The DCist photo pool tends to skew towards things more than people. Architectural details, statues, monuments, street scenes, wildlife. But while people as subjects are in the minority, portraiture is even more rare. Which is what made this photograph of Muata, a street musician who plays in the Dupont area, by Flickr user yonas1 stand out today. No EXIF data for this one, as it was taken on film (another feature atypical of the pool). We love photos of the people who give this city its character, so don't be shy about posting more.

A little reminiscent of a National Geographic time-lapse shot, this shot by chip py the photo guy of a statue on the Memorial Bridge really stood out. We've seen the statues fly by (or crawl by) many times, but the colors are surreal and bright and the man on the horse looks like an extra in 300. The light streaks above draw our eye up the shot too, and provide a weird contrast — stone and electricity. Interesting stuff. EXIF.

August is drawing to a close, and so too is our month-long Touch Up D.C. feature, inspired by our friends over at Londonist. Flickr user Schodts uploaded this entry to Flickr and tagged it with "touchupdc", showing us a WMATA Metro Map to Nowhere with a wintry snowflake theme. Add your images to Flickr or email them to sommer (at) dcist.com before the end of the day tomorrow to still be considered.

The Skipping Hippy took a trip to Baltimore's Patterson Park Pagoda and snapped this neat shot of the spiral staircase there. Here's the EXIF, and here's a history of the Pagoda, originally known as the Observation Tower, which is open noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays through October.

It was the colors in this photo that caught my eye; they present a nice contrast against the cloudy sky. The low perspective on the shot is also appealing in that it gives the old gas station a sense that it is looming above the street, deserted and monolithic--even though it's not. The subject is the Kensington Service Center, part of Kensington's Antique Row, which chip py the photo guy visited on Saturday. I will admit a soft spot for gas station photos, as it was an old-style Texaco with full service that enabled me to pay for my gas and beer in high school, and this photo evokes the bell ringing in the service bay when the local little-old-ladies would drive their gold '85 Cadillac Sevilles up to the pumps. Aaah. Good times. Does anyone else have high-school job nostalgia? Let us know in the comments. EXIF.

The weather was pretty intense this weekend, wasn't it, Washington? With heat indices reaching to a hotter-than-a-crotch 105º right before Saturday's intense thunderstorms, and then a cooler Sunday with some good heat lightning (from the Hill, anyway) and crazy cloud formation right before sunset, we were treated to quite a show. A great pre-storm photo catches the intensity of our weather (and some of the great colors that go along with it). Andertho spiced up this scene from Mason Neck with a little HDR action and well-executed composition.

Take a gander at our photo pool for some other great weather photos taken this weekend.

We don't know about you, but at the end of a long week, before we get down to the serious business of enjoying the weekend, there's nothing better than a nap to draw the line between the week and the weekend and get the batteries charged for for a couple of days of hardcore relaxation. We're guessing this guy agrees. But then again what cat will turn down any excuse for a nap? Flickr user tnt.dc gets credit for beautifully capturing this handsome ginger fellow in mid-yawn. EXIF.

Flickr user Eximious Pictures uploaded this mashup up of the famous WWII propaganda poster "He's Watching You" with, what else, the Capitol, home of our beloved U.S. Congress. Though considering the origins of warrantless domestic wiretapping, perhaps this would have been equally if not more appropriate with The White House? Thanks for your entry, and keep them coming by either emailing them to sommer (at) dcist.com or uploading them to Flickr with the tag "touchupdc."

When this photo popped in the DCist Flickr Group, I assumed that epmd had gone on a trip out west somewhere — Texas, Utah, something like that. But no, this is our very own Anacostia River! As furcafe notes in the comments, it looks like one of those natural history museum dioramas. We almost expect to see pronghorns having a drink. And adding to the wackiness, the shot was taken by a camera from Pop Tarts boxes. Hopefully the kind with frosting and sprinkles.

