Night photography in Washington DC - safety??

I might be coming to DC this week for a few days. Besides geeking out at the Space Museum I wouldn't mind plugging a few tripod holes and doing some night photography around the Lincoln Memorial etc.

Just how safe is it to be out and about in those areas of DC after night fall?

The opinions of those that live in or near DC or have photographed in the areas in question are what I am looking for.

Eric

Around the mall... I would; I have. But it always makes me more comfortable after dark to have a friend watching my back.

Eric Rose said:

I might be coming to DC this week for a few days. Besides geeking out at the Space Museum I wouldn't mind plugging a few tripod holes and doing some night photography around the Lincoln Memorial etc.

Just how safe is it to be out and about in those areas of DC after night fall?

The opinions of those that live in or near DC or have photographed in the areas in question are what I am looking for.

Eric

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Eric that all is a kind of having luck or being in a hospital for a while! If you have extrem luck you just need to repair your camera - lucky you!
I can't state for Washington DC beside what we all know (highest rate of murderer for many years)
But you don't come to Washington to deal with forbidden stuff - of course!
(For example selling russian made rocked launchers to local Mafia) so ceep calm!
I can state for Paris AND London = unsave incl. inner districts during daylight!!
But it is allways dependable from your personal situation! Are YOU a tough guy Eric?
Are YOU a friendly guy? What would you answer if you'll be asked : " Hey man - what are YOU doing there ? Are YOU photographing - can YOU make a picture of me and my girfriend!"?

Will you answer : "Sorry I am busy now?"

"Hey man whats up with you? " it can be good it can be wrong?

Eric the right answer is on you then - the wrong answer is your desaster then!
"Hey man are YOU shooting youth gangs ? Take a picture !"

Stay at home Eric! I shoot film in diferent stiations from press working years ago!
In the wrong moment the police is standing side by side with you but there is no help!
Washington DC at night is allmost different from the district like as it is in any other Metropole!
But Eric (seriously) it looks like you are a danger seeker?

with regards

BrianShaw said:

Around the mall... I would; I have. But it always makes me more comfortable after dark to have a friend watching my back.

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Yes - that is a good way! Some nice friends from the army (delta force of course) allways looking
if the situation you photograph is clear now! And when it is not clear - they began with their
work (hit and run taktic) and you Brian can feel confortable - I can imagine....!

with regards

It is safe on the Mall and in and around the public monuments at night.

wy2l said:

I would not recommend it.
All depends how comfortable you are in poor urban environments, alone, with expensive camera equipment, at night.

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would be more concwrned about government officials.

I'd suggest Starting a Conversation with Flying Camera.

MattKing said:

I'd suggest Starting a Conversation with Flying Camera.

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I have, on FB.

Sirius Glass said:

It is safe on the Mall and in and around the public monuments at night.

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That's been my impression as well. I did not have a tripod though - not sure if there are restrictions on tripods if photographing monuments.

Eric Rose said:

I have, on FB.

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Theo Sulphate said:

That's been my impression as well. I did not have a tripod though - not sure if there are restrictions on tripods if photographing monuments.

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I took a tripod with me when I took the night time photographs of the building and monuments. If you are nervous, consider the tripod a defensive weapon. Besides we know that no one would want film equipment anyway since film is not available any longer.

It’s perfectly safe at the Lincoln. I go there at night often. ( I’m in a bar about 3 blocks away as I type this).

I grew up in the D.C. area. In the late 80's I wouldn't have recommended it. It was one of the most dangerous areas of the country and while it was relatively safe in the day time, it was as scary as you can imagine times ten at night. Shootings were so common, they rarely made the news.

I've went back a few years ago to see an old friend (and revisit the sights). I was surprised at the complete turnaround! The old areas that were so scary at night, were now extremely expensive condos. I was now the seedy element with my Levi's jeans and Seiko watch. Everything was clean and everyone was either a tourist or a rich local.

That being said, I did have some problems outside of D.C. proper. There are still several bad areas just outside of D.C. that you could find yourself in if not careful. So walking around the mall and taking pictures of all of the sights at night would be fine. But I would have reservations about going to and from the hotel, especially at night, with a lot of gear, depending on where you were staying and how you got there. The Metro (subway) seemed fine (not as nice as some of the other areas, but not as scary as other subways I've been on), but the buses were kind of iffy. And parking downtown is a nightmare, so you almost have to take some form of public transportation or taxi, and do a lot of walking.

Sirius Glass said:

I took a tripod with me when I took the night time photographs of the building and monuments. ...

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OK. My concern was that a security guard or Someone Of Authority would consider use of a tripod as an indication of "Professional Photography" and claim only hobbyist snapshots of monuments are allowed.

Theo Sulphate said:

OK. My concern was that a security guard or Someone Of Authority would consider use of a tripod as an indication of "Professional Photography" ...

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Actually, they do (at least they did). After the Oklahoma City bombing, permits were required to use a tripod in certain places. I needed them for photographing at the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the monuments. I received them at the Capitol, and had no problem afterwards. In fact, the woman who issued them told me not to bother coming by to get new permits. Instead, she told me to have whichever law enforcement officer stopped me give her a call, and she'd let them know I was permitted. This was in the 90's- don't know if there have been any changes since then.

I met up with The Flying Camera for dinner on the night I had planned to do night photography. It was pissing rain so it got cancelled. As it turns out I lugged my Bald gear down to DC for nothing but my Panasonic G85 has got a good workout. I'm particularly happy with some of the images I got of the Lincoln Monument. Especially when I convert them to B&W.

I got to see some of what Scott has been shooting lately. Really excellent stuff.

Alas The Donald and I couldn't make a Golden Arches date work out. Maybe next time.

Going to D.C. by chance in November. Kind og shocked (and a little bit excited) to hear it’s not all just posh upscale stuff. I mean making a big deal out of being the capital, being sovereign and all.

Anyhow, any recommendations on stuff to visit? Especially of course photography related stuff.
Are there good places to buy and get film developed? That would avoid having to bring any and worrying about hand checking at the airport.