P3D Re: Tripods in DC

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Andrea wrote:
>
> >>>Harry Richards wrote: We plan to visit Washington,DC in conjunction 
> with the NSA Convention. I work strictly with a tripod(and a cable 
> release). I heard somewhere that tripods are a No-No in some areas of 
> DC. Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Be sure to visit our room 
> and table at the Convention. Thanks.<<<
> 
> There is a restriction on tripods on Capitol Grounds, which incorporates 
> all of the monuments, so I'm told. I have know several people who have 
> been stopped and questioned by the Capitol Police. You may be able to 
> apply for a permit at the Capitol. Try calling first. When my club has 
> gone to the Botanic Gardens, we have always arranged ahead of time to 
> have a tripod permit.
> 

This comes up in rec.photo.* quite often.  There are restrictions on
photographing on the Capitol grounds.  "Professionals" have to get a
permit to photograph.  The Capitol Hill Police (each of the Federal
buildins have their own security force) define "professional" as
anyone with a tripod.  If you go to the Capitol Hill Police office
inside the Capitol you can get a permit to photograph the Senate side
(north side) of the Capitol from the grassy areas there.  The House
side requires a permit in advance from House Sergeant at Arms Office,
and the person writing the article was not sucessful in getting a
responce from them.

There are also a couple of open spots near the Capitol Building
(across the street) that the press uses.  On the north side there is a
grassy triangle behind a trolly stop.  On the south side there is
another grassy triangle, but no trolly stand to mark it.

A dejanews search of "capitol and tripod" in the rec.photo.*
newsgroups will give you more detailed information.  The article by
Michael Loretan is were I got most of this information.  You might
also search for "permit".

Within the last year View Camera magazine (a magazine for large format
photographers) ran an article on photographing in the national parks.
The author spoke to the Regional Chief of Rangers in Denver and the
Chief of Ranger Activities in Washington, DC.  Since large format
photographers almost always use tripods (except for those using
Graphlex and other press cameras handheld :) this article might be
useful.  You can see it at <URL:http://www.viewcamera.com/NPS.HTM>.
The gist of the article is that as a normal visitor you do not need a
permit so long as you follow the park's rules (e.g., stay out of
restricted areas, visit during normal operating hours, don't block
other visitors, etc.).  For special access a permit may be required.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Humans explore the Universe with five
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx              |   senses and call the adventure science."
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds/ | - Edwin P. Hubble


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