Ben Schumin Photography Portfolio

Ben Schumin is a professional photographer who captures the intricacies of daily life.

Washington Monument in scaffolding, September 5, 2013

Washington Monument in scaffolding, September 5, 2013

The Washington Monument, a stone obelisk erected to commemorate President George Washington, was closed for an indefinite period following a 5.8 magnitude earthquake on August 23, 2011. The closure stemmed from extensive damage sustained during the earthquake to the stone that forms the monument. This included a dislodged block in the pyramidion, cracking near the top, and numerous smaller instances of stone damage on the exterior and interior of the structure.

Following detailed inspections of the structure and funding of a repair plan, including a $7.5 contribution from local philanthropist David Rubenstein towards the estimated $15 million cost for repairs, work to repair the structure began in early 2013, as the structure was encased in scaffolding for the third time in its history. Preparations for the scaffolding were underway by February, the scaffolding had reached a third of the way up by late March, and was topped out by May. A lighting system for the scaffolding went live in July. The lighting was discontinued after the night of November 3, and the removal of the scaffolding began the following week, in a process that would take several months to complete. The National Park Service estimates that the Washington Monument will reopen to visitors in spring 2014.

I photographed the Washington Monument while it was wearing its shroud of scaffolding during the day on September 5, 2013. I photographed it from all around, both at close range near the construction fence, and from a distance, going past the Tidal Basin, the memorials that are located in this part of the Mall, and Constitution Gardens.

More at The Schumin Web:
www.schuminweb.com/photography/photo-2013/shrouded-in-sca...
83 photos
Washington Monument in scaffolding, November 8-9, 2013

Washington Monument in scaffolding, November 8-9, 2013

The Washington Monument, a stone obelisk erected to commemorate President George Washington, was closed for an indefinite period following a 5.8 magnitude earthquake on August 23, 2011. The closure stemmed from extensive damage sustained during the earthquake to the stone that forms the monument. This included a dislodged block in the pyramidion, cracking near the top, and numerous smaller instances of stone damage on the exterior and interior of the structure.

Following detailed inspections of the structure and funding of a repair plan, including a $7.5 contribution from local philanthropist David Rubenstein towards the estimated $15 million cost for repairs, work to repair the structure began in early 2013, as the structure was encased in scaffolding for the third time in its history. Preparations for the scaffolding were underway by February, the scaffolding had reached a third of the way up by late March, and was topped out by May. A lighting system for the scaffolding went live in July. The lighting was discontinued after the night of November 3, and the removal of the scaffolding began the following week, in a process that would take several months to complete. The National Park Service estimates that the Washington Monument will reopen to visitors in spring 2014.

I photographed the Washington Monument while it was wearing its shroud of scaffolding during the late night and early morning hours of November 8-9, 2013. I photographed it from all around, both at close range near the construction fence, and from a distance, going past the Tidal Basin, the memorials that are located in this part of the Mall, and Constitution Gardens. Unlike most nighttime photos of the Washington Monument during this period, where the monument was backlit, the monument is shown here lit with the normal nighttime lighting.

