Sunrise on the National Mall

Sunrise on the National Mall
Next Safari: 11/22/2009 6:30 am - 9:00 am

Like to get up early? Want to learn how to photograph sunrises? This Safari gives participants the opportunity to photograph the sun as it begins to rise in the east at 6:59 am behind the illuminated US Capitol building, lighting up the face of the Washington Monument and projecting its golden light onto the sandstone walls of the National Museum of the American Indian. Cloud formations in the sky will make your pictures even more interesting and dramatic. Professional photographer Bob Blanken will be on hand to give guidance on exposure, white balance, lighting and composition.

Meet at entrance to National Museum of the American Indian on 3rd St and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $99 per person.Photo: Bob Blanken Go to Registration

Cherry Blossoms in the Fall!

Cherry Blossoms in the Fall!
You look through your camera viewfinder and see Washington DC's Tidal Basin ringed in vibrant color: deep red, gold, pink, orange, purple, and brown. Cherry blossoms in the spring? NO!

These are Washington's famous cherry trees in the FALL! What a spectacle! Who KNEW? You can frame the Washington Monument or the Jefferson Memorial in a circle of fiery-red leaves, or you can zoom in on a huge cherry tree with its colorful branches arcing over the pathway and touching the surface of the water, what a great shot!

Here is your opportunity to AVOID the springtime crowds and enjoy Washington DC's Tidal Basin in the mild weather of early November on a photo Safari led by the man who knows were all the best shots are: architectural photographer E. David Luria, founder and director of the Washington Photo Safari, and official photographer of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. On this 2 and ½ hour walking excursion, Mr. Luria will first review general tips in travel photography and then lead you to the best views of fall on the Tidal Basin, assisting you with tips on exposure, composition, lighting, and making full use of all the features of your cameraOur starting point, the FDR Memorial, offers hours of photographic fun, exploring the waterfalls, the Depression-era statues, and the depictions of FDR and Eleanor. Then we make our way along the Tidal Basin path with the late afternoon sun behind us, giving us great views of the Tidal Basin in fall colors, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial all framed in multi-colored cherry blossoms, and then, at sunset, the illuminated Washington Monument bathed in the deep blue light of twilight framed in the columns of the Jefferson Memorial. And it is ONLY Washington Photo Safari clients who get an EXCLUSIVE peek at our secret spot: the Our Lady of the Blossoms Cherry Tree!

Offered October 31, November 1, 3, 5, and 8. Meet at visitor center entrance to FDR Memorial, on SW Basin Drive near Ohio Drive SW, Washington DC. Fee: Only $59/person.
Go to Registration

Longwood Gardens and Hagley Museum

Longwood Gardens and Hagley Museum
Next Safari: 11/13/2009All Day
Join WPS for two-day photographic exploration of beautiful Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA and picturesque Hagley Museum in nearby Delaware. Participate in an immersive photography and learning experience framed by beautiful holiday displays. WPS Instructor Bob Blanken.

Learn more about:
Choosing Backgrounds
Using Depth of Field
Mastering Exposure
Fill light with Reflectors
Garden Environment Posing
Macro Photography
Night Time Photography
Utilizing Ring Lights
Creating Separation
White Balance ChoicesDay OneLongwood Gardens is the country's premier horticultural showplace including glass-enclosed gardens covering over 200,000 square feet of luscious flowers, trees, and floral displays located only 20 minutes west of Wilmington, DE. Renowned for its flower displays, Longwood offers the opportunity for macro photography as well as large scenes. Participants will depart the beautiful and historic Hotel Du Pont for Longwood Gardens at 8:15 am. Class begins in Longwood's main Conservatory Hall promptly at 9am. Lunch will be provided in the Longwood Gardens Terrace Restaurant. Class departs for hotel at 6:30 pm.The evening is open for dinner on your own with class participants. Optional: meeting with the instructor to review the day's accomplishments over dinner.The next morning, after checking out, the class drives to the Hagley Museum and Library.Nestled along the picturesque Brandywine River, Hagley is the original Du Pont Gunpowder factory. Numerous buildings and structures provide a photographer with postcard perfect scenes as the river literally winds its way downstream. A luscious array of trees, shrubs and flowers are there for the taking...photographically, of course!Lunch will be provided at the Hagley Belin House restaurant. Following lunch, the class will complete with a review and discussion.Robert N. 'Bob' Blanken, CPP, Cr. Photog. is a Faculty member of both the Washington Photo Safari and the Panasonic Digital Photography Academy. He also leads local classes for the Professional Photographers of America. Bob is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. He is the 2006 and 2002 (ISES) Capital Award Winner for Best Social Photographer and the 2003 ISES Capital Award Winner for Best Corporate Photographer. Bob has been nominated 19 times as Best Photographer by the Greater Washington Chapter of the International Special Events Society and three times by the International Society.
Arrangements have been made to stay at the Hotel DuPont for $139 per night plus tax. This is a special rate to enable WPS participants to stay at this extraordinary hotel. Use this code when registering: BLANKEN11609.Meet with Bob in the lobby of the Hotel DuPont at 7:30pm on Friday night.The Hotel Dupont11th & Market Streets, Wilmington Delaware 19801 800-441-9019 T. 302-594 3100
Fee: $345 Fee includes all entrance fees and lunches. We will car pool to Longwood.
Go to Registration

