The ideal companion guide for capturing awe-inspiring photos of Washington, D.C.! Whether using a compact camera or a high-end dSLR, this companion guide provides you with detailed information for taking spectacular shots of some of the most recognizable architecture in the world. Whether you aim to capture memorable photos of the White House, U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, or one of D.C.'s other many remarkable memorials, this portable resource goes where you go and walks you through valuable tips and techniques for taking the best shot possible.
You’ll discover suggested locations for taking photos, recommended equipment, what camera settings to use, best times of day to photograph specific attractions, how to handle weather challenges, and more. In addition, beautiful images of Washington, D.C.'s most breathtaking attractions and recognizable landmarks serve to both inspire and assist you as you embark on an amazing photographic adventure!
- Elevates your photography skills to a new level with photography secrets from professional photographer John Healey
- Presents clear, understandable tips and techniques that span all skill levels, using all types of digital cameras, from compact cameras to high end DSLRs
- Features Washington, D.C.'s main attractions in alphabetical order as well as thumb tabs on the pages so you can quickly and easily access the information you are looking for
- Shares detailed information and insight on critical topics, such as ideal locations to photograph from, the best time of day to shoot, camera equipment to have handy, weather conditions, and optimal camera settings to consider
Whether you're a local familiar with the territory or a visitor seeing our nation's capital for the first time, this handy guide will help capture fantastic photos!
Tips for Photographing Washington D.C.
Practice Seeing Light It’s easy to take light for granted. We see it everyday. We can turn it on when we need it. But how much do you know about it? A trip to D.C. can be a great place to not only see some of the nation’s historic and important places, but it can be a great way to train your eye to see light. Before you begin photographing anything, think about what kind of light you have to work with. Is it a cloudless, sunny day with strong shadows? Or is it overcast and practically shadowless? What do the shadows look like? Are they dark and sharp? Or are they subtle and changing as the clouds blow by? Which direction is the light coming from? What color is the light? Is it warm and orange or is it blue and cold? Becoming a better photographer involves a variety of different skills, and seeing and understanding light is one of the most important.
This image of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial happened as I was riding my bike near it. The sun was coming in and out of the clouds, and there was a fair amount of wind blowing about. I noticed as the sun was hidden the sky would turn very blue and the Memorial would pop out of all of the blue surrounding it from the sky and water. As I stopped the sun came back out, but I waited for a moment to see if it would happen again.
Make a Plan, Then Explore Ask any photographer about some their favorite photographs, and very often the story will involve something like “I had planned on going to photograph here, but the plan totally changed after….”
It’s a good idea to have a plan about what you’d like to see and photograph when visiting Washington, D.C. But the real beauty of a plan is that as you go, you’ll discover more photo opportunities that you haven’t imagined and hadn’t planned on. Walking around “aimless” can have its merits, but giving yourself a little guidance tends to maximize your luck.
For example, if you’re walking from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial late in the afternoon and you see that the sun is glowing behind the flags surrounding the Washington Monument, spend some time there getting the shot. As you’re walking by the World War II Memorial and you decide to just look in (because it’s on your list for tomorrow), grab a quick snap of a detail that happens to be in nice light.
This photograph at the World War II Memorial was shot while I was photographing the Lincoln Memorial (which is in the other direction). The sky suddenly turned purple, and I turned around and there was this incredible sunrise intertwined through the clouds that lasted for literally only seconds. Runners around me stopped in their tracks to watch, and those who had cell phones started snapping photos. I hurriedly flipped my tripod around and set an exposure I thought would work and clicked off several frames. And as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared.
Photography is not only about composition, light and exposure -- it can also be a lot of discovery, exploration, spontaneity and luck. So make a plan, but keep in mind one of its purposes is to help you discover something that you hadn’t planned.
Your technique and the look of your photos can change with the type of light you have to work with. Don’t assume that a clear, sunny day means the best photos. Overcast days work well because of subtle and shadowless light, while a bright and sunny day with a strong blue sky will create an entirely different look. Adapt to the light by coming up with different ideas to use it to your advantage in your photographs.
Details Say a Lot One of the fun parts of photography is to use your camera to explore the intricacies of a subject. Think of your camera both as a tool not only for taking photos but also to concentrate on and explore the details of a subject. In a similar way that a telescope lets you examine the sky closely, a camera can let you examine the fine details of a subject -- even if it is just feet from you. In Washington, D.C., details of buildings, sculpture and other artwork have been painstakingly crafted by some of the finest artists for some of the most important buildings in the United States. These are details you don’t want to miss. Practice seeing the “big picture” but then take some time to discover its intricacies.
Develop your own creative view of Washington, D.C.The nation's capital creates a unique mood, blending history, excitement, and awe. You can capture it with the insider tips discussed in this book. Learn where the great vantage points are, the best times of day to get terrific shots, which camera settings to use, and even how to handle the weather. Take this book along as you enjoy 28 of the best sites to photograph in Washington, D.C.
Learn where you can and can't use tripods, and how to pack your gear for security checks
Discover some of the lesser-known vantage points that offer unique views
Experiment with camera settings, lighting, angles, and other creative options
Get the iPhone app!
Cool apps help you choose sites to photograph, tell you how to get spectacular shots, and even help you get there. There's one for this book — go to http://lp.wileypub.com/DestinationDFGiPhoneApp and follow the iTunes Store link!
