DC trip

[ruffian]

Planning a DC trip next May. Need all the hot spots for photos. Any ideas?

Like certain times to take the Washington Monument etc...

Must see stuff.

Advice needed.

Thanks in advance.

[jeffscra]

You will run out of time no matter how much time you have. My favorites...I usually take the Metro over to the mall area from Arlington when I'm there. I've shot the monuments at night and during the day. I did the Duck tour from the train station which gave some pretty neat perspectives from the Potomic River. Not sure how much time you have...

Monuments...if you go later and plan to shoot some night shots...there is usually very few people there. The water reflections and light reflections at night and a different perspective with endless opportunity. The mall area, you could spend all of your time there. I particularly like Arlington Cemetary. The views of downtown from the Iwo Jima statue in Arlington...Tomb of the Unknown soldier, from below and above the actual tomb. The Korea War memorial is very interesting with the just a little larger than life soldiers marching in front of the wall of names with the faces etched into the wall...is very interesting. Washinton, Jefferson, Lincoln memorials are musts.

I could go on...I love that place...in fact i'm here right now....headed home tomorrow. :-) If you would like to see some of my pictures...PM me, I'll send you some links of my stuff to give you ideas.

[angryhampster]

Absolutely take your camera to the changing of the guards. That is the most impressive and humbling ceremony I've ever seen.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/angryhampster/2007/washington/washington19.jpg

What time in may are you going? The Rolling Thunder is Memorial Day weekend :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/angryhampster/2007/washington/bikes3.jpg

I may be riding next year.

[ruffian]

it'll be after the 1st week... thanks for all the inputs so far. very into the night pics.
rolling thunder looks interesting too.
gonna hit the spy museum also.

PM sent.

[Rhilton4u]

I'm not trying to plug my Flickr site...but check it out for several places since I live in the area. I would rate the National Cathedral as a hidden jewel - it's a must see.

[ruffian]

holy gargoyles! will make it a point to see those.
thanks

[godzakka]

ruffian, I just moved from there. Here's my top 10 in no particular order, and location/time to shoot them from
1. Iwo Jima Memorial just before sunset - lots of good angles here
2. The Mall (Lincoln, Washington Monument, Capitol Building), just after sunset, from the Netherlands Carillon, which is on the same property as the Iwo Jima Memorial. This is the classic shot you see on postcards that shows the main three monuments on the Mall
3. World War II memorial, anytime at night. The fountains, lights and structure of this memorial are just breathtaking
4. The Washington Monument at night, facing the Lincoln Memorial. You can concentrate on the waving flags (its usually windy there) or the whole monument. You can also get the WWII memorial in your shot
5. The Washington Monument and it's reflection in the Reflecting Pond from either the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, or near the FDR memorial (on the other side of the Tidal Basin) reflected in the Tidal Basin
6. Anywhere in Arlington Cemetary, during the day. It's humbling and quiet there.
7. Views from atop the Old Post Office Tower. One a good day you can see pretty far. Take a telephoto lens, and unfortunately they have wires over the "windows" and are only open during the day. Be creative, though. It's the 2nd highest point in downtown
8. Cherry Blossums near the Tidal Basin - you may miss the bulk of them in early May, but there still should be some blooming even that late
9. Korean War Memorial at night. Humbling...and it will appear as though the soldiers are coming at you in your pictures
10. The White House from Lafayette Park. Too late at night and the whites generally blow out. Too early and it seems flat. This is another "as the sun sets" kinda picture

Hope those help, and share any good pics you get.

[ruffian]

wow, that's some good info. i will share once i get them.