A Walk Around Dulles International Airport

I'm a fan of modern architecture and mid 20th century stuff in general, and I've always loved Dulles, designed by the great Eero Saarinen. Recently I had the occasion to be there arbitrarily waiting for an hour while my sister got a Covid test prior to a flight to Italy a couple days later on. Luckily I had a camera and some film on hand.

 

My fascination with this particular place and building began back in the 60s when I was a kid. My dad, an Army lifer, was stationed at the Pentagon so we lived no great distance from here. I recall my dad taking us out there just to see the building. It was a sort of odd field trip for us... considering my dad wasn't particularly enthusiastic for architecture, but I guess it was still something of a phenomenon; this would have been just a couple years after it was built. I found- and still find, the quirky "transport modules" super enthralling for whatever reason. Back then The Future loomed large, being the middle of The Space Age. Of course, the future isn't what it once was, but elements of (formerly) futuristic stuff remain. I still marvel at this kind of thing whenever I see it.

 

Meanwhile, I'd flown thru Dulles back in January (or was it March?). Well, recently in any case. Unfortunately at the time, I was stuck in some outer terminal with little time before my connecting flight. I was well pleased when we decided to swing thru again so my sister could get the pre-flight test.

 

 

 

What a fabulous space! Luckily, there wren't too many people on hand

 

 

 

 

 

 

shooting the exterior from inside, I got all these reflections... I like them.

 

 

 

 

I don't often convert color film photos to black and white, but I felt like this was somewhat warranted in this case? What's the consensus on this?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kodak Ektar 100

Voigtlander R3m

Voigtlander 40mm f1.4 Nokton Classic MC

 

Thanks for looking!

 

If anyone has any of their own photos to share, please do so with my blessing. Id love to hear commentary or opinions on my shots, or just stories of your own experiences at Dulles.

No Dulles, but St. Louis's Lambert Minoru Yamasaki arches:

"I still marvel at this kind of thing whenever I see it"

Very nice collection. The reflections add an interesting layer.

What we don't see is a thought.

"I still marvel at this kind of thing whenever I see it"

Very nice collection. The reflections add an interesting layer.

 

Thanks Josh!

What we don't see is a thought.

 

errr um…. eh? could you clarify what you mean by that Alan?

I loved this sequence, thank you for sharing the images. The buildings look like they are going to fly. About the black and white photo, it works, there is something about black and shiny chrome that looks so sharp without colour. Please post a photo I don't like otherwise I sound like a fanboy for your work!.

Thanks for the comments, everyone!

 

Dulles was always my favorite airport. I graduated from high school in Rockville, and had a roll of Anscochrome 200 for my last days of school.

 

I do remember the buses that drive out to the airplane, then lift up to the height to walk into the plane.

 

This is from 1976. Canon VI, with I believe Xenogon 35/2.8.

Edited January 15, 2022 by glen_h

I know someone will remember those formed, blond colored, plastic assemblies where biz types slid in to sit and drop a quarter to watch the TV tilted toward them.

I flew a lot while in the army and was stunned to see them.......Rows of hypnotized faces with gathered raincoats and briefcases, sitting there in semi-darkness with TV light bouncing off each face like small lightning storms.

I know someone will remember those formed, blond colored, plastic assemblies where biz types slid in to sit and drop a quarter to watch the TV tilted toward them.

I flew a lot while in the army and was stunned to see them.......Rows of hypnotized faces with gathered raincoats and briefcases, sitting there in semi-darkness with TV light bouncing off each face like small lightning storms.

 

I don't recall these TV kiosks- but where was the camera when you needed it, eh? What great imagery!

 

A different view of Dulles airport