DC locations and what to carry

LMNOP · Apr 25, 2015

I'm headed to Washington DC, and I've only got about 1 solid day to myself, aside from the actual work I am being sent there to do... Naturally, I am wondering what film gear I should carry, where I should go, and what I should see.

Any ideas? I am torn between bringing my lightest and quickest camera, or bringing my entire RZ67 kit, with my tripod and going totally crazy with night work, that would be fun but traveling with my big tripod might kinda suck.

Anyone have some film shots to share from DC? I also wonder what types of film to shoot out there, black and white or color, probably a mix.

gone · Apr 25, 2015

Bring something small and expendable, and turn your wristwatch backwards. D.C. stands for dangerous city. My year there resulted in two muggings and a lot of attempted muggings. That's a rough town and I'm very street savvy, having lived in low rent, high crime areas of S.F., N.O., N.Y., etc. I could tell you some tales! This was 25 years ago, but don't see any reason why it's gotten any safer. It wasn't just me either, and it happens in so called better areas like Dupont Circle, never mind the hood, theater district and Capital area. If you're walking alone and two or three men walk toward you, do not walk between them, walk around them. That's their game.

I liked the Adams Morgan neighborhood in the NW area, and if you like to shoot people you will do all right there. Tons of good places to eat and drink, there's music, it's easy to get a cab, and there's always enough people so that it's pretty safe. Very expensive town to drink in. Even 25 years ago a decent beer was $6 in a bar, and we had coffee and a basic white wine by the Potomac river for $13. Two regular coffees w/ refills in a bistro type cafe in Adams Morgan....I gave them a $20 and I'm still waiting on the change. All of the usual tourist areas are safe in daylight, but 4 blocks from the White house, wow. The light tends to be pretty gritty and diffused. The Kennedy Center is very well lit at night for photo ops. You might give these reviews a look.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/adams-morgan-washington

http://www.yelp.com/biz/dupont-circle-washington?page_src=related_bizes

BrianShaw · Apr 25, 2015

I've never been mugged in DC but agree with the suggestion for light gear. I've tried it all and that's what I do now. It is a very photogenic area; happy shooting!

snapguy · Apr 25, 2015

dc

When I wandered all around DC everythng was fine, no problems. Of course, Truman was President then so things may have changed a bit. I'd take plenty of bail money, the place has to be stuffed with officious twits who see a plot behind every roll of film, a disaster in waiting in every lens over an inch long.

removed-user-1 · Apr 25, 2015

Once I went to DC to attend a photojournalism conference, and I only took a Fuji GS645s; one of the photographers I saw there had Leicas. I'm sure there were some large SLRs around but I don't remember seeing them. On my other two trips, I carried simple cameras: a Nikon N6006 with 35-80 lens one time, and an Olympus Stylus Epic the other. Trying to look like a simple tourist.

I've been to many large cities, but DC is one of only two where somebody actually attempted to mug me (the other is Charlotte, where I live). I'm not afraid to carry my camera wherever I want to, but DC does call for caution and alertness. One thing I saw there that I've never seen anywhere else is lone men hanging around a few yards away from ATMs. This was 2001, it might be different now, but they would wait there, and if you withdrew money they would ask you for some...

eddie · Apr 25, 2015

I've lived, worked, wined and dined, walked, and carried cameras in DC for 40 years. Never been mugged. The NW area, including the monuments, is very safe, even late at night. The usual precautions apply, as they do everywhere, but the posts regarding crime are overblown.

Hatchetman · Apr 25, 2015

Scariest thing will be federal police monitoring your every move. Take a camera that won't catch anyone's eye. Something that could pass as digital

BrianShaw · Apr 25, 2015

They watch but I've never experienced a problem.

Hatchetman said:
Scariest thing will be federal police monitoring your every move. Take a camera that won't catch anyone's eye. Something that could pass as digital

wy2l · Apr 25, 2015

Just behave in DC as you would in a third-world country.

Greg Heath · Apr 25, 2015

The APUG forum post's need a "Like" button.

Greg Heath · Apr 25, 2015

wy2l said:
Just behave in DC as you would in a third-world country.

