I would recommend reading it through as it is a quick and easy read. Once you have read it in its entirety I’m sure you will start planning your D.C. photography trips and use this book as a reference guide for your trip and future trips to D.C.
Angela goes over the locations she recommends in the National Mall area, but also includes some lessor know locations near the National Mall that are great photo opportunities. Even has a few that are just outside of the D.C. area.
She includes transportation information, the best time to shoot at the location, some of her photography from that location, and imparts some local knowledge of the area.
If you are planning a photography trip to Washington D.C. and want to know the best times to go to a location, how to get there, and how to get a different photo that everyone else in D.C. then this book is for you.
Currently sold only through Amazon. You can get your Kindle or Paperback
I had a pretty productive day shooting the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington DC. Spend pretty much the entire morning down there and walked the entire basin.
It is taking a bit longer to edit the photos as after coming home I discovered I must have dirt on my sensor or somewhere in the camera. So it is taking me a bit longer to edit them as I have to clean the dirt spots of each picture. Although there is software out there that can remove the spots it is always best to make sure your camera is clean before your trip. In my case I did check out the sensor and cleaned the lens before this trip, but either the dust is very small on the sensor or I had dirt on my ND filter. I’m going to re clean everything and see if I can figure it out and do some test shots to see if I got it clean.
Washington Monument and the Cherry Trees
The Cherry Trees along the Tidal Pool with the Washington Monument in the background.
One of the first shots I got during the day and turned out as one of the better shots I got during the day. It is from the bridge on the way to the Jefferson Memorial.
Making the trip down to Washington DC to take pictures of the Cherry Trees that are now in full bloom along the Tidal Basin.
This year I’m attempting to arrive before Sunrise, but we will see how that goes. For those who know me, getting up at 4am to make the trip is the middle of the night for me. So this might be a bit rough in the morning and will have a nice supply of coffee to keep me away.
If you want to see what I get this year, check back here or visit my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/markdoddphotography/ Be sure to like the Facebook page so you can get notified of the posted pictures and any live videos that I do.
If you are planning on going here are a few tips.
Arrive around sunrise if you can to avoid the crowds. But even this early there will be people there.
Take public transportation. Parking is already tight on a normal day, but even more so during this time, so public transportation is the best way to get there.
If taking Metro, the Smithsonian is about the closest stop to the Tidal Basin.
Weekdays are best, but the weekend is crazy packed with folks enjoying the trees.
Washington Monument through the Cherry Trees
This is one of the photos I took on my trip last year. It was a weekday trip, but I didn’t get down there until the afternoon. Even though it was a weekday, people were everywhere enjoying the view.
I will start this by saying I will try to not mention products by name as I don’t want to single out any particular company as they are not the only ones doing this.
I recently had to decide wither or not to license some software I use for my photo editing by subscription license or try to get the standalone application license. I had been given access to the subscription license for one year but that year is about up. Now it is time to pay the full price of the subscription or get the standalone application or I lose my ability to use the software.
So I started to compare pricing. At first glance the subscription service didn’t look that bad. But then I started to think about things a bit. Ok so for the monthly subscription I can get the software I’m using plus several other features/software included in the “packaged” deal. Sounds pretty good right. Then I looked at the “packaged” deal and realized I’ll never use any of the other apps/services except the one program. So started looking to buy a license for just that application. The fun began as for this vendor it is not so easy to find the pricing for the standalone application. The site keep on redirecting me to the subscription service page anytime I clicked on links for pricing information. I eventually found the application pricing only to find out the discount that I qualified for in the past years is no longer an option and can now only get it at full retail pricing. I think this is the result of their push for the subscription model pricing. I fell they are trying to make the standalone app look less appealing and they were intentionally trying to steer me towards the subscription licensing versus getting the standalone app.
OK monthly fee versus one time purchase, which do I choose. Next I though how long do I think I’m going to use this app. Well I’ve used it for a year now and have become dependent upon it so switching to something else would be a pain, so I will stick with this application and thus will be using it for sometime. Since I’m one of those folks that doesn’t always upgrade to the latest version of software as I don’t think I need the new features or it doesn’t work on my computer given that I have an older model computer, I am happy to just stick with and older version most of the time.
