Friendship Archway
This ornate ceremonial gateway anchors Washington D.C.'s Chinatown and rewards photographers who take time to work the scene from multiple angles. The arch spans H Street NW at 7th Street, and your best compositions come from standing directly in the middle of the street and using the gateway as a bold frame, either shooting through it toward the street beyond or positioning yourself farther back to capture the full seven-tiered structure against the sky. A wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range lets you include the surrounding urban context, while a longer focal length isolates the intricate dragon carvings and hand-painted tile details. Overcast days are ideal since harsh midday sun creates unflattering shadows across the carved surfaces; golden hour light warms the red and gold tones beautifully. Traffic on H Street can be heavy, so shoot from the sidewalk or time your street-level shots carefully during lighter traffic periods. (Washington D.C., United States)
