the White House has a Flickr stream
I found through a good friend of mine (hermetica.wordpress.com) that the White House has a Flickr stream, full with nice photographs from the Oval Office, official meetings, President Barack Obama and much more. Bellow a couple just as sample.
What is even nicer is the Copyright 
And of course the link: The White House Flickr Stream.
Enjoy! Z.
Answer to twiplog “10 new years resolutions every photographer should make”
1. I will learn how to use my camera.
Well I kind of understand this point, but as I see it, photographers are very creative through their nature of being a photographer and not going through the entire camera manual but instead fiddling with it is very likely to make the photographer feel like a small kid with a "kinder egg".
2. I will not use the Auto setting on my camera.
No way to agree to that, maybe if I were a god of photography but we all know there are very few of those, even among the professionals. I'm sure that it can happen a lot, here I'm thinking hobbyists, to take a couple of shots and be displeased with the results only to find out that taking the same shot on Auto has better results.
I can't suggest leaving it at that though.. but rather study the settings of the shot on Auto and try to make it better on your own.
3. I will not use on-camera flash.
True.. if only I had another option available at this (or that) point in time... I guess some flash is sometimes better than none.
4. I will not be hindered by the gear I do not have.
Does talent and experience count as gear? Not?! Than yes I will not be hindered by the gear I do not have.
5. I will shoot in RAW.
This one makes perfect sense. When I first got my camera I thought that if I am to be a good (hobby) photographer than I should be able to take great shots as is, in JPG. Seriously, what's with all that computer manipulation?! Well.. as I learn better I had to change my ways, especially since you can save some amazing shots in RAW, while those JPGs are just dead hard drive waste.
6. I will learn how to process my shots.
I would not go for buying new software because for learning purposes the Canon DPP and the Nikon Capture or even in worse case scenario Picasa can do some magic. And trust me you do not need Lightroom if you're just an average Joe and just now learning about things.
Oh why I said buying? Because if you go through with the trial and learn to do things on that there is a big chance of buying it out of habit (being used to that piece of software).
7. I will share my photos with others on the web.
One of the best things you could do with your photographs. If they are good enough for Fotolia or other microstock sites or even big places like Getty, than even better, but you sure have lots to learn by sharing your shots with others like you, no matter who you are.
8. I will accept critiques of my work.
Well duh! Photography is some sort of art right.. and as such critique is part of the deal. Not to mention how helpful critique can be.
9. I will set goals and be proactive about my photography career.
Depends on who you are really. I guess this one can be ok only for some people. If you are like me and have a different career path but photography is just an important hobby, being proactive about .. is not really something that fits.
10. I will connect with other photographers.
Well if you go about sharing your shots as per point 7 and accepting critique as per point 8 than this should be more or less already implied.
By the way dear reader.. here is twiplog.
Chile earthquake 9 days later
I don't know how many of you are familiar with "The Big Picture" but hopefully after this small post more of you will. What I know is that my blog has little traffic but even so, even if I manage to send one person to the see the amazing images I just saw I'll be satisfied.
The incredible images I am writing about above show another face of tragedy and suffering but they also show that man is strong and that man can be kind and help others. I think that is also the intention or at least partially so, since the Boston Globe article is entitled "Chile, nine days later". Unlike the sensationalist news and articles all over the place these pictures show this tragedy and it's outcome from many angles. If you look through all 41 photographs you'll see, maybe how you would expect, someone under medical care but you will also see a captured looter or women making something to eat and young people sitting outside a house with electrical cables around to power their laptops.
Here is the link: The Big Picture - Chile, nine days later
Enjoy! (if I even should "say" that)