Visiting DC Photographic Opportunities (neighborhood, safe, garage)

[scorpio_e]

Besides the obvious. Any interesting photographic opportunities?

[Rayma]

... That kind of depends on what your interests are.

If you're into people, and into sort of "street culture," I might spend some time down by U Street between 12th and 16th Streets. You're not going to find street performers or anything, but it's a good crowd of a lot of different types of people walking around, some neat art and stickering on the sides of buildings (think mural-artist Shepherd Fairy), very hip culture. You can continue walking south from there and you'll be safe with your camera out, but I'd beware of walking north of that neighborhood (that'd be uphill).

You also might want to check out Eastern Market, which is accessible by Metro. If it's nice, there'll be a lot of people out, and if you're up to walking and get a street map, you might discover some interesting stuff. I don't spend a lot of time around there, but I recall there being an open air market on the weekends in the spring and summer that'd be cool.

If you like nature photography, you can visit the National Arboretum. And if you'll be striking out on a shooting-adventure soon, I believe the Cherry Blossom Festival begins now and will be happening for about two weeks. There's a parade and a Japanese street festival ... and then, of course, the blooming trees (which are quite beautiful). As a warning, there'll be large crowds.

Have fun!

[PenguinSix]

Arboretum is good. Isolated and usually empty. Asian path is nice, the bonsai collection, the old columns (you'll see when you get there).

If you like machines and things that move, I like Gravelly Point, usually in the evening so you can catch the planes landing at National right over your head. Kind of an interesting shot straight on to a landing plane. Down around South Capitol Bridge you're likely to get your fill of helicopters if you like helicopters doing weird stuff. I once saw the US Park Police SWAT team hot roping off the side of one in a training exercise. Kind of cool. US Navy museum is another out of the way place with lots of big guns (they used to make the 16 inch battleship guns there). Museum is never busy. Top of Union Station parking garage offers a neat view of all the trains arriving (and a really good shot of the Capitol dome from 'eye level' basically.

As for people, Eastern Market on a Saturday, Adams Morgan in the evening, the Zoo during the day.

Really, what do you want to take pictures of? It would probably help narrow down the list.

[scorpio_e]

All great suggestion !!!! Thanks for all of the information

[axel foley]

along with what everyone else said you can get some nice long exposure shots of subway trains inside the stations plus you can get nice shots of the architecture inside some stations

depending on when you come malcolm x park is nice if the fountain is on & you can get great people shots on sunday afternoons/evenings during the drummers circle

west potomac park at sunset

from the washington harbor(georgetown) there's a shot you can get of the kennedy center at night w/a reflection from the potomac river

but the best opportunities are just walking around and keeping your eyes peeled especially if you just want to capture the culture and the heartbeat of the city

i know you stated besides the obvious but the world war 2 memorial is a nice photo op at night