So decision time. With the monthly plan I would pay just as much as the standalone app price after about 14 months, then after that it would be costing me more. Given that I don’t know if a new version of this app will come out within the next year and that I may not upgrade to anyway, I didn’t see any benefit of the subscription service. I determined it would cost me more over time and that if I cancelled the subscription service I would not longer have access to the application. That is one of the Big drawbacks to subscription based software I think. One reason I like the standalone application purchase better. For my example if I cancelled after 14 months, even though I would have paid the same as the standalone purchase, I would no longer be able to use the application if I had not purchased the standalone version
If it was just one application vendor I used software for that did this subscription service model I might be ok with it, but it seems more and more software vendors are going to this model. Individually the prices are low, but when you have to buy a subscription each for application you use, that low monthly fee becomes a large monthly for all the applications.
I”m just hoping that these companies will not go to solely subscription based licensing as I think it will make the software be out of a lot of folks price range if they think about the total cost over time or it is going go get folks into more debt as it is so easy to just put that on a credit card and forget about it. I have a feeling that this particular vendor will be going that way as with every new upgrade of their suite of applications more and more of their applications have become available by subscription license only.
For business I think the subscription licensing makes sense as most will have up to date computers and would need to stay up to date on the applications. The subscription method would keep them up to date and would save them money over time versus the individual upgrades each time. But for the people who occasionally purchases a product it will end up costing them a lot over time. So I’m just not a fan of subscription based licensing.
Union Station Ceiling of Gold
The view straight up of the ceiling in Union Station in Washington DC. I ended up putting my camera on a planter edge and thus the plant in the picture as tripods are not allowed in Union Station and there was not enough light to get a good picture if I hand-held my camera.
So consider that my tip of the day. Don’t be afraid to creative to get the picture. This planter was in the right spot for me to lay my camera down on to get the shot. Since my camera doesn’t have a flip screen nor built-in wifi it was sheer guesswork on getting things lined up so it took a few shots until I got it right. With newer cameras especially the one’s with wifi that will let you see the image on your phone this would have been much easier.
This past weekend I went on my first photowalk(s) ever and had a blast.
I’ve always heard about photowalks and seen many scheduled via www.meetup.com, but never got around to actually going to one. But this past weekend, one of my favorite photographers (Trey Ratcliff) came to 2 cities near me, so I said to myself, you have always wanted to meet him and now is your chance. So no more excuses, it was time to go on a photowalk. And it was Free. Can’t bet that. (note: some of the other photowalks I’ve seen on MeetUp charge a fee to attended)
Let me tell you, it was an amazing experience. No only did I finally go to Philadelphia for the first time, but got to meet a great bunch of photographers in all skill levels, all of whom were very willing to talk about what they know with you. Got to learn a little along the way as Trey would make stops along the walk and discuss why he choose to stop to take a picture along with tips on taking a picture of the subject and general photo tips and tricks.
The first walk of the weekend was in Philadelphia. A city I’ve driven through and around, but never actually been to. Since I’ve never been I decided the photowalk was a good excuse to go.
After my three and a half hour drive to Philly, I arrived a bit before the pre-party so decided to visit the Liberty Bell. I’d say it was kinda cool seeing it for the first time. Located at the end of the visitors center in which you get to read and see all the history associated with it.
The Liberty Bell
After visiting the Liberty Bell it was time to go to the pre-party before the real walk started. Got to mingle a little with the other photo walkers along with meeting Angela B Pan for the first time, who is photographer from the Washington DC area and a Master in the Arcanum
Just as the walk was about to start, Trey got up on the roof of his tour bus to introduce himself and talk about the walk that we were about to go on.
Trey Ratcliff addressing the group from on top of his tour bus.
Shortly there after we headed out on the walk and the many stops we had along the way. Here are a few of the photos I took along the walk.
