Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
03-16-2009, 04:12 PM   #1
Senior Member
IsaacSteiner's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Stouffville, ON, Canada
Posts: 181
Going to Washington DC .. be careful?

Hey,

I am going to Washington DC on thursday, and want to make sure it's alright to be photographing buildings, and what not. I'm definitely taking my camera, so should I be careful, and not be taking photos of certain buildings?

Let me know, I don't want to get in trouble.

Thanks,

-Isaac

03-16-2009, 04:13 PM   #2
Damn Brit
Guest




Moved to Gatherings, Events and Photo Trips
03-16-2009, 04:14 PM   #3
Moderator
Loyal Site Supporter
Wheatfield's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: The wheatfields of Canada
Posts: 15,903
You'll be carrying a Pentax.
Everyone knows we are harmless.
03-16-2009, 04:26 PM   #4
Senior Member
IsaacSteiner's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Stouffville, ON, Canada
Posts: 181
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by Damn Brit Quote
Moved to Gatherings, Events and Photo Trips
Oh thank you.

QuoteOriginally posted by Wheatfield Quote
You'll be carrying a Pentax.
Everyone knows we are harmless.
Haha, yes .. but do security guards know that?

Anyone else? But serious replies please

-Isaac

03-16-2009, 05:10 PM   #5
Forum Member
Furtivito's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SW Ohio
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 66
To be on the safe side, it probably wouldn't hurt to ask a security guard if it's okay beforehand.
03-16-2009, 05:17 PM   #6
Senior Member
dantekgeek's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 100
For what its worth, from what I know about the law (IANAL), as long as you are on public property with a clear line of sight to whatever you are photographing, no one can stop you from taking those shots. That means don't take any crap from private rent-a-cops trying to tell you that you can't take a picture of so-and-so building, and if they persist or threaten to call the police, tell them to do so– if the cops know anything about their job, they'll be on your side.

That being said, being DC there may very well be some sensitivity when it comes to taking pictures of government buildings. I doubt there are any hard and fast rules about it, but I can certainly imagine you being visited by a pair of friendly federal agents if you take too many 'suspicious' shots.

Knowing your rights is an important part of being a photographer. Have a great trip!
03-16-2009, 05:33 PM   #7
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SE Michigan USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,300
Don't miss...

...the lower level moving sidewalk into the east wing of the National Gallery of Art.


Last edited by Michaelina2; 03-17-2009 at 12:18 PM.
03-16-2009, 05:37 PM   #8
Veteran Member
cardinal43's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Virginia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,412
I live in northern Va, about 35 miles west of DC and I haven't heard about anyone being hassled about their photos. There was a problem at one time in taking photos inside Union Station, but the security forces there have been instructed that it is OK to shoot inside. Don't know the specifics of the wording, but that is the gist of it. You can shoot the White House, Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincloln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Viet Nam Wall, Navy Memorial, etc., without any problems. You can also shoot inside all of the Smithsonian Museums. Enjoy yourself and keep a close eye on your gear -- it is Washington DC after all.
03-16-2009, 05:38 PM   #9
Damn Brit
Guest




Just use your common sense Isaac and assess the situation on an 'as and when' basis. I'm sure most places you go others will be using their cameras also (safety in numbers).
Best advice is to not worry and enjoy the trip. Although there have been a few discussions on the forum recently about people getting in trouble for taking photographs in public, to look at the bigger picture, these instances are still incredibly rare.

If you tell us when you are getting back, if we don't hear from you the next day, we'll call the A-Team.
03-16-2009, 06:24 PM   #10
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
Ex Finn.'s Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola.
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 7,960
You should be fine. Every time i have gone there, all the tourist been snapping away happily.
Never seen anyone being harassed by the cops, just don't try to jump the fence on south lawn.
Cheers, Mike.

P.S.
Strength in numbers, don't veer of into dark alleys.
03-16-2009, 06:33 PM   #11
Senior Member
IsaacSteiner's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Stouffville, ON, Canada
Posts: 181
Original Poster
Thanks for the advice everyone!

I think I'll be just fine .. I was there last spring as well with just a point and shoot, and was fine, so really it's the same thing

I'll post pics when I'm there/back.

-Isaac
03-16-2009, 06:34 PM   #12
Senior Member




Join Date: May 2007
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 149
This doesn't directly apply to DC but it might be good to read incase anyone confronts you:

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf
03-16-2009, 08:58 PM   #13
Senior Member




Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 178
p.s. go check out the cherry blossom buds. it wont be peak season for 2-3 more weeks, but you should get some interesting/different shots than everyone else at least

the only people on the mall I had trouble with were the national guardsmen at the inauguration concert. as long as you're on public property you're fine. most of the museums allow cameras, but check for flash/bag or mono/tripod restrictions ahead of time. Would be a good time to make yourself an rs-strap or a string stabilizer.

Have fun and enjoy the city!
-southy
03-17-2009, 05:32 AM   #14
Veteran Member
WheresWaldo's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: North Carolina
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 498
QuoteOriginally posted by southy Quote
... most of the museums allow cameras, but check for flash/bag or mono/tripod restrictions ahead of time. Would be a good time to make yourself an rs-strap or a string stabilizer.

Have fun and enjoy the city!
-southy
+1 on the flash, most of the building that don't allow flash have that warning posted. I believe the National Gallery of Art is one of those buildings where flash is prohibited, and maybe the National Aquarium (waste of time, I believe its in the basement of the Commerce building).
03-18-2009, 08:10 AM   #15
Veteran Member




Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Litchfield, CT
Posts: 539
Everybody walking around DC is taking pictures; just use some common sense relative to what it is that you are shooting. My advice (I lived there for several years) is to be very aware of where you are going;there are parts of the city that you don't want to wander around in, especially showing a camera.

Try to get to the Air/Space Museum that is out by Dulles airport. Amazing!
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
buildings, dc, washington, washington dc
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Nature Be careful! It's looking at YOU!!! Rense Post Your Photos! 4 05-24-2010 03:06 PM
Something to be careful about Naim Khan Pentax DSLR Discussion 3 03-22-2010 07:04 AM
Be careful what you're shooting. dws1117 General Talk 3 01-30-2009 09:59 AM
Careful with this leaf... R.ticle One Post Your Photos! 4 03-07-2008 04:24 PM
Let's be careful... Buschmaster Pentax News and Rumors 3 12-28-2007 03:24 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:59 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top