripod in my left hand until my foot slipped. I let go of it and it flew over to my right hand, where I caught it. VERY lucky catch, and completely automatic - never even had a chance to think before my hand closed around it.

It's amazing how a long exposure smooths out ripples on the water - it looked nothing like the shot above or my outtake.

This entry takes advantage of the allowance for multiple shots to do HDR. This was manual, not automated, but has the same idea. I shot them intending to combine them to allow for a greater dynamic range.

It combines three exposures, all shot at F/16, ISO 100 and combined using layer masks. Here's a tutorial on how to do that.

The brightness of each was a combination of the exposure time and how I converted from RAW:
1) The bridge: 30s exposure and bumped 2 stops in the RAW converter
2) Most of the stuff within the arches (real and reflected) plus the upper left corner: 15s exposure and bumped .85 stops converting from RAW. I blended this in at about 45% opacity just to darken the main subject area - it was too bright in the first exposure.
3) The Kennedy Center (the bright horizontal building on the right side of the arch): 4s exposure, not changed converting from RAW. I blended this in at 100% opacity to show details in the columns; it's a very bright building and was blown out in the other two exposures.

After combining the exposures, editing was the usual: sharpening of the first exposure, cropping, a little rotation, and a little noise reduction.

For anyone in the DC area: park as far upriver on K St. as you can go, then walk a bit further until you go under the bridge and see the grassy area to the left. Walk over there and then maybe 20 yards further upstream and go down to the river. Look left.

Post-challenge: Woohoo! New personal best (first 7+ score, too!), first honorable mention, and third-most faves during a challenge. :) Thanks!

Post-DQ of the 1st-place shot: wow. Now it's my second ribbon on top of everything else. :)

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 208
Avg (all users): 7.1262
Avg (commenters): 8.8636
Avg (participants): 6.8690
Avg (non-participants): 7.3033
Views since voting: 6907
Views during voting: 449
Votes: 206
Comments: 96
Favorites: 20 (view)

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AuthorThread
 08/30/2018 07:18:44 AM
Wonderful!
 11/10/2008 04:50:17 PM
WOW .. this is the most gorgeous image .. so much going on and so much to admire ..
the crisp definition in the city and the reflections in the water ... beautiful ..
the tree with its stark branches .. beautiful ..
the bridge and its soft blurred reflection forming a perfect frame .. beautiful ..
and the colours ... stunning ..
this photograph is something special ..:)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/01/2008 05:41:46 PM
The arch and its reflection looks like a huge eye. :) This is a very professional shot, Jeffrey. Good job, and congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/29/2008 09:48:54 AM
a very beautiful photo! love the light here, just perfect. very well deserved a ribbon. the light under the bridge is fantastic. thank you for taking the time to explain how you did it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/27/2008 09:21:45 PM
While I'm sorry that Structor's beautiful photo got DQ'd, I am glad to see yours ribbon as it was one of my fave's and truly worthy. Great job, and great save on the camera apparently!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2008 01:07:01 PM
Congrats on the ribbon! You are rapidly becoming the King of DC Night Shots.

Just remember; I faved it first ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/26/2008 11:38:47 AM
I miss DC (grew up there)
Great shot Makes me homesick !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 11:56:06 AM
Beautiful image congrats on your ribbon. And I think it great how you took the time to put all the description in on how and where took your image and plus your process.
Glad you have such great reflexes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 11:10:20 AM
Hey Jeffrey! First I am seeing this one! Simplistic yet fabulous & beautiful image!! Congrats on the Ribbon & new PB, we;; deserved-you are so clever & creative in this art medium!!

~Anni
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 10:17:55 AM
Very Nice Picture! I Love The Color Of The Bridge!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 09:45:36 AM
Simply stunning image, congrualtions on a well deserved image!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 05:50:43 AM
Really beautiful, Jeffrey. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 02:26:00 AM
Glad your PB earned you a ribbon in the end :-)

