National Mall
Washington DC is a city perfectly built for photography. When city designer Pierre L’Enfant began conceptualizing designs for the new American capital, he envisioned grand monuments, inspiring public areas and harmonious geometry. Every angle of the city center seems perfectly designed for photography with marble white monuments catching the eye of any passersby. From sunset to sunrise, and even beyond, Washington DC has unlimited photographic potential. And, while taking an artistic look at the city, you are only feet away from enough amazing history, museums and tourist attractions to spend months exploring. Here is my photographer’s guide to Washington DC!
The US Capitol
Situated at the top of Capitol Hill with its massive 288 foot dome, the US Capitol building is an icon of Washington DC. Without skyscrapers in the city’s downtown, the US Capitol can be seen from almost anywhere on the National Mall. At sunrise, I would head to the Capitol Reflecting Pool just a few hundred feet west of the US Capitol steps. The early hours clears out the usual DC crowds and will also paint a colorful sky behind the eastward facing Capitol building. Try using the side walls of the pool, which are angled towards the capitol dome, as leading lines. I also had fun capturing cloud movements reflecting on the pool with 1 to 3 minute long exposures. For another unique angle, head to the nearby Peace Monument and take long exposures of the fountains pool directing towards the Capitol.
The US Capitol also has great night photography spots. My favorite of which is on the rear Capitol Grounds, across from East Capitol St NE. Walking along the grounds gives excellent up close views of the back of the Capitol and its dome. A group of glass windows on the floor create an excellent opportunity for night reflections. I also enjoy photos down Pennsylvania Avenue, designed to connect the White House and US Capitol. Pershing Park, near the White House end of Pennsylvania Avenue, provides an elevated platform to take zoomed in shots of the US Capitol.
National Mall
The National Mall is the crown jewel of Washington DC. The mall, which contains dozens of monuments dedicated to the great’s of American history, is undoubtedly the top attraction in the city (and maybe even the nation). Consistent with the rest of DC, the National Mall has excellent photography viewpoints.
One of my favorites is facing the Washington Monument from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. At night, floor lights at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial turn on and illuminate a clear path to the Washington Monument. This creates an excellent photography opportunity to frame a glowing white Washington Monument with the golden glowing names on the somber memorial wall. Nearby, the western end of the Reflecting Pool gives great sunrise photos of the Washington Monument. On a clear morning, the Washington Monument glows a vibrant orange in the morning and cleanly reflects on the surface of the reflecting pool. With a 3 to 5 second exposure, you can smoothen out small waves and the motion of people in the background. Turning 160 degrees from the reflecting pool gives great views of the Lincoln Memorial. At sunset, use the floor tiles near the Reflecting Pool as leading lines towards the glowing memorial. I also suggest waiting until nighttime when the statue of Lincoln is lit up, creating excellent photo frames with the memorial’s steps and columns in the foreground.
Tidal Basin
Similar to the National Mall, the Tidal Basin has a high concentration of famed US National Memorials. In addition to the monuments on the coast of the basin, such as the MLK Jr. Memorial, FDR Memorial and Jefferson Memorial, the Tidal Basin also holds excellent views of the Washington Monument and US Capitol. Watching a Tidal Basin sunrise should be at the top of any DC bucket list. During sunrise, focus on shots of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. For the best photos, walk along the tidal basin until the front and back columns of the Jefferson memorial align, revealing the statue of Jefferson in the center. At this spot, shots of the Washington Monument should be excellent too. While the colors get stronger closer to sunrise, make sure to also take photos before when the monuments still have night lighting. The Tidal Basin is also ground zero for the cherry blossom festival, which I have an entirely different article dedicated to.
