Quick Details
Morning Light on the Cherry Blossoms
The early sun filtering through the blossoms gives them a lovely, golden light, much nicer than the harsh white light of mid-day.
We meet at 6:15 am (sorry!), and then the sun comes up about 6:50 am on the east side of the Tidal Basin. Thus, with the sun behind us, we photograph our way around the Tidal Basin, capturing the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, all framed by blossoms in the early morning sun.
Only Washington Photo Safari clients get an exclusive peek at our secret spot, the “Our Lady of the Blossoms Cherry Tree!”
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. The Festival includes three spectacular weeks and four weekends of tours featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org for more information, and find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Disclaimer: Mother Nature has her own way of scheduling the blossoms. Some years they come early in the season, some years they come later. We cannot guarantee full blossoms on the trees on the day of your safari, but we do guarantee very useful tips on travel photography and views of the Tidal Basin that are always pretty.
Open to photographers at any skill level with any kind of camera, film or digital. Non-photographer friends/spouses are welcome to accompany you at no charge.
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- Camera
- Lenses
- Extra memory cards
- Extra charged battery
- Tripod
- Accessories such as filters, remote release
- Weather appropriate clothing
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Meet at Tidal Basin Paddleboat Rental Station, 1500 Maine Ave SW. The closest Metro station is Smithsonian on Blue/Orange Line, a 12-minute walk to the Paddleboat rental station. Here is a map!
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Architectural photographer E. David Luria is founder and director of the Washington Photo Safari, which has provided over 6,700 photo safaris for 46,000 amateur photographers – an average of 5 people every day, 365 days a year, since it was founded in 1999.
“You taught me several important points and helped me better understand not only photography but also my own camera. I’ve taken photo classes at the Smithsonian, Glen Echo, and the Washington School of Photography. You’ve been the best among all the teachers I’ve had.“ David Lassiter, Olney, MD
Trained in Paris by a protégé of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Mr. Luria is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers and the Society of Photographic Educators and has had his images of DC appear in over 100 publications, calendars, and postcards and on 30 magazine covers.