BEST of On The Road - July 2007 - Arlington National Cemetery


 In 1999 I began investigating the technique of Lightpainting (see Workshop at the Ranch articles December 2004, May 2006, October 2006 and November 2006). It was the perfect marriage between my photographic mind and my artistic soul. There were no classes, no workshops and no one to turn to for instruction. It would be up to me to learn this artistically stylized approach to lighting. I continue to pursue my sports photography career today with as much vigor as always, but occasionally I moonlighted (no pun intended) making Lightpaintings both small and large scale, not necessarily with the intention of being hired or commissioned but for my own enjoyment and my heart's desire. Making beautiful images for me was reward enough. But then something happened. An opportunity to came along that was so special and emotionally moving that it has caused me to recap my career and even my life ......................

 I had been to Arlington National Cemetery as a small boy. I was young enough at the time that when Rich Clarkson approached me one year ago in June of 2006 about photographing Arlington National Cemetery using my Lightpainting technique for a book project he was doing for the National Geographic and Arlington itself I said that I had never been there. It wasn't until I found myself standing on the steps overlooking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on July 4th 2006 that my memory kicked in with images of a spring day 43 years earlier during a family vacation to Washington D.C. Bits and pieces came back to my mind. I had been to Arlington.

 Rich had been watching the progress of my Lightpaintings over the past few years and believed my Lightpainting of Arlington would be a perfect addition to the book. Ken Gieger of the National Geographic was also excited with the idea not only for the book but for an article in the National Geographic magazine as well. I would be part of an elite collection of photographers including David Alan Harvey, Bruce Dale, David Burnett, Brian Lanker and James Balog. Each of us have images throughout the book along with an individual photographic essay of our work. Also photographing for the book would the military's select group of photographers headed up by Col. Mike Edrington. And so I accepted his offer to photograph Arlington National Cemetery on the nights of July 3rd, July 4th and July 5th of 2006 using Lightpainting.

 Lightpainting in its truest sense is revealing the subject from darkness using a long exposure time and a mobile light source to illuminate the scene. Not only does this description define Lightpainting but it also describes my personal purpose in photographing Arlington. I wanted to reveal not just Arlington from darkness but those who had paid the highest price for freedom and their country. I wanted the families of our nation's heroes to see how perfect Arlington is at night. How beautiful and peaceful it is. I wanted to show those who's loved ones that are laid to rest in Arlington are alright. Everybody is alright

 Image #1     Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, July 4th 2006, 1:45am ... It's just after midnight and officially July 4th 2006. I have been site surveying and explaining to Military Police why I am in the cemetery after hours since July 3rd at 5:30 pm. Only one Lightpainting had been accomplished during the 6 hours of surveying the grounds, talking with Military Police and protocol. But by Midnight all is confirmed and I can move forward. I'm now able to study the routine of the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier. The public sees the Honor Guard perform with perfection and grace in their "Dress Blues" during the daytime visitors' hours of the cemetery. I see a different scene at 1:45am. Specialist Ethan Morse of the elite Honor Guard sentinels was on duty protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was dressed in the new micro fatigue uniform that the Honor Guards wear during the night hours. I became a keen student of his precise movements and number of his steps. I was so proud to be witness to his dedication. There is no one around, yet he keeps his vigil. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 8 seconds at f8, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 7700K, OverXposed Ground Plate with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, 1 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Light with 20 degree Grid, 2 Nikon SB800 Speedlights, Lexar 4G Flash Card. This image was one of great complication. The timing and stride of Specialist Morse needed to be calculated, then accounted for in the 8 second exposure time with rear curtain sync and then married to the Lightpainting of the tomb it self and his graceful marching step. I stopped Lightpainting him as he passed in front of the tomb then began Lightpainting him for the remainder of his march. This would reveal the tomb clearly. At the end of his stride the rear curtain setting on my Nikon D2X fired 2 SB800 Speedlights illuminating him and freezing him in perfect step.

