Instead of Washington DC's cherry blossoms...

[Mike Buckley]

It was a dropdead beautiful Saturday afternoon. My wife hadn't seen the cherry blossoms in a few years, so I urged her to walk around the Tidal Basin with me. I knew there would be hoards of people. I took one lens -- my 180mm f/2.8. For cherry blossoms? Nope. Perfect for being among thousands of people and taking candids.

The cherry blossoms bring out the romanticism in all of us. Heck, some of us are inspired to make a self-portrait.

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The blossoms are so gorgeous that some people can't resist the temptation to call their friends and tell them all about them.

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Others make picture frames out of the blossoms.

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Though the National Park Service frowns on climbing the trees (even minor damage to the trees allows disease to set in), the kids climb them to have their pictures taken. I didn't encourage them, but I plead guilty to not discouraging them.

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Naturally, cameras were everywhere. Can you believe this stylish photographer was actually alone?

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Even the celebrities were out and about (though this picture was taken early in the morning a couple days earlier.) Notice that the pretty Japanese girls are clearly underwhelmed by Willard Scott's television antics.

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For me, the most heartwarming scenes were the families enjoying the cherry blossoms -- and their pictures.

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[Bunic]

Mike,

Nice series! What was your f-stop for the last family shot? Narrow DOF.

Mike

 

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks for the nod, Mike.

The last picture was taken at f/2.8. Though I like it, it would hang on a wall if the depth of field allowed all four people to be in focus. I am new to my 180mm lens and learned this weekend from that image and others how not to use it.

The next time I use it as a walkaround lens for candids, I am going to try setting the camera at ISO 400 and f/4.0 with the hope of attaining a shutter speed of 1/250s or faster and a large enough depth of field. Any tips anyone has for how they use the 180mm to take candids are appreciated.

 

[Rich Gibson]

Very nice Mike; I agree that last one is ideal. The thing that makes the Cafe stand out from the rest is the variety of photographic perspectives you see. Frankly up till now I've ignored the people just enjoying the beauty of the cherry blossoms. This gives me added impetus to go next year and try what you've done.

 

[LindaZ]

Fantastic, love these images.

 

[rotxlk82]

All very fine shots Mike, you really captured the character of the place

 

[SRA]

Mike,

A very nice series on the enjoyment others felt during the blossom season. Your captures tend to sell the excitement more than the blossoms themselves.

 

[WillyC]

Mike, what a good way to capture this time of year around the Tidal Basin. Nice set of shots.

 

[SLRShooter]

Nice series and a new perspective. Everyone seems to go to take pictures of the cherry blossoms, the blossoms and the water, the blossoms and the memorial, etc. We forget the wonderful diversity of people wandering around. I couldn't make it this year (out of town for a week and then sick for a week). But, next year I have some new ideas.... Thanks!

 

[Harry Lavo]

A wonderful, creative series. Well done, Mike.

 

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks so much to everyone for the nice comments. It's particularly rewarding to see that so many people are getting photographic ideas about the possibility that the people who show show up to observe an iconic event might be more interesting subjects than the event itself.

For those of you familiar with the details of the Tidal Basin, picture this: I get on the 14th Street bridge in mid-afternoon on an absolutely gorgeous Saturday, which is also the last weekend the cherry blossoms are expected to be in relatively full bloom. Everyone knows it's supposed to rain the following day, so the entire area is packed. It takes me an unusually long time to get from the bridge to Parking Lot A, which is completely full. But cars are leaving as quickly as they are arriving. Heck, I had to wait an entire 30 seconds or so for a parking space. When I left three hours later, the guy who took my space had just entered the parking lot.

 

[spalding12]

what a great thread
something different....

i love them

 

[Palouse]

Great shots Mike. I have 8 of my undergrads headed your way next week-without me! I'm hoping they get to see some of what you have shared with us. Thanks.

 

[Uncle Frank]

Very nice, Mike! Glad to see you're getting such good use out of the 180. It's terrific for candids.

 

[Boa Babe]

Mike, the photos of blossom-watchers are wonderful. Cherry blossoms never get "old" to those of us who don't get to see the real thing and I appreciate your paying the parking fee and letting us enjoy.

 

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks to all, especially to Frank for encouraging me to buy a 180mm and to Kay for appreciating my supreme sacrifice relating to the cost of parking, which was, ummm, free.

 

[spalding12]

as an aside....
my 8th grade daughter, mackenzie will be in DC.... from this coming thursday through sunday... with her class (47 of them... and several teachers)

they will be enjoying the cherry blossoms along with some usual and UNusual sites

though she's only taking the Fuji F30.... she's hoping to get some "acceptable" blossom shots for me to show everyone here upon her return

 

[KristinB]

Mike,

These are all fabulous -- and I love the looks on the little girls' faces with Willard Scott, LOL!

 

[sonyam]

Very nice series. Oh how I wish I could be there during that time.

 

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks to Greg and Kristin. Sonya, when you do come to visit the cherry blossoms, please allow my 85mm to photograph you and your children with some out of focus blossoms in the background.