Washington Photo Safari

06/19/2026

The winners of the 2026 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards have been revealed, showcasing up-and-coming filmmaking talent across five categories.

This year, more than 8,400 filmmakers from 162 countries and territories entered their work in the Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, Student, and Future Format filmmaking categories.

Future filmmakers on display in Sony's video contest.

06/18/2026

On June 27, WPS Founder and Director E. David Luria will be teaching a group of safarians how to use all the features on current model smartphones and then taking them to photograph iconic locations on the west end of the National Mall, and ending at Union Station.

Learn how to photograph various subjects - people, pets, architecture, landscapes, cityscapes and more!

You'll also learn how to apply the principles of photography to your smartphone images as well as use the editing functions and special effects right there on your phone!

Book your space now!

https://washingtonphotosafari.com/home/photo-tours/outsmarting-your-smartphone-at-d-c-s-monuments/

06/18/2026

After a hard day’s shoot on safari, cameras get dirty from the dust, grit, and sand. Much like a dirty dog, these cameras need to be hosed down… Wait, what?

While the idea of intentionally getting a camera wet is beyond the pale for most photographers, Indian snapper Nikhil Devasar recently shared his eye-widening method of cleaning his gear, which does indeed involve a garden hose...

That dust ain't gonna clean itself.

06/17/2026

On the Architectural Photography at Night Safari, we will photograph the magnificent Willard Hotel, the Wilson Building (City Hall), the U.S. Treasury Building, the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building, the Old Post Office and the long view of the U.S. Capitol at the end of the avenue, ending inside the illuminated plaza of the Ronald Reagan Building.

The safari will begin with an orientation on nighttime photography techniques by architectural photographer E. David Luria who will discuss shooting on Manual Mode, on a tripod.

The buildings in DC take on a special quality during civil twilight - see for yourself on this safari!

Book your space now!

https://washingtonphotosafari.com/architectural-treasures-of-pennsylvania-avenue-at-night/

06/17/2026

Japan and photography go together like peas in a pod, but a surprising number of tourist spots are starting to crack down on taking pictures.

One such location is Ghibli Park, a theme park that pays tribute to the beloved world of Studio Ghibli.

It’s a major draw, but as a recent article from Sora News 24 explains, photography inside the buildings is strictly banned.

The indoor exhibitions, anyway.

06/16/2026

Washington, DC has a number of buildings and landmarks that rival their counterparts in Paris, and WPS will take you to photograph them all on this whirlwind trip through DC!

You'll learn architectural photography techniques including tips on exposure, composition, lighting, and white balance, and you'll visit some of the most photogenic locations in DC in the process!

Sign up now for the Paris on the Potomac Safari on June 21!

https://washingtonphotosafari.com/home/photo-tours/monuments-memorials/paris-on-the-potomac/

06/16/2026

Photography publications, this one included, spend a lot of time telling you why a dedicated camera is worth buying. And it is. The sensor is bigger, the lenses are interchangeable, the depth of field is real rather than simulated, and the raw files give you editing latitude that phone JPEGs cannot touch.

But intellectual honesty requires admitting that phones are not just "good enough" in certain areas...

Phones excel at computational HDR, night mode, and instant sharing in ways most dedicated cameras cannot match. Explore five genuine advantages of smartphone photography in 2026.

06/15/2026

Honor Dad With a Gift for Something He Loves to Do!

Does Dad like to take pictures? Has he figured out all the bells and whistles on his camera or is he still on "Auto"? Would he like a pro to help his with F-stops and shutter speeds and all the menu options of his new camera?

Does he know where to go in the DC area to get the best photos? Would he like to have a professional photographer look at his pix while he is taking them,
suggesting improvements?

Would he like to develop new skills in different aspects of photography, like architecture, nighttime, street photography, moonrise, flowers, waterfalls, landscapes, travel?

Would he enjoy our 130-page "Washington Photo Safari's Guide for Amateur Photographers", eBook with tips from professional photographers in 29 different areas of photography?

All of this is possible with a gift card from Washington Photo Safari. It comes to you (or to him) in a nice PDF with a picture of the US Capitol, with his name on it,
and yours.

It gives him the opportunity to choose the date and type of safari he wants out of the dozens of safaris that we offer. He can apply its value to any of our safaris over the next two years by entering its transaction number into the coupon code box upon registration.

https://washingtonphotosafari.com/home/photo-tours/gift-card/

06/15/2026

A surf photographer’s camera was subjected to an unexpected jet wash after an enormous wave in Tahiti swamped the boat he was on.

Surfer.com reports that the first major swell of the season has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere. It heralds the arrival of 20-foot waves that are some of the most dangerous on Earth.

Nevertheless, the village of Teahupo’o has become a magnet for thrill-seekers. And where there are daredevils, there are photographers capturing the action.

https://petapixel.com/2026/06/01/photographers-camera-gear-gets-jet-washed-by-20-foot-wave-in-tahiti/

From the Big Wave Challenge to pro surfers, surf culture, surf history, and the best surf gear, SURFER Magazine has all your favorite surf-related content.

06/14/2026

Summer is here and the wildflowers and the insects are out in Rock Creek Park!

Learn how to use macro lenses to photograph textures, patterns and other abstract elements in addition to photographing the little marvels around us on the Macro Photography Safari to Rock Creek Park on July 12, with Alain Gutierrez. Book your space now!

https://washingtonphotosafari.com/home/photo-tours/a-tiny-adventure-lets-do-macro-photography/