Check out this great photo taken by John J Young of the 4th of July festivities on the Mall. When shooting these type of photographs, it is essential to use a tripod so that your camera remains as still as possible for the most precise shot. You may also want to use a cable release or wireless option for triggering the shutter. Shooting at a low ISO is preferable to ensure the cleanest shots possible, something like ISO 100. A common misconception is that a photographer must have a fast lens to take successful firework photos, which is not true. Using an aperture somewhere between f/8 to f/16 works quite well. Thanks for sharing this photo, John, and hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!

What a great nighttime shot taken by Geoff Livingston! Black and white photography in itself can be challenging and even more so when you are working at night. Creating successful black and white photos takes a lot of practice, and you must train your eye to see in tone versus color. To avoid your image looking flat or dull, seek out scenes with tonal contrast. In Geoff’s photograph, the bright whites coming from the car lights create dramatic shadows against the concrete and fence that can also be enhanced in post-production. You can shoot your images in color and later convert to black and white on your computer. This allows you to capture more information in the original photo, so you have more control when you edit.

This image was taken by photographer Lorie Shaull at The Poppy Memorial, a temporary memorial located on the National Mall. Taking photographs of young children like this can be very unpredictable as they are constantly in motion and difficult to direct. One way to work with this obstacle is to get out of the studio and let them roam free and see what happens! Also, like Lorie, try shooting your photographs from the child’s level. Shooting from a lower angle gives the viewer the opportunity to see the world from the child’s perspective. Thanks for sharing such an adorable shot, Lorie!

What a great image captured by Shamila Chaudhary at the Line Hotel in Adams Morgan. Interior lighting can be tricky, and Shamila does a great job of using the light that is available to show off the ornate wallpaper of the room while also guiding our focus to the two figures. When shooting photographs indoors, you are often looking for soft lighting; take advantage of any natural light that is available from windows or skylights.