R.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 01:04:32 AM
congrats on the ribbon...highly deserved
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 12:51:15 AM
Congrats on the ribbon, Jeffrey. This is such a stunning image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/25/2008 12:22:21 AM
Beautiful shot/congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 09:47:32 PM
Nice job man! (too bad about that 3rd place though, eh?) ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 07:55:30 PM
Congrat's on the new ribbon Jeffrey! I'm afraid you can't be in the 7+ score without a ribbon club anymore though, for now ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 07:38:34 PM
I'm so pleased you went with unusual rather than pretty, this is a stunning shot. Congrats on your ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 07:10:21 PM
way to go!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 06:48:44 PM
I loved this when I was voting. It's a very classy, simple,....yet complex shot. I find it extremely calming! REally nice job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 06:20:02 PM
This would have worked well for the current framing challenge too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 05:58:50 PM
Beautiful! cograts!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 05:53:04 PM
Dude great job, congrats on the ribbon, lookin forward to seeing many more ribbons with your name on them.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 05:52:27 PM
Hey there ribbon guy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 05:49:50 PM
CONGRATULATIONS on your ribbon!! :o)

Message edited by author 2008-01-24 18:36:21.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/24/2008 05:46:20 PM
What was that about being 4th! :-P

Congrats man! :-D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2008 10:32:31 PM
This is gorgeous... I just loved it, then when I was putting it on my list of favourites I noticed it was yours...

Coincidence? Nope. I just like your style.

Congrats on your personal best and for catching that tripod. Dang!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2008 04:13:54 PM
Congratulations on the 7+ Jeffrey and the 4th place! So close!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/23/2008 04:22:24 AM
Beautiful and well compost picture, congrats on your high score!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2008 02:47:41 PM
Excellent shot, congrats on the 4th place!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2008 05:27:30 AM
So, umm, this was the one to pick then, huh? :-) 'Grats on the score, the favs, the PB, and all that good stuff. Neat idea about using the different exposures, too - you're really good at figuring that stuff out - something I'd never even think of. Way to really "see" the potential in a shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/22/2008 04:45:15 AM
beautiful,congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 07:47:29 PM
great shot - there was alot of wonderful shot in this challenge. Congrats on finishing at 4th.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 03:56:46 PM
Jeffrey congrats on a PB. You keep growing better each challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 01:56:24 PM
nice! congrats on 4th!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 01:21:04 PM
Jeffrey, congratulations on the wonderful score and new PB. And just missed a ribbon, too. Way to go! I like how you combined the three shots. It was masterfully done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:46:46 PM
Lovely picture and congrats on a new PB !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 11:54:33 AM
This is simply a outstanding picture. Just a quick browse through the entires, I would have put this at #1 myself. Subtle yet well composed. I like the fact that the composition carried the photo rather the the post. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 11:33:42 AM
A well deserved 7 for a shot found, planned, and carried to completion in stylish fashion. It's a beautiful scene as well, with the vignette of the bridge arch around the cityscape, and the reflections as a perk. Congrats on the new PB, and the high score.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 11:26:59 AM
you know I don't like shots like this, but as shots like this go, this is a good one! I like how the arch frames this in darkness.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 10:59:14 AM
Congrats on you PB, your first 7, and you initiation into the "7 - no ribbon" club.

Awesome shot and well executed!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 10:47:51 AM
Congrats Jeffrey #4 of 208 is absolutely fantastic. And the composition is perfect. 7.12 is a pretty darned spectacular finish.
Didn't you learn a lesson about NOT slipping in the DC area?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 10:25:42 AM
Congrats on your new PB and Green! A very lovely "eye" composition. Wish I'd been around to vote on this beauty.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 10:20:18 AM
Congrats on the new PB score. Such an amazing shot. Love the reflections and the angle of your shot. Well done on a tough tough challenge!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 09:50:15 AM
Nice one dude. Fourth place bites though, eh? ;-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 09:49:49 AM
Jeffrey!!! I 'bout fell off my chair when I saw this! It is breathtaking. Flawless. One of the prettiest, unique photos I've seen.

