Getting Started

Here are the basic photography tips you will get on a Washington Photo Safari™ :

You will learn how to:

  • hold the camera for maximum picture sharpness;
  • use selective focus to determine the subject of each picture using focus hold;
  • frame your subject using available flowers, trees, bushes and doorways;
  • keep your vertical lines as straight as possible for professional photos;
  • fool your camera’s meter, using exposure lock, so that it gives you the correct reading when facing backlit subjects or dark-colored subjects;
  • take pleasing outdoor portraits in bright sunshine and in shade;
  • pose people you do know in front of famous landmarks and monuments;
  • take pictures of people you do not know;
  • use the fill-flash and cancel-flash features of your camera;
  • take pictures inside of large interior spaces, like train stations, churches and museums, without using a flash;
  • take close-up pictures of flowers and statues;
  • decide when to use black and white film vs. color;
  • put strong composition lines and balance into your pictures;
  • control depth-of-field with aperture priority settings
  • use the other doodads on your camera you were afraid to try

With Washington Photo Safari™, you also get pre-Safari advice on what film and equipment to bring, and available post-safari critique of the photos you take.

Who should attend:

From beginner to advanced amateur, any photographer will have a great learning experience on our photo Safaris. Professional photographers visiting from other cities will also appreciate the time-saving site scouting we have done at each location. Having lived in the area for many years, we know where all the best pictures are!

If you would like to hear an excellent tour of DC’s monuments on your cellphone or landline phone before, during, or after your visit, call Mobile Tours at 1-800-217-7740, listen to the menu options and dial “1” for the Lincoln Memorial, “2” for the Vietnam memorial, “3” for the Korean Memorial, etc. Check out their website at http://www.mobiletours.com!

Who should not attend:

Spouses, friends, children, colleagues, relatives who are NOT interested in photography might be bored in our Safaris, which are not tours but teaching workshops in photography with a lot of talk about F stops, shutter speeds, composition, and lighting. Our Safaris are not substitutes for the professionally guided tours given by reputable vendors such as Gray Line, Old Town Trolley, Tourmobile, and by many individual licensed tour guides who are experts in the history of the area’s monuments.

What to Bring:

Here is a general list of suggested equipment. It is optional, not required. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any concerns or questions.

  • If you have a point and shoot camera, please learn how to turn the flash off and on and how to use the white balance feature;
  • If you have an SLR body, bring lenses from 20mm up to 300mm, if available. If not, an 18-55mm or 18-70mm lens is fine
  • Circular Polarizing filter and, if you have them, neutral density filters
  • Digital shooters, bring several memory cards or backup devices
  • Film shooters, bring several rolls of film, ISO 200-400
  • Spare fully charged batteries or fresh alkalines
  • Lens cleaning kit (air blower, brush etc)

Do I have to speak English?

Safaris are available in English, French, or Spanish.

What about bad weather?

Washington Photo Safari operates rain or shine. When it rains hard, we take you to covered locations.

How do I register?

Check out our Safari Calendar. Choose what interests you, and click through to the online registration.  If you have received a Gift Certificate, contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and let us know which Safari you wish to attend, we will get you signed up. You can apply the value of your certificate towards any of the Safaris that we offer.

What happens if I have to cancel?

Cancellations must be made in writing via email at least 9 days prior to Safari date to:
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Cancellations received 8 or more days in advance of Safari date receive a refund of 75% of amount paid.
No refund is made for cancellations received less than 8 days before the Safari date.