I'll let the locals plan, and will be graciously hosted by Christina.
I am looking forward to this, with or without cherry blossoms, a little shootout in an unknown setting -
Not sure what all is planned for this SmugD.C. event. But, more information: Natural History Museum - Butterfly Exhibit. It's an enclosed "tunnel" inside the museum (2nd floor). I got there late one day last week, but that day's tickets were gone already. From the viewing portals it looks to be quite neat inside. No tripods (you can bring them in - you just can't set them up). The museum does have some limited locker space for storing gear, coats, etc.
I'll hopefully be able to join the meet up. We have a wedding that day and I can't remember what time it starts.
As for the butterfly exhibit, make sure your camera is weather sealed. It is quite humid in there!
For other suggestions in and around DC, I had posted some of my favorite locations in this thread: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=80634
E
1) Are we planning to metro + hoof (walk) it? Or drive? I have a truck which fits more stuff..but doesn't fit well in downtown parking and a '07 Malibu with a fairly big trunk and room for 1 driver + 4 passengers. If we'd rather metro I can help people pick which metro station. (FYI, I live in Southern Maryland, but if we metro we'll more than likely go from the New Carrollton station - http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm which is the orange line) The closest stop to the Cherry Blossoms is the Smithsonian station on the blue and orange lines which is pretty close to the middle of the National Mall.
2) If the weather is nice does anyone want to his the zoo? http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ It's big and free, but requires lots of walking on hill terrain. But, it's another place close to two metro stops. Of course they have 3 pandas including the young Tai Shan. They're currently trying to breed Tian Tian and Mei Xiang so I'm not sure if there are any limits on viewing hours. I think they have 4 lions and they're on exhibit from 10am - 4pm but actual times outside vary and depend on weather. The zoo's three sumatran tiger cubs are now 21 months old and 200 pds a piece. But, again they spend much of their time sleeping inside.
Oops, have to go back to work...will add more later. Add your thoughts here. One of the problems with being "native" is that we hardly ever actually GO to DC and I'm not sure what all someone might want to see. I'm open to suggestions!
Christina, Ann, and anyone else who will be meeting for a shoot out in DC... Lets make a sketchy plan, at the very least lets decide where to meet and what time... we could also PM each other our cell numbers... I will be driving in with Wife and Daughter. I would like to park somewhere and metro or walk around... another idea is the segway tours, I've never done one but I think they cover lots of ground, I'll look it up on the net... I shot the Zoo in February... (it was a nice day) best time is early morning... might be a good place to start...
Yay! I'm officially in as well...at least until 4 (we have a wedding starting at 6).
I'm now in my 4th year of living in the heart of DC (with a short break for time spent in Boston). I figure we have a few options depending on the interests of the group.
1. Monuments and landmarks. Easy enough to do. Just start at the National mall and we can hit all the biggies in a matter of hours. A possible downside/upside with this is the mall will be a zoo that day given the Cherry Blossom parade and street festival takes place that day. Great PJ opportunities but also tough to get isolated shots of the landmarks.
2. Neighborhood walks. Either Adams Morgan or Georgetown would be good venues for this. There was a recent photowalk in our neighborhood (Adams Morgan). Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcphotowalk/pool/
3. Indoor architecture. The Great Hall of the Building Museum. The Capitol and Rotunda. The new Kogod Courtyard. All very cool and good options if the midday light is harsh with boring skies.
4. National Zoo. Though I live three blocks from the zoo, I'm not a huge fan of the way they present their animals. Except for the panda and lion/tiger exhibits, the rest are not great for photo ops.
5. Rock Creek Park. Some great bridges here. Water level has been quite low though. Also, this would take hours to explore well and would limit the above options.
