Washington, D.C. 2014-2018
Disclosure: I have not been compensated or sponsored in any way for any of the mentions in this post. I just f*ing love them.
Selfie by the Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. 2017 © 2022ClaraConnell
“WE MUST SCRUPULOUSLY GUARD THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OF ALL OUR CITIZENS, WHATEVER THEIR BACKGROUND.
WE MUST REMEMBER THAT ANY OPPRESSION, ANY INJUSTICE, ANY HATRED, IS A WEDGE DESIGNED TO ATTACK OUR CIVILIZATION”
Ah…the Nation’s Capital. I had the opportunity to live north of D.C. for about 4 years and enjoyed 80% of it, so let’s talk about that and toss the other 20%.
Local Highlights: I think the first item on everyone’s agenda is to see the White House. Everyone has seen footage of it on the news, in history books, etc.
SPOILER: IT’S SMALL.
Ok, not SMALL, but definitely not what I had envisioned. It’s not as grand in person as it appeared on screen and now, with all the additional security fencing, it’s even harder to get a peek at.
But don’t despair, my travel-bugs, there are plenty of awe inspiring sites on the National Mall to indulge your eyeballs!
My absolute favorite memorial is the Lincoln Memorial. I could have sat there forever and just watched the world go by. It’s massive, the message is impactful, and it provides a cool shady place to sit after hiking all 2+miles of the National Mall on foot.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C. 2017. © 2022ClaraConnell
When you are feeling a bit over-walked, D.C. has an excellent public transit system (The Metro) for getting around.
Parking is a bear, so having convenient public transit is a bonus. Unlike NYC subway system, the Metro does not run all night.
Keep that in mind when planning your evenings. It shuts down around 11pm and the schedule is subject to change.
The Smithsonian Museums (yes, plural) are all free entry. They are amazing and worth the wait in line. My favorites are The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the Air & Space Museum.
Big animals and science, how could you go wrong?
They are also very family friendly.
It’s hard to write about D.C. without talking about the Cherry Blossom Festival. Every spring, the tidal basin that surrounds the Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King monuments bursts into bloom. The local news has a “peak bloom” prediction daily and tourists come from all over to see it.
Cherry Blossoms, Tidal Basin, Washington D.C. 2018. ©2022ClaraConnell
Being a semi-local, I had the opportunity to go take my pictures on “off times” during the week, early mornings, and later evenings to avoid the crowds.
Each year the bloom quality is different and there’s something to be said for revisiting a photo site year after year.
My suggestion for travelers would be plan for a week around the peak bloom prediction and check the tidal basin daily. If the blooms aren’t popping at the beginning, they likely will by the end of your week. In the meantime, there are magnolia trees, monuments, and museums to delight your lens.
The crowning jewel of the National Mall, in my opinion, is the United States Botanic Garden. It is, hands-down, the most amazing botanic garden I have ever seen.
It has different climate zones with the appropriate fauna and a very knowledgable staff. There are rotating educational exhibits and public talks to sign up for (I love those - -it’s the biology geek in me).
But the most magical place for me, inside the botanic gardens, is the orchid room. * sigh *
The Photography: Now, obviously, my photography game has improved.
I followed a good friend’s recommendation and purchased my first fixed lens (AF-S Nikor 50mm 1:1.8G) and it made a world of difference. I credit my renewed enthusiasm for photography to that lens.
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of the 50mm fixed.
PROS: It’s like the picture takes itself. Seriously. The bokeh, the composition…it just feels like it all falls into place. Portraits and still shots like the orchids above are my favorite.
CONS: Having a fixed lens means that your zoom capabilities are limited. A 50mm is not the ideal lens for landscapes or macro photography in my experience, although everyone has different thoughts on the “best” landscape lens. You will have to move your body as the “zoom”. Good luck!
My next purchase might be a 35mm fixed lens or I might go wild and get a 28mm. Choices, choices.
I would love to hear your opinions on lenses and which you like best and favorite spots in the D.C. area!
Cheers.
Clara