Library of Congress Open House at the Main Reading Room

Its ornate interiors and grand staircases, gold-colored ceilings and arches, interspersed with statuary and paintings, are as magnificent as any structure you will find in Europe.

On Thursday evenings, the Library of Congress opens its magnificent Main Reading Room to share information about how the public can access the Library’s resources year-round, and we will be allowed to take photographs inside this most spectacular part of the Library of Congress giving you a chance to see that whole venue from the ground up!

Prior to entering the Reading Room, Washington Photo Safari founder E. David Luria will provide tips and techniques for interior architectural photography. We will concentrate first on the Reading Room and then if the rooms are open, move from the Reading Room to photograph the Great Hall and the Main Reading from above, looking down. We will then go outside and photograph the building exterior with its statuary and fountains. Emphasis will be placed on composition and lighting.

Provided that the rooms are open, we will also get to photograph the multi-million-dollar Stradivarius Violin, Viola and Cello that are on display in one of the exhibit rooms during this safari.

What to bring:

• Camera
• Extra charged battery
• Extra memory cards
• Weather appropriate clothing