In another ten years it might be like living in "1984" or the game "Half-Life 2"

c6h6o3 · Apr 25, 2015

I would stay away from downtown. There's nothing less photogenic than Federal office buildings. Will you have a car? If so, try

http://www.usna.usda.gov/
Dead Link Removed
http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm (but only between late June and the end of September)
http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm

LMNOP · Apr 26, 2015

Wow, this is not was I was expecting. I lived in Chicago for years, and was mugged there. I am not concerned about country mouse in the big city, that's no shock to me. I would love to capture some architecture you don't see on TV as often, maybe some nice trees and whatnot. I don't photograph strangers generally. I decided to carry my Fuji GW690ii - it's lightweight and doesn't take batteries, should be fun.

TheFlyingCamera · Apr 26, 2015

Depending on when your free day will be, I'd be happy to play tour guide, especially if you want to do some night photos (which I do a lot of). I'm absolutely disgusted by the folks babbling on about how horridly dangerous DC is. Even at the height of its fame as the murder capitol of the US, the dangerous part was really confined to one area of the city that no tourists ever go to in the first place. I've lived here in my house for 15 years, in a neighborhood that was "transitioning" when I moved in. I'm not afraid to go out with my camera day or night. As far as pictures of DC go, if you want to see some off-the-beaten-path stuff:

Ok- so the Dupont Circle fountain isn't exactly off-the-beaten-track, but it's not a monument on the Mall.

One last one:

Sirius Glass · Apr 26, 2015

TheFlyingCamera said:
Depending on when your free day will be, I'd be happy to play tour guide, especially if you want to do some night photos (which I do a lot of). I'm absolutely disgusted by the folks babbling on about how horridly dangerous DC is. Even at the height of its fame as the murder capitol of the US, the dangerous part was really confined to one area of the city that no tourists ever go to in the first place. I've lived here in my house for 15 years, in a neighborhood that was "transitioning" when I moved in. I'm not afraid to go out with my camera day or night. As far as pictures of DC go, if you want to see some off-the-beaten-path stuff:

I never had a problem in Washington DC walking, taking a bus, driving or photographing. I have taken many available light photographs at night with a tripod and I did not have a problem. Just use common sense which seems to elude some of the posters on this thread.

BrianShaw · Apr 26, 2015

You'll have a great time. Good choice of camera too. Last time I was there I shot with a Kodak duo.

LMNOP said:
Wow, this is not was I was expecting. I lived in Chicago for years, and was mugged there. I am not concerned about country mouse in the big city, that's no shock to me. I would love to capture some architecture you don't see on TV as often, maybe some nice trees and whatnot. I don't photograph strangers generally. I decided to carry my Fuji GW690ii - it's lightweight and doesn't take batteries, should be fun.

eddie · Apr 26, 2015

TheFlyingCamera said:
I'm absolutely disgusted by the folks babbling on about how horridly dangerous DC is.

Probably from people who have spent little, if any, time here.

PS- If you can work it out, take Scott up on his tour guide offer. He has a great feel for the city. As a plus, if you both get mugged, they'd probably take his Rolleiflex over your Fuji.

LMNOP · Apr 28, 2015

TheFlyingCamera said:
Depending on when your free day will be, I'd be happy to play tour guide, especially if you want to do some night photos (which I do a lot of). I'm absolutely disgusted by the folks babbling on about how horridly dangerous DC is. Even at the height of its fame as the murder capitol of the US, the dangerous part was really confined to one area of the city that no tourists ever go to in the first place. I've lived here in my house for 15 years, in a neighborhood that was "transitioning" when I moved in. I'm not afraid to go out with my camera day or night. As far as pictures of DC go, if you want to see some off-the-beaten-path stuff:

Ok- so the Dupont Circle fountain isn't exactly off-the-beaten-track, but it's not a monument on the Mall.

One last one:

Totally! I am on my way there now, and really only have today to see the sights before my actual work begins tomorrow, though I may have some time in the evenings - leaving early on Friday. PM me!

BrianShaw · Apr 28, 2015

Just be careful that you know what you are getting into if you go to Nellies. It's not for everyone.

Enjoy... DC is one of my favorite places.

CropDusterMan · Apr 28, 2015

Head over to Baltimore for some good images...just follow the sirens and smoke. JK.
I love D.C, and worked their regularly a decade ago. I think there are many images to be made
there...and as far as danger...just keep yer wits about you and if you wander into an area where,
lets say a trash can is on fire....turn around and go the other way.

DC locations and what to carry

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