Cherry Blossoms
Every year in mid-March and early April, cherry trees come out of their winter dormancy and begin to bloom, the first signs that winter is ending and spring is just around the corner. There are two prominent places to see these beautiful displays. The first, and probably more well known, is in Washington, DC around the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial. The other is Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ. Yes, surprisingly, Newark does have trees and they actually boast that they have more cherry trees than there are in DC.
Washington, DC
These trees were gifted to America by the Japanese government in 1912. There are more than 3,000 of them in DC. Most are located around the tidal basin, but do cover some of the grounds around the Washington Monument. There are a few different species that produce colors ranging from white to dark pink. The National Parks Service has been charged with the trees' care and preservation. Each year, a festival is held to celebrate the blooming trees and the coming of spring. The trees bloom at different times over the course of a few days or weeks during which there will be a peak bloom. At that time, over 70% of the trees will be in full bloom. To help plan your trip to DC, check out the website for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which posts the bloom watch each season.
Newark, NJ
Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ hosts nearly 5,200 cherry blossom trees and a comparable festival with wide ranging music and classical Japanese story and dance performances. The park is over 360 acres stretched over four miles and two towns, Newark and Belleville. This park offers a great alternative to the nation's capitol, particularly if you're from the NY/NJ area. Because Newark is at a higher latitude, the trees tend to bloom later than the ones in Washington, DC and will peak in late March or early April.
Photographers of all walks wrest themselves from their winter slumber to partake in these events and can often be seen from before dawn until late evening, capturing their shots. You'll see fine art, landscape, wedding and engagement, family portraits, bloggers, vloggers, influencers, travel photographers, and the very fine people here at OdysseyFive Photography descend on these places. If you want to join the fray and come away with some amazing images, here are some tips to help you have a successful shoot.
Planning: Plan ahead. People come from all over the world and all over the country to attend these festivals, so the parks will be crowded from before sunrise and throughout the day. Staying in Washington, DC may be too expensive or booked up. The capitol tends to be a busy place. Tysons Corner is a city about 30 minutes west of downtown DC with a ton of hotels at reasonable prices, but look around for other towns in the surrounding areas for the best deals. For a day trip to Newark, check out what events are happening on the day you plan to attend. If there are no events, it may mean the park is slightly less crowded. Use one of the apps we've discussed to help you find the right angle for the sunrise or sunset. Google Earth Street View and other virtual tours may help you find the best place to set up.
Bloom Watch: Really check out and watch the links above to really time your trip to visit at peak bloom. If you want the best pictures, you need the best blooms.
Weather:Weather is an obvious factor for shooting outdoors, so be mindful. March and April in Washington, DC and NJ can have wacky weather ranging from the low 20s with snow to rain to 70-degree sunny days. If you're in the Tidal Basin, it can be cold just off the Potomac River at sunrise. Dress in layers so you're comfortable as the day warms up.
Step One, Establish Dominance: Get there early. And when we say early, we mean EARLY. You should be in position and set up ready to go at least an hour before the sun comes up. On our trip to DC last year, we arrived at 4am, and we were not the first people there. Parking can be a real pain for both Washington and Newark, and you will not be the only person to think of getting some sunrise and golden hour pictures. Prime photo spots can be claimed very quickly. Be the first to claim it.
Be Courteous: It seems like a silly thing to have to say, but we have seen it first hand on more than one occasion. On our trip lat year, two men nearly came to blows over a prime spot looking towards the Jefferson Memorial. The interloper set his tripod up right in front of the other man, who had been there for nearly half an hour. A polite request from the first man was met with a very aggressive response and after ten minutes of arguing and a tense standoff, the first man left. Respect the grind of the guy who was there first and don't get in front of someone else's shot. And, if you do find yourself accidentally in someone's shot, be polite and get out of the way.
6 am crowd
Right Lens for the Job: Bring a variety of lenses. We highly recommend any lens with an f/2.8 or lower for those early morning shots. Greg has an 18-300 mm lens that goes macro at 300 mm. This is a great option for getting details of the blossoms. A 70-200 f/2.8 is a must, especially if you plan on taking portrait shots. Ed prefers his 24-70 f/2.8 for wide-angle landscapes.
Experiment: We tried our hand last year at light painting (using a bright light on a long exposure to highlight areas) with a small headlamp to minimal effect. We've seen other photographers carry some form of flashlight, light bar, or light panel. A flash from various angles might achieve a similar effect. Ultimately, move around, get some different angles, try all your lenses at different settings to create something unique.
We hope these tips help you get the best shots of the cherry blossoms. Stay tuned for more adventures and tips. Cheers!