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Bluto

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Taking a trip to the capitol for the first time in a couple of weeks and I'd love the advice of some others that have photographic experience in DC.

Aside from the obvious ones (White House, Washington Monument and reflecting pool, etc) what are some of the most photographic places to exercise my 717? Are there any particularly nice views this time of year with the leaves hopefully changing?

Also, I was researching gray-line tours of the city and wondered if anyone had experience with them -- are they worthwhile and do they provide ample time at the various stops to take photos? I'd hate to get on the trip and find out that it was so hurried that all I could do was squeeze off a couple of quick snapshots.

Thanks very much for any advice.
 
Bluto said:
Taking a trip to the capitol for the first time in a couple of
weeks and I'd love the advice of some others that have photographic
experience in DC.

Aside from the obvious ones (White House, Washington Monument and
reflecting pool, etc) what are some of the most photographic places
to exercise my 717? Are there any particularly nice views this time
of year with the leaves hopefully changing?

Also, I was researching gray-line tours of the city and wondered if
anyone had experience with them -- are they worthwhile and do they
provide ample time at the various stops to take photos? I'd hate to
get on the trip and find out that it was so hurried that all I
could do was squeeze off a couple of quick snapshots.

Thanks very much for any advice.
Click to expand...
The tours are usually rather rushed but offer the opportunity to scout out locations for a more extended visit later - with the advantage of having somebody else doing the driving and parking, etc. Arlington Cemetery and the National Cathedral come to mind.
 
Bluto said:
Aside from the obvious ones (White House, Washington Monument and
reflecting pool, etc) what are some of the most photographic places
to exercise my 717? Are there any particularly nice views this time
of year with the leaves hopefully changing?
Click to expand...
There are tons of neat stuff, if you have the time to spend a few days.
Bluto said:
Also, I was researching gray-line tours of the city and wondered if
Click to expand...
I was there on business, not as a tourist. Tried buying a map and just walking around. That works okay, but you miss a lot of stuff, if you don't know the good spots. If I go back, I plan to spend at least the first day, maybe 2 days, riding the tour bus and scouting out the spots I want. I spent 3 evenings walking around, lugging 2 camera bags in the August heat. At the end of the 3rd day, I was washed out and didn't get a lot of neat photos that I should have gotten, simply because I didn't want to spend an hour walking around an area to set up the best shot....

I'd also spend a lot of time on the various tourist web sites for the area, check out the post cards and tourist guide brochures, like you can find at rest areas with tourist info on the interstates. You can get a lot of good ideas from the photos in that stuff. Then I'd mark the map for the route I needed to take to hit all of the high spots.

You also need to be aware of the way the monuments face and what time of day the lighting is best for the different locations....

Other than that, it's easy. :-)

--
my gallery of so-so photos
http://www.pbase.com/kerrypierce/root
 
Craig:

Thanks for the info. That's kind of what I was thinking. The tour would be great for figuring out where I want to go back to the next day. THe gray-line tours are MARATHONS though -- 9 hours per day! Thanks for suggestions on Arlington Cemetary and National Cathedral.

xichlo:

Outstanding pictures! THe last two are particularly impressive! You use a 717, right? You make it look easy, like I could get a great view any way I point the camera. I know there are tons of excellent photos there, waiting for me. Thanks!

Kerry:
Geez, is that all there is to it?? :-)

At least I will be there in October when it should be quite a bit cooler than it was for you. I will be checking out some web sites before the visit. Do you know of any you especially recommend?

lightp8ntr:

Air & space is the only must see museum for me. I know there are others that I would love to go to, but for a short trip, I will definitely work that one into my schedule. Thanks

sage:

I am afraid the National Zoo may be a casualty of an abbreviated trip. I love going to zoos, they are so fun to photograph, but there may just be too much for me to see and do otherwise. Thanks very much for the suggestion though and if I miss it this time, I won't miss it next time. Promise!

Does anyone know if there are any photography specific tours? That would be a great idea. Or are there any good books that you have used to plan out a Washington photo trip? Thanks for all you advice.
 
