Paris on the Potomac

Washington, DC was designed by the Frenchman Pierre L'Enfant (who admired the city so deeply he anglicized his name to Peter!), and the capital holds its own admirably against the grandeur of Paris in ways that may surprise even the most well-traveled visitor:

• Paris has the Gothic masterpiece, Notre Dame? Fair enough. DC counters with the soaring Washington National Cathedral.
• Paris has the Pantheon? DC has the U.S. Capitol, whose design was directly inspired by the Palladian aesthetic of its Parisian counterpart.
• Paris has Pont Neuf? DC has Arlington Memorial Bridge, whose arched spans were deliberately modeled after those of the famous Parisian crossing.
• Paris has the Luxembourg Gardens with its ornamental pond? DC has the National Sculpture Garden with a reflecting pool. Slightly more compact, perhaps, but every bit as beautiful.
• Paris has I.M. Pei's iconic glass pyramid at the Louvre? DC has its own I.M. Pei-designed glass triangle at the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, and it was completed first.
• Finally, Paris has the beloved Paul Bakery chain? So does DC, right at the Navy Memorial, where this Safari concludes over a proper French coffee and a buttery croissant.

This Photo Safari is a brisk, expertly guided visit to each of the DC landmarks listed above, with instruction woven throughout on architectural photography techniques, camera settings for landmark shooting, and how to frame and light iconic structures for maximum impact. Participants will receive guidance on exposure, composition, lighting, and white balance while visiting some of Washington's most visually compelling locations.

Your instructor is E. David Luria, an architectural photographer and Washington Photo Safari director who has lived in DC for many years, studied photography in Paris under a protege of Henri Cartier-Bresson, and carries a genuine love for both cities in every frame he shoots.

The Safari fee covers transportation between all locations and the coffee and croissant at the final stop.

Focus Skills: Architecture, Composition, Lighting, White Balance

What to Bring:

• Camera
• Lenses
• Extra memory cards
• Extra charged battery
• Accessories such as filters and a remote release
• Weather-appropriate clothing