This should be a lot of fun! Maybe we should recruit Andy or Marc Muench to join in and turn this into an official Smugmug event! At the very least we should be able to get Schmoo to come out from Baltimore
E
This should be a lot of fun! Maybe we should recruit Andy or Marc Muench to join in and turn this into an official Smugmug event! At the very least we should be able to get Schmoo to come out from Baltimore
E
I mentioned somewhere in the beginning of this thread that I will be able to make it if I'm in town. Family, etc, etc, yadda, yadda, yadda, but looking likely!
I am a poor substitute for Andy or Marc but I'm local, so you get what ya get.
Ann, since you get in Friday afternoon did you want to do some night shots in DC or MD? It's staying light pretty late now. Sunset should be around 7:40pm according to USNO.
And, if we are doing something Friday would anyone else want to join us?
Ann, since you get in Friday afternoon did you want to do some night shots in DC or MD? It's staying light pretty late now. Sunset should be around 7:40pm according to USNO.
And, if we are doing something Friday would anyone else want to join us?
Sure, that would be great!
And I am happy to hear that the numbers are growing for this get together. It should be a lot of fun. Schmoo, will Travis be able to join too?
And the irony of living up here in the north is that our sunset is already later than that! Pitch dark at 4 p.m. in December, and still light at 11:30 p.m. in June!
And I am happy to hear that the numbers are growing for this get together. It should be a lot of fun. Schmoo, will Travis be able to join too?
And the irony of living up here in the north is that our sunset is already later than that! Pitch dark at 4 p.m. in December, and still light at 11:30 p.m. in June!
Our weather here is really strange too. Yesterday morning was overcast and rainy. Yesterday afternoon was GORGOUS 75 F sunny, blue skies, and some pretty white clouds. Last night WINDY. Today, breezy high of 47 F. Tonight in the 30s (near freezing). You know that saying, if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes. Totally accurate here.
Current weather forecasts have temps in the low 70s - high 60s with scattered or isolated thunderstorms, but that's always subject to change. The weather people were completely wrong about this weekend's weather. Luckily if there are any quick storms there are lots of buildings we can duck into if needed.
If anyone drives into DC please remember that if you plan to talk on the cell phone you must do handsfree...speakerphone, boom mic, blue tooth, etc. Cops will cite you if you're holding a phone up to your ear while driving in the city.
Oh and Ann when you get to the airport or other Dgrinners who(whom?) I met in GNP, I'm a brunette now.
Adam and Kendel, Kate and I are flying in to DC on the 11th around 8:30 pm.
We'll be there on a whirlwind photo shot til Monday when we need to get back to the airport by 4:30 pm.
I have to go to work now, but I'll check this thread later to see where you folks are going, when.
Adam and Kendel, Kate and I are flying in to DC on the 11th around 8:30 pm.
We'll be there on a whirlwind photo shot til Monday when we need to get back to the airport by 4:30 pm.
I have to go to work now, but I'll check this thread later to see where you folks are going, when.
Adam and Kendel, Kate and I are flying in to DC on the 11th around 8:30 pm.
We'll be there on a whirlwind photo shot til Monday when we need to get back to the airport by 4:30 pm.
How exciting! I'll PM my cell phone to you davev, to schmoo and to Christina. I head out tomorrow a.m. for Boston, won't have a computer with me and so will be trusting the arrangements to the rest of y'all! I feel like a little kid the day before Christmas. I can't wait! I believe we now total 10 grinners for Saturday!
I have decided to not travel light, and bring my tripod, so can a night shoot happen - Friday maybe?
Adam and Kendel, Kate and I are flying in to DC on the 11th around 8:30 pm.
We'll be there on a whirlwind photo shot til Monday when we need to get back to the airport by 4:30 pm.
I have to go to work now, but I'll check this thread later to see where you folks are going, when.
What are the odds Davev, Katev, Kendal and I plan a trip to DC and a bunch of Smuggers will be there.
Do we have a meet-up time and place?
