Architecture Photography: El Prat, Terminal 1

A Special Moment Before Takeoff

I was on my way to New York, and even though most flights are routine, there’s something special about flying from a new, sparkling airport. El Prat’s Terminal 1, at dawn, was especially exciting.

However, I couldn’t help but laugh at the name. It’s not exactly what I’d call a memorable one—imagine the snickers from Brits echoing through the terminal!

Capturing the Space at Dawn

With some time to spare, I decided to take a few quick shots. I used my Lumix camera, trying to be discreet. In the past, I’ve had issues at airports with photography, but I later realized I had nothing to worry about. Other photographers with DSLRs weren’t facing any problems.

The light was stunning. I was there just before sunrise, and the soft, early light transformed the space. The airport was quiet, which made it easy to capture empty spaces bathed in that perfect, limpid light.

Learning to Love the Compact Camera

I’m becoming quite comfortable with my compact Lumix. I’ve figured out how to trick the metering to get the exposures I like. With a 24mm equivalent wide-angle lens, it’s now my go-to for these quick shoots.

Next Time: Full Gear, Bigger Shots

Next time, I’ll break out my DSLR, a tripod, and go all in. No more worrying about security or carrying less gear!