Trey talking his picture of independence hall just before talking to the group about the photoAn Arcanum Master talking with a fellow photo walkerA picture of the group of photo walkers at one of the stopsAn alley in the Olde CityAn alley in the Olde City Black and White Version
Headed home after the walk and after quick two hour drive home to arrive at midnight I stayed up till 3am to process and upload my photos to enter into the online contest for Philadelphia photowalk.
After getting some sleep it was time to get going for round two in Washington DC
Just like in Philly, arrived early for the pre-party to gather with the other walkers and await Trey to introduce the walkers to the DC leg of the trip. And then head out to the various stops. Again, at each stop, Trey would describe what he was seeing, why he decided to stop there to take a picture, and then some tips and techniques for taking a better photo of the scene.
The DC walk was a bit longer than the Philadelphia walk, so I was a little exhausted by the end of it, but still had a great time.
Here are just a few of the photos I got on the DC photowalk
Trey on the Sylvan Theater Stage addressing the crowdLincoln Memorial and reflecting pond
This was Trey on one of the stops at the reflecting pool where he described that getting down low is needed to get the reflection on the water since the water was a little choppy that day. You can sorta see the choppy water in the picture above as I didn’t get down as low as he did in his shot.
Trey and one of his daughtersView from the Lincoln Memorial
After taking this photo I realized I had lost where the group had gone to. Never did catch up to them at the last stop, but just headed to the after party. I will say if you do get detached from the group, the page for each city usually has a map or at least a path that they plan to follow. You can use this to find out where the next planned stop is and just head that way and I”m sure you will catch up with them.
At the end of the photowalk there is an after party. This is the only part of the experience on Trey’s photowalk that you pay for if you wish. If you can afford it and there is space available still, I would recommend it as you get more personal time with Trey and the other photographers from the walk including any Masters of the Arcanum from the area. You can pretty much ask Trey anything or just talk in this more casual smaller setting. I attended the after party on the Washington DC leg of the trip and was able to get my photo with two of my favorite photographers (Trey and Angela) as shown below.
It turned out being 2 very long days, a lot of walking, and staying up late to process photos for the contests, but all very well worth it.
So if Trey is coming to a city near you, I would recommend getting your self out there. You won’t be disappointed.
For information on Trey’s USA photowalks go to tour.treyratcliff.com and see if a city near you is still on his list. As of this writing he is about halfway through his USA tour. And remember, the photowalk part is Free. So no excuse not to go.
Check out his website www.stuckincustoms.com to see his amazing work and check out his tutorials and other photography information. Many of his tutorials and presets are free, but he does have more in-depth tutorials and other photography items there as well for a fee.
Also, check out a local DC photographer who I’m sure will inspire you to take better pictures of the Washington DC area, Angela B Pan at www.abpan.com
I had the pleasure of meeting both at the DC after party.
Back in April I decided to take a day trip to Washington DC, only an hour or so down the road from me. It is one of those places that is awesome to go to, but since it is so close I often neglect it.
Of course it was right in the middle of the Cherry Tree festival of which I’ve meant to take pictures of forever and finally decided it was time to do it. Although it was a hot day and there were a ton of people there also admiring the trees the trip was well worth it. Worth it just to see the trees in bloom and I think I ended up with a few really good shots.
Oddly enough, one was nothing to do with the Cherry Tree festival, but the Washington Monument at Sunset. I had just taken the obligatory picture of the White House as was on my way back to the Metro stop and had to walk past the monument and the sky was just lighting up colors from the sunset so I had to stop and take a picture.
I’m finally getting around to start processing the rest of the photos that I think might be good, the White House not being one of them. 🙁 Couldn’t get across the street to take a picture through the fence as they had it closed off. Guess it was due the recent fence jumpers.
Here is a link to one of the Washington Monument Photos I’ve posted to my site as the feature image above doesn’t do it justice.
Planning on another trip in August as one of my favorite photographers will be in town so if you are a fan of Trey Ratcliff check out his Photo Walk Tour page at tour.treyratcliff.com
