International Color Awards | 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup

International Color Awards | 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup

Dear Don,
CONGRATULATIONS on being a Nominee at the 5th Annual Photography Masters Cup with:
Nominee in Photojournalism "Flag Ceremony At Arlington"
 Nominee in Americana "Final Respects at Arlington"

11,321 entries were received from 83 countries and your work received a high percentage of votes overall. Certainly an achievement, well done!
The Awards Jury represents the industry's biggest names and tastemakers who reviewed the entries online before making the nominations shortlist and honoring 272 title awards in 18 categories. TheAwards could not have wished for a better group of professionals to work with.
We will be promoting your nomination through our international network and PR campaign.
Congratulations once again on being a Nominee and we wish you a most successful photography year.

Best regards,
Basil O'Brien
Creative Director

Watering the cassion team horses at Arlington National Cemetery

Last Friday was hot here is DC with a new record, but despite the afternoon 105% the funerals at Arlington National Cemetery continued on schedule as always.

The honor guard wear their wool uniforms with the appearance of cool detachment.

This is more of a snapshot photo than I usually present, but as we waited for the arrival of

the family to the Old Administration bldg one of the stable hands made the trip from the barn with buckets of water to cool the horses. One of those things that's over and above what's expected of them but they are devoted to the well-being of the horses and their job honoring American veterans. 

I spoke to the family members traveling back to Oklahoma Monday night and the widow told me she spent the night in the hospital afterwards from a combination of the stress of heat, humidity and grief.

 
This was the first burial I've done in section 1 which is one of the oldest parts of the cemetery between the Lee mansion and the Fort Myers Old Post Chapel. The family has gravesites there for 4 generations of family members that have served in the U.S. military.

Don Harper

Wonderful Beauty of Storms

This was a fast moving storm that moved through Arlington on the July 4th weekend. A bit of destruction knocked out power but the storm created some beautiful moments as it moved down the Potomac River and across the Washington DC area from Virginia.

Presidential Wreath Laying at Tomb of the Unknowns First Ever 3D movie

We are in the production phase of producing the first ever 3D movie of the Presidential Wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2011. We have produced the first Indian Baraat 3D movie and now the first Arlington Memorial Service in 3D.
I'll be posting the link for the new 3D movie after we've completed the editing.
3D video production requires huge computer resources and is a bit time consuming but seeing the final results will be worth the wait.

3-D video of South Asian Wedding Baraat, requires 3D glasses to view.

3D video on Vimeo, South Asian Indian Baraat Wedding Ceremony



Baraat is a Punjabi bridegroom's wedding procession. The custom of the groom traveling to the wedding venue on a white mare, accompanied by his family members has been adopted by many Indian families here in the U.S.
The baraat can become a large procession with entertainment, the dancing
of the groom's family and friends during a short trip to the ceremony location.

It's fun to watch a groom brandishing his sword for what is frequently the first time on a horse.

Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery

We celebrated a wonderful Easter sunrise service at Arlington National Cemetery this morning with clear skies and warm tempertures. There is speculation that this may be the last service at the Tomb of the Unknowns auditorium as part of the effort to reduce military spending. We shall see what the future holds. Enjoy a few images from this morning.

Cherry Blossoms and rainy days at Arlington National Cemetery

The last month has been a series of heavy rain type days with intermittant sunshine. It's made for some challenging photography and a need for raingear on my cameras. This is an image of McClellan Gate with the cherry blossoms intact on the trees taken earlier this week.
I have more photos this last week taken in the rain than I do sunshine.

Easter Sunrise Service at Arlington National Cemetery

This image is the dove release at the Easter Sunrise service at the Tomb of  The Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery. Mark your calendar.

Arlington Picture of the Week from Frank Buckles Funeral

I have received a couple of comments and emails about the Arlington Picture of the Week not being what I stated for content or my image.

I discovered that Arlington National Cemetery used my image not from them but a friendly alert from a watchful fan. I had no problem with the use of the image but did want a credit for it's use which is more than reasonable. It wasn't produced by the Arlington staff.
 I sent ANC an email requesting credit which they said they would do and that it was an honest mistake.
Several days later instead of a credit they removed the photo. As we all know you can't remove anything from the internet, once it's out there it's there.

In short, what I stated in by blog earlier this week was the factual truth and here is the screen capture before they made the change.

Actually, they removed my copyrighted photo as picture of the week. They attributed my original photo to their own staff. When I asked for a corrected photo credit they said they would fix it that it was an honest mistake.
Than last night instead of a credit correcting their error they removed the photo.