Bluto said:
Kerry:
Geez, is that all there is to it?? :-)
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's pretty simple after you get all that stuff done. :-)

One other thing I'd probably consider for myself, is to obtain some kind of small cart, with a seat, to carry the camera bags.... Dunno about you, but I'm getting too old to be tramping around town for hours carrying all that stuff. Kinda ruined it for me the last time.
Bluto said:
At least I will be there in October when it should be quite a bit
cooler than it was for you. I will be checking out some web sites
before the visit. Do you know of any you especially recommend?
Click to expand...
I haven't scoped out any DC web sites, but here are some that might prove to be of some use for you.

http://www.nps.gov/parks.html

sunrise/sunset at various locations
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html

scenic byways
http://www.byways.org/travel/state_list.html

--
my gallery of so-so photos
http://www.pbase.com/kerrypierce/root
 
cuts through the heart of d.c. it's like central park but only wilder (it's also where chandra levy's body was found).
 
Hi... You might want to check out the National Arboretum, on the NE side of the city. It should be beautiful with fall foliage. Also, the Washington National Cathedral in NW is one of my very favorite sites to visit. The grounds are beautiful, and the building is magnificent. You can get some great shots both inside and outside the cathedral. Another beautiful place is the Shriine of the Immaculate Conception near Catholic University. And try to wander around the quiet side streets in Georgetown. It can be very lovely with the fall leaves. And don't forget the Zoo! Washington has a great zoo, and you may find some wonderful photo opps there.

Good luck and happy shooting!

--
Rick A.
Johnson City, TN
Bluto said:
Taking a trip to the capitol for the first time in a couple of
weeks and I'd love the advice of some others that have photographic
experience in DC.

Aside from the obvious ones (White House, Washington Monument and
reflecting pool, etc) what are some of the most photographic places
to exercise my 717? Are there any particularly nice views this time
of year with the leaves hopefully changing?

Also, I was researching gray-line tours of the city and wondered if
anyone had experience with them -- are they worthwhile and do they
provide ample time at the various stops to take photos? I'd hate to
get on the trip and find out that it was so hurried that all I
could do was squeeze off a couple of quick snapshots.

Thanks very much for any advice.
Click to expand...
 
The Vietnam memorial is a rather solemn subject. I took some shots during the day and some during the night. When facing one of the walls you can see a refelction of the Washingtom monument in the black granite that makes a decent picture.

I also took some long exposure shots at night. Some people were placing their hands on the wall and moving on so they appeared as ghostly images.

I will try and post some pics later.
 
I agree with the below advice. While there, and located about 50 yards away, is the Korean War memorial. If I remember correctly, it was three statues that you could place in the foreground with the Vietnam memorial and / or Washington monument in the background.

Have a safe trip.

Howard
gadgetfreak said:
The Vietnam memorial is a rather solemn subject. I took some shots
during the day and some during the night. When facing one of the
walls you can see a refelction of the Washingtom monument in the
black granite that makes a decent picture.

I also took some long exposure shots at night. Some people were
placing their hands on the wall and moving on so they appeared as
ghostly images.

I will try and post some pics later.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Kerry, I will be sure to check out those sites. I think I would find a cart more cumbersome than useful, though. Especially if I am in crowded areas. THanks for all your input -- I will post some pictures after I return!
Kerry Pierce said:
Bluto said:
Kerry:
Geez, is that all there is to it?? :-)
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's pretty simple after you get all that stuff done. :-)

One other thing I'd probably consider for myself, is to obtain some
kind of small cart, with a seat, to carry the camera bags....
Dunno about you, but I'm getting too old to be tramping around town
for hours carrying all that stuff. Kinda ruined it for me the last
time.
Kerry Pierce said:
At least I will be there in October when it should be quite a bit
cooler than it was for you. I will be checking out some web sites
before the visit. Do you know of any you especially recommend?
Click to expand...
I haven't scoped out any DC web sites, but here are some that might
prove to be of some use for you.

http://www.nps.gov/parks.html

sunrise/sunset at various locations
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html

scenic byways
http://www.byways.org/travel/state_list.html

--
my gallery of so-so photos
http://www.pbase.com/kerrypierce/root
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I'll be there for 3 days, but I know I could easily spend a month and not get bored. I guess I will have to make another trip sometime!
Howard39 said:
Have a safe trip.

Howard
gadgetfreak said:
The Vietnam memorial is a rather solemn subject. I took some shots
during the day and some during the night. When facing one of the
walls you can see a refelction of the Washingtom monument in the
black granite that makes a decent picture.

I also took some long exposure shots at night. Some people were
placing their hands on the wall and moving on so they appeared as
ghostly images.

I will try and post some pics later.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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