In wide-angle, Reagan Washington National Airport – Washington DC

This place has dramatic architecture. In an age with so many mediocre and boring modern buildings, this airport in Washington really stood out. I didn’t have time to visit the historic terminal A but this soaring terminal B and C concourse satisfied my need for good architecture.

I posted an image yesterday from the Reagan Washington National Airport shot with the Canon G15. I wanted to share some more, this time taken with my Olympus E-PM2 with the wide-angle adapter attached to the 14mm lens. With the wide-angle, I get an equivalent of 22mm in 35mm format. This setup adds a bit of distortion that makes the already dramatic space even more interesting.

Concourse, Reagan Washington National Airport – Washington DC

The delicate, thin columns and the vaulting reminds me of the Gothic cathedrals of Europe, with the stone replaced by steel and glass. I see patterns, beautiful repeating patterns that soothe my interest in architecture, as well as photography.

Lines and shapes and wanting to emphasizing them make me turn to black and white. Here are two photos from the wonderful ceiling. With the color gone, I see bold texture and geometry that really pops.

Ceiling Detail #1, Reagan Washington National Airport – Washington DC

Ceiling Detail #2, Reagan Washington National Airport – Washington DC

I actually shot these on my arrival at Washington, just 3 hours earlier I was in Houston making my connecting flight from Austin. Unfortunately, the Houston Airport didn’t inspire the same awe. That airport was clean, modern and thoroughly boring. It might have made some bean counter happy but it did nothing to welcome me to the city or add a bit of drama as I transferred through. An opportunity lost to make a favorable or at least a lasting impression.