Saint Matthew's Cathedral

Saint Matthew's Cathedral
Next Safari: 08/30/20092:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Dedicated in 1913, the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle (which honors the patron saint of civil servants) plays a major role in the Catholic life of the nation's capital. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Washington, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here in 1979, and President John F. Kennedy's funeral was celebrated here on November 25, 1963. Designed by New York architect C. Grant La Farge, the Cathedral has been cited as having "one of the most beautiful church interiors of modern times." Its walls are laden with shimmering mosaics suggestive of those found on in the renowned churches of Ravenna, Italy.

With special permission from the Cathedral Staff, Washington Photo Safari is pleased to offer a new exclusive photo Safari that takes you inside the spectacular St.Matthew's Cathedral, teaching you how to photograph church interiors without flash, capturing the architectural beauty of a Cathedral laid out in the form of a 155' x 136' Latin cross, with the interior rising 190', and how to photograph its stained glass windows.

A sturdy tripod is essential, along with familiarity on how to set a digital camera white balance to "tungsten" or "incandescent", or the use of an 80A tungsten filter for film cameras. Your instruction fee includes a $10 donation to the Cathedral.
Meet inside Cathedral entrance at 1725 Rhode island Avenue NW.
Fee: $69 per person.
Go to Registration

Lincoln Bicentennial: the Lincoln Memorial at Dawn (February 14)

Lisa's note. I am NOT a morning person, 10am is early for me, BUT for these kinds of shots the pay off is well worth it -- the light and the paucity of people makes these photo ops unique at that hour. DC in the wee hours of the morning is especially beautiful.

Lincoln Bicentennial: the Lincoln Memorial at Dawn (February 14)
To register go to www.WashingtonPhotoSafari.com

Like to get up REAL early? Good! The very best time of day to photograph the Lincoln Memorial is at dawn, when the rising sun paints the memorial in a golden light, and the sun is low enough to penetrate the roofline and light up Mr. Lincoln's statue.In honor of the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial, we are conducting this workshop that teaches amateur photographers how to capture the early morning light on the building and the statue, and how to frame the view of the rising sun in the columns of the Lincoln Memorial.Working without flash or tripods, participants will be taught techniques of exposure, composition, lighting and color filtration to get the most dramatic photographs of this beautiful national treasure.

The early morning light also looks great on the nearby Reflecting Pool, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Women's' Memorial, and the friendly Albert Einstein Memorial.

To register go here.

Cherry Blossom Safaris, March 28-April 12

Lisa's note -- if you have never been to DC during the Cherry Blossom bloom you are missing out big time. It is "snowing" pink from all the petals falling. You cannot help but come away with stunning award winning photos during Cherry Blossom time.

Cherry Blossom Safaris, March 28-April 12

NOW is the time to sign up for our twice-daily photo safaris that we conduct around the Tidal Basin when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. These popular safaris, conducted at sunrise and in the late afternoon, fill up FAST.

We know where all the best trees are, and we will give you great tips on making your travel photography even better than it is already.

To register go here.

