NVPS May 2025 Field Trip
Visiting the nation’s monuments at night is the best time of the day to experience them. Our May field trip will return to this favorite where we’ll have the opportunity to photograph the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool at sunset. We’ll also photograph the World War II Memorial and Washington Monument at the blue hour and tour the other monuments as time permits including the Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and more. This is a wonderful field trip for all levels, especially beginners as most shots are done using manual controls. However, there is far too much to see in one night so be prepared to return on your own.
Tripods are allowed in most outdoor areas, however, if a park ranger asks you to move or pick up your tripod, it will be because you’re set up in a high traffic area. Tripods are not allowed anywhere inside of or on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial or Jefferson Memorial.
Sunset is at 8:15 p.m.
Equipment:
- Lenses in the range 24-200 will be most useful.
- Graduated filters are a great tool for capturing sunsets.
- A sturdy tripod along with remote shutter / cable release will be useful to keep the camera steady for long exposures.
- Flash and or flashlight is optional.
- Wear your best walking shoes.
When:
Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p. m
Rain date on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where:
We’ll meet next to 17 St. SW at the World War II Memorial. We’ll chat, assess the weather, and coordinate the evening’s schedule based on participant interests. If the weather cooperates, we’ll photograph the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool set in front of a wonderful sunset. During the blue hour, we’ll photograph the World War II Memorial itself and the Washington Monument. Then we’ll walk toward the Lincoln Memorial and stop at any memorials along the way. We’ll finish our field trip at the Lincoln Memorial which will provide us views of the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill as well as the Arlington Memorial Bridge and the Rosslyn skyline. Members not interested in the sunset photo-op or extensive walking will be able to meet up with the group at the Lincoln Memorial after 9pm.
Metered parking is normally in effect from 7am-8pm on Ohio Dr. SW. The cost is $2.30 per hour with a three hour maximum ($6.90 total). However, reports indicate construction in the area and street parking on 22nd Street NW (next to Einstein statue) might be a better alternative. The parking lots A, B, and C along Ohio Dr just past the 14 St. overpass are also an option.
Those who wish to ride the metro will be able to use blue and orange lines servicing Foggy Bottom and Smithsonian stations which are the nearest stops on our field trip. Note that the blue line’s Arlington National Cemetery station may be a good alternate but it closes at 10pm.
We hope you can join us!
Rena Schild and Steven Glintz
Field Trip Coordinators 2024-2025
* Photographs of the monuments courtesy Steven Glintz. Additional examples and inspiration available on NVPS galleries: