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On The Road
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 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. |
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 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. |
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| 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. |
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 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. |
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 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. |
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 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. |
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 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. |
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 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. |
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 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. |
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| 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. | |
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
#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. 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
SPECIAL NOTE:June 5-15 ..... Photo Quest Adventures RUSSIA: Moscow and St Petersburg
www.photoquestadventures.com August 4-7 ..... Long Island Photo Workshop in Smithtown, Long Island, NY. www.liphotoworkshop.com September 21-25 ... Rich Clarkson's Adventure Photography Workshop
in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. www.richclarkson.com
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May,
2008 (click here)
A Southwest Tour
April,
2008 (click here)
The Endless Winter
March,
2008 (click here)
PMA Show in Las Vegas!
February,
2008 (click here)
At the Ballet
January,
2008 (click here)
One Week of Work
December,
2007 (click here)
A Look Back at 2007
November,
2007 (click here)
Traveling
with the New Nikon D3
October,
2007 (click here)
High Country Journey
September,
2007 (click here)
Walking
On The Road
August,
2007 (click here)
Speedway
Thunder from PA
July, 2007
(click here)
"Arlington National
Cemetery"
June, 2007
(click here)
"Kentucky Derby Day"
May, 2007
(click here)
"Mexico Trek"
April,
2007 (click here)
"Egypt Trek"
March,
2007 (click here)
Transit Mix
"Images From the Air"
February,
2007 (click here)
Ice Climbing in Ouray
January,
2007 (click here)
2007 Year in Review
People of Willoq, Peru
Lexington, Kentucky TREK
Training for the Mr USA Title
"The International Golf Tournament"
"Tour of Champions Documentary"
"Northern California, the FBI and Clint Eastwood ..."
"The 2006 Kentucky Derby"
"Off the Road Picture Sales"
Ladies Olympic Figure Skating
Torino Italy and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
"Hey Dave, are you going to the Winter Olympics in Torino and What Equipment Do You Take?"
The Holiday Tea with Tchaikovsky
presented by Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet
Landscapes at Pebble Beach:
a look back at 2005
Lightpainting Landscapes
NFL Football
3 Day Photography Workshop
Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Michelle Kwan
International Gymnastics Camp
the Men's US Open Golf Championships
The Kentucky Derby
Nevada Photojournalism Day
John Bolin's "The Thorn"
Indoor Track and Field
UC Irvine's Paul Spittle and
the Sports Shooter Academy
with Nikon's new DX2
Broncos Football:
Denver vs Indianapolis
the US Figure Skating Nationals
Portland, Oregon
College Basketball:
Colorado State vs Air Force
Broncos Football:
Broncos VS. Dolphins
Assignment work:
Wrestling
A look back at 2004
Rich Clarkson's Photography at the Summit Workshop &
Moose Peterson's Digital Landscape Workshop Series
Whitewater Kayaking
Gymnastics and more
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games
Athens, Greece
A look back at some wonderful Olympic moments
USAFA Graduation flyover
US Olympic Training Center - Swimming and Gymnastics
Last Month the Masters, this month The Kentucky Derby......I love my job
Masters at Augusta National
The American Cup Gymnastics
NIKON COLLEGE WORKSHOP
Indoor Track and Field
Women's Freestyle Wresting
Rhythmic Gymnastics Nationals
The Glass Flower Ceiling at the Belagio Hotel in Las Vegas
College Basketball
Women's Waterpolo
Olympic swimmers on their way to Athens
NFL Football
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals
A look back at The Greenbay Professionals
Monday Night Football the Sports Shooter Workshop and Luau in LA
Photography at the Summit workshop
Portraits to workshops to stock image sales
Lightpainting in Banf
The World Gymnastics Championships
International Gymnastics Camp
Thunderbirds
Gymnastics
The Sports Photography Workshop with Rich Clarkson
Velodrome Cycling, More
The 129th running of the Kentucky Derby
White water kayakers
The Champions on Ice tour
PBR Rodeo
Chris Shivers and Little Yellow Jacket ride for $1 Million
Nikon's featured speaker at PMA in Las Vegas
American Cup Gymnastics
USAFA Women's Basketball
USAFA Swimming
USAFA Boxing
NCAA Fencing Championships
USOC's Titan Games
Air Force Basketball
Pro Football Pre-Superball Stock Sales
Swimmers train at the Swim Flume at the USOC
Much more!
Diving at the Air Force Academy
Denver Broncos VS. The Arizona Cardinals
Olympic Hopefuls Lenny Krayzelberg and Tom Molchow practice at the USOC
