DC 4th of July Photos - Washington DC Fourth of July

What an amazing Fourth of July! The weather could not have been more perfect and the location was just incredible! To see the DC fireworks, you have to get to your location a few hours early, otherwise you’ll miss out on prime real estate. When you get to your location, you’ll notice groups of photographers, but they may not always be in the best location. I initially did like their location and was jealous, but after a few more minutes of walking I finally found an even better location. Be sure to stake your claim by setting up your tripod and chairs so no one can take it over; some do try when the fireworks start. Of course, don’t be surprised if you make friends—of all shapes and sizes—while you’re waiting for the show…

So I was attracted to this location because of the Arlington Memorial Bridge leading into the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. I thought it would add to the overall aesthetic of the photo. I kept the ISO setting the same throughout the whole shoot—the lowest ISO setting I could go. The shutter speed and aperture changed if I felt the photo needed more or less light, but I usually stayed around f/11 and 6 to 10 seconds. I thought the shutter speed might be too long, but the photos were coming out brilliantly.