Boarding Pass: DCA
Washington, DC photo map. Click on image for interactive map.
Who doesn’t love a day trip? They’re even more fun when you have the opportunity to take them by air. This allows the intrepid day-tripper to travel farther, expanding the possibilities for diverse and interesting photo projects. I have long been a fan of brutalist architecture, and I had been intrigued by the examples found in the Washington, DC, metro stations on previous trips to our nation’s capital. I soon had a project idea in my holster to feature these ominous works of art. I live a quick 45-minute direct flight away, and this photo trip didn’t even require good weather, just a day off.
The logistics provided some unique challenges while negating others. I would only be able to carry equipment that would fit on my (and Jay’s) back, and that I would be willing to carry around all day. No leaving things in the trunk of a car or at a hotel, since we would have neither, but also no parking concerns. Ground transit was simplified: the metro goes straight into DCA airport, and my subjects were stations along the route. I had a few things in mind to photograph on the surface, as well as a neighborhood to check out and a restaurant chosen for lunch. But the majority of the day would be spent out of the weather, which on this day turned out to be hot sun. For $13 each, we could ride the metro as much as we wanted for the day, and enter and leave as many stations as we liked. My star lens of the day would be my Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, and I wouldn’t be scared of a high ISO.
We took the first flight of the day and then hopped the metro from DCA to Dupont Circle. I had heard about some interesting architecture in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood and wanted to check that out. I scoped out the Dupont Circle station as we exited, and I identified some vantage points on overhead walkways that would be perfect for some overhead and long-exposure shots. We had breakfast at the beautiful D Light Cafe and Bakery, where I had an almond croissant that would make you lose your mind. Then it was back to Dupont Circle station for some shooting and transit to our next station.
An inbound train at Dupont Circle station.
I wanted some long-exposure shots of people. I was after that busy, ghostly vibe. Although the Dupont Circle station was beautiful, it was relatively quiet at midmorning on a weekday. To go where the people were, we headed to a large transfer point: the Gallery Place/Chinatown station. I set up my tripod on an overhead walkway and waited for a train to unload below. The WMATA security officer absolutely loved this, but Jay ran interference and gave him my card. After determining that I was here to grab a couple of photos and that’s it, the guard allowed me to do my thing. I didn’t waste time and wrapped it up quickly, but guess what? WORTH IT. I got exactly what I was after, and it is one of my favorite shots from that day.
Ghosts of Gallery Place/Chinatown station.
The final station on my shot list was L’Enfant Plaza. This station is stunningly beautiful, with Gothic arches and a cathedral-like quality. There weren’t a lot of people there, but that added an air of reverent silence to the photos. It gave an atmosphere of an almost postapocalyptic ruin to the station. I will admit to being influenced by the color grading of the most recent Dune movie in my edit, but I think the glowing teals and sandy browns suited the space perfectly.
A moment of silence at L’Enfant Plaza station.
A quick clean-up with a Cold Shower towelette and a change of clothes had me feeling human enough to enjoy a delicous lunch at Rosa Mexicano, an absolute must for us that day. Satisfied creatively and gastronomically, we headed back to DCA to catch our return flight. A day of travel, photography, some light adventure, and Mexican food, and I still got to sleep in my own bed covered by my beloved cats. What a life.