As for place, how about the courtyard behind the Smithsonian Building (aka the "castle"). Easily accessible via the Metro (Smithsonian station or L'Enfant Plaza station). A bit removed from the crowds that will be descending on the Mall. Easy walk to the tidal basin as well.
I would strongly recommend using the Metro by the way. Though there are technically parking spots down on Haines Point for the cherry blosssoms, they have been taken up as early as 6:30am.
Also, a great place for lunch is the Museum of the American Indian which is conveniently located near the Capitol.
This sounds like it will be a lot of fun!
E
I'm hoping to make it down Saturday. I have my daughter this weekend, and she's just shy of 5, so I'm not sure if her attention span will make it.
Weather report says it should be good. If it's warm enough, I'll be able to make it with Emma.
I'll be taking the Metro down and getting off at the Mall. If anybody wants to go that day, send me a PM with your phone number and I'll get in touch with you.
As for place, how about the courtyard behind the Smithsonian Building (aka the "castle")
The castle is a great place to meet and it is easy to get to and easy to find. Would we want to do a sunrise shoot? I need check metro hours to make sure we can metro that early, but we may have a parking space lined up nearby too...
I'll be taking the Metro down and getting off at the Mall. If anybody wants to go that day, send me a PM with your phone number and I'll get in touch with you.
If we metro Ann and I'll take the same line and get off at the same spot. It'll be good to see you again if you can make it! Either way I'll probably send you a text when we get there so you'll know where we're at and when.
This is very exciting indeed! Meet at the Castle Courtyard... Let's nail down a time? I can be there as early as anyone wants to get there... A sunrise shoot would be nice... I will PM my cell number to everyone who has said they are going when I get home from work tonight...
I'm not sure if we'll be doing a full tour with you folks, but it would be fun to catch up with you at some point during our time there.
I think we were planning on doing a night shoot on Saturday night.
How does that sound to everyone? (of course that's weather permitting)
Like I said in my first post, a whirlwind tour.
We're going to try to hit a museum or two, just about every monument that DC can throw at you, a Duck tour, Arlington National Cemetery to find a relative's grave, sunrise shots, (depending on when the "Metro" start up), night shots, (depending on when the "Metro" stops running. (we're staying at the west end of the Orange line)
How this is going to happen in 2 1/2 days, I'm not sure, but we'll give it a try.:D
Christina, I'll PM you my Cell Number, and hopefully we'll hook up at some point, if for nothing else, for a drink and to tell some lies.
Christina, I'll PM you my Cell Number, and hopefully we'll hook up at some point, if for nothing else, for a drink and to tell some lies.
See you folks in a couple....
I already know that they're all handheld and JPEG. But, yes for sure we have to get together! Hey, there is a bald eagle at the tidal basin. You better bring the 600mm just in case. jbswear and I saw him last year, but I was so busy saying "hey, look!! EAGLE" that I just got two crappy shots of him.
I've put your number in my phone and sent you mine.
It looks like metro rail doesn't open until 7am on weekends. So I can drive in for sunrise and then drive back out to a metro stop for parking. It stays open until 3am Friday and Saturday night, but individual trains/stations don't run that late, so you have to check particular stations. If you're at the Vienna/Fairfax stop, the west end of the Orange line you have the same hours - 7am until approx. 3am.
If we metro Ann and I'll take the same line and get off at the same spot. It'll be good to see you again if you can make it! Either way I'll probably send you a text when we get there so you'll know where we're at and when.
Ummm I'd prefer to metro too as parking DC is insaneinthemembrane.
Did we get an estimate on a start time? You're really thinking sunrise?
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I'll let the locals plan, and will be graciously hosted by Christina.
I am looking forward to this, with or without cherry blossoms, a little shootout in an unknown setting -
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Not sure what all is planned for this SmugD.C. event. But, more information: Natural History Museum - Butterfly Exhibit. It's an enclosed "tunnel" inside the museum (2nd floor). I got there late one day last week, but that day's tickets were gone already. From the viewing portals it looks to be quite neat inside. No tripods (you can bring them in - you just can't set them up). The museum does have some limited locker space for storing gear, coats, etc.
