Washington DC trip
Jul 19, 2018 08:40:55 #
Lots of walking, I mean, LOTS of walking! Early morning or evenings. Especially say, a Sunday evening there are a lot fewer people at the monuments. Early in the morning and later in the evening you can usually find parking around the area. Sunrise looking towards the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial can provide nice reflections and color. Also early morning at the Vietnam Memorial looking towards the Washington Monument. The Jefferson Memorial in the early morning from both sides of the Tidal Basin is nice. If you get the Jefferson Memorial on the right side you can get a pano that will include the Washington Monument and Capitol Building. I like the WWII Memorial at night with the fountains and Memorial all lit up. Have fun!
Jul 19, 2018 08:48:29 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
jvangorp wrote:
We are heading to DC the first part of August. I'll take any and all hints for taking pictures of this historic place. I haven't been there for 30 years, so I'm excited to go back and share it with my family!
tripadvisor.com
Jul 19, 2018 09:03:20 #
jvangorp
Loc: Stickney, SD
Wow, just wow!! Thanks for all the great feedback!!! I appreciate it all! I will try to post some photos when we get back. I hope I can capture some good ones!! Thanks again everyone!!
Jul 19, 2018 09:11:35 #
Lived in the area for years and took many visiting family members on tours at times and all the suggestions above are good! One thing that was always a hit was the zoo. If you have one where you are it may not be so exciting but if you don't have access to one, the Washington Zoo is a great place to visit and photo.
Jul 19, 2018 09:47:47 #
The Washington Monument is under repair and closed to tourist until 2019. The Newseum is costly at $21.21 for admission. However, the ticket is good for 2 consecutive days. Having volunteered there, you can see all of the exhibits in about 2 hours. Do see Arlington Cemetery, my favorite for picture taking. Consider taking a "hop on hop off" bus to get around DC. If you have a car, go to the Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA-lots of old vintage planes, Space Shuttle, Air France Concorde and WWII planes to photograph. Great place to take kids. The Portrait Gallery is another of my favorites and you can take pictures there. The National Postal Museum is currently exhibiting Aaron Burr/Alexander Hamilton's dueling pistols. You will enjoy DC. It is a beautiful city with LOTS to see. If you want a tour of the White House, you need to contact your Congressman for tickets.
Jul 19, 2018 09:50:55 #
On your way from the Lincoln Memorial to the Vietnam Memorial be sure to see the Korean War Memorial - a very impressive memorial.
Jul 19, 2018 09:54:45 #
charlko wrote:
The Washington Monument is under repair and closed... (show quote)
There is a cheaper Newseum price for any students or teachers. If any of your party are still students of any school, they qualify for the reduced rate. As charlko states the ticket is good for two days and you can go in and out all day. Loads to see there for all ages. Yep forgot to mention the very nice Korean War memorial, thanks . Yep the outside of the White house is accessable for photos ,dont even bother going through the congressional process for indoor tours there. Decades ago when I interned there under President Ford it was easy to tour there, but 911 changed everything.
Jul 19, 2018 10:14:03 #
If you haven't been there, when you first get there, I would buy a full day ticket for the double decker tour bus. There are a number of routes, all included. that way you can get a real overview of the city and then decide what to shoot. They alos have an evening version.
Jul 19, 2018 10:39:40 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
jvangorp wrote:
We are heading to DC the first part of August. I'll take any and all hints for taking pictures of this historic place. I haven't been there for 30 years, so I'm excited to go back and share it with my family!
I was in DC three years ago. What a place to visit. Our Nation's Capitol has a lot to offer and see. I was able to visit all of the War Memorials there, including Arlington National Cemetery. And the Lincoln Memorial. My next trip there will be to attempt visiting the Smithsonian Museum. President Trump, when invited to France last year, was so impressed, with how President Macron of France displayed the Bastille Day Ceremonies/Parade, that he told Secretary of Defense, Mattis, that he wanted a similar parade/ceremony on November 10th (Veterans Day). Cost will be12 million dollars for the one day event. I'm sure many photographers, pro and amateur will be there. Restrictions, will be enforced, of course. Probably no Tripods. Period. Have a good trip in DC, and take lots of photos.
Jul 19, 2018 11:47:56 #
PGHphoto
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
jvangorp wrote:
We are heading to DC the first part of August. I'll take any and all hints for taking pictures of this historic place. I haven't been there for 30 years, so I'm excited to go back and share it with my family!
Other people can tell you about the attractions at the mall but ...
Be sure to stop by Mount Vernon and Monte Cello - most people visit the mall and monuments but miss some of the most scenic locations. Rock creek park *during the day* is a great place to go as well as Theodore Roosevelt island (not the one in NY !). You can rent a boat or canoe there as well.
Also if into aviation or history - check out the air museum in Chantilly, VA ( https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center ) its an adjunct to the air and space museum in the mall and has a lot more to see. DC is also about 45 minutes to the Baltimore aquarium and inner harbor - well worth a visit. And if you go to Baltimore stop at the B&O train museum about a mile from the inner harbor.
Jul 19, 2018 12:39:02 #
One more thought: the FDR Memorial in DC. You will be surprised how large it is since most of it is hidden from the street.
Jul 19, 2018 12:53:40 #
I didn't see the Korean War memorial mentioned in the thread, so far. It is an area of full scale soldiers crossing a field plus a granite wall listing the soldiers who didn't return. Awesome.
Jul 19, 2018 12:56:46 #
jvangorp wrote:
We are heading to DC the first part of August. I'll take any and all hints for taking pictures of this historic place. I haven't been there for 30 years, so I'm excited to go back and share it with my family!
Washington is a great city with lots to see and you've gotten some excellent advice on these pages. I would only add that, if you are interested in churches and church architecture, you consider the Washington National Cathedral (https://cathedral.org/visit-us/) and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/c.osJRKVPBJnH/b.4719297/k.BF65/Home.htm). A visit to Alexandria might also be of interest (https://www.visitalexandriava.com/old-town-alexandria/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Old%20Town%20Drive%20-%20Market&utm_term=alexandria%20va&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8MfqoM-r3AIVV7bACh1AJQI6EAAYASAAEgKae_D_BwE)
As far as the Newseum is concerned, I hate to be negative, but it would not be on my "must see" list. Especially when you consider all the free attractions in DC. Maybe it depends on your age. Much of the displays are printed or projected images of newsworthy historical events. Well done, no doubt, but those of us that are old enough have lived through most of it, seen the photographs and stories in Life magazine, etc. Maybe you can enjoy it and find it worthwhile, but I would suggest you do some research on what they have to offer before you go.
Have a great trip!
Jul 19, 2018 13:01:01 #
Jul 19, 2018 13:26:57 #
srt101fan wrote:
Washington is a great city with lots to see and yo... (show quote)
I heartedly disagree. Newseum is unique in the World and my students as well as teachers love its regular and special exhibits and interactive things that are nowhere else. And it may be gone next year, so check it out online at their site before you dismiss it. Cheers
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