Capturing the Essence of Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.
Written on
Chapter 1: The Enchantment of Cherry Blossoms
Washington, D.C. is a hub of recurring spectacles—be it inaugurations, local festivities, or national holidays. I frequently revisit these events as they provide excellent photographic opportunities. Notable mentions include the Inaugurations, Memorial Day, and the now-defunct Rolling Thunder parade. Among these, the Cherry Blossom Festival stands out.
The cherry blossoms are a unique occurrence dictated entirely by nature. Timing is unpredictable, and various factors such as rain, wind, or overcast skies can thwart the experience. This unpredictability is why I advise visitors against scheduling their trips solely around the blooms, although many do so regardless of steep hotel prices.
This year, the blossoms graced us with their presence unusually early, coinciding perfectly with my acquisition of the Fuji X100VI. What a fantastic opportunity to capture their beauty!
Equipped with my new camera and the X-T5, I set off on my bike to the Tidal Basin a few days prior to the anticipated peak bloom. I returned two more times until a rainy weekend concluded the season.
A More Complex Subject Than It Appears
Photographing cherry blossoms is more challenging than one might expect. While snapping an Instagram-worthy selfie against a pink backdrop is easy, achieving something beyond the ordinary requires practice and understanding.
Pink vs. White Blossoms: The Tidal Basin is home to various cherry tree varieties (the original 1912 Japanese gift trees have since disappeared), primarily displaying two colors—pink and white. Although white blossoms dominate, even they possess a hint of pink at their core, making it crucial to capture this subtle distinction.
White Balance: The delicate shades of cherry blossoms complicate white balance settings, especially when using Fuji's film simulations. Spring light can be harsh, lacking the soft diffusing haze of summer, resulting in cooler tones that may not do justice to the blossoms. Conversely, when in close proximity to the flowers, warmer hues can overpower the image, leading to inconsistencies in color.
Dawn often provides the best lighting, as the sun rises behind the Jefferson Memorial, casting a warm glow on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial across the basin. However, as the day progresses, the light shifts from warm to cool, then back again.
Ultimately, adjusting each photograph for optimal appearance can lead to a gallery lacking overall color harmony, as will be evident in the following images.
This year, I aimed to test the Reala Ace film simulation on the X100VI's JPEG and HEIF formats, which present challenges for post-editing due to their more fixed color profiles. However, I found them surprisingly accommodating for subtle adjustments.
The Daylight white balance setting seemed warmer than the actual conditions, while the Cloudy and Shade settings exaggerated the warmth excessively. I aimed to capture the delicate pink hues—neither too cool nor too warm—ultimately relying on the auto white balance (AWB) and RAW files for necessary corrections.
Capturing Detail at Varying Distances: Cherry blossoms offer intricate details, which are wonderful for close-ups. However, when viewed from a medium distance, the images can appear overly busy. I often soften these effects using slight negative clarity adjustments, although I opted not to in this instance to showcase the complex structure of the blooms.
Exploring the Tidal Basin with the X100VI
The X100VI excels at capturing images from a middle distance, which can be somewhat limiting for this subject matter. It performs admirably for close-ups and can produce impressive results when cropping for a 50mm equivalent. However, I find that images taken from 10 to 30 feet often lack impact; the blossoms shine best in close-ups or wider landscapes.
Let’s embark on a visual tour around the Tidal Basin.
A Scenic Walk at the Tidal Basin
If you have around ninety minutes, I recommend walking the entire 2.1-mile loop. Alternatively, you can start from either the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (location 1) or the World War II Memorial, both offering access points to the basin. There’s also a parking lot accessible via Maine Avenue (location 2), although it tends to fill up quickly.
From these locations, you can enjoy different perspectives. The MLK Memorial provides a classic view of the Jefferson Memorial, while the Maine Avenue parking area allows for a perfect view of the Jefferson Memorial, with the option to cross Tidal Basin Drive bridge for an up-close experience.
Starting our tour at the MLK Memorial, I visited on March 16, just five days before peak bloom.
This video captures the vibrancy of cherry blossoms as I rode back from the gym, showcasing the stunning blooms in their full glory.
Maine Avenue Parking Lot
Crossing the causeway, I reached the Maine Avenue parking area, known for its iconic views of the Jefferson Memorial. Here, I found that using the X-T5 paired with a longer lens was essential to achieve the desired effect, allowing me to avoid capturing tourists and cars in the frame.
In this video, witness the 2021 cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., captured in stunning 4K quality alongside other breathtaking sights.
The Bridge Over Tidal Basin Drive
Continuing towards the Jefferson Memorial, we crossed the bridge over Tidal Basin Drive, where I captured a quintessential view with the X-T5, leveraging its superior reach compared to the X100VI.
The Jefferson Memorial
At the Jefferson Memorial, you're primarily looking out from one of the basin’s most striking features. While there are a few appealing angles, the interior offers a variety of photography opportunities.
As I proceeded toward the FDR Memorial, the path traversed the lowest point of the Tidal Basin, where flooding and mud are consistent challenges. The area has suffered from subsidence, requiring extensive re-engineering to restore its photogenic charm.
One poignant sight is "Stumpy," an aging cherry tree struggling to survive with its base submerged during high tide. This season marks its last bloom, and it’s scheduled for removal later this year.
Despite my focus on the blossoms, the numerous visitors, including brides and wedding parties posing by the trees, contributed to the vibrant atmosphere.
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
Upon reaching the FDR Memorial, views opened up toward the north bank and the Washington Monument. Here, the Reala Ace profile performed admirably, capturing the delicate pink hues without excessive warmth.
The FDR Memorial features an array of trees, although fewer cherry varieties compared to the basin itself. The juxtaposition of waterfalls and large rock formations against the bronze sculptures honoring FDR adds to the scenic beauty.
In early spring, when the trees are just beginning to turn green, the landscape is particularly enchanting.
As I made my way back to the MLK Memorial, I reflected on the day’s experience.
Final Thoughts
While the X100VI is a remarkable camera, I wouldn’t choose it for this subject in the future. If it were the only travel camera available, it could yield decent results, but the versatility of an interchangeable lens camera is invaluable in a setting where longer focal lengths are often necessary.
Moreover, the Reala Ace profile has its limitations; it tends to brighten mid-tones excessively and sharpens images more than necessary. I look forward to experimenting more with Reala once Adobe provides a RAW simulation.
In conclusion, it was a fulfilling experience, marking an A- year for the cherry trees! If you find yourself in Washington during peak bloom, I welcome your comments and experiences.