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
  • 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]
  • Ramp to Downtown Expressway [02] Ramp to Downtown Expressway [02]
  • Railroad bridge [05] Railroad bridge [05]
  • Railroad bridge [04] Railroad bridge [04]
  • Ramp to Downtown Expressway [01] Ramp to Downtown Expressway [01]
  • Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [03] Richmond floodwall opening for Canal [03]
  • Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [05] Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [05]
  • Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [04] Canal Walk through Shockoe Bottom [04]
  • 140 Virginia Street 140 Virginia Street
  • Curve in the Canal [02] Curve in the Canal [02]
  • Curve in the Canal [01] Curve in the Canal [01]
  • Power Plant and the Italianate Power Plant and the Italianate
  • The Italianate [06] The Italianate [06]
  • The Italianate [05] The Italianate [05]
  • The Italianate [04] The Italianate [04]
  • Riverfront Plaza [04] Riverfront Plaza [04]
  • Riverfront Plaza east tower Riverfront Plaza east tower
  • Federal Reserve Bank building [02] Federal Reserve Bank building [02]
  • Riverfront Plaza west tower [02] Riverfront Plaza west tower [02]
  • Kayakers on the James River Kayakers on the James River
  • Shoes hanging from bridge cable [02] Shoes hanging from bridge cable [02]
  • Richmond skyline [12] Richmond skyline [12]
  • Richmond skyline [11] Richmond skyline [11]
  • Richmond skyline [10] Richmond skyline [10]
  • Richmond skyline [09] Richmond skyline [09]
  • Richmond skyline [08] Richmond skyline [08]
  • Richmond skyline [07] Richmond skyline [07]
  • Richmond skyline [06] Richmond skyline [06]
  • Richmond skyline [05] Richmond skyline [05]
  • Richmond skyline [04] Richmond skyline [04]
  • Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge and Belle Isle pedestrian bridge [02] Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge and Belle Isle pedestrian bridge [02]
  • Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge and Belle Isle pedestrian bridge [01] Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge and Belle Isle pedestrian bridge [01]
  • Richmond skyline [03] Richmond skyline [03]
  • Abandoned bridge piers Abandoned bridge piers
  • Canada goose on small island Canada goose on small island
  • Canada goose in the James River Canada goose in the James River
  • Abandoned bridge on Belle Isle Abandoned bridge on Belle Isle
  • Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge Robert E. Lee Memorial Bridge
  • Rafters on the James River Rafters on the James River
  • Shoes hanging from bridge cable [01] Shoes hanging from bridge cable [01]
  • Belle Isle pedestrian bridge Belle Isle pedestrian bridge
  • Richmond skyline [02] Richmond skyline [02]
  • Railroad bridge [03] Railroad bridge [03]
  • Railroad bridge [02] Railroad bridge [02]
  • Abandoned railroad bridge Abandoned railroad bridge
  • Richmond skyline [01] Richmond skyline [01]
  • Rocks in the James River [01] Rocks in the James River [01]
  • Woman reading a book Woman reading a book
  • MeadWestvaco building [02] MeadWestvaco building [02]
  • MeadWestvaco building [01] MeadWestvaco building [01]
  • MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [02] MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [02]
  • Cloud over Richmond Cloud over Richmond
  • MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [01] MeadWestvaco, Federal Reserve, and Riverfront Plaza buildings [01]
  • Tree in bloom [04] Tree in bloom [04]
  • Tree in bloom [03] Tree in bloom [03]
  • Tree in bloom [02] Tree in bloom [02]
  • Tree in bloom [01] Tree in bloom [01]
  • Riverfront Plaza west tower [01] Riverfront Plaza west tower [01]
  • Footbridge over the Canal [04] Footbridge over the Canal [04]
  • Riverfront Plaza [03] Riverfront Plaza [03]
  • Footbridge over the Canal [03] Footbridge over the Canal [03]
  • Footbridge over the Canal [02] Footbridge over the Canal [02]
  • Federal Reserve and Riverfront Plaza [01] Federal Reserve and Riverfront Plaza [01]
  • Federal Reserve Bank building [01] Federal Reserve Bank building [01]
  • Clouds over Richmond Clouds over Richmond
  • Footbridge over the Canal [01] Footbridge over the Canal [01]
  • Riverfront Plaza [02] Riverfront Plaza [02]
  • Riverfront Plaza [01] Riverfront Plaza [01]
  • Lamppost along the Canal Walk Lamppost along the Canal Walk
  • Power lines Power lines
  • The Italianate [03] The Italianate [03]
  • The Italianate [02] The Italianate [02]
  • The Italianate [01] The Italianate [01]
  • Art space in former power plant [01] Art space in former power plant [01]
  • Be Cheerful "Fit In" Be Cheerful "Fit In"
  • Alume signage Alume signage
  • Christopher Newport Cross [03] Christopher Newport Cross [03]
  • Christopher Newport Cross [02] Christopher Newport Cross [02]