Safety when photographing Washington DC during the wee hours










4















So I know that many people go to DC to take pictures as well as visit museums.



Unlike others, I plan to be up early and catch the sunrise for the National Mall and be around that area early (5-6AM) and later in the evening (9-10PM or later) for the night. I know that terrorism has created a lot of things like instilling fear into people.



Are there any safety problems (e.g. getting robbed or security guards telling me I can't be taking pictures during those times) that I should be aware of? I ask this since I got asked by a few people when I was part of staff taking pictures during a fairgrounds for their advertisement campaign. I haven't been asked in San Francisco so I assume it would be the same but, last I remembered, isn't Washington DC is a special district? I'm not sure if not only the usual street smarts but also rules apply or maybe they don't and people with large backpacks are deemed dangerous?



Update1: I plan to be there during the winter if that makes any difference in the next few weeks or so. I will have a large backpack and also tripod if that helps. I will be taking pictures both during the weekday and weekend and be in and out of the area.










share|improve this question
























  • I took photos late evening (around your time) in July 2016 there; it was still crowded with people, and no visible restrictions. No idea however about mornings. May be important whether you plan to do this on weekend or weekday?

    – George Y.
    Dec 21 '16 at 21:33












  • Depending on exactly when you'll be there, during the time before/after the Presidential inauguration, certain areas around the Mall will likely be closed to prepare for that event.

    – Zach Lipton
    Dec 21 '16 at 23:04















4















So I know that many people go to DC to take pictures as well as visit museums.



Unlike others, I plan to be up early and catch the sunrise for the National Mall and be around that area early (5-6AM) and later in the evening (9-10PM or later) for the night. I know that terrorism has created a lot of things like instilling fear into people.



Are there any safety problems (e.g. getting robbed or security guards telling me I can't be taking pictures during those times) that I should be aware of? I ask this since I got asked by a few people when I was part of staff taking pictures during a fairgrounds for their advertisement campaign. I haven't been asked in San Francisco so I assume it would be the same but, last I remembered, isn't Washington DC is a special district? I'm not sure if not only the usual street smarts but also rules apply or maybe they don't and people with large backpacks are deemed dangerous?



Update1: I plan to be there during the winter if that makes any difference in the next few weeks or so. I will have a large backpack and also tripod if that helps. I will be taking pictures both during the weekday and weekend and be in and out of the area.










share|improve this question
























  • I took photos late evening (around your time) in July 2016 there; it was still crowded with people, and no visible restrictions. No idea however about mornings. May be important whether you plan to do this on weekend or weekday?

    – George Y.
    Dec 21 '16 at 21:33












  • Depending on exactly when you'll be there, during the time before/after the Presidential inauguration, certain areas around the Mall will likely be closed to prepare for that event.

    – Zach Lipton
    Dec 21 '16 at 23:04













4












4








4








So I know that many people go to DC to take pictures as well as visit museums.



Unlike others, I plan to be up early and catch the sunrise for the National Mall and be around that area early (5-6AM) and later in the evening (9-10PM or later) for the night. I know that terrorism has created a lot of things like instilling fear into people.



Are there any safety problems (e.g. getting robbed or security guards telling me I can't be taking pictures during those times) that I should be aware of? I ask this since I got asked by a few people when I was part of staff taking pictures during a fairgrounds for their advertisement campaign. I haven't been asked in San Francisco so I assume it would be the same but, last I remembered, isn't Washington DC is a special district? I'm not sure if not only the usual street smarts but also rules apply or maybe they don't and people with large backpacks are deemed dangerous?



Update1: I plan to be there during the winter if that makes any difference in the next few weeks or so. I will have a large backpack and also tripod if that helps. I will be taking pictures both during the weekday and weekend and be in and out of the area.










share|improve this question
















So I know that many people go to DC to take pictures as well as visit museums.



Unlike others, I plan to be up early and catch the sunrise for the National Mall and be around that area early (5-6AM) and later in the evening (9-10PM or later) for the night. I know that terrorism has created a lot of things like instilling fear into people.