GreyLeaf PhotoGraphy
As for the butterfly exhibit, make sure your camera is weather sealed. It is quite humid in there!
For other suggestions in and around DC, I had posted some of my favorite locations in this thread:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=80634
E
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i think we know location
6:57 p.m.
3 sec-f/13 with a burst of rear curtain sync flash
1) Are we planning to metro + hoof (walk) it? Or drive? I have a truck which fits more stuff..but doesn't fit well in downtown parking and a '07 Malibu with a fairly big trunk and room for 1 driver + 4 passengers. If we'd rather metro I can help people pick which metro station. (FYI, I live in Southern Maryland, but if we metro we'll more than likely go from the New Carrollton station - http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm which is the orange line) The closest stop to the Cherry Blossoms is the Smithsonian station on the blue and orange lines which is pretty close to the middle of the National Mall.
2) If the weather is nice does anyone want to his the zoo? http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ It's big and free, but requires lots of walking on hill terrain. But, it's another place close to two metro stops. Of course they have 3 pandas including the young Tai Shan. They're currently trying to breed Tian Tian and Mei Xiang so I'm not sure if there are any limits on viewing hours. I think they have 4 lions and they're on exhibit from 10am - 4pm but actual times outside vary and depend on weather.
3) The Old Post Office Building - might me something neat to go up in...anyone been there? - http://tourofdc.org/tours/OldPostOffice/
Oops, have to go back to work...will add more later. Add your thoughts here. One of the problems with being "native" is that we hardly ever actually GO to DC and I'm not sure what all someone might want to see. I'm open to suggestions!
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Christina, I am open to any activity that involves
1.) photo ops
2.) dgrinners
3.) something other than snoi
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I hope we have good weather!
Winston
I'm now in my 4th year of living in the heart of DC (with a short break for time spent in Boston). I figure we have a few options depending on the interests of the group.
1. Monuments and landmarks. Easy enough to do. Just start at the National mall and we can hit all the biggies in a matter of hours. A possible downside/upside with this is the mall will be a zoo that day given the Cherry Blossom parade and street festival takes place that day. Great PJ opportunities but also tough to get isolated shots of the landmarks.
2. Neighborhood walks. Either Adams Morgan or Georgetown would be good venues for this. There was a recent photowalk in our neighborhood (Adams Morgan). Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dcphotowalk/pool/
3. Indoor architecture. The Great Hall of the Building Museum. The Capitol and Rotunda. The new Kogod Courtyard. All very cool and good options if the midday light is harsh with boring skies.
4. National Zoo. Though I live three blocks from the zoo, I'm not a huge fan of the way they present their animals. Except for the panda and lion/tiger exhibits, the rest are not great for photo ops.
5. Rock Creek Park. Some great bridges here. Water level has been quite low though. Also, this would take hours to explore well and would limit the above options.
This should be a lot of fun! Maybe we should recruit Andy or Marc Muench to join in and turn this into an official Smugmug event! At the very least we should be able to get Schmoo to come out from Baltimore
E
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I am a poor substitute for Andy or Marc but I'm local, so you get what ya get.
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Alright Schmoo
I've only met one dgrinner in person thus far. Hoping this turns into a mini-shootout!
E
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And, if we are doing something Friday would anyone else want to join us?
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Sure, that would be great!
And I am happy to hear that the numbers are growing for this get together. It should be a lot of fun. Schmoo, will Travis be able to join too?
And the irony of living up here in the north is that our sunset is already later than that! Pitch dark at 4 p.m. in December, and still light at 11:30 p.m. in June!
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http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
Oooo this is gonna be fun.
Photos that don't suck / 365 / Film & Lomography
If anyone drives into DC please remember that if you plan to talk on the cell phone you must do handsfree...speakerphone, boom mic, blue tooth, etc. Cops will cite you if you're holding a phone up to your ear while driving in the city.
