Washington Post Office, a photo from District of Columbia, South

Photographer's Note

One the triumphs of conservation, rather early on in the US's realisation that it's worth presevering old buildings is the old Post office in Washington. IMO, the best building in town, even more so than the Union Station (also beautifully restored). That's quite somethign considering how much I like stations. The lofty interior has all the interesting features preserved, and is filled with a vibrant variety of bars and cafes. There's also a tower to go up, giving about the best view of town, with views up and down Pennsylvania Avenue.

No PP on this except for colour correction. I left in the perspective distortion to enhance the impression of the high ceiling.

Not sure how to place this. If it hadn't been common practice on TE, I'd have put it in Washington DC, Maryland, but most people seem to prefer this. Maybe one for Adam to rationalise.

sergione, lestans, rozy975, HOBO, don_narayan, jhm, weswang, nwoehnl, david, anney has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

sergione (582) 2006-02-15 4:04

Hi Richard, a shot full of colour, details, shapes and dynamism, well-balanced for light and shadows. Bravo!

KevRyan (22956) 2006-02-15 4:08

A nice architectural shot Richard - full of interest all the way to the top - the different union flags are interesting too - I didn't know there were so many varieties - that's a very well populated image you have there - and an interesting note.

best wishes Kev

lestans (17258) 2006-02-15 4:58

What a scene, what a perspective!! I like so much to see USA flags everywhere when I go to America, and here there are lots.
But the pic is so rich, there is so much to look at! I like so many busy people, and also people resting in the bar. It is really an interesting place, well done the conservation.
Livia

pastadog (13111) 2006-02-15 5:59

Hi Richard, a complex composition, I spent quite a while looking at it and its many details. Of course I also asked myself - where is the ceiling????, it seems the building goes on like this forever. When full of people I generally hate these places, but you've made me like this one! TFS! Daniel.

bantonbuju (51815) 2006-02-15 6:33

hi richard, this is something contradictory to my impression about how the post office might look like, absolutely amazing building, and the hall is so packed, looks like half of the washington were in the building at that moment;
nice compo;
best wishes, j.

rbcy1974 (20758) 2006-02-15 8:02

Hi Richard,
Very good POV, the arrangement of flags tables and people really gives a special depth to the place,
well captured
regards
Daniel

HOBO (5282) 2006-02-15 8:44

Hello Richard;
well, i think it's simply America, everything must be a bit bigger... ;-)
Nice little patio...
Regards
Knut

Furachan (0) 2006-02-15 8:54

Fascinating, Richard, both your note and this glaringly patriotic atrium ...don't you think Americans overdo it ust a bit with the Stars and Stripes (since 9/11 i's totally out of control). Of course here you've got a virtual history of the flag through all its bloody and violent permutations (Civil War alone, 600,000 casualties!)
I share your love of stations, Grand Central in new York is fabulous, don't you agree?
best,
Francis

don_narayan (2014) 2006-02-15 9:44

Hi Richard. from the thumbnail, I thought it was the Stock Exchange, for some silly reason. Indeed it is a nice building and you photo conveys that great architecture very well. I've never been in this building but i know how the Union Station is, which is very nice, certainly. Good light you got as well.

District of Columbia is the appropriate place to put it. Since Washington is not part of any state, hence the maxim, "taxation without representation." Since Washington DC is not part of a state, they get no national representation yet are taxed the same as those that are represented... it's a bone of contention there.

Narayan

jhm (202831) 2006-02-15 13:13

Hi Richard,
What a old picture but really a nowadays image. A very beautiful place for drink a cup of coffee or a other drink, I like so much to see USA flags everywhere, also the construction above give a excellent composition.
Best regards,
John.

weswang (18247) 2006-02-15 16:35

Hi Richard, I never thought of a post office could be this big and with cafe in it. A nice capture of the crowd, the building, and the contrast. A very well taken picture. Thanks for the informative notes.

nwoehnl (122) 2006-02-15 19:06

Very well-captured interior, Richard, I remember this from my trip six years ago. Good showing of the interior space with the obligatory array of flags and a vivid add provided by the folks frequenting the food court. Well balanced exposure.

I think it's geographically 100% correctly placed; on my one-dozen trips to North America I never once heard the notion of "Washington DC, Maryland".

everlasting (17568) 2006-02-16 1:11

I agree with you Richard the Old PO is one of the nicest buildigns in town, great view from the top as well. I was goign to say that you have the right location, but I see Narayan has already said that and nipped in quick with the Taxation without representation, which is also what i was gogint o say.
Nothing left to say then, except great colours, full of action.

david (3992) 2006-02-16 8:07

i agree that the vertical framing, incorporating the flags and ceiling, make this photo quite appealing. there's a lot to look at. moving your shot to the left by an inch or two would have centred up the two rows of flags, which you've cut off (the left side) slightly.

this photo is nice, and the accompanying note is worth reading. thanks for sharing richard!

kevinos (7517) 2006-02-17 5:00

A very interesting and rich picture, Richard.
My word, you do get about! I never know where your next picture will come from. This picture looks so American, so neurotic. Strage how this flag has become a symbol of menace! It makes me feel quite uncomfortable.

keribar (43841) 2006-03-06 14:17

Hello Richard,

I like this one because it has so many faces. The colorful flags, the crowds
in so many levels, the architecture of the station and the lights, everything is there for the creation of a delightful image.

Izzet