Congratulations on your honorable mention, 7+ score, and personal best. Yes. This one will be hard to beat for a long, long time!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 09:31:55 AM
Really great shot Jeff, congrats on the awesome score, and the hm, really nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 08:57:27 AM
Woo hoo, Jeffrey! Congrats on an HM! I wish you'd gotten your second ribbon, but I'm quite sure it isn't far behind. And look at that score from commenters! And a personal best! You really hit this one out of park.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 08:18:31 AM
Congrats on the fourth place, excellent shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 07:40:38 AM
Holy cow nice shot! The reflection really makes it; congratulations Levy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 06:44:11 AM
Well done. Congrats on 4th in a tough challenge. Excellent work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 05:48:14 AM
Congrats Jeffery, you just missed it! I thought for sure this would ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 01:32:05 AM
Congrats Jeffrey! Figured this was yours and glad it finished high.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 01:19:01 AM
Congrats, Jeffrey. Never thought the dirty old Potomac could look so good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 01:06:14 AM
Outstanding shot, Jeff. Definitely one of my ribbon favourites.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:59:30 AM
Congrats on 4th for this striking image under very difficult conditions.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:58:48 AM
Well done Jeffrey...congrats on the HM, it sucks to be forth!!!! But anyway, this is a personal best for you sin't it???
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:28:31 AM
Wow, you broke the 7 barrier. Congratulations, Jeffery. Great shot. It reminds me of a large eye reflecting a view of DC. I particularly like the light on the bridge in the upper right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:27:38 AM
Grats on the PB Jeff - 4th amongst this lot is a ribbon in itself :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:16:03 AM
Jeffrey!!!! Wooooo Hooooo! Congratulations on an OUTSTANDING entry!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:15:45 AM
Honorable Mention...nice! Congrats, Jeff.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:15:35 AM
Mmmm, I've been here before. Way to go on a PB!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:12:59 AM
Congrats Levy. Savor those honorable mentions. I always seem to miss out on those.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:07:56 AM
Great shot, this was my favorite to win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:07:44 AM
I liked this one. The ellipse is very cool. I love the silky smooth shine of the water as well. Congrats on your 7+ and the new PB!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:06:46 AM
Congratulations on such a high finish. This was one of my fav's in the challenge. Looks like your persistance and patience paid off.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:04:54 AM
Congrats on your 7+!!! Woo Hoo! Absolutley stone freakin' GORGEOUS!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:04:36 AM
great shot sucks to get a 7 and not ribbon though:(
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/21/2008 12:04:18 AM
Woohooo! Look at that score!! Congrats on an Amazing image, 4th place and a new PB!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
01/20/2008 09:39:09 PM
Cool vantage point... looks like an Eye...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2008 04:18:03 PM
Splendid...outstanding....9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2008 03:28:29 PM
My goodness, this is gorgeous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/20/2008 05:53:46 AM
Absolutely lovely framing, well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/19/2008 03:46:37 PM
Great image! Nice composition, color, exposure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2008 09:11:13 PM
So beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2008 06:19:48 PM
Great shot, the reflection is spot on. The only thing that I can see to alter is to go for a lightly tighter crop at the bottom, so that the reflection of the bridge matches what you can see of the bridge itself. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2008 05:32:38 PM
just beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2008 07:14:32 AM
great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/18/2008 05:05:19 AM
Great framing and awesome reflections. A pass through unsharp mask would really help the final image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2008 09:51:34 PM
this is beautiful.. the curve of the bridge, the stillness of the water and the colours of the reflections of the buildings. /10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2008 02:11:17 PM
Very, very nice. I like the rich colors in this and the excellent clarity.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/17/2008 11:30:36 AM
Fantastic shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2008 09:23:11 PM
Very serene landscape - love the composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/16/2008 01:08:13 PM
Very nicely composed and the lighting is perfect IMO.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/15/2008 10:58:11 PM
Nice exposure, the bridge frames the river and city nicely
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/15/2008 09:01:38 PM
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!! The arch of the bridge is a stunning frame, and the Washington Monument and Kennedy Center are perfectly positioned in it. The movement from dark to light across the frame is beautiful, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/15/2008 07:28:12 PM
Cool! Must be a shot from under a bridge in DC.. Virginia to be exact, close to Crystal City. A little Dark around the edges, but that works for this shot. You get the eye to focus on the monument. I am pretty sure I rode my bike through this area before.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/15/2008 04:32:50 PM
Aha, must be the Jeffrey 7.04 special. I see his trademark. (no vote)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/15/2008 10:05:22 AM
this is fantastic! Like this view under the bridge! Great reflections. too! - Good luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2008 09:52:44 PM
so this is what a perfect reflection looks like...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2008 06:13:27 PM
Beautiful! I love the framing arch. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2008 05:04:28 PM
This is my favourite of the challenge, love the framing, love the reflections. Jeffery is this yours?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2008 05:00:19 PM
Nice reflection & vignette effect of the arch!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2008 03:50:03 PM
Beautiful shot (Jeff?) :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 01/14/2008 02:59:18 AM
One of the best shots in this challenge... should be a ribbon winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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