National Cathedral.

The Washington National Cathedral has long been a favorite of DC area photographers. Yours truly not excepted. Here are two shots that are about 5 years apart. The first was shot with an F100 and Velvia film. The second a D200 and a custom curve to mimic Velvia.

There are plenty more where these came from. But interestingly--or embarrassingly!--I have only exterior images of this monstrosity. I've never, until today, ventured inside.

Though it aspires to be Notre Dame, it falls short--how can it not? But it is still fairly impressive. For a short period of time I felt transported to some old world gothic basilica... or at least some place other than a church in NW Washington.

musiKids and musiKares

"It is in moments of illness that we are compelled to recognize that we live not alone but chained to a creature of a different kingdom, whole worlds apart, who has no knowledge of us and by whom it is impossible to make ourselves understood:  our body." ~Marcel Proust

Lisa Flaxman (pictured below), a breast cancer survivor, founded musiKids, a place for children of preschool age to come and learn music. She also created musiKares which brings music to adults and children at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. On January 14th she died of a brain tumor. Cancer recurs.

I did not really know Ms. Flaxman. I was just lucky enough to have spent a couple hours with her in November of 2007 photographing her for a profile in a local magazine. She was too nice for words. Accommodating and enthusiastic. Played the piano for me, made funny faces, and brought me to her daycare center to see her creation. Just a kind woman.

The Washington Post has a very touching article from one of her friends, Emily Wax, a breast cancer survivor herself.

Behind the Scenes.

Below are stills from an independent film called Law and Disorder.

This particular scene was shot on location in a courthouse in Easton, MD. Incidentally, the same courthouse used in the movie Wedding Crashers.

With only a few more weekends of filming left, they will soon be headed into the editing room for six months worth of snipping, pasting, sound and special effects.

If you're in a particularly arts friendly giving mood, click on the link above and make a donation. Go ahead, give 'em a hand.

Cheers.

Funny! (But not really.)

Though I've never been arrested--thankfully--getting harassed is just a regular part of the deal these days... has been for several years now. It is annoying, disruptive and ridiculous on so many levels.  I've discussed, argued and mocked this silliness in many forums across the intertubes for some time. But for revealing stupidity with true cutting edge brilliance nobody beats Colbert. Enjoy.

Thanks to Terry White (through Moose Peterson) for highlighting this!

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Nailed 'Em - Amtrak Photographer

Colbert Report Full Episodes Funny Political News

Christian Bale Parody Joke of the Day

Imagination.

Workshop.

Did I mention I was able to attend a one day workshop with Joe McNally? I had signed up a little too late, so I was put on a waiting list. Well, apparently the waiting list grew large enough to make it worth while adding on another day.

So, very last minute, I packed up my gear and made the nearly five hour drive to NY. Drove back immediately after the workshop. Whirlwind. Crazy. But fun!

Here are a few shots.

Rob's the Man!

Needed a little help updating the website and my boy came through! All I wanted was some rotating imagery on the home page but he also made a little adjustment to the design... the idea to which--I must confess--I was initially cool. But after a couple moments review it was clear it was better than what I originally had, and well... go have a look: www.michaelkircher.com Quite happy with it. (At least I'm sure I will be for a couple months, then I'll tire of it again and need another change!)

But til then, thanks Rob.

Cheers.

What a Groovy Idea!

Sell the house, buy a camper, travel the country... then settle in a new place. Sounds great!

No, no, no. I'm not going anywhere! But when my friend Amy Marquis and her husband Tom take off later this year I'll be going along... via the web.

If you happen to run into her in Colorado or California or Washington or Wyoming... say hello for me. Oh! and tell her I said she'd buy you a beer! (heh-heh.)

We lucky few who get some 7 or 8 decades on this fine planet should always take care to spend them well. Take chances, live fully.

Hope it all comes together, Amy.

Cheers.