Are there any safety problems (e.g. getting robbed or security guards telling me I can't be taking pictures during those times) that I should be aware of? I ask this since I got asked by a few people when I was part of staff taking pictures during a fairgrounds for their advertisement campaign. I haven't been asked in San Francisco so I assume it would be the same but, last I remembered, isn't Washington DC is a special district? I'm not sure if not only the usual street smarts but also rules apply or maybe they don't and people with large backpacks are deemed dangerous?



Update1: I plan to be there during the winter if that makes any difference in the next few weeks or so. I will have a large backpack and also tripod if that helps. I will be taking pictures both during the weekday and weekend and be in and out of the area.







usa photography walking washington-dc






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 22 '16 at 5:05









Robert Columbia

3,84732246




3,84732246










asked Dec 21 '16 at 21:29









unsignedzerounsignedzero

23228




23228












  • I took photos late evening (around your time) in July 2016 there; it was still crowded with people, and no visible restrictions. No idea however about mornings. May be important whether you plan to do this on weekend or weekday?

    – George Y.
    Dec 21 '16 at 21:33












  • Depending on exactly when you'll be there, during the time before/after the Presidential inauguration, certain areas around the Mall will likely be closed to prepare for that event.

    – Zach Lipton
    Dec 21 '16 at 23:04

















  • I took photos late evening (around your time) in July 2016 there; it was still crowded with people, and no visible restrictions. No idea however about mornings. May be important whether you plan to do this on weekend or weekday?

    – George Y.
    Dec 21 '16 at 21:33












  • Depending on exactly when you'll be there, during the time before/after the Presidential inauguration, certain areas around the Mall will likely be closed to prepare for that event.

    – Zach Lipton
    Dec 21 '16 at 23:04
















I took photos late evening (around your time) in July 2016 there; it was still crowded with people, and no visible restrictions. No idea however about mornings. May be important whether you plan to do this on weekend or weekday?

– George Y.
Dec 21 '16 at 21:33






I took photos late evening (around your time) in July 2016 there; it was still crowded with people, and no visible restrictions. No idea however about mornings. May be important whether you plan to do this on weekend or weekday?

– George Y.
Dec 21 '16 at 21:33














Depending on exactly when you'll be there, during the time before/after the Presidential inauguration, certain areas around the Mall will likely be closed to prepare for that event.

– Zach Lipton
Dec 21 '16 at 23:04





Depending on exactly when you'll be there, during the time before/after the Presidential inauguration, certain areas around the Mall will likely be closed to prepare for that event.

– Zach Lipton
Dec 21 '16 at 23:04










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















7














The National Mall is officially open 24 hours a day, with rangers on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The rangers are there to support visitors by answering questions and interpreting the landmarks, and are not primarily responsible for security.



That falls to the U.S. Park Police, with neighboring areas patrolled by the Secret Service Uniformed Division, the Capitol Police, the Federal Protective Service, Smithsonian security (yes, there is such a thing), and many others, plus the local law enforcement agency, the D.C. Metropolitan Police.



There is almost no violent crime around the National Mall… almost. From time to time there is mugging or assault, which then makes headlines (it does not when such crimes are committed elsewhere in the city). As with anywhere in the world, at any time of the day, at any time of the year, however, ordinary prudence should always be heeded: be aware of your surroundings, stick to open and well-lit areas, avoid being isolated, be mindful of valuables.



As a local resident, I will say that in the summertime, the hours you cite would be entirely unexceptional; you will find joggers on the Mall starting at sunrise, and tourists lingering past midnight at the memorials. In the winter, naturally, crowds are much thinner overall and especially after dark.




As for photography, the National Park Service only requires a permit for commercial photography or filming (43 CFR 5.2):




(a) All commercial filming requires a permit.

(b) Still photography does not require a permit unless:

(1) It uses a model, set, or prop as defined in § 5.12; or

(2) The agency determines a permit is necessary because:

(i) It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are not allowed; or

(ii) The agency would incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts.
(c) Visitors do not require a permit for filming or still photography activities unless the filming is commercial filming as defined in § 5.12 or the still photography activity involves one of the criteria listed in § 5.2 (b).