Flickr user Julianasur, aka web designer Juliana Diaz, uploaded this trashscape of the area around the National Mall as her entry to our August-long Touch Up D.C. feature. Is it a damning political statement, or a creepy apocalyptic vision of the future? Or both? Thanks for your entry Juliana, and remember that there's only about a week left to tag your touched up photos in Flickr with "touchupdc" or email them to sommer (at) dcist.com.

IntangibleArts uploaded this photo from a day spent at Maryland's Glen Echo Park. I could talk about the nice detail on the water droplets or the sense of longing captured in the eyes, but really, I just chose this because of the adorable puppy tongue reaching out to capture some cool drink. This photo reminds me to step up our cute furry animal coverage on DCist. EXIF.

He loves me; He loves me not; He loves me... We may be making history on DCist today, all. I don't know if a food photograph has ever been selected as POTD, but it's bound to happen if you let the foodies fill in. This photo of some delicious bresaola from LaTur leaves me feeling both hungry and jealous. Hungry because it's lunchtime, and jealous that I won't be enjoying a platter of cured meat this noon hour. Almost as delicate as rose petals, these thin slices of meat are prosciutto's much less salty, more complex flavored bovine cousin. If you haven't tried it, look for it on menus at places like 2Amy's (which is where this photo was taken), Dino, Sonoma, or at your local meat counter or cheesemonger (Cheesetique in Del Ray has a particularly good version). Kudos to our DCist photogs and their great food photography! EXIF.

Flickr contributor easement whipped up a few choice entries for our August Touch Up D.C. feature, but this one won hands down as the favorite of our editorial staff. We're sure Apollo Creed is furious. Don't forget to flex those photo editing muscles before the end of the month, and send in your entries either by emailing them to sommer (at) dcist.com or tagging them with "touchupdc" on Flickr.

Korn has one, and so does Ozzy. Having a summer rock festival is just something the big boys do, and Linkin Park is no different.

Yesterday the band's Projekt Revolution tour came to Nissan Pavilion, promising a diverse bill of hard rock bands on two stages. Now in its fourth year, the tour has in the past featured Korn, Snoop Dogg, Mudvayne, Cypress Hill, Xzibit and Less Than Jake, lineups more eclectic than Korn's Family Values tour or Osbourne's OzzFest. This year the main stage acts included electronica-inspired Julien-K, Euro-rockers Placebo, love metal pioneers HIM, emo-kings Taking Back Sunday and rock's newest concept album pioneers, My Chemical Romance.

Photos by Kyle Gustafson.

This photo of a security guard at the National Gallery of Art comes to us from krisetya. The perspective in this photo is really nice, and I like how the guard is framed in the background light. I do question the wisdom of going into museums on an August weekend with such pleasant weather (including the rain--we really need it!), but it might be a good chance to get in when the crowds are thin. Here's a link to the EXIF data for all the photo nerds.

Judging from the photos in the pool, it looks like a lot of you got out of town this weekend. If this is the case, welcome back, and we welcome your photos from afield; except maybe this one.

Flickr user randomduck imagines the Washington Monument as a stake in the world's largest game of horseshoes. Besides who could possibly be playing this game (giants, God?), the other question of course is what would be on the other end of the pitch. The Capitol Dome, perhaps? Send your touched up photos of D.C. through the end of August to sommer (at) dcist.com.

Last night the sun set on another summer at Fort Reno, which always makes us a little wistful. We never make it out to quite as many shows as we want to at the beginning of the summer, and now it's all gone until next year. It also means that parents' options for taking their kids out to see cool music is once again limited. One of our favorite aspects of Fort Reno is seeing all the kiddies running around enjoying the bands as much as Mom and Dad. While one does see the occasional toddler at the Black Cat, those shows end past most tykes' bedtimes. Flickr user intemporelle captured this happy shot of kids playing at Fort Reno, and added a bit of an endless summer touch of nostalgia in post-production. Give it 15 years or so, and maybe these girls will be fronting their own band on the Fort Reno stage.

