Washington Place

Washington Place is a stately Greek Revival mansion surrounded by mature tropical trees and manicured grounds, carrying deep historical weight as both a royal residence and former Governor's home. The white columned facade is the main draw photographically, and you will want to position yourself straight on from the front gate to capture the full symmetry of the columns and portico. A moderate wide-angle to short telephoto lens works well here, letting you compress the columns against the lush green canopy framing the building. Morning light hits the front facade cleanly before harsh midday shadows break up the columns, so aim to arrive early. The grounds are partly accessible to visitors, but much of the shooting happens from the perimeter along Beretania Street; look for gaps in the iron fence and trees to find clean sightlines. The historic marker and gate also make for interesting foreground elements. (Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, United States)