Oh and Ann when you get to the airport or other Dgrinners who(whom?) I met in GNP, I'm a brunette now.
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http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
I've got a commitment in the morning on Saturday. What time where people thinking of getting together?
Adam and Kendel, Kate and I are flying in to DC on the 11th around 8:30 pm.
We'll be there on a whirlwind photo shot til Monday when we need to get back to the airport by 4:30 pm.
I have to go to work now, but I'll check this thread later to see where you folks are going, when.
Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
Wow, what a group it will be!!! Hooray! :ivar
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How exciting! I'll PM my cell phone to you davev, to schmoo and to Christina. I head out tomorrow a.m. for Boston, won't have a computer with me and so will be trusting the arrangements to the rest of y'all! I feel like a little kid the day before Christmas. I can't wait! I believe we now total 10 grinners for Saturday!
I have decided to not travel light, and bring my tripod, so can a night shoot happen - Friday maybe?
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What are the odds Davev, Katev, Kendal and I plan a trip to DC and a bunch of Smuggers will be there.
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As for place, how about the courtyard behind the Smithsonian Building (aka the "castle"). Easily accessible via the Metro (Smithsonian station or L'Enfant Plaza station). A bit removed from the crowds that will be descending on the Mall. Easy walk to the tidal basin as well.
I would strongly recommend using the Metro by the way. Though there are technically parking spots down on Haines Point for the cherry blosssoms, they have been taken up as early as 6:30am.
Also, a great place for lunch is the Museum of the American Indian which is conveniently located near the Capitol.
This sounds like it will be a lot of fun!
E
Google map link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&q=Washington,+DC,+USA&ll=38.888371,-77.025962&spn=0.004359,0.008175&t=h&z=17
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I'm hoping to make it down Saturday. I have my daughter this weekend, and she's just shy of 5, so I'm not sure if her attention span will make it.
Weather report says it should be good. If it's warm enough, I'll be able to make it with Emma.
I'll be taking the Metro down and getting off at the Mall. If anybody wants to go that day, send me a PM with your phone number and I'll get in touch with you.
Brad
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Definatly!!
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Woo Hooo!!
The castle is a great place to meet and it is easy to get to and easy to find.
If we metro Ann and I'll take the same line and get off at the same spot. It'll be good to see you again if you can make it! Either way I'll probably send you a text when we get there so you'll know where we're at and when.
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Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
Brad
www.facebook.com/SwearingenTurnings -- Hand made pens by yours truly
This is great! can't wait to meet everyone!
Winston
I think we were planning on doing a night shoot on Saturday night.
How does that sound to everyone? (of course that's weather permitting)
Like I said in my first post, a whirlwind tour.
We're going to try to hit a museum or two, just about every monument that DC can throw at you, a Duck tour, Arlington National Cemetery to find a relative's grave, sunrise shots, (depending on when the "Metro" start up), night shots, (depending on when the "Metro" stops running. (we're staying at the west end of the Orange line)
How this is going to happen in 2 1/2 days, I'm not sure, but we'll give it a try.:D
Christina, I'll PM you my Cell Number, and hopefully we'll hook up at some point, if for nothing else, for a drink and to tell some lies.
See you folks in a couple....
Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
I already know that they're all handheld and JPEG.
I've put your number in my phone and sent you mine.
It looks like metro rail doesn't open until 7am on weekends. So I can drive in for sunrise and then drive back out to a metro stop for parking. It stays open until 3am Friday and Saturday night, but individual trains/stations don't run that late, so you have to check particular stations. If you're at the Vienna/Fairfax stop, the west end of the Orange line you have the same hours - 7am until approx. 3am.
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http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
Ummm I'd prefer to metro too as parking DC is insaneinthemembrane.
Did we get an estimate on a start time? You're really thinking sunrise?
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