Evening star., 1953-08-16
District Can Boast Best
In Photo Subject Matter
Camera Angles
By Alexander J. Wedderburn
cvrGter Of Photography
The Smithsonian institution

the SmlfnSol
It is a well-known national
trait to dig the camera out OF
mothballS whenever a trip
away from home is coming up.
The universal feeling seems to
be that greener pastures lie on
the other side of the fence,
so we take along the camera in
expectation of finding some
thing pictorially better than
we have at home.
The funny thing is, though,
while we are off to take pic
lures in other parts of the
country nearly every one who
comes to Washington for q
vacation brings along provi-
sions for taking pictures here.
Actually. these people are
closer to being right than we,
for here in our town there are
unlimited camera subjects
that couldn't be exhausted in
your lifetime or mine. The
trouble is that we are so ac-
customed to the natural and
man-made beauties of this
world capital that we fail to
"see" them in terms of pic
lures.
Plenty Of Gems
Aside from the architectural
gems that abound in this area
we have some of the most
scenic parks in the country, a
picturesque canal, a photo
genie river front and many
other subjects that could keep
you busy for the rest of your
life.
Then why wait for the an
nual hectic two-week trip to
some wayside spot to put forth
your best efforts with the
camera? Take a good look at
this city of ours and it won't
take you long to realize that
your best chances for top
notch pictures lie on home
grounds.
If you haven't looked" at
Washington lately let's take a
peek through the eyes Of thou
sands who come here each year
to fill their albums with pic
lures of the "city beautiful"
The Tidal Basin and it's ad-
Jacent memorials are high on
the list of visiting camera fans.
While it is true that the best
time for snapshots in this area
is in the Spring-when the
cherry blossoms are in full
bloom-the gracefully curving
shore line is always a natural
setting for a photograph.
The Fovorite
The Jefferson Memorial is
probably the most photo
graphed subject in this area
and surely warrants this at
tention.
Not so far from Jefferson is
the Lincoln Memorial, the
Washington Monument and
the connecting Rejecting Pool.
Both of these edif1ceS are
lighted at night and are ex-
cellent camera subject either
by day or dark in either color
or black and white.
II you would like to include
a few aerial shots without the
expense of plane ride, take
the elevator to the top of the
monument and you will dis
cover a different aspect of
Washington. The view over
looking the Potomac and the
Tidal Basin from the Monu-
ment'S height is a particularly
fine camera shot. On clear
days you will be able to photo
graph from here without any
special equipment. If, how
ever, there is even a slight
haze we suggest the use of
an orange filter.
Use the Pool
Full advantage should be
taken of the pictorial possibil-
tiles Of the Rejecting Pool.
Make at least one shot of the
Washington Monument with
its image reflected by the
water. Other shots can be
made Of the monument with
the shaft framed by branches
OF trees located in the vicinity.
To do this, of course, you must
shoot up at the structure from
a rather low camera angle.
The Capitol is another fine
picture subject. It can be
photographed from many an
giles from any Of the streets
converging on it. This is an
other building lighted at night
and after-dark shots have a
special appeal if made Just
after or during a rain when
light reflections are mirrored
on the wet surface of the street.
A special pass must be OBJ
tanned by the photographer
who wishes to take pictures
on the Capitol grounds or in
the building. This is also true
in buildings which house some
of the defense agencies, but
on the whole. Washington is
free of restrictions that might
hamper the camera fan.
The White House, Union Sta
ton, the Smithsonian Institu-
ton, the National Gallery of
Art and other buildings along
the Mall are also favorite spots
OF the amateur photographer.
All are worthy subjects for
even the most demanding pic
torialiSt.
Use Rising Front
When photographing build
ings there is always the prob
lem Of keeping vertical lines
straight. The more exactiIig