A few select photos from Castleton Festival's Viva La Musica 2015 Fundraiser Gala, approved for release by the venue.
Blog
The official photo blog of J. David Buerk Photography.
South African Airways, Non-Stop Service to Accra, Ghana
On August 3rd, 2015, South African Airways began service from Washington, DC to Accra, Ghana, introducing the A340-600 aircraft to accommodate the unprecedented range of this 10 hour air route.
Events began early in the morning, before the sun had even risen, as the inaugural flight arrived from Accra. Passengers and the South African Delegation were welcomed to Dulles during a reception with comments from Marc Cavaliere, Head of the Americas, South African Airways.
In the afternoon, the flight was scheduled to depart Washington for Accra, and Discover Dulles guests, as well as airport passengers, were treated to a traditional South African music and dance performance at the gate, before the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Since I was photographing for South African, and needed to get the perfect Water Arch shot, Airport Operations let me manage where the Foam Trucks were placed for their arch. I was joined by my longtime aviation friend James Dingell, who was interning with Airport Management at DCA this Summer.
After South African's aircraft departed, the Discover Dulles guests wanted to stay on the runway just a little longer (how often does the general public get to planespot while standing on an active runway? Never!) to watch British Airways' A380 blast off. Air France's A380 was not far behind, but the airport needed to re-open our Taxiway, so they only got to see one A380 depart, which is still an awesome sight to see!
Aer Lingus at Washington Dulles International Airport
On May 1st, 2015, Aer Lingus made its return to Washington Dulles International Airport with daily non-stop service to Dublin, Ireland. As with most major airline events at Dulles, Discover Dulles guests were invited to take part in the festivities, and watch on the runway as the inaugural flight landed.
The Maine and Beach Weather at Springfield Town Center
I don't post a lot of it, but a good portion of my work is commercial marketing photography for a few concession management companies. Oftentimes this means storefronts and product shots for websites and social media campaigns (which is meaningful, but isn't really why people follow my photography, so I don't post much of it), and other times this means events.
Springfield Mall was reborn in 2014 as Springfield Town Center; a brand new enclosed shopping facility right off of the Franconia - Springfield Blue Line Metro Station, at the crossroads of I-495, I-95, and the Fairfax County Parkway.
Last week, Springfield Town Center was one of the venues along The Maine's "Free For All" tour, and Springfield Town Center's Concert Series. This was the first time I have ever photographed a concert (if you don't count an opera). In this case I was the venue's event photographer.
The Maine, and Beach Weather (The Maine's opener), I must say, were excellent bands to have as my first shooting concert photography. I apparently am out of the loop, because even though a number of friends of mine knew about The Maine, I'd never heard of them (sorry about that guys... but you do have a new fan now!). Both bands were awesome, and I've picked up their music since the concert last week.
I can't encourage you enough to go buy their music, and follow them on all the Internetz!
Beach Weather
Beach Weather on Facebook.
Beach Weather on iTunes.
Beach Weather on BandCamp.
Beach Weather on Twitter.
Beach Weather on Instagram.
I've wanted to try my hand at concert photography for many years, and I wouldn't change this first time in any way - I photographed two amazing bands, and quickly learned what it's all about. I had a fantastic time - Thank you The Maine, Beach Weather, and all you great folks at Springfield Town Center.
Minotaur I / ORS-3
I'm not entirely sure how, but my photos of the Minotaur I / ORS-3 launching from Wallops Island, Virginia tonight got picked up by meteorologists in North Carolina, and are enjoying a small bit of virality on the Interwebz this evening. Minotaur I was a quick mover; much faster and smaller than the LADEE launch I previously captured from the same position, ~200 miles from the launch site.
Since some are curious, photos were taken with a Canon 1D X at 400mm, f/5.6, 1/30th, ISO 102,400 at a range of ~200 miles from the launch site.
This photo shows an aircraft on approach to Dulles in the foreground, with Minotaur I in the background.
