Going to Washington, DC - Should I bring my SLR?

[tinahindi]

I will be going to Washington, DC in August. I was reading that most place will not allow you to take your camera. So I would mostly only be taking photos of the oustide buidling. I am trying to travel light. One carry one and a tote bag for my laptop and books. I was just thinking of taking a regular point in shoot instead of my nikon. We will be doing a lot of walking and checking out the museum. I am doing my research and most forum say that your bag will have to be check in the lobby of most muesum. What should I do?

[MrJones]

as far as I remember there wasn't a place that I couldn't take photos.
but I sill think you're better of with just a point and shoot.
DC is a city for walking, much like NYC.. I went there twice, once with a DSLR and once with a P&S..
unless you're planing on making artistic photos in the sense of sitting and waiting for the right moment and the right light - take a P&S. for candid pictures it's almost the same as a DSLR.

[Jim Bryant]

Should that be a question? Hell yea, take your camera.

[DanielLane]

My thought is that if you don't bring the Nikon, you will have moments of regret. If you do bring it and don't use it, you only carried a little extra weight. I say bring it!

[tinahindi]

Thanks everyone for your opinion. I bring it and if I don't use I won't use.

[WPCatfish]

The only place I recall that I could not take photos in DC was inside the J Edgar Hoover Building. I probably would not take photos of the grim looking guys with FAG* bags outside the Executive Mansion either.






*Fast Action Gun

[MeAgain]

I'm from D.C. Trust me, D.C. is a great place to be FROM

Anyway...

there is no place that I know of where you cannot take your camera though you will not be allowed to use a flash in the museums.

D.C. is a fantastic place for majestic shots. The Mall, The Reflecting Pool, the WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, The Lincoln Memorial, and OMG the Museum of Modern Art grounds!

DO NOT leave your camera at home. The above list is but a fraction. I've lived there 26 years. I went to the Smithsonian on every single grade school field trip and I've been forced to WALK from D.C into Virginia and the Arlington Cemetary. You'd think I'd be so over it I'd never return.

Wrong! I'm now kicking myself for all the years of photos I missed out on and I'm trying to make up for lost time.

DO NOT leave your camera at home.

Or do but don't say I didn't warn you.

[private]

I am also from the Dc area (well 11 miles from) yes, bring your camera - also, sign up for Groupon, they often have deals for a walking photographic tour which would be fun. Many places do not allow PROFESSIONAL photographs to be taken w/o a permit, where in DC are you going?

[pharris201]

I totally agree. As a DC worker I go out almost everyday and shoot something. Street scenes, neighborhoods, statues, etc. etc. The only restriction I have run into is the use of a tripod. That may be what makes the line for professional. Night shots, early morning shots are especially dramatic.
Go to my Washington DC galleries on the link below.
Bring it. You will regret it if you don't.

[patata!]

I've been to DC a couple of times and couldn't take my camera then. I'm going again in a few weeks and cannot wait to get it out and take some shots.