Ryan Orr submitted this reworking of a recent photo of his to include tanks defending Washington from an attack by Godzilla. Perhaps the giant lizard came to town searching for Mothra, whom he was mistakenly told holds the position of United States Congressman from Pennsylvania.

Nothing like a creepy monster on this dark Thursday, right? This weird shot of a cicada's shell by Pencil Necked Geek got our attention with its great detail (the fuzz!) and the strange, shiny eye. The powdery looking rock or brick is odd too. Kind of reminds us of some 1950s monster movie -- or even scarier, the summer of 2004. EXIF.

LaTur went down to the U.S. Army Band’s annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture" at the Sylvan Theater and got this fantastic capture of The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Presidential Salute Battery's cannon salutes. Talk about great timing. Here's the EXIF.

Hopefully andertho doesn't mind reader Michael J. West using his recent Photo of the Day as the backdrop for his Touch Up D.C. entry, titled "Star Wars Tunnel.” Stabilize your rear deflectors, watch for enemy fighters and keep those touched up photos coming, either by tagging your Flickr photo with "touchupdc" or emailing them to sommer (at) dcist.com (looks like a lot of you who don't regularly use Flickr are having trouble, so yes, emailing them in is fine).

Eye Captain's iconic shot of the giant swing ride at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair reminds us it's high time to check out some pig races and grab ourselves a deep-fried Oreo and some funnel cake. Who's with us? EXIF.

Flickr user Doug Moore uploaded this photo for our Touch Up D.C. contest, titled "The Intern," that shows the hapless student making his way to the Capitol along a dark and dusty road -- that kid's going to need a real suit before he starts his internship, don't you think?

Don't forget, tag your entries of creatively re-imagined scenes of our city with "touchupdc" in Flickr, as we'll be posting a few entries per week through the month of August. Or, if like Doug, you're a new Flickr user and your tags aren't working properly, feel free to email them directly to sommer (at) dcist.com.

They're never too young to start training for Photo of the Day submissions. Flickr user Bsivad took this downright adorable picture of a little girl who approached him and asked if she could try out his Nikon D1. Not bad work!

The notion that Capitol Hill is its own little world becomes reality in Flickr user tim kelley's imagination, as he applies a popular planet-style photo editing job to the Capitol and its environs.

Bored this weekend? Try out your photo editing skills in our ongoing Touch Up D.C. photo contest, throughout the month of August. Upload your entries to Flickr and tag it with "touchupdc." We'll be posting entries we love a few times each week until Labor Day.

Hopefully andertho wasn't driving when he grabbed this shot inside the tunnel on I-395. The great perspective draws your eye in to the dark corner where those cars are about turn out of sight and away from the peculiar orange glow of the passageway. EXIF

The 46,686 spectators that packed into RFK stadium got their money's worth last night. The United faithful saw a dominating performance that vaulted their team into second place in the Eastern Conference of MLS. Those hoping to see soccer star and global icon David Beckham also left pleased: LA's five million dollar man played the final 20 minutes, making his Major League Soccer debut.

Though United's finishing was spotty, they enjoyed the great majority of chances throughout the game and had little trouble maintaining possession. Despite the hoopla surrounding the game, United's players remained commendably focused, especially in the early minutes. This led to several chances, among them an eight yard volley that Ben Olsen sent narrowly over the cross bar and a Luciano Emilio header off of a corner kick that also sailed just high of goal.

Emilio would atone for his lost opportunity in the 27th minute. After enjoying a nice run of possession, United found the back of the net thanks to a fantastic strike. Converted defender Mark Burch found Emilio about 30 yards from net on the left side of the field. Emilio ran towards the center of the field and tested GK Joe Cannon with his powerful right foot. Cannon, playing a few yards off his line, was able to get a hand on Emilio's shot but could not prevent the goal.

