Smithsonian at night...

TimR32225

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The photo was shot from the center of the National Mall. You can use a tripod or any other gear you need. I took my tripod and gear on the subway to get to the mall, and I had it in a carry bag so it was not obvious what it was.

The only places you would be restricted are probably inside museums or cathedrals. Everything goes when you are outdoors unless you are on private property.
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Photoblog at: http://timrucciphotography.blogspot.com/
Gallery at: http://www.timrucci.com

 
Thanks, I have not been since 9/11 and had heard they were pretty narrow minded about tripods, knew you had something with an 8 second exposure but was curious. Your pics were great.
 
Interesting information. Thanks for your input.

I'm thinking that perhaps they may not stricly enforce it. I went out with a tripod on the mall and along the tidal basin in 2005, and 2008 and was never stopped or questioned about it by anyone. I was not aware of any such rules at the time.
JBracy wrote:

Actually this is incorrect. The Park Police will ask you to leave and/or ticket you if they catch you with a tripod on the Mall or in any of the monuments (at their discretion). There is a process for getting a permit, though even with a permit tripods are not allowed in some locations.

http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/permits.htm
http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/permits-faqs.htm
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Photoblog at: http://timrucciphotography.blogspot.com/
Gallery at: http://www.timrucci.com

 
Neither was I until I got a ticket in 2004. Ironically I was shooting a HDR as a demo for the FBI and Secret Service at about 2am. (I used to be the US tech support/trainer for SpheronVR)

Amazingly a few days after I mentioned it to the FBI agent I was working with, the Park service called me, letting me know that they had dropped the ticket and recommended that next time I get a permit.
Interesting information. Thanks for your input.

I'm thinking that perhaps they may not stricly enforce it. I went out with a tripod on the mall and along the tidal basin in 2005, and 2008 and was never stopped or questioned about it by anyone. I was not aware of any such rules at the time.
 
Nice, I was just looking at your blog and noticed your post on Jax, my home town. Nice to see the pics. didn't know about the new courthouse.
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LB
 
I have only encountered the objection to a tripod on Capitol grounds and was told to go across the street in front of the Supreme Court and at the top steps of the Lincoln Monument. Great place to shoot at night.
I was surprised to hear that there are any rules about using tripods outdoors in public areas like the Mall. I've done it several times and have never been stopped or questioned by anyone.

I'm talking about shooting at night and I can hardly see why it would bother anyone. Fewer people are outside at this time of day so it seems to me like a crazy rule.

I guess I'll have to check into what is required to get a permit the next time I go, just to be covered.
--
Photoblog at: http://timrucciphotography.blogspot.com/
Gallery at: http://www.timrucci.com

 

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