This January I was commissioned by Washington Dulles International Airport's Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to photograph Eero Saarinen's historic Main Terminal building. When MWAA employees retire, they are presented with a commemorative photograph of the Airport's Main Terminal, normally signed by other employees who worked closely with them, giving support and leaving their good wishes. Even I received one when my 7 years with the Airports Authority came to a close.
This photo is, however, dark, out of date, and no longer known where the negative is for reproduction. The Airport wanted an updated version; a portrait of the historic Airport at its 50 year anniversary. One that is bright and shows how the Airport has flourished. It's a pretty picture; I like it a lot!... but it's reached its time, and I was tasked with creating a suitable replacement. Quite an honor!!!
The photograph was taken from an unusual angle not often seen; most photos of the Terminal are shot from the West, given the ease of access to Daily Garage 2. The retirement photograph is shot from the East, which requires access to the Signature Flight Support hangar's upper rooftop - the decision to shoot from this same angle was easy, as it is so unique. Weather was a constant factor, and it took 3 attempted shooting days to get the final image. Below are some of the shots I took while on the rooftop, waiting for the perfect lighting, chronologically from my first attempts to the final image.