Arlington National Cemetery Photo of the Week

Arlington National Cemetery has used one of our photographs as the picture of the week.
This is an image we took in the Tomb of the Unknowns for the Frank Buckles Funeral during his viewing. Frank was the last WWI veteran in the US to pass away at the age of 110.
Arlington-Photographer.com image of the week at Arlington National Cemetery

Frank Buckles, last surviving US soldier from WWI at Arlington National Cemetery

Today the country paid honors at Arlington National Cemetery to Frank Buckles the last surviving soldier from WWI. Flags around the country flew at half-mast today to honor this veteran. Frank's casket laid in the Tomb of the Unknowns Chapel where the Buckles family was visited by both President Obama and Vice President Biden prior to his transfer by horse drawn caisson to section 34 where he was laid to rest near General "Black Jack" Pershing's gravesite.

Caisson team (The Grays) with Old Georgetown in the background on a snowy day

Navy firing party preparing for gun salute at Arlington National Cemetery

Old Guard marching through fall colors at Arlington National Cemetery

Matthew Henson memorial covered in snow at Arlington National Cemetery, polar explorer

Wet boulevard amidst fall colors at Arlington National Cemetery

Firing Party in the snow at Arlington National Cemetery

The Admiral Richard Byrd memorial at Arlington National Cemetery caked in snow.

It's not often we see the Admiral Richard Byrd memorial caked in snow at Arlington National Cemetery. Seems appropriate for the polar explorer.

Queensland Australian Photographer speaks about the devastating floods in Queensland.

I don't normally use my blog for anything but news about what Ines and I are working on; this is an exception.
I am passing on this appeal from a generous associate in our industry.
Photographer Marcus Bell is one of those true greats in our industry and simply a nice guy. He's working at raising money for his community that's been devastated by floods in Australia.
Please give consideration to his request below:

Photographic Fine Art Print Sale for charity:
You may have seen the news footage of the significant flooding that occurred throughout Queensland Australia during late December 2010 and January 2011. Many lost their lives, many more lost their homes. Three quarters of the state was declared a disaster zone. This is an area roughly the size of Texas.

A resident of Brisbane Queensland, award-winning photographer Marcus Bell is raising money to help flood victims, by placing ten of his own classic images up for sale. All proceeds from each sale will be going to the Queensland Governments Flood disaster relief fund. Each signed “Artist Proof” print is an original award winning photographic work. Each unframed 24 inch print for sale for $950 (plus postage) and is printed to the highest quality 300GSM Archival cotton paper. Many of these prints represents a saving of between 50 to 75% off the normal edition print price.

In addition 20% of ALL of Marcus Bell Photographer Resources Products sold during January and February will also be donated to the fund. This also includes the 5 new Instant Effect Presets products recently released after a year in development.

For more information in relation to the floods and how you can help please visit Marcus Bell Blog Marcus Bell Queensland Flood Appeal


Photographic Fine Art Print Sale

You may have seen the news footage of the significant flooding that occurred throughout Queensland Australia during late December 2010 and January 2011. Many lost their lives, many more lost their homes. Three quarters of the state was declared a disaster zone. This is an area roughly the size of Texas.

A resident of Brisbane Queensland, award-winning photographer Marcus Bell is raising money to help flood victims, by placing ten of his own classic images up for sale. All proceeds from each sale will be going to the Queensland Governments Flood disaster relief fund. Each signed “Artist Proof” print is an original award winning photographic work. Each unframed 24 inch print for sale for $950 (plus postage) and is printed to the highest quality 300GSM Archival cotton paper. Many of these prints represents a saving of between 50 to 75% off the normal edition print price.

In addition 20% of ALL of Marcus Bell Photographer Resources Products sold during January and February will also be donated to the fund. This also includes the 5 new Instant Effect Presets products recently released after a year in development.

For more information in relation to the floods and how you can help please visit Marcus Bell Blog http://www.studioimpressionsphotography.com/blog/2011/01/queensland-flood-relief-2/  where you will find links to both the Fine Art Gallery and the Resources site.

Rainy Fall day at Arlington National Cemetery

Graveside memorial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

Firing Party at Arlington National Cemetery

Preparing to present flag to family at Arlington National Cemetery

Marching band procession past Coliseum at Arlington National Cemetery

Boots and Hoofs, Caission at Arlington National Cemetery

Flag detail with Old Guard at Arlington with McClellan Gate in background

Moonset on Easter Sunday at Arlington National Cemetery

Navy honor guard carries casket to gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery

Marine Marching band at Arlington National Cemetery

Military Ushers at Arlington National Cemetery during Easter Sunrise Service

Marines folding flag for presentation to family at Arlington National Cemetery

Sentinels at auditorium, Arlington National Cemetery Easter Sunrise service

Arlington National Cemetery with Old Georgetown in background

Old Guard Funeral Procession at Arlington National Cemetery.

Old Guard Caisson with Gray's and U.S. Capital in the background at evening light.

Marine firing party at Arlington National Cemetery with Washington Monument in background