I had a couple that wanted to have an engagement shot in front of the Jefferson memorial. We got there early (9:30 a.m), to get some nice diffuse light, and to avoid big crowds. There were already plenty of people there taking pictures, but almost as soon as I started snapping shots, I was stopped by the United States Park Police and told that I couldn’t take “professional photos” in the memorial.

I truly understand their concerns (i.e. the obnoxious tog who brings his whole lighting kit and five assistants to the memorial during the busiest part of the day). But it was just me, my camera and a couple who wanted a picture with Tom.

Interesting. I was just there recently taking portraits with off-camera lighting and I was allowed to proceed without interruption. One officer did ask who I was and what I was taking photos for but then allowed me to continue without any further interruption.

To my knowledge, there is no prohibition on photography within the memorials so long as you are not impeding tourists and/or using a tripod.

I would recommend filing a respectful complaint with the US Park Police.

Top photo contributed by Patty Hankins

Read more about the walk over at Jeff’s blog and be sure to join the Flickr group, as well!

Darfur/Darfur

Dates: October 24 - December 6, 2008 in the Front Gallery
Description:

“Civilian Art Projects is proud to present Darfur/Darfur, a traveling exhibit of images on the crisis and culture in Darfur, Sudan, by world-renowned photojournalists including Lynsey Addario, Mark Brecke, Helene Caux, Ron Haviv (VII), James Nachtwey (VII), Paolo Pellegrin (MAGNUM), Ryan Spencer Reed, Michal Safdie, and Brian Steidle. Curated by Leslie Thomas.”

Pastime

Dates: October 24 - December 6, 2008 in the Project Space
Description:

“Pastime, a photography exhibit of recent works by Ken Ashton, Jason Falchook, Michael Itkoff, Kate MacDonnell, Carlos Charlie Perez, Christopher Sims, and Noelle K. Tan, unites imagery of leisure, amusement, and ritual depicted by contemporary American photographers in a variety of environments.”

Read more about both exhibitions at Civilian Art Projects.

“Move Along features the work of four photographers, Tracy Clayton, Pat Padua, Katy Ray and Matt Smith, who capture scenes that pass briefly before our eyes, perhaps preferring that we look away but only succeeding in making us gaze longer. Clayton is a street photographer with an eye for subtle movement and brief moments that end before we fully noticed they happened. Padua’s sense of humor gives us images that aren’t momentary so much as they are oddly and amusingly uncomfortable. Ray’s time in New Orleans puts a nostalgic filter on her scenes, and the feeling we’ll soon miss the memory it gives us. By contrast, Smith’s highly constructed work explores the connections between the emotional loss experienced by the subjects in the text, and the ways in which these memories can develop direct associations to our physical surroundings. Each of their images focuses on the scenes that are fleeting, whether we want them to be or not, and asks what happens when you weigh it a little longer than you should.”

You can get more information over at Ten Miles Square!

“Local musicians will play acoustic sets of Celtic, folk and indie music throughout the afternoon. Enjoy a little sample of the River Center events from this summer, such as a morning bird walk and nature photography session.

“Canoe trips over to Minnie’s Island will be offered and a bike trip along the tow path.

“We will highlight the photographs and paintings that captured special moments along the C&O Canal during the summer’s workshops. Bring the kids for face-painting and other activities. All events are free.”

For more information and schedule of events visit the Potomac River Jam website.

Special thanks to Mark Anderson for bringing this to my attention!

“This is a chance to get one-on-one feedback on your best work from giants in the field. Don’t miss this opportunity to sit down with some of the best in the business for serious, in-depth discussion of your work, your personal projects, or your books in progress. Prominent photographers from all specialties, curators, educators, photo editors and other experts from the fields of commercial, fine art, photojournalism and documentary have agreed to review personal portfolios. You choose your reviewer preference as well as the level at which you would like to be reviewed. Each review is 20 minutes with a 10 minute wrap up. Reviewers’ frank appraisals may help to shape your future as a photographer and provide invaluable business connections. These sessions are certain to be heavily booked so advance reservations are a must!”

The cost to have your portfolio reviewed is $50 ($20 for students) and the review session will take place on Saturday, November 15th from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm at the Corcoran College of Art + Design. You must register by October 31st! You can register here.

Photo taken by Flickr user Rozanne_.

Bald Eagle, Conowingo Dam, Maryland

So, while I was doubtful, I was intrigued when I recently heard about the Conowingo Dam, near Conowingo, Maryland, on the Susquehanna River. I was told that Bald Eagles use the area around the dam as a rest stop on their annual migration and some even make it their home. Well, yesterday, I spent the day at the dam and its true.

While I arrived at sunrise and got some nice landscapes, it was late morning and the two hours before sunset that were the most interesting. During these times, Bald Eagles were fishing downstream of the dam and flying directly overhead with their catch. Blue Herons, Black Cormorants, and gulls also make the dam their home and you can photograph them flying and fishing as well. Occasionally, you might even see Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons.

Morning, Conowingo Dam, Maryland

The Conowingo Dam is an electricity generation plant and, when the generators are running, fish are caught by the turbines and stunned or killed, which makes them easy prey for the Bald Eagles, Cormorants, and Blue Herons. You will know when the generators are going to start because ten minutes and just before the generators are started, an alarm will sound to warn the people fishing in boats downstream of the dam to move out of the way. The birds-don’t ask me how-recognize the sound and will get in position to fish. Be prepared because the eagles will quickly swoop down, catch a fish, and head away to eat its meal.