If you are in fact a commercial photographer (you are either being paid to take these photos, or you intend to sell or license them), you would do well to read the entire rule, including replies to public comments. For example, some of the statues in the war memorials are copyrighted works, and so photographs cannot be commercially distributed without permission. Otherwise, any restrictions (for example, on the use of tripods) will be indicated with signs in and around the particular facility.






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    1 Answer
    1






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    active

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    active

    oldest

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    7














    The National Mall is officially open 24 hours a day, with rangers on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The rangers are there to support visitors by answering questions and interpreting the landmarks, and are not primarily responsible for security.



    That falls to the U.S. Park Police, with neighboring areas patrolled by the Secret Service Uniformed Division, the Capitol Police, the Federal Protective Service, Smithsonian security (yes, there is such a thing), and many others, plus the local law enforcement agency, the D.C. Metropolitan Police.



    There is almost no violent crime around the National Mall… almost. From time to time there is mugging or assault, which then makes headlines (it does not when such crimes are committed elsewhere in the city). As with anywhere in the world, at any time of the day, at any time of the year, however, ordinary prudence should always be heeded: be aware of your surroundings, stick to open and well-lit areas, avoid being isolated, be mindful of valuables.



    As a local resident, I will say that in the summertime, the hours you cite would be entirely unexceptional; you will find joggers on the Mall starting at sunrise, and tourists lingering past midnight at the memorials. In the winter, naturally, crowds are much thinner overall and especially after dark.




    As for photography, the National Park Service only requires a permit for commercial photography or filming (43 CFR 5.2):




    (a) All commercial filming requires a permit.

    (b) Still photography does not require a permit unless:

    (1) It uses a model, set, or prop as defined in § 5.12; or

    (2) The agency determines a permit is necessary because:

    (i) It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are not allowed; or

    (ii) The agency would incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts.
    (c) Visitors do not require a permit for filming or still photography activities unless the filming is commercial filming as defined in § 5.12 or the still photography activity involves one of the criteria listed in § 5.2 (b).




    If you are in fact a commercial photographer (you are either being paid to take these photos, or you intend to sell or license them), you would do well to read the entire rule, including replies to public comments. For example, some of the statues in the war memorials are copyrighted works, and so photographs cannot be commercially distributed without permission. Otherwise, any restrictions (for example, on the use of tripods) will be indicated with signs in and around the particular facility.






    share|improve this answer



























      7














      The National Mall is officially open 24 hours a day, with rangers on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The rangers are there to support visitors by answering questions and interpreting the landmarks, and are not primarily responsible for security.



      That falls to the U.S. Park Police, with neighboring areas patrolled by the Secret Service Uniformed Division, the Capitol Police, the Federal Protective Service, Smithsonian security (yes, there is such a thing), and many others, plus the local law enforcement agency, the D.C. Metropolitan Police.



      There is almost no violent crime around the National Mall… almost. From time to time there is mugging or assault, which then makes headlines (it does not when such crimes are committed elsewhere in the city). As with anywhere in the world, at any time of the day, at any time of the year, however, ordinary prudence should always be heeded: be aware of your surroundings, stick to open and well-lit areas, avoid being isolated, be mindful of valuables.



      As a local resident, I will say that in the summertime, the hours you cite would be entirely unexceptional; you will find joggers on the Mall starting at sunrise, and tourists lingering past midnight at the memorials. In the winter, naturally, crowds are much thinner overall and especially after dark.




      As for photography, the National Park Service only requires a permit for commercial photography or filming (43 CFR 5.2):




      (a) All commercial filming requires a permit.

      (b) Still photography does not require a permit unless:

      (1) It uses a model, set, or prop as defined in § 5.12; or

      (2) The agency determines a permit is necessary because:

      (i) It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are not allowed; or

      (ii) The agency would incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts.
      (c) Visitors do not require a permit for filming or still photography activities unless the filming is commercial filming as defined in § 5.12 or the still photography activity involves one of the criteria listed in § 5.2 (b).




      If you are in fact a commercial photographer (you are either being paid to take these photos, or you intend to sell or license them), you would do well to read the entire rule, including replies to public comments. For example, some of the statues in the war memorials are copyrighted works, and so photographs cannot be commercially distributed without permission. Otherwise, any restrictions (for example, on the use of tripods) will be indicated with signs in and around the particular facility.






      share|improve this answer

























        7












        7








        7







        The National Mall is officially open 24 hours a day, with rangers on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The rangers are there to support visitors by answering questions and interpreting the landmarks, and are not primarily responsible for security.



