Washington DC photography exhibits?

[Bruce Schultz]

I'm going to DC during the July 4 holiday (2nd through 7th) and I want to see photography. Any gallery/exhibit recommendations? I see a really good show is now at the National Art Gallery.
I'd also like to view examples of wet-plate collodion negatives in the archives of the Library of Congress or Smithsonian. Does anyone have suggestions on how to make that happen? I don't necessarily need to see a specific image, but I'd just like to see something by Brady or Gardner to see some of the negatives characteristics for density and sharpness back then.

[Mark Sampson]

I work for The Phillips Collection (America's first museum of modern art); we are currently showing "American Moments", 130 photographs from our collection by 20th-century American photographers. Steiglitz and A.L. Coburn through Sally Mann. Don't miss it!
The National Gallery is showing what they have collected in photography; they only started 25 years ago but they cover most of the bases, 1839-1980. It's spectacular. Of course the NGA is spectacular in itself... oh look, more Rembrandts...
And go to loc.gov and look up the prints and photographs division. You can go there, register for a (free) reader's card, and the staff there will be happy to show you just about anything in the collection. IDK about seeing negatives but contact me off-list...

[Bruce Schultz]

Thanks Mark. I'll make sure I make it by the Phillips for sure.

[StoneNYC]

If you bring any film cameras, expect that all of the film will be scanned no matter what.

They won't hand inspect, and if you going to any of the government buildings they insist on scanning everything through the x-ray machine, no exceptions.

[Bruce Schultz]

Digital only on this trip. They won't let me carry collodion on airplanes.

[ckagy]

There are also photography exhibits at the National Portrait Gallery. http://www.nationalportraitgallery.org/

A good source of information for traveling around the city is http://www.wmata.com, the website of the Metro System.

finally, check out the stuff on http://exposeddc.com/ for other possible ideas.

Enjoy your trip!

[Monty McCutchen]

Bruce I would second the National Portrait Gallery. I often go when in town for work there (I stay within walking distance) and it never disappoints me either photographically or within other disciplines as well. Mark, I didn't know of the Phillips Museum. I can't wait until the fall when my work schedule will again having me come to town. I look forward to seeing the Phillips then. Thank you for the heads up on that.

Bruce you and i share a mutual friend in New Orleans, maybe next time through I could entice a fellow wet plater out for a beer?

Hope you have a great trip over the holiday.

best,

Monty

[Bruce Schultz]

Monty, I live about 2.5 hours west of New Orleans but I go there regularly to shoot and visit. Let me know next time you're in town and I'll bring my outfit to make images.

[Sirius Glass]

Washington DC and the surrounding area provides may subjects for available light photography of lighted building and monuments as well as street scenes. My avatar is an example.

[gregmo]

A good source of information for traveling around the city is http://www.wmata.com, the website of the Metro System.

Enjoy your trip!

Be sure to check for "Alerts" on the Metro's website.
Generally, metro is very efficient on weekdays, but on weekends it can be a huge hassle. Weekends is when they do track repair work. July 4th is a special occasion so they very well may be running without delays.