Trip to DC

[JBillings]

Hi all,

My better half and I are planning a trip to DC to sightsee. That said, I'm looking forward to some photo opportunities while we are there. I'm looking for suggestions about where to go, and what lends itself to the best photos. I'm more into architectural images and landscapes.

We're anticipating going to Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello and the National Mall.

Has anyone here taken any "photo safaris" with E. David Luria? If so, which safari to take.

My skill level at one time could have been characterized as Advanced...but that was years ago. I put my cameras down 20 years ago ... for personal reasons and am just now rediscovering the wonder I used to hold for photography. I've been shooting for over a year with the 300D and for 3 months with the 20D.

Any and all suggestions would be most welcome.

Thanks

[skyphix]

If you can, I'd suggest getting to Old Town Alexandria, VA. Very nice place!

I love the DC/DC Metro area... and have family right there, so am lucky in that I can go pretty much any time I want. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do every time I am down there.

[wcstory]

I grew up just outside DC in Virginia - now I'm nine hours away. Some shooting places I'd love to hit with my new 20D this Summer.

Metro (subway) tons of unique architecture due to the depth.

The Wall (Vietnam War Memorial) - Not for the faint heart. Lots of emotion.

The Mall (Centerstrip of Smithsonian Row) Watch for the Pargrin(sp) Falcons

Rock Creek Parkway - MD & DC line

National Cathedral

Washington Monument

Masonic Temple in Alexandrea.

If you have a rental car drive out route 66 to Skyline drive for the day and plan on waiting for the sunset. Worth the wait.

Bill

[Hersh]

When are you coming? With everything in the area, you might have to come back for a few trips to make sure you have everything covered!

For landscapes, Great Falls Park can give you a bunch of great scenic shots. There's two sides - VA and MD. The VA side gives you more of a head-on shot of the falls, while the MD side has more opportunities to get rock/water/nature sideshots, along with a not bad view of the falls.

Skyline is also a good place to go, especially towards the fall season. I've heard the same about Rock Creek, but haven't shot anything there.

Old Town Alexandria is a fun place to shoot, especially in the late spring/summer since they open up the boardwalk by the Torpedo Factory to entertainers and artists. Some of the houses are nice and if you look in their windows as you walk by, it's almost like going back to the 1800s. Lots of period furniture. Take the Ghost Tour if you can.

For architecture, you'll have your pick of shots in DC. I highly recommend the National Cathedral (they allow photos to be taken inside as well, what you can see in there is amazing) as well as well as visiting the Vietnam, Korean and WWII memorials at the Mall, along with the Lincoln Memorial. Another place I highly recommend is the FDR Memorial - about a 10 min walk from the Vietnam Memorial. If you have a choice between going to the FDR at night vs daytime, I'd suggest going at night.

They've reopened the Washington Monument and you can always find something to take a photo of walking around DC. You can get some great architecturial shots of the Smithsonian museum and maybe even some flower pics of the gardens around there depending on when you come.

And of course, there's the prequisite shots of the White House and the Capitol.

Now, you may have heard there's somewhat of a heightened alert in the DC area. ;)

Most DC museums from what I've heard will allow cameras but expect to have your bags searched and you might also go through a metal detector. You can check the websites to get more info.

And to whet your appetite, here's one shot of the FDR and two of the National Cathedral: :D
http://stasheffus.freeservers.com/Misc/2.html

[sparker1]

Haven't been to DC for some years, but my all-time favorites from there were night shots, including reflections, of Capitol, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, etc. The reflecting pool in front of Capitol building at sunset can be very special.

[JBillings]

Thanks for the images. We're planning our trip from May 5-15. I notice the Smithsonian will allow cameras, but no tripods, thankfully I've got some IS lens to help me out.

[mdmedicgod]

A don't forget the homless people too and the various street characters. Seriously, Georgetown is good place to shoot. U can shoot on campus.

[wcstory]

Thanks for the images. We're planning our trip from May 5-15. I notice the Smithsonian will allow cameras, but no tripods, thankfully I've got some IS lens to help me out..

They may allow monopods? Check.

Bill