Vietnam Memorial Sunrise by Steven Greaves

Tuesday, 19th August 2008

Vietnam Memorial Sunrise

by Steven Greaves

Walking around D.C. one afternoon, I arrived at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, took some shots and looked around for a great dawn shot. I returned the following morning at 4:30am and set up my tripod and cameras. The Mall was desolate except for me. I stood there in the morning chill, clenching my coffee and waiting for the twilight. Just as light came across the horizon behind the Washington Monument, I was approached by a gracious Park Ranger telling me that I could not use a tripod on the mall and that I would have to stop. I got off a few shots before taking my camera off the tripod and now shooting hand-held. This is one of the latter shots. It shows a few of the names of the fallen. The Washington Monument and rising sun are reflected in the granite.

Equipment: Canon 20D

Steven Greaves

After wandering for the past 15 years, I now call New York City home. Born in England, raised in Bermuda and educated in America, I have spent the last 12 years clutching both camera and passport. Although trained as a lawyer, with an Honors B.A. from the University of Florida and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law, photography and travel remain my inspiration. There are few things that offer such experiences and it is through the viewfinder of a 35mm and digital SLR that I have seen much of the world. From spectacular sunsets in the Sahara to the advent of dawn over the Indian Ganges to Rajasthani bar-room brawls, my camera has fueled my vision-quest. Photography has made of me a more earnest traveler. Through it, I have learned patience, humility and compassion. These virtues, I seek to convey through my work.

Website

25 Comments

Gaelic Girl Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 3:12 am
Simply Amazing! Creativity at its finest.
ChrisB Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 3:55 am
wow! I wonder how much other symbolic beauty passes us by that we just dont see.
Chamika Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 4:24 am
B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l !!
ziggy Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Steven, poetry has a way of showing up in the most unexpected places. Thanks for sharing not just your inspirational picture, but your inspired self. This is how true art lives.
Malta Photography Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Great shot and timing. In fact we pass by many wonderful moments like this but probably we either don’t see them or just ignore them. clear and well lit. good job.
Pauline Jones Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 8:33 am
The rising sun ads to the poignancy of the shot.
Anurag Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Great Imagination and originality.
realimage Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 9:24 am
… or we pass the poetry and have no camera with us …
And getting back to daily live: Why are you not allowed to use a tripod at the DC mall?
Verity Edgecombe Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 11:36 am
superb!
janet Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Brilliant image… I just love it.

to answer the previous question… if it is a pubic place … if you tripod you need a permit!! I have done many shoots hand held
Ellie Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Ingenious sight on your part, what a bittersweet invoking image….the memorial=the sacrifice and the sunrise=the promise and hope of a new day and maybe, just maybe if mankind can “get it”; Peace.
That is what came to me when I views this awesome image.
Perfect technical detail.
Andrew Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Great shot. I love the way it reflects down the alley and rising sun. Speaking about extra meaning about some great shots.

Sacrifices are made, but there is always another day that thanks to those name on the plate the new day will be for us living.
Janell Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I’m at a loss of words
Kirk Jordan Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
About tripods on the mall. They apparently had restrictions like this long before present security concerns. I found out years ago that it takes a license to practice professional portrait photography in the mall area of Washington DC. (A man who earned his living taking Polaroid snaps on the mall called me down for using a tripod, then he showed me his DC photo license. I guess some local photographers are seeking to protect their income with ever more bureaucracy, and the tripod serves to distinguish professionals from mere tourists.

ps. This picture really makes you think.
Dennis Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I . . . don’t know what to say. This is such a remarkable image. I’m overwhelmed. In fact, it calls not for words, but silence.

Actually, this photo, framed, would make an incredible gift for a loved one of any service person whose name appears in this image.

Nice job, Steven.
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
The sun reflection looks symbolic of the hopeful road to Peace. Lovely shot.
Thank you for your patience & insight.
TomBrooklyn Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Very nice. I think a landscape format of the same pic could be a postcard. Cheers.
Renee Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Very incredible Steven! nice touch
Sue Gagnon Says:
August 19th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
What an impressive photo. Great job!
Jacob Maentz Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 4:08 am
I love the creativity you have here. Why would the park ranger not let you use a tripod? Wonderful image.
Laurie Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 6:06 am
A very moving tribute.
I have never seen a photo of The Wall like this!

Also, thanks for the fascinating bio.
chet Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 9:28 am
tried the link to your website and got directed to a defunct earthshots page. Would love to see more. All best, Chet (born in NY and moved to UK)
yasmin Says:
August 24th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
very creative and original!! well done.
Ariel Says:
August 28th, 2008 at 1:37 am
oh man, quite possibly one of the best shots I’ve seen of this memorial.
steven greaves Says:
September 24th, 2008 at 5:24 am
thanks all for the commentary. i appreciate all of it. additional work can be viewed at www.stevengreaves.com or www.flickr.com/photos/stevengreaves