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
  • Frost on a Kia Soul Frost on a Kia Soul
  • Sandy Point State Park [64] Sandy Point State Park [64]
  • Sandy Point State Park [63] Sandy Point State Park [63]
  • Kia Soul in the driveway Kia Soul in the driveway
  • Kia Soul in Stuarts Draft, Virginia Kia Soul in Stuarts Draft, Virginia
  • Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [03] Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [03]
  • Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [02] Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [02]
  • Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [01] Kia Soul in Shockoe Bottom parking lot [01]
  • Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [01] Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [01]
  • Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [02] Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [02]
  • Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [03] Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [03]
  • Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [04] Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [04]
  • Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [05] Kia Soul at Gene Mason Sports Complex [05]
  • Kia Soul at Westfield Wheaton Kia Soul at Westfield Wheaton
  • Wrinkled hands following tubing adventure Wrinkled hands following tubing adventure
  • Kia Soul at Aspen Hill Citgo Kia Soul at Aspen Hill Citgo
  • Kia Soul at the dealership Kia Soul at the dealership
  • Kia Soul at Dulles Airport Kia Soul at Dulles Airport
  • Kia Soul at Walgreens Kia Soul at Walgreens
  • Kia Soul at Edge Hill Cemetery Kia Soul at Edge Hill Cemetery
  • Kia Soul at Asbury Park Kia Soul at Asbury Park