Photos by Kyle Gustafson

I was just driving by this radio tower on Georgia Avenue NW this weekend and exclaimed how awesome looking it was. Flickr user edwardaggie98 turned it into a great photo, with the fog slowly obscuring it up to the top. Maybe it's supposed to be rotated clockwise, but the 90 degree angle gives an interesting "what exactly is that" feel. EXIF.

We've already received a few submissions to our August Touch Up D.C. photo editing extravaganza, so here's our very first selection, by Flickr user htlvhwy, titled "Tessie, the Tidal Basin Monster." The serene paddle boaters are a particularly nice touch to this mashup of Scottish folklore and American tourism. Well played, htlvhwy!

In case you missed yesterday's announcement, inspired by our sister site Londonist's regular Touch Up London feature, we're going to run the best submissions we get from our readers of creatively re-imagined scenes from around Washington, D.C. Upload your best Photoshopped entries to Flickr, tag them with "touchupdc," and we'll post them throughout the month of August as a way to beat back those humidity blues.

Wow. This image of a very defensive plant almost looks like something from an electron microscope, than a photograph from a standard optical dSLR. Flickr user krisetya found this leaf at the Smithsonian Castle Garden, but can't remember what kind it is -- anyone know? EXIF.

If you've never visited our sister site Londonist and checked out their fantastic Photoshop-based feature, Touch Up London, you really should right this minute. Every week, Londonist editors ask their photo editing-skilled readers to take an iconic image of their city and "touch it up" into something funny, freakish, or just plain wonderful. There have been 55 selected Touch Up London images already, but this one, by Londonist reader Andy Fisher, is one of our favorites. Do click through and check out the rest of them.

So since we're well into the Dull Days of August and we have a sneaking suspicion there are quite a few of you sitting at your desks, longing for distraction now that your boss has finally left for vacation, we thought we'd throw the floodgates open on a little Touch Up D.C. contest. We're not sure how long we'll let it go on just yet -- that will depend on what the response is like -- but if you'd like to "touch up" a landmark, street scene, or any other image that represents the District, upload it to Flickr and tag it with "touchupdc" -- we'll take a look at what you send in and post our favorites throughout the month of August. Please DO NOT upload your Touch Up entries to the regular DCist Photo Pool, however, as we don't want anyone to end up getting confused! And remember, be as creative as you can be. There are no real rules to this endeavor other than it has to be based on an image of something in D.C. (D.C. metro area is OK too). Other than that, the possibilities are endless.

Flickr user erin*carly took this high perspective image of the interior of Harris Teeter, and a commenter aptly notes that that it's reminiscent of Andreas Gursky. If you're going emulate great photographers, he's not a bad one to choose, especially as far as your wallet's concerned. Gursky's wide-angle photographs, which turn repetitive items into a single mass of disorienting landscape, fetch serious cash. His 99 Cent II Diptychon is the highest selling photograph of all time at just over $3.3 million. EXIF.

It looks like someone took a lot of time to set up this scene in miniature, or to hand-draw those little lambs in their own verdant pasture. Not so. This photo comes to us from pamelaviola, and is probably a product of a little tilt-shift or some digital manipulation to make it look that way. At any rate, the color of the grass and selective focus around the lambs lands this photo on the POTD pedestal for today. It wasn't an easy choice, though! You photogs have had a busy weekend. Keep it up!

Flickr user intemporelle's use of grainy texture and darkened edges make this photo of the Tivoli Theater in Columbia Heights an instant classic.

Taken by Flickr user lifeinthedistrict out in rural Virginia (how about a geotag?), the composition that embraces the repetitiveness of the circular and slightly-creepy arms of this old farm equipment is key here. I admit it, I'm a city girl -- anyone know what this thing is? EXIF.

What a perfectly simple city scene, probably a variation on every backyard in town and made a little classic with the red-on-red tones. Of course, the almost invisible lock securing the grill to the patio and the iron gate on the tiny window reminds you that this ain't the suburbs. Flickr user christaki could have this put on a cover story of City Grillin': How to Feed As Many People As You Can Squeeze onto Your Deck. EXIF.