Image #2    Resting in Formation Section 54, July 4th 2006, 2:30am ... Grave markers along Halsey Drive are in perfect formation for all eternity. I was struck not only by the perfection of the alignment but how the headstones seemed to extend forever into the night in all directions. The sacrifice I viewed was overwhelming. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1 minute 30 seconds at f22, Nikon MC-20 Electronic Cable Release, Nikon 300mm Lens, WB 4000K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Lights, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image #3    911 Memorial, July 4th 2006, 3:30am ... The grass surrounding the 911 Memorial was newly laid sod and very delicate. I was just staring at the names when my military escort/assistant Wendy said "you know the Pentagon is directly behind you." I had no idea and spun around and looked through the trees to see the lights of the building. My mind flashed to my office where I was working on that day. My younger brother Paul called and told me to turn on my TV and see what was happening ... 9-11-2001. And so I Lightpainted the most recent memorial addition to Arlington with a spiritual illumination to the scene as if Heaven had opened up. Nikon D200, ISO100, 30 seconds f8, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 4500K, OverXpose Ground Plate with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, 1 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Light with 20 degree Grid, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image #4    Where Valor Rests, July 4th 2006, 4:00am ... This image became the opening double page spread for the book Where Valor Rests, Arlington National Cemetery. I think it is a telling photograph, some names, yet anonymous, soft sunset style Lightpainting with deep thoughtful shadows, close yet endless. I have never looked and thought so long about any subject I have ever photographed. All of the soldiers in this frame were from World War II. I thought of my own father who was WWII Navy. He has gone home now. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 30 Seconds at f22, Nikon 70-200mm Lens, WB 7700K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Lights, Lexar 4G Flash Card.

Image #5    Active Duty War on Terror Section 56, July 4th, 4:40am ... Nils G. Thompson Private First Class, August 3rd, 1986 - August 4th, 2005 ... Bronze Star, Purple Heart ... Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nils was 19. My daughter is 19. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1 minute 45 seconds, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 8000K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Lights one with a 20 degree Grid, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
It's 5:10am on July 4th 2006. I'm finished for the night and leave Arlington via the south service gate. I drive past the Pentagon, turn onto Jefferson Memorial Drive and make my way back to my hotel. On the way I pass the Iwo Jima Memorial. It looks beautiful. I've had the pleasure to work with a man over the years, Kermit Davis. He was a young Marine at the battle of Iwo Jima. I always have him tell his story when we get together. He is humble and unassuming when he tells it. My first night is complete and I'm pleased with what was photographed but am tired and emotionally drained. I think Arlington can do that to a person, especially during the night hours. My military escort/assistant Wendy and I make arrangements to meet up and return to Arlington at 4:30pm later on July 4th.
Image #6    Original Granite Meigs Headstone, July 4th 2006, 5:50pm ... This granite Meigs headstone marks the grave of one of the earliest Union soldiers to be buried at Arlington. It is only 60 feet from the west wall of the cemetery that separates Fort Myers from Arlington. Photographed just after sunset the Meigs headstone dates back to the beginning of Arlington as a cemetery for the soldiers during the Civil War. There are currently more than 300,000 buried at Arlington. While I was lining up the ground level camera I heard a voice behind me say "Everything alright son?" It was John C. Metzler Jr. the Superintendent of Arlington. "We are making some wonderful pictures sir", I answered. "Carry on" was his reply. His father, John C. Metzler Sr. was also the Superintendent of Arlington. John Jr. grew up in the Superintendents house. He has spent his life on these hallowed grounds. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 3 seconds at f8, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 3600K, OverXpose Ground Plate with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, One Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Light with 20 degree Grid, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I used a cool WB to emphasis the Union colors. A high perspective shaft of angelic Lightpainting seemed to give the 20 inch marker a connection to angels above.
Image #7    Eternal Flame, July 4th 2006, 7:00pm ... The eternal flame marks the Memorial site of President John F. Kennedy. I still remember the day of President Kennedy's assassination. I was in the 5th grade and enjoying recess. It was a warm but overcast fall day in Hinsdale, Illinois. My teacher, Miss Carnahan gathered all of us up and rushed us inside were we were told the sad news. I remember being very quiet for the remainder of the day. Nikon D200, ISO250, 1/25th second at f9, Nikon 300mm Lens, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Lights with 20 degree Grids, Lexar 4G Flash Card. The shutter speed of 1/25th was fast enough to stop the action of the flame and just enough time for me to illuminate the granite stone memorial with a thin shaft of light.
