These Instagram snaps don’t do George Steinmetz‘s work justice, but at least give a flavor of his stunning aerial photos, now on display at National Geographic’s headquarters. They’re well worth a visit. The collection is particularly strong on Africa and the Middle East, and Steinmetz’s vantage point from a motorized paraglider can be both sweeping … Continue reading »
I’m guessing National Geographic’s current “Samurai: The Warrior Transformed” exhibit is drawing lots of families with young boys. After all, the show includes a healthy sampling of samurai swords and full sets of armor — beautiful in their own right, but not the highlight for me. Instead, I was drawn to the gallery of early … Continue reading »
Though this year’s cherry blossoms are officially predicted to peak the week of March 24, a number of trees have already popped in my neighborhood. It’s been a warm winter. Aside from lifting the city’s mood, the blossoms bring a constellation of Japanese art exhibits to DC. A few I intend to check out this … Continue reading »
A couple months ago, I attended a preview of “No Woman, No Cry,” a documentary on maternal health by supermodel-filmmaker Christy Turlington Burns. The film tells the harrowing story of a young Tanzanian woman living in a remote village who begins a difficult labor. She walks miles to her local health post but needs access … Continue reading »
Time for a look back at what inspired me in DC’s museums this year. These are the exhibits that lingered in my mind weeks after I saw them. 1. Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor: This one’s a holdover from last year, but bears repeating because those faces are unforgettable. I first saw the … Continue reading »
Another thing I love about living in DC: consistently interesting photo exhibits at National Geographic headquarters. This was my favorite shot of their latest show, Simply Beautiful, a “best of” selection showcasing photos with distinctive elements–unusual moments, striking light or composition. Why did this pic of the Mayan ruins at Copan, Honduras grab me? First, … Continue reading »
A few months ago, I read a helpful column on travel photography that advised, “Ask yourself what story you are trying to tell.” In other words, play photojournalist, not tourist. I thought of that as I took in “Sacred Waters”, a vibrant new photo exhibit of people celebrating, worshiping and otherwise interacting with water, now … Continue reading »
Amid the feel-good vibe of Inauguration Weekend 2009 — yes, it seems like a long time ago — I stopped by the National Gallery of Art and spent an hour studying Robert Frank’s 1950s photographic series, “The Americans.” The gallery’s timing couldn’t have been better. As our first black President swept into town, here was … Continue reading »
There’s something about the Terracotta Warriors. I first saw them two years ago when I lived in Taiwan, and was surprised to find each figure individually sculpted, each suit of armor and hairstyle distinct from the next. They weren’t at all the monolithic group I’d expected from photos of the excavation pits near Xi’an, China. … Continue reading »
