Washington Auto Show: 2013

It's become a New Year's automotive tradition of mine to see the Washington Auto Show every year, much like my annual Fall trip to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park to enjoy the car culture along Virginia's most scenic Autumn route.  This year, just like the last, I brought only my beloved 85L II lens to take in the petroheads' art.  I enjoy using a tight lens like the 85L because it forces me to be creative in creating new perspectives to an auto show that thousands of people photograph.  It takes a lot of effort to get a full car shot using the 85L, and that's just part of the challenge... because that's what everyone else is shooting; do I really want that shot?  How can I make it unique?  I hope you enjoy my carporn from the 2013 Washington Auto Show! Bonus points if you can identify the cars from just their detail shots; leave your guesses in the comments section!

You can also see the entire set of photos at my Facebook Page here.  Don't forget to LIKE my Page!

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This Chrysler 300 has had a $10,000+ drop-top conversion done to it.  It was for sale, and had a potential buyer place it on hold.  The US Army also had a display, featuring a minesweeping Bobcat, and soldier launched UAVs.  I wonder if anyone actually returns the drone in a conflict zone like the sticker asks, like a library card.

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There were also some local celebrities on hand.  DJ Flounder, known to the DC area from his time with DC101 on Elliot in the Morning, and Captain Planet!  I also feel that the kid below was paying too much attention to the Maserati, and ignoring the awesome Chevy tow truck begging for attention just a few feet away.  It had a Stingray on the back, for sale.

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Jake and I also had the rare opportunity to demo Jaguar's latest model, the 2014 F-Type S:  a 380HP roadster that aims to compete with Mercedes' SLK55 AMG and SL Series, and BMW's Z4 sDrive35is.  It is also available with a 450HP Supercharged V8 engine.  We found it very comfortable, and we enjoyed the envious looks of onlookers as we tried the vehicle out in the enclosed Jaguar display area.

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I was also happy to see the direction Lincoln is continuing to move in.  I truly hope to see them continue to recover and separate themselves as a retro-modern luxury brand.  That being said, the Chevrolet Impala is a welcome sight with a refreshed yet understated look, but a rear end that reminds me of a VW Passat.

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Etihad at Dulles (January 2013)

Once again, Dulles welcomes a new international carrier to the Washington, DC area.  The United Arab Emirates has recently seen a boom of travel demand to DC and beyond.  Several months ago I covered the beginning of Emirates Airlines' flight service to Dulles, and just a few months later Etihad Airways, the official state sponsored airline of the UAE, has also established a travel route to Dulles, serving the Washington, DC region.  I was present for Etihad Airways to cover the welcoming ceremonies, as well as document examples of the luxurious amenities offered in Etihad's First and Business Classes.  I was also fortunate enough to meet and take a quick photograph of the United Arab Emirates' US Ambassador, H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba. The day began with some light snow accumulation overnight and into the morning.  Ground crews were actively clearing ramp areas, and de-icing aircraft prior to departure.

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The picture below was one of several photographs of mine distributed as Etihad's press release images.

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Aboard the Boeing 777, I met and photographed the United Arab Emirates' Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba.

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Guests were given demonstrations of the aircraft amenities to expect on a flight.  First Class passengers interacted with the aircraft's head chef.  Seats in First Class can be customized to either offer an ottoman, a guest seat for meals, or even convert into a bed for long flights.

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Business Class travelers also enjoy gourmet meals and many seating options to make flight more relaxing.

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All classes enjoy world-class flight staff and modern airline amenities to stay connected, comfortable, and entertained.  Even children have special gift bags to make airline travel more enjoyable.

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Some of my photos have been made available on Etihad's website alongside Etihad's Press Release.  The release and my photos have been distributed to travel and aviation media, where my photos have been published covering this event.  Stay tuned here for updates from more media outlets.  Click the image caption to go to the full articles.