Black Cormorant, Conowingo, Maryland

According the other photographers at the dam yesterday, it was a slow day. Peak season is still to come, beginning in late October and continuing through December and the winter months. Also, don’t ignore those other photographers. It is largely a group of very friendly “regulars” and they know each other well enough for some of them to have nicknames. They were a great source of information so be sure to introduce yourself and ask any questions.

Directly downstream, next to the dam is a small park for those wanting to fish and those photographing the bald eagles. The entrance to the park is located off of US Route 1, just south of the dam and river; turn east on Shuresville Road and then take the first left (it is really more of a u-turn) onto Shures Landing Road. While it will be tempting to climb down to the water’s edge, stay on the grass along the parking lot. This will put you above the water and near the trees directly over the river and allow you to easily move around to get the best view of the river.

Finally, you will need your longest lens and, if you have a second camera, bring it along with a medium telephoto lens so you can capture some of the birds that pass close to you.

Have fun and share some pictures with us.

“Subcontinental Drift is a collective of South Asian American artists and organizers whose mission includes creating a community and platform for artists to present their work to the community-at-large. Recognizing that the portrayal of South Asians is too often limited to acts of extremists, stereotypes, and rarely considered amongst that which is “All-American,” Subcontinental Drift is mounting this open photography competition to present imagery that broadens the perception of South Asia and its diaspora.

“So it’s time to start going through your photographs and pick your entries for Positive Exposure. Images selected will be displayed at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm in February 2009. Located in Washington, D.C.’s historic U Street corridor, the gallery’s mission is to advance the understanding and utilization of the arts to unite, uplift, teach, build communities, transform lives, inspire and heal. They’re as excited about Positive Exposure as we are, and will be helping us plan some supporting events after the opening on Friday, February 6, 2009.”

Check the website for complete rules and how to enter your shots.

In Afghanistan

When: Through October 4th, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, Noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: Touchstone Gallery, 406 7th St., NW
Information: 202-347-2787
Price: Free
Description: “The Royal Netherlands Embassy and the Embassy of Afghanistan will present a stirring collection of images that document everyday life in Afghanistan. The photo exhibit by Dutch photographer Hans Stakelbeek, entitled In Afghanistan, will be displayed for the first time in the United States from September 10th through October 4th, 2008, at the Touchstone Gallery in Washington, D.C.” Touchstone Gallery

Way Down in New Orleans

When: Through October 11th, 2pm-6pm Wednesday-Saturday
Where: Civilian Art Projects, 406 7th St. NW, 3rd Floor
Information: 202-347-0022
Price: Free
Description: “Civilian Art Projects is pleased to announce the exhibition, Way Down in New Orleans, from September 5 – October 11, 2008. Opening on the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Way Down in New Orleans unites an array of New Orleans-based artists with artists nationwide; both groups affected and shaped by the storm, and its aftermath. The exhibition is curated by New York based artist and curator Aubrey Edwards.” Civilian Art Projects

Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture

When: Through October 26th, 11:30am-7pm Daily
Where: National Portrait Gallery, 8th & F St., NW
Information: 202-633-1000
Price: Free
Description: “Since its inception in the late 1970s, hip hop has become hugely influential in America. While images of hip hop performers are as pervasive in our culture as the music itself, some visual artists have created powerful images that both celebrate and explore the complexity of this creative form. The six artists and one poet whose work is included in RECOGNIZE! have approached hip hop culture through the lens of portraiture, and, in combination, their contributions highlight its vitality and beauty.” National Portrait Gallery

Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities

When: Through January 4th, 11:30am-7pm Daily
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & F St., NW
Information: 202-633-1000
Price: Free
Description: “This exhibition, the first to pair these artists, celebrates their mutual appreciation of the natural world and reveals the visual connections between O’Keeffe’s paintings and Adams’ photographs.The exhibition includes forty-two paintings from public and private collections and fifty-four photographs borrowed primarily from the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona, which holds the largest single collection of Adams’ work.” Smithsonian American Art Museum

Earth and Sky: Photographs by Barbara Bosworth

When: Through November 9th, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, July 10-Nov. 2 and 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday, Nov. 3-9
Where: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8th & F St., NW
Information: 202-633-1000
Price: Free
Description: “Nature’s strength, endurance, and fragility are captured in the dynamic work of Barbara Bosworth (b. 1953). Best known for her photographs of National Champion trees—the largest identified example of each species in the United States—Bosworth creates panoramic images using a unique method that combines multiple large-format negatives in a single print.” Smithsonian American Art Museum

You can browse the above photo exhibit locations in our map below:

You can also browse our DC Photo Calendar to find what exhibits are running on any particular day.

If we failed to include any notable events, let us know here.

The Montgomery Parks Annual Harvest Festival takes place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. From the website:

“Sample life on the farm from the 1850s to the present. Dozens of fun, free activities, as well as great live music, craft demonstrations, antique farm equipment, live farm animals and much more! This event is sponsored by Whole Foods and Washington Parent, and presented in part by the Friends of the Agricultural History Farm Park, Gaithersburg Equipment Company, the Master Gardeners, the 4-H Jersey Club and 4-H Back-in-Time Club, and the Montgomery County Association for Family and Community Education.

“For more information, call 301-924-4141; on event days, please call 301-721-0312. Volunteers are needed for this fun event! Call 301-495-2464.”

It might be a good photo opportunity!

Agricultural History Farm Park, 18400 Muncaster Road in Derwood MD

If you know of any photography events or any event that might be worth photographing, feel free to submit it to us over on our new calendar page!