Washington DC photo museums/galleries?

[02Pilot]

Going to be down in the DC area (staying in Alexandria) for a few days. Aside from the Leica Shop gallery (which I intend to check out), I'm rather ignorant of museums and galleries specializing in photography. Any suggestions of must-see spots in the area (preferably easily accessible to the metro, as I'm not going to be driving while I'm there if I can help it)? Thanks.

 

[agfa100]

Check the Nation Gallery of Art, they always seem to have a photo exhibition going on in the west wing on the ground floor. Plus they are only about 6 blocks from the Leica Store.
Also check with the guy's and gal's at the Leica store they usually know what's going on of interest in town.
wbill

 

[View Range]

wbill, are you thinking of the National Portrait Gallery and Museum of American Art? It always has interesting photo exhibits. It is a few blocks from the Leica Shop.

The National Gallery of Art on the mall has some photographic exhibits, but limited in scale.

Sadly even though the Smithsonian has perhaps the world's largest collection of photographic equipment, almost none of it is on display. A few cameras are scattered around the various museums.

The Library of Congress has a huge image collection. These are not on display to my knowledge, but the images are probably accessible with a Researchers Card which can easily be obtained. I have only accessed books, never images.

 

[Vince Lupo]

National Gallery of Art show on now: https://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2017/posing-for-the-camera.html

A number of shows at the Portrait Gallery: http://npg.si.edu/whats-on/current-exhibitions

National Geographic Society: http://www.nationalgeographic.org/dc/exhibitions/

 

[aizan]

to see prints at the library of congress' prints & photographs reading room, looks like all you need is to get a reader's card in person.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/readerregistration.html
https://www.loc.gov/rr/print/info/001_ref.html

 

[agfa100]

Vince, thanks at least you listed the links.
wbill

 

[dwojr]

The African American museum has a great photography exhibit. I think it is permanent but don’t quote me on that.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Vince, thanks at least you listed the links.
wbill

Don’t forget the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, and Multiple Exposures Gallery located there: http://www.multipleexposuresgallery.com/

 

[02Pilot]

Thanks folks. I'll definitely hit the Multiple Exposures Gallery, as the Torpedo Factory is just down the road. Should be able to get to one or possibly two of the ones in DC as well.

 

[View Range]

Getting a reader's card at the Library of Congress only takes about 15 minutes. They will ask what your research project is. Just say anything; they don't check. If you search the Internet for the Library of Congress, I'm sure the instructions are on-line.