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Dulles GEM Awards 2012

Washington Dulles International Airport's GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Customer Service Program promotes good character among employees at the airport.  When a passenger has a good airport experience it often goes unnoticed, but when employees give exceptional service, the traveler is often compelled (and encouraged) to write in, and nominate the employee for a "Gemmie." I recently photographed the first four awardees of the GEM Customer Service Award, for inclusion in a new GEM Portrait Gallery.   You can view the gallery (and my employee portraits) by visiting Dulles' South Finger, which is located beyond security on the Arrivals level overlooking the Main Terminal AeroTrain station, just before the Exit for Baggage Claim.  Or for more advanced Dulles travelers, the Gallery is underneath the new TSA Pre-Check.

Photography, lighting, and retouching are by J. David Buerk.  Final Graphic Design and Printing was accomplished by CSI in Falls Church, Virginia.  They did an amazing job with the text overlays!

Here are my portraits of all four GEM awardees which are now on display.  See the bottom of this post for the original portraits without graphic overlay.

CLICK HERE TO VEIW ALL EVENT PHOTOS.

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The award ceremony itself was mid-day, but free food and prizes were provided for all Dulles employees the entire day.  Food was catered in part by Chick-Fil-A, and many employees posed for pictures with the cow!

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The awards were presented by Airport Manager Chris Browne, who then hung the portraits in the newly formed Portrait Gallery.

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Randomness: In one of the offices I dropped in on during some behind-the-scenes event planning, I found there are proud Browncoats at Dulles!  I am an leaf on the wind...

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And finally, the Choir from Stone Bridge High School performed for employees and passengers stopping by.

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Be sure to check out all the day's photos, including all employee pictures with the Chick-Fil-A Cow, right here.

Strobist:

Here are my portraits, before graphic design by CSI.  Since this is a photography blog, I'll give you some background info on how I shot these lovely portraits.

First, I was photographing some of the friendliest people the airport has to offer!  That means every one of these folks were very fun and easy going; that's why they were recognized, after all!

The first two images, of Linda and Jack, I used a single 600EX-RT with 1/2 CTO gel in a 48" Softbox, and broad lighting.  These photos were taken in Dulles' Main Terminal AeroTrain Station, atop one of the passenger bridges.  There was enough ambient lighting that I used as fill.  The softbox was about 7 feet off the ground to eliminate glare from Jack's glasses.

The next image, of Hailu, was the only image shot outdoors.  Due to the extremely bright sunlight, I positioned the car with the sun behind, and got the remainder of Fall colors in a sunlit tree in the background.  I then used two bare 600EX-RTs at full power and zoom aimed directly at Hailu and the driver's door.  As the car was angled 45 degrees, the reflective Washington Flyer Taxi logo and car number didn't noticeably reflect in the final image.

The final image of Dave was shot in the United Airlines 1st Class Lounge, and I used a 600EX-RT in my 48" Softbox camera right as key, and another 600EX-RT into a 30" umbrella camera left as fill.  Both lights were about 7' in the air to avoid reflections in the glasses, but careful placement of the lights was needed to ALSO avoid reflections in the two windows behind Dave.  Additionally, I made sure to keep the United Airlines logo visible on the tail, just outside the lounge's window.

All photos were shot using my EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM.  It's my all-time favorite lens!  Strobes were triggered via the PocketWizard Flex system.

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Emirates at Dulles

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Washington Dulles International Airport hosted Emirates Airlines for a grand welcoming event that marks the beginning of weekly non-stop service from Dulles to Dubai, along with revolutionary in-flight customer service including complimentary food and beverage (to include alcoholic beverages), as well as free door-to-door limousine service to and from 1st Class passenger's airports.  Emirates President Tim Clark was on hand for the events, and answered questions at the press conference.

Ethiopian's 787 Dreamliner

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Ethiopian Airlines welcomed Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner to their fleet. Dulles hosted a Fifty for 50th celebration to mark the occasion, allowing 50 lucky people to come watch the 787 land from on the runway, join in the festivities at the press conference, and then go on a tour of the new aircraft.