Image #8    Star of David, July 4th 2006, 7:45pm ... There are solders of many nationalities, and religions resting in Arlington. I photographed several headstones depicting the faiths of individual soldiers. The Jewish Star of David brought to my mind the Holocaust during World War II. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 2 seconds at f22, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 8000K, One Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Light with 20 degree Grid, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image #9    Fireworks Over Arlington's Section 68, July 4th 2006 9:30pm ... The fireworks over Arlington is the most impressive site I have ever seen but there was little time to marvel at it. I was calculating exposures, Lightpainting and welling up with tears during the entire fireworks display. I ran up and down a long a service path adjacent to the area I was Lightpainting. This way I could move quickly and Lightpaint the vast expansion of markers without being disrespectful to any of them. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 25 seconds at f16, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 8000K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Lights, Lexar 4G Flash Card. There was a delicate exposure balance between the volume of fireworks exploding and its resulting exposure and the amount and intensity of Lightpainting needed to light up this massive area of Section 68 near MacArthur Drive and Patton Drive. Too long an exposure time and the sky would be overexposed with fireworks and the Washington Monument would be washed out. Too short an exposure and I would not have the time needed to Lightpaint the hundreds of Headstones stretching far into the trees. I made 10 frames of which only 7 were usable.
Image #10    Arlington House, July 4th 2006, 10:15pm ... Arlington house is the original residence of Mary Anna Randolph Custis, the only child of George Washington Parke Custis referred to as "Wash" Custis who was an adopted son of General George Washington, our nation's first President. Mary Anna Randolph Custis married a young West Point graduate named Robert E. Lee. As war broke out between the states Lee returned to his native Virginia to command the Confederate troops. When it came time for the Lee's to pay their property taxes of $92.07 in person they could not do so and the house was sold to the highest bidder, the US Government on January 11, 1864 for the assessed value of $26,810. It was Brig. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs who petitioned the Secretary of War for permission to convert the Custis-Lee estate into a military cemetery. On June 15, 1864 Arlington became a military cemetery. Nikon D200, ISO100, 30 seconds at f8, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 7700K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Sport Lights, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image #11    John F. Kennedy Memorial, July 4th 2006, 10:40pm ... During a visit to Arlington and this location President Kennedy stated "I could stay here forever." He rests just down the hill from Arlington House where over 16 Million visitors came during the first 3 years after his burial. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 7 seconds at f9, Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye Lens, WB 7700K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head and Kirk "L" Bracket, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Spot Lights, Lexar 4G Flash Card. Just as it did when I viewed the Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solder my mind flashed back to my visit to Arlington as a child and I recalled my mother just standing in silence almost as if it were the grave site of our own family.
Image #12    Washington Monument and Section 59, July 4th 2006, 11:55pm ... I was awe inspired by the Washington Monument and the way it pierces the night sky over our Nation's Capitol. This view of section 59 is near the intersection of Eisenhower Drive and York Drive. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 30 seconds at f18, Nikon 70-200mm VR Lens, WB 4000K, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with Gitzo Ball Head, 2 Brinkmann Q Beam Sport Lights, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
It's midnight and July 4th 2006 becomes July 5th 2006. There are more images of Arlington I need to make before the sky lightens with the coming of dawn and becomes too bright for Lightpainting. A gentle rain is beginning to fall as if God was letting me know it was fine with Him if I went home. I started another Lightpainting in section 3 off of Grant Drive but the rain continued and I was done for the night. It rained all day. I returned around 6:00pm on July 5th but stormy weather continued and only a few images were made. They were good images but I guess I knew the job was completed on July 4th ... that's alright. Everything in Arlington is alright.

  I have an image presentation of Arlington National Cemetery that is set to music. I have presented it to selected groups a few times. I always find myself choked up and tearful each time I watch it. It was emotional to put together. Some might think I'm emotional because of those who have given their lives ... yes, that's part of it. I think Arlington evokes emotion from all those who have been there and have seen the sacrifice some have made for those they did not know. My first impression of Arlington when I arrived one year ago was not that of mourning but one of pride. What great Americans they were. What a great country I live in. What a privilege it is to call the United States my home. I live free because of them.... sounds selfish when I say it. And I felt an overwhelming desire to express my gratitude to those who were resting before me. I wanted to give them something of myself. I know it's not much but I was honored to give their families a glimpse of Arlington not seen before ... their loved ones revealed from the dark of night. I can tell you this, it is lovely and peaceful and in order. Yes, everyone is alright, ... everyone is alright in Arlington.

 I would love to return to Arlington someday and continue what I started. I could Lightpaint in Arlington for weeks and never be done. There is so much beauty, there is so much history, there is so much valor that rests there.

 The Lightpaintings in this edition of On the Road are all included in the book "Where Valor Rests Arlington National Cemetery." The book was released just before Memorial Day of this year 2007 and is available in bookstores.

See you next time On The Road. Dave