Expedition Details
Drawing from the success of our popular weeklong On Assignment Photography Workshops, we are pleased to offer a great opportunity to hone your photography skills in a shorter format. Over a long weekend, learn to take magazine-quality photos through field assignments, edit-and-critique sessions, and the insights of National Geographic photographers. National Geographic headquarters will be our base in Washington, D.C., the historic seat of political power.
These workshops are designed for amateur digital photographers who seek to advance their skills. All participants must bring a digital SLR camera, a laptop computer, and software for organizing and presenting images.
Each weekend workshop is limited to 30 students. A team of one or two National Geographic experts (depending on enrollment) and professional photographic instructors will lead each workshop.
The following is our planned itinerary; however, our schedule is flexible to allow for spontaneous photographic opportunities.
Itinerary - 4 Days
Day 1 — Thursday: Washington, D.C.
Arrive in Washington, D.C. and settle into the ideally located Beacon Hotel or accommodations of your choice. In the evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner followed by an image presentation by a National Geographic photographer.
(D)
Day 2 — Friday
Meet at National Geographic headquarters for breakfast in the staff dining room. A photo editor from National Geographic magazine joins us to give an illustrated talk on the key elements that make a National Geographic–quality image. Participate in a discussion on digital work flow followed by a presentation by your National Geographic expert. After lunch, head into the vibrant neighborhoods of D.C. to shoot your first workshop photo assignment. Shoot the stately architecture of Georgetown or Dupont Circle, or focus on the hip, ethnically diverse Adams Morgan and U Street neighborhoods. In the late afternoon, return to headquarters for an edit-and-critique session with your instructors — and to receive your next assignment.
(B,L)
Day 3 — Saturday
Spend the morning on the National Mall, shooting your next assignment amid the White House, the Capitol, and the iconic monuments and memorials that commemorate American history. Capture lively scenes of street performers, children flying kites, and gardens bursting with brightly colored spring blossoms. Meet back at National Geographic for an afternoon edit-and-critique session with your instructors. Then gather for a group dinner followed by a presentation of the best work taken during the weekend.
(D)
Day 4 — Sunday: Washington, D.C./Home
Rise early to capture scenes of Eastern Market coming to life in the morning's first light. Later, join your instructor for a tour at National Geographic, and learn how the photographic process works at the Society. The workshop concludes at noon after a final question-and-answer session with your instructors.
For questions on this workshop, please call 1-866-797-4686.
Related Trips
National Geographic Expert
Dan Westergren
As senior photo editor for National Geographic Traveler magazine, Dan Westergren is responsible for the magazine's photographic vision and one of the leaders of the magazine's photo workshop series. While Dan particularly enjoys cold, high places, having photographed the summits of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Blanc, and the Matterhorn for the pages of Traveler, he is equally at home in warmer climates as well.
Dan will join the following departures:
Jun 03 - 06, 2010 • Oct 14 - 17, 2010Expedition Dates 
Expedition Costs
Airfare from/to your home city is not included in the expedition cost.
