You're a Grand Ol' Flag

I am taking a digital photography class this spring. It's been great getting back into it and re-learning all the manual camera functions. And after wanting one for years, I finally got a canon digital SLR camera, which is amazing. These photos are from a class field trip to the National Mall where we experimented with shutter speeds and tripods. Nighttime photography has always been a challenge for me, so it was nice to get some good pointers.

Franciscan Monastery

The Franciscan Monastery is tucked away in northeast DC. It's a pretty neat, if completely random, spot--it encompasses replicas of various holy sites in Catholicism (Jesus's birthplace, Roman catacombs, etc etc) all in one place! They're also much cleaner and nicer than the originals. The architecture and grounds make for some great shots, though.

Rome

Italy is a country I am dying to get back to. We spent about 5 days in Rome in 2007 and absolutely loved it. Just wandering the streets, soaking up the city and culture, was fantastic. And it was surreal seeing buildings side-by-side from different millennia. Next time I hope I can get to Florence/Tuscany and maybe Venice before it sinks!

Ireland

Ireland is one of the easiest countries to travel in. It's small, English-speaking, and has a very low-key vibe. Between the quaint villages and the scads of beautiful green scenery, there's something for everyone.

Mexico City

I loved photographing Mexico City because it was so colorful. I did not know what to expect from the city but I was very pleasantly surprised--the people were relaxed and friendly and there was a lot of incredible art and culture around every corner.

India

India is probably the most photogenic country in the world. Everything--even just regular people going about mundane daily tasks--seems so exotic to the western eye.