The Day is Done

This past Tuesday night, I was at National Airport waiting to pick up my daughter. Instead of snoozing in my car, I decided to venture out into the darkest darkness and attempt some of the most challenging night photography you can attempt. At night, the only lights that you have at Gravelly Point are coming from the runway and the planes flying, literally, over your head. This makes any camera panic and any photographer work twice as hard.

Low and loud!

It was so dark, you could barely see the path you are walking on, or in my case, crazy bicyclists speeding directly at you out of the shadows. I positioned myself just above the runway fence and went to work. It is so loud as the planes scream directly over your head, and the darkness makes it that much more exhilirating.

Departing aircraft above in the distance.

Many people would probably ask, “why would you walk around alone in a dark park just to take a few photos of planes?” My question to them would be “why wouldn’t I?”

River approach at National requires hard banking to avoid restricted airspace.

“The day is done, and the darkness Falls from the wings of Night, As a feather is wafted downward From an eagle in his flight.”

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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