Do I need a professional camera for this workshop?

No. Cameras with manual or semi-manual settings, including prosumer and advanced point-and-shoot models, are suitable.

Are tripods allowed during the safari?

Yes, tripods are permitted and recommended, especially for low-light shooting inside the courtyard.

What if it rains or snows on the day of the workshop?

The safari runs rain or shine, with alternate indoor locations available for shooting in bad weather.

Do I need to bring my own lenses and filters?

Yes. Bringing multiple lenses and neutral density filters enhances your ability to practice the full range of camera techniques taught.

Where exactly does the workshop start?

Meet just inside the F Street entrance to the Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery.

Is prior photography experience required?

No. The workshop is designed to help both beginners and more experienced photographers improve their manual camera skills.

Master Camera Skills with Washington Photo Safari

In the heart of Washington, D.C., the National Portrait Gallery offers more than just a glimpse into the faces that shaped history—it serves as a dynamic classroom for photographers eager to elevate their craft. Washington Photo Safari’s "F-Stops and Shutter Speeds" is a focused, two-hour workshop designed to place full camera control back in your hands. Led by accomplished architectural photographer E. David Luria, this experience takes place within the Kogod Courtyard, a striking space crowned by a signature undulating glass roof crafted by Foster + Partners that floods the modern enclave with natural light.

This courtyard’s unique combination of steel, glass, and natural light creates ideal conditions to practice nuanced camera settings, especially for mastering shutter speed and aperture priority modes. As cars pass by the surrounding streets, participants learn to freeze motion, create artistic blur, or even isolate a subject against a softened background. The play of daylight through the glass canopy challenges you to tackle white balance and ISO adjustments in real time, expanding your technical confidence on a hands-on level.

Unlike routine guided tours, Washington Photo Safari zeroes in on making you the decisive agent in image creation—not your camera’s automatic settings. With personalized guidance, you’ll demystify confusing manual modes, understand when and why to dial in specific settings, and even learn to wield neutral density filters and tripods for creative effect.

Washington Photo Safari stands out amid the city’s cultural landscape by blending professional photographic expertise with intimate, practical instruction in a world-class museum setting. The National Portrait Gallery’s architectural elements and bustling urban backdrop create an ever-changing playground for photographers looking to push their skills beyond point-and-shoot simplicity. With a track record of mentoring over 46,000 photographers and a passion for street-level creativity, this safari is the ideal gateway for anyone keen to take command of their camera and their vision in the nation’s capital.

About Washington Photo Safari

Washington Photo Safari is a Bowie, Maryland-based photography outfitter that organizes guided photo workshops and safaris across the Washington, D.C., and Mid-Atlantic region. The company offers hands-on sessions focused on aerial drone photography, smartphone techniques, moonrise and twilight shooting, architectural and botanical subjects, museum interiors, historic railroad equipment, and food photography. Instructors include FAA-certified pilot Travone Sukie for drone workshops, smartphone expert Elody Crimi, Marine Corps spouse Angela McCrary for the Quantico museum tour, award-winning and longtime photographer E. David Luria for multiple moonrise and cathedral safaris, and photographer Mark for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum event. Trip formats range from closed‑to‑public interior safaris and museum-based workshops to outdoor landmark and garden sessions; listed durations are typically two to three hours. Several experiences emphasize regulatory and safety guidance, such as FAA rules during drone operation, while others provide practical composition, lighting, and editing instruction tailored to camera or smartphone users. Washington Photo Safari presents opportunities for photographers at varying skill levels to practice in controlled, guided environments and to access locations that may not be open to general visitors. Trip descriptions note when sessions include specialized access (for example, interior cathedral photography) and when instruction covers professional transition topics like marketing and income streams for photographers. All trip listings identify the guide and the primary focus so prospective participants can match experience objectives and skill level before booking.

Guides list safety, access details, and equipment recommendations in each trip description. Advance booking is advised for limited-access safaris and timing.