More at The Schumin Web:
www.schuminweb.com/photography/photo-2013/shrouded-in-sca...
41 photos
  • The Italianate [06] The Italianate [06]
  • The Italianate [05] The Italianate [05]
  • The Italianate [03] The Italianate [03]
  • The Italianate [02] The Italianate [02]
  • The Italianate [01] The Italianate [01]
  • Christopher Newport Cross [01] Christopher Newport Cross [01]
  • The Italianate [04] The Italianate [04]
  • Curve in the Canal [01] Curve in the Canal [01]
  • Curve in the Canal [02] Curve in the Canal [02]
  • Riverfront Plaza [04] Riverfront Plaza [04]
  • Riverfront Plaza east tower Riverfront Plaza east tower
  • Rocks in the James River [01] Rocks in the James River [01]
  • Riverfront Plaza west tower [01] Riverfront Plaza west tower [01]
  • 140 Virginia Street 140 Virginia Street
  • Bench along the Canal Walk Bench along the Canal Walk
  • Riverfront Plaza [01] Riverfront Plaza [01]
  • Riverfront Plaza [02] Riverfront Plaza [02]
  • Archway and gate at Reynolds Wrap building [02] Archway and gate at Reynolds Wrap building [02]
  • Lamppost along the Canal Walk Lamppost along the Canal Walk
  • MeadWestvaco building [01] MeadWestvaco building [01]
  • Canada goose in the James River Canada goose in the James River
  • Riverfront Plaza west tower [02] Riverfront Plaza west tower [02]
  • Canada goose on small island Canada goose on small island
  • Clouds over Richmond Clouds over Richmond
  • Art space in former power plant [01] Art space in former power plant [01]
  • Power Plant and the Italianate Power Plant and the Italianate
  • Tree in bloom [03] Tree in bloom [03]
  • Tree in bloom [04] Tree in bloom [04]
  • Federal Reserve and Riverfront Plaza [01] Federal Reserve and Riverfront Plaza [01]
  • Footbridge over the Canal [01] Footbridge over the Canal [01]
  • Riverfront Plaza [03] Riverfront Plaza [03]
  • Tree in bloom [01] Tree in bloom [01]
  • Cloud over Richmond Cloud over Richmond
  • Alume signage Alume signage
  • East end of the Canal Walk East end of the Canal Walk
  • MeadWestvaco building [02] MeadWestvaco building [02]
  • Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [02] Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [02]
  • Kayakers on the James River Kayakers on the James River
  • Footbridge over the Canal [02] Footbridge over the Canal [02]
  • Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [01] Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [01]
  • Abandoned bridge piers Abandoned bridge piers
  • Tree in bloom [02] Tree in bloom [02]
  • Vistas on the James [01] Vistas on the James [01]
  • Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [03] Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [03]
  • Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [03] Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [03]
  • Footbridge over the Canal [04] Footbridge over the Canal [04]
  • Federal Reserve Bank building [01] Federal Reserve Bank building [01]
  • Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [02] Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [02]
  • Rafters on the James River Rafters on the James River
  • Federal Reserve Bank building [02] Federal Reserve Bank building [02]
  • Belle Isle pedestrian bridge Belle Isle pedestrian bridge
  • Footbridge over the Canal [03] Footbridge over the Canal [03]
  • Floodwall door Floodwall door
  • Christopher Newport Cross [02] Christopher Newport Cross [02]
  • MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [01] MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [01]
  • Be Cheerful "Fit In" Be Cheerful "Fit In"
  • Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge
  • MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [02] MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [02]
  • La Difference La Difference
  • Christopher Newport Cross [03] Christopher Newport Cross [03]
  • Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [01] Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [01]
  • Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [03] Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [03]
  • Railroad bridge [02] Railroad bridge [02]
  • Power lines Power lines
  • Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [05] Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [05]
  • Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge and Belle Isle pedestrian bridge [02] Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge and Belle Isle pedestrian bridge [02]
  • Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [04] Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [04]
  • Railroad bridge [01] Railroad bridge [01]
  • Abandoned bridge on Belle Isle Abandoned bridge on Belle Isle
  • Railroad bridge [03] Railroad bridge [03]
  • Richmond skyline [06] Richmond skyline [06]
  • Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [02] Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [02]
  • "Darth Vader" railroad signal "Darth Vader" railroad signal
  • Norfolk Southern "No Trespassing" sign Norfolk Southern "No Trespassing" sign
  • Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [01] Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [01]
  • Richmond skyline [08] Richmond skyline [08]
  • Wire terminal structures Wire terminal structures
  • Railroad bridge [05] Railroad bridge [05]
  • Richmond skyline [01] Richmond skyline [01]
  • Ramp to Downtown Expressway [02] Ramp to Downtown Expressway [02]