To register this safari, go to http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102434278729&e=001-dQ7psLTq-VssvbkiLNZ0sGsetGhGbyMaDmqn2xCUhYzP852qv2sSuMxYxzfVE8AnWW3YcfHR8zK21-hWRLH24i2PWZWziRPEEzmb_nOvDR3kWvf9HmKzPw3_imEHWiL

Winter Light and Fells Point Safaris with Donna Jones

Winter Light and Fells Point Safaris with Donna Jones (March 7)

Spend a robust morning in Cabin John Regional Park photographing the delicacies of the winter forest. Search for dramatic winter light with professional photographer Donna T. Jones. Photograph the woods, stream, open fields and bird activity near the feeders located within the park. Learn how to capture powerful photographs in the Great Outdoors through the use of correct camera settings and good composition techniques. The winter forest is filled with interesting shadows, warm light and personality. Craggy rocks, gnarled roots and reflections are the gift of low water volume in the stream. If we're lucky, there may be icicles hanging from bare branches, a doe in meadow or a pileated woodpecker in the treetops. Join us for this magnificent day in Nature.

This safari is open to photographers at any skill level with any kind of camera, film or digital.

To register this safari, go to www.WashingtonPhotoSafari.com

Georgetown In Winter Workshop

Georgetown In Winter:
This safari will explore the lovely streets of Georgetown in a wintertime setting. Starting with the Old Stone House on M Street, we will wind our way through the streets of the 18th century town that preceded the establishment of the nation's capital.
If we are lucky, we will find snow on the streets, outlining the picturesque homes and storefronts. We will also photograph the unique architecture of homes along the C & O Canal and the lovely Grace Episcopal Church on lower Wisconsin Avenue and the exciting design of the Washington Harbour complex along the Potomac River.
Offered Saturday, February 7, 2:30pm-4:30pm.
Only $59
Meet at entrance to Old Stone House at 3051 M Street NW

To register this safari, go to www.WashingtonPhotoSafari.com

Bald eagles Conowingo Dam (Maryland)

I happened upon this interesting Blog. I used to live in DC and was interested in some of the memorial photo shoots.

http://dcphotoguide.com/2008/10/haines-alaska-and-conowingo-maryland/

What is DCPG?
DCPhotoGuide is a blog specifically designed for DC Metro photographers. Here we’ll talk about being a photographer in DC, let you know about upcoming events you can photograph, opportunities to show your work in local art/photography shows, and tips and tricks for photographing this photogenic city of ours.

Anyway, here is the post on the Bald Eagles...

I also googled and found some additional information...

• http://www.harfordbirdclub.org/conowingo.html
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/-jon-/tags/conowingodam/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlyncheski/3107092353/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/-jon-/sets/72157594330306729/

Every fall I take a look at my finances to see if I can take a few days off and go to Haines, Alaska, to photograph Bald Eagles. Unfortunately, if I have the vacation time, I don’t have the money and, if I have the money, I don’t have the vacation time.

So, while I was doubtful, I was intrigued when I recently heard about the Conowingo Dam, near Conowingo, Maryland, on the Susquehanna River. I was told that Bald Eagles use the area around the dam as a rest stop on their annual migration and some even make it their home. Well, yesterday, I spent the day at the dam and its true.

While I arrived at sunrise and got some nice landscapes, it was late morning and the two hours before sunset that were the most interesting. During these times, Bald Eagles were fishing downstream of the dam and flying directly overhead with their catch. Blue Herons, Black Cormorants, and gulls also make the dam their home and you can photograph them flying and fishing as well. Occasionally, you might even see Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons.

The Conowingo Dam is an electricity generation plant and, when the generators are running, fish are caught by the turbines and stunned or killed, which makes them easy prey for the Bald Eagles, Cormorants, and Blue Herons. You will know when the generators are going to start because ten minutes and just before the generators are started, an alarm will sound to warn the people fishing in boats downstream of the dam to move out of the way. The birds (don’t ask me how)recognize the sound and will get in position to fish. Be prepared because the eagles will quickly swoop down, catch a fish, and head away to eat its meal.

According the other photographers at the dam yesterday, it was a slow day. Peak season is still to come, beginning in late October and continuing through December and the winter months. Also, don’t ignore those other photographers. It is largely a group of very friendly “regulars” and they know each other well enough for some of them to have nicknames. They were a great source of information so be sure to introduce yourself and ask any questions.

Directly downstream, next to the dam is a small park for those wanting to fish and those photographing the bald eagles. The entrance to the park is located off of US Route 1, just south of the dam and river; turn east on Shuresville Road and then take the first left (it is really more of a u-turn) onto Shures Landing Road. While it will be tempting to climb down to the water’s edge, stay on the grass along the parking lot. This will put you above the water and near the trees directly over the river and allow you to easily move around to get the best view of the river.

Finally, you will need your longest lens and, if you have a second camera, bring it along with a medium telephoto lens so you can capture some of the birds that pass close to you.