        That falls to the U.S. Park Police, with neighboring areas patrolled by the Secret Service Uniformed Division, the Capitol Police, the Federal Protective Service, Smithsonian security (yes, there is such a thing), and many others, plus the local law enforcement agency, the D.C. Metropolitan Police.



        There is almost no violent crime around the National Mall… almost. From time to time there is mugging or assault, which then makes headlines (it does not when such crimes are committed elsewhere in the city). As with anywhere in the world, at any time of the day, at any time of the year, however, ordinary prudence should always be heeded: be aware of your surroundings, stick to open and well-lit areas, avoid being isolated, be mindful of valuables.



        As a local resident, I will say that in the summertime, the hours you cite would be entirely unexceptional; you will find joggers on the Mall starting at sunrise, and tourists lingering past midnight at the memorials. In the winter, naturally, crowds are much thinner overall and especially after dark.




        As for photography, the National Park Service only requires a permit for commercial photography or filming (43 CFR 5.2):




        (a) All commercial filming requires a permit.

        (b) Still photography does not require a permit unless:

        (1) It uses a model, set, or prop as defined in § 5.12; or

        (2) The agency determines a permit is necessary because:

        (i) It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are not allowed; or

        (ii) The agency would incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts.
        (c) Visitors do not require a permit for filming or still photography activities unless the filming is commercial filming as defined in § 5.12 or the still photography activity involves one of the criteria listed in § 5.2 (b).




        If you are in fact a commercial photographer (you are either being paid to take these photos, or you intend to sell or license them), you would do well to read the entire rule, including replies to public comments. For example, some of the statues in the war memorials are copyrighted works, and so photographs cannot be commercially distributed without permission. Otherwise, any restrictions (for example, on the use of tripods) will be indicated with signs in and around the particular facility.






        share|improve this answer













        The National Mall is officially open 24 hours a day, with rangers on duty from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The rangers are there to support visitors by answering questions and interpreting the landmarks, and are not primarily responsible for security.



        That falls to the U.S. Park Police, with neighboring areas patrolled by the Secret Service Uniformed Division, the Capitol Police, the Federal Protective Service, Smithsonian security (yes, there is such a thing), and many others, plus the local law enforcement agency, the D.C. Metropolitan Police.



        There is almost no violent crime around the National Mall… almost. From time to time there is mugging or assault, which then makes headlines (it does not when such crimes are committed elsewhere in the city). As with anywhere in the world, at any time of the day, at any time of the year, however, ordinary prudence should always be heeded: be aware of your surroundings, stick to open and well-lit areas, avoid being isolated, be mindful of valuables.



        As a local resident, I will say that in the summertime, the hours you cite would be entirely unexceptional; you will find joggers on the Mall starting at sunrise, and tourists lingering past midnight at the memorials. In the winter, naturally, crowds are much thinner overall and especially after dark.




        As for photography, the National Park Service only requires a permit for commercial photography or filming (43 CFR 5.2):




        (a) All commercial filming requires a permit.

        (b) Still photography does not require a permit unless:

        (1) It uses a model, set, or prop as defined in § 5.12; or

        (2) The agency determines a permit is necessary because:

        (i) It takes place at a location where or when members of the public are not allowed; or

        (ii) The agency would incur costs for providing on-site management and oversight to protect agency resources or minimize visitor use conflicts.
        (c) Visitors do not require a permit for filming or still photography activities unless the filming is commercial filming as defined in § 5.12 or the still photography activity involves one of the criteria listed in § 5.2 (b).




        If you are in fact a commercial photographer (you are either being paid to take these photos, or you intend to sell or license them), you would do well to read the entire rule, including replies to public comments. For example, some of the statues in the war memorials are copyrighted works, and so photographs cannot be commercially distributed without permission. Otherwise, any restrictions (for example, on the use of tripods) will be indicated with signs in and around the particular facility.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Dec 22 '16 at 1:03









        chosterchoster

        33.3k494146




        33.3k494146



























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