July 4th, 2009:  DC Shot List's Picks for

the Unique, Interesting or Unusual July Fourth Shots

July 4th, 2009, photograph by John Ulasek.

Almost two weeks ago, DC Shot List put out a call to readers for photos of the unique, unusual or interesting persuasion.  We received some fantastic ones back and thank you for that.  The following is a mini gallery of the best pulls from the overall response.

Check out the talent!  The explanations for DC Shot List selecting them are below each picture.  Oh, and if you see anything you like, just click on their name to see their website!

John Ulasek

Because of course there will be fireworks on Independence Day!  And you see John's work featured at the beginning of this gallery, too. (Do we also spot Christopher Chen taking a shot at the viewer in that photo, by the way?) 
The Shot List couldn't make a decision between the two.  Both have Ulasek's "in-the-moment-of-the-moment" feel.

Rob Fredley

Another bottle rocket shot, but from the eye of Rob Fredley. 
This is a fantastic shot because it is the quintessential final moment of a seemingly quiet and serene scene.

Amanda McLean

Yes, yes, yes, we have seen fireworks photography...but there is something about this one in particular...a high fStop resulting in crisp focus in fore and back grounds? Or could it be the color and the detail of the memorial?  Or the color mixed with the boats?  Something very bewitching about this...

Meaghan Gay





Hesitant to break them up, DC Shot List wants to show you all three with the favorite being the first one.  There is something to be said about a fleeting moment of absolute bliss.  The big deal to adults is the three day weekend...but the big deal to kids is so much more...conquering the deep end of swimming pools, getting to eat as many chips as you want with your hot dogs, swinging as high as you can go, with Mom or Dad giving you a boost...and all of this with no worry to this young lady as to how she will get the Murphy Project finished in time for Monday morning's huddle up meeting.

Katie Harbarth

Sometimes it's not the viewpoint that makes it creative, but how the actual photo flows upon itself.  In this case, Katie has put together a concept that seems to invite the eye to stay in perpetual motion with the shot.

Jon Haber

For this Fourth of July Weekend, Jon went to the Capital and took shots of the dome.  Jon is very skilled putting together photomontages, digitally, as well as digital painting - a creative use of filters.  If you look closely at this picture, you will notice several interesting things.  Not every window, moulding, etc is the same.

M. Adam Clarke

Remember the firefly shot from last week?  (If not, it is featured below) Well, this was shot by Betsy's husband, M. Adam Clarke, as she was making that shot.  This is interesting, in particular, because of the comparison a viewer can make on the light exposure needs for the goal of the image.  Plus, the composition is very Arnold Newman.  That makes DC Shot List smile.

Fourth of July Fireflies, 2009, Betsy Spruill Clarke

July 4th Shot Call and Your Thoughts on Young Talent

"Fireflies," July 4th, 2009, by Adam & Betsy Clarke

Did you enjoy your three-dayer?  I organized my ass off, we helped in-laws with attic insulation, and watched movies and episodes of "Always Sunny in Philadelphia."  If you haven't seen this show, you are missing out on piss-your-pants-comedy.  But this isn't a television blog, this is a blog focused on DC's best in all-things photography and I'll get on with it...

Jumpstarting my weekend was a shoot with Washington Life, alongside of two very talented DC photographers:  Nakeva Corothers and Anchyi Wei.  This inspired an article that I'm going to write sometime soon about the importance of nurturing all aspects of our photography community in support of DC's growing reputation as THE city of photography.  For example, Anchyi, is very hesitant on pushing her photography forward, regardless of the fact that there are many who feel that she has an incredible eye.  In my opinion, when we fail to give encouragement to those who may not even realize their talents, we fail the greater deliverable of our photography community.

Ideas?  Thoughts?  Please let me know!

Also, Adam and I were so exhausted after helping with the insulation that we did not make any plans for fireworks.  So, we tried a little something different...fireflies.  We found a great spot on Beach Drive (Rockcreek Park) where the fireflies were overly-abundant...as well as the mosquitoes.  In between applications of cortizone cream, we managed to kick out a few through the editing process.

Featured above is one of the shots from the night.  Since we were trading cameras constantly, I have no idea which person took this.  But, Adam took a series of sweet shots.  I'm hoping that he will submit to the following request...

Satisfy the DC Shot List curiosity...what were some other shots taken from this July 4th?  Got anything unique or unusual to share?  Please send it along and if I get enough, I'll do a posting of these pics this week (you will get credit, of course).

So, that's your Monday homework...send me your thoughts on the influence of supporting up-and-coming photographers as well as any photos from July 4th that you would like to show off...

In the words of DC's Erika Horn, "Shoot 'em dead!"