Photos of Friendship Archway
About 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)
