GC-FineArt Loc: WDC

Harvey,

Yes, the cherry blossom festival is a March/April event and the display along the tidal basin can be spectacular (and crowded); however, it’s true that early spring weather in DC, especially March, is always a bit dicey so May or June may be better bet weather-wise if you have some flexibility in scheduling.

Also, see if you can scare up a copy of John Healey’s book (Wiley) in a local library. It contains a lot of practical info about DC and surrounds, including such things as links to relevant web sites, camera use restrictions, if any; as well as recommendations re. gear (e.g. wide angle vs. normal lens), camera settings, best vantage point for shooting -- that sort of thing -- for various specific places of interest.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I want to thank everyone for their replies - I'll try and answer them here :
Rain days will be Smithsonian days. I also have "Rain Sleeves" for my camera.

The Cherry blossom are of little interest as I live in the foothills near the massive Cherry, Apple, Apricot and walnut orchards of the Sacramento Valley this is also wildflower season here too.

I will probably shoot night shots on the week end with my 6'4" 290 lb son in-law for security- I am 6' 250 lb myself

All travel will be metro or cab.

I will try to find that DC photo book on Amazon I am sure it and the DC tourist guides will be of great help and I will be posting when the dates are set.

TheDoctor Loc: NoVa

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

If warm enough there will be cherry blossoms!

cudakite Loc: San Antonio

Awesome! So happy for you, Harvey. =) Until we went there a few years ago for the DCI World championships, I had no idea how much there is to see there and within a short drive. Fantastic place of history buffs, you'll LOVE it.

LLucas Loc: Upstate South Carolina, USA

I sure wish I could meet another photographer for a photo-safari around DC! I've been three times, and I tried to get to the mall for the blue-hour magic every day (impossible, since my family insists on eating their evening meal at sunset!) and for evening shots (impossible because none of my family members would allow me to go alone and none of them felt safe enough to be my "look-out")). I was SO frustrated! I ended up sitting around in some hotel after dinner, bored to death, pouting because I could not take the photos I always dreamed of taking! I hope you have a wonderful time! I can't wait to see what you capture.

miller3

Park outside of DC. Use the Metro System. Parking is too hard, especially if you want too see more. Using the Metro you can go from place to place without having to back track to the car.

tom hughes Loc: Phila Pa

Always carry my camera on business trips to DC. The Jefferson memorial one of the few photo opts in DC with convenient parking. Get a good map, have a plan pack extra cards. Williamsburg Va. about two half hours south of DC if you have time.

(Download)

fotographis Loc: Alexandria, VA

One thing to keep in mind, especially if you are shooting at night, Washington DC is not a very tripod friendly city. I can't count the number of times I have been approached by the various security agencies when using a tripod even on what I thought was a public sidewalk. This is especially true on Capitol Hill. I would recommend carrying a light weight bean bag with you, there is almost always a post, chair, or something you can place the camera and bean bag on for support. Sometimes not ideal, but better than no shot at all.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

REF fotographis's point on tripods - I had an opportunity to work and live in DC for nearly 10 years at a location near Union Station and my corporate housing was near the Verizon Center just off the Mall in Penn Quarter. Although there were some headline grabbing muggings in the past few years on the Mall, there's nothing to have the slightest fear about on Federal Park District land that is greater than any situation anywhere when large numbers of people come together. The comment about the tripod is 100% in keeping with my own experiences, particularly around the US Capitol and the White House. If you set up at a distance, no problem. I've used a 300mm zoom on the Capitol Dome at night from the parking spaces in front of the US Botanic Garden. Excellent results. I was there all by myself only having to move out occasionally from the middle of a lightly traveled road. But, trying that set up any closer to the Capitol and security will very quickly arrive. Speaking of the Botanic Garden, they allow two reservations per day for people to use a tripod inside the gardens, great for macro. When you know the dates of your travel, call them directly and get your name on their list.

billjohdoittoday Loc: Arkansas

Where tripods are not allowed (or are simply inconvenient) I have found this light-weight accessory to be very handy: https://www.not-a-pod.com/aboutus.asp. Weighs about an ounce, fits in a pocket, and does a "pretty good" job of maintaining camera stability.

Bill

LLucas Loc: Upstate South Carolina, USA

That's great information to know. I will do this myself next time I'm in DC. Thanks for sharing.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

This is defiantly going to be in my "kit" for the trip as I have read so many good responses to the simpler version made of a bolt, string and washer- - I will be shooting with my 2 rebel cameras on an Optec dual harness with 18-55 & 100-300 so the "Not-a-Pod" will be a great relief from carrying a tripod all the time.

quote=billjohdoittoday]Where tripods are not allowed (or are simply inconvenient) I have found this light-weight accessory to be very handy: https://www.not-a-pod.com/aboutus.asp. Weighs about an ounce, fits in a pocket, and does a "pretty good" job of maintaining camera stability.

Bill[/quote]

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I will most defiantly have Aaron pick up some maps for me before my trip with him. So we can plan both my trips by myself and some with him.
As for extra batteries and cards I have battery and card holders that attatch to my camera harness they too are made by Optec the battery pouch holds "1" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005E8MVDC/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

so I have 2 of them and the card pouch holds "2" cards
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004N622LC/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

giving me 3 of each for a day's outing.

kcimato

I will also recommend this book and the nps website. I use the book all the time. I plan on doing every photo. Tourist do start in early March and run up until late Oct. There is no way to avoid it, so join the crowd. I would try to shoot a different Memorial every night during the Blue Hour.
There is a neighborhood in Bethesda that is covered with cherry blossoms and is truly spectacular. Go on a weekday. Houses are million dollar babies built in the 40's and all are different.
Two other places are Great Falls National Park on the VA side and Ft Washington on the MD side. I suspect you will have enough to photograph right in DC.

I also highly suggest Arlington National Cemetery. The Lee Custis House gives an awesome view of DC. Then there's the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
I belong to a meetup group called shutterbug Excursions. The group leader does photo tours around the monuments in nicer weather.
http://www.meetup.com/shutterbugexcursions/

You can look at or sign up for the group.
Hope you have a great time here.