Advice for Washington DC?

The 100-400 is overkill. I'd bring it, but only for things like checking out the cracks on the Washington Monument or other such stuff, but it's totally unnecessary.

You need something like a 24-105 or anything similar to that. Try to just bring a camera and a lens. Leave everything else. Also make sure you have tons of memory and the ability to charge your battery, even while sitting around for lunch.

Flash photography is banned in most places. It's practically a religion to ban flash. I wouldn't even bother bringing it. I'd be much more likely to get a very small, collapse-able tripod that can fit in a small camera bag.

The places I enjoy shooting are:

Air and Space museum
Natural history museum
Outside the Capitol building
American history museum
National Archives (Declaration of Independence is on display, as is the Constitution---no flash...very dark inside).
The mall area (if it's springtime, summer or fall).
All the outdoor memorials on the mall.
Arlington Cemetery
Tons of other stuff.

Don't worry about the Whitehouse. That place is a crazy long wait, and they don't take you through most of it. The Capitol building is good, and you're allowed to shoot there (it's actually really cool), but they'll take your camera and put it in a locker while you go into the House or Senate chamber. They're really strict in there. You can't even draw or write unless you have special permission. They can't stop you from passing gas, however.

Don't worry about safety. During the daytime it's a much different than at night, and nobody is going to beat you up and steal your stuff. If you leave it unattended it will disappear, but the place is crowded in the daytime. You'll be alright.

Most important is to meet people and talk to them. Learn from them, especially the protesters (there are always protesters at the Capitol and Whitehouse).

One time I saw a group protesting against male circumcision on the steps of the Capitol. I am a jokester (and a bad one at that), so I said to them, "I agree. They need to cut that out."

They didn't think it was funny, but the people around me did.

There are no-nukes protesters at the Whitehouse. Tell them their display blows you away. Corny stuff like that.


More important than anything: meet some nice girls from other countries and states. Be polite to everyone you meet.

Have fun.

it takes six months to get white house pass...thru congressman

greg20d wrote in post #13874984
it takes six months to get white house pass...thru congressman

I thought I read "Requests can be submitted up to 6 months in advance... I could be wrong.

You're 15. You are not going to be allowed to leave your school group at night without a chaperone. During the day, you'll be ushered from one thing to another. You should be safe as long as you don't do anything stupid. Watch out for other high school kids with sticky hands, though.

Equipment wise... go for standard walkabout focal lengths that you go out locally.

Travel light enough that you can give the cute girls a helping hand with their bags.

all i can say is it took six months for ours they do a background check , you need to contact your congress person.

Nathan wrote in post #13876276
You're 15. You are not going to be allowed to leave your school group at night without a chaperone. During the day, you'll be ushered from one thing to another. You should be safe as long as you don't do anything stupid. Watch out for other high school kids with sticky hands, though.

Equipment wise... go for standard walkabout focal lengths that you go out locally.

Travel light enough that you can give the cute girls a helping hand with their bags.

Yeah, I figured, but dad is all worried because the only time he was to DC, the van was burglarized, and his stuff stolen.

As far as other high schoolers, it isn't a big high school; it is a church operated school (although I am homeschooled, I work as a satellite off of them) and I would trust any of them with my life, so no worries there...

I don't know when we are going for sure; I would really like to see Discovery come into Dulles, but i doubt it would happen to be that weekend.

CameraClicker wrote in post #13878150
Yeah, I figured, but dad is all worried because the only time he was to DC, the van was burglarized, and his stuff stolen.

As far as other high schoolers, it isn't a big high school; it is a church operated school (although I am homeschooled, I work as a satellite off of them) and I would trust any of them with my life, so no worries there...

I don't know when we are going for sure; I would really like to see Discovery come into Dulles, but i doubt it would happen to be that weekend.

Won't be a weekend - current plans are for the arrival on Apr. 17, and rollout at Udvar-Hazy on the 19th. Tuesday and Thursday.

CameraClicker wrote in post #13878150
Yeah, I figured, but dad is all worried because the only time he was to DC, the van was burglarized, and his stuff stolen.

Bringing any amount of equipment with you is a risk. Therefore, keep it at a minimum if there is any concern. Otherwise, ask your dad if your equipment is insured under any of his policies. Homeowner's insurance can cover for theft or damage, even while on vacation.

CameraClicker wrote in post #13852916
Dad had his van broken into 20 or so years ago (when he was on this trip) and his flash was stolen.

CameraClicker wrote in post #13878150
Yeah, I figured, but dad is all worried because the only time he was to DC, the van was burglarized, and his stuff stolen.

You should be fine. 20 years was a long time ago. If you must keep your camera in a car/van, keep it in a small, inconspicuous looking bag and put a jacket over it or store it under a seat.

Darin,

I'd definitely take your camera and the 17-40L. No need to take your 100-400. Keep it light while you travel, have fun, and take lots of pics!

Bryan