Annapolis Photo-Op Invitation

[wwilson]

Here are the Sundays my son can be available on Academy Bridge:
August Sundays:15, 22, 29
September Sundays: 12, 26

Please pick two dates that might work for you. The most popular later nomination will be the back-up date in case weather causes a reschedule. Don't be too concerned that you are committing - you may cancel (your own participation) at any time with no prior warning.

I will start the parade under Academy Bridge at noon. We will take the pics from the south side of the bridge.

Each boat will get an upwind and downwind pass under the bridge - spinnakers are encouraged.

Weems Ck has been nominated as a rendezvous point for any interested.

Lots of interest for boat-to-boat pictures as well. I suggest we all carry cameras and that that portion of the session take place north of the bridge to keep the "runway" clear for the bridge photos.

Joe - thanks for the offer of help. I will assume that it does NOT extend to being on the bridge. Maybe you could handle the on-the-water shots from north of the bridge? If so, we could start the bridge shots with your boat allowing you to then anchor above the bridge and photograph all of our boats passing for their under bridge shots?

I will get full resolution images taken from the bridge to all who participate and provide their e-mail address (via pm)

I will put together a plan for staging the boats, communicating, Saturday overnight (optional) etc and post it here before the session for your review and revision.

[mccary]

Wayne, I am willing to help on the bridge (this is the Rte 450 bridge?). I have plenty of gear and can assist as needed. Have you checked to see if this is allowed by police? Sometimes they get hysterical with people taking pictures from what seems to be perfectly safe place. I also have the ability to send out high res images (too large for email). Dates good for are most any except the 15th of August... Also, we might want to avoid dates that conflict with major academy events.

[GeorgeDog]

Originally Posted by mccary

Have you checked to see if this is allowed by police?

It looks like the bridge has a pedestrian sidewalk so there is no reason for the police to concern themselves. The appeals courts (and the MD Attorney General just last week) have repeatedly stated that you may take pictures (almost) anywhere. If asked to stop I probably would but I'd give them the legal finding that I carry in my camera bag on the way out. But asking in advance will only increase the odds of being told no....then what?

My vote:
September Sundays: 12, 26

-Chris

[SVAuspicious]

August 29 or September 12 are good for me. So is September 26.

I agree on checking with the authorities, land and sea, to avoid issues for the volunteers on the bridge.

[wwilson]

Keep the date votes coming in please!

George - I resonate with your advice by nature! But, that said I would rather suffer the disappointment of all on this thread by extending then retracting an invitation than I would the annoyance of the same set having dedicated a weekend to my cockamamie scheme only to be told "go home". If I were the only boat I'd "Just do it" (apologies to Nike.)

I am checking with Annapolis and Ann Arundel County Police Depts. Will post when I hear back.

Joe, I would be a fool to retain an amateur with a nice, but still "fun" camera and turn down the offer of a professional with 1st rate equipment. If you are willing to take the bridge (yes 450 - I call it Academy) it shall be yours!

Also - there is a new (to me) restaurant that appeared by the north abutment. Does anyone know if a tie-for-lunch is possible, and what is the consensus on going there after the photos? Assuming the "authorities" OK the shoot - no better change that word - make it... session.

[mccary]

So, this is spounding more and more like a fun project... a tieup place is a great idea too, I can bring my computer and some CDs. I need to replace my handheld VHF, it died 2 weeks ago, just one week out of waranty. That will help us too I think.

[T37SOLARE]

This is sounding better by the minute!

September 12, 26 would work best for us. I will have my Nikon DSLR w/telephoto aboard. (plus beer & rum!)

[SVAuspicious]

Wayne - Are you talking about the Severn Inn? It's a nice restaurant and I think there is an entry in your Chesapeake Bay Eats database. I tied up there once last year for a family land & sea birthday gathering. The docks are very rough and poorly maintained. I had a heck of time getting in and tied up. I wouldn't recommend it unless there have been some major renovations.

I believe there is a brunch on Sunday mornings until 1 or 2, and that the changeover to menus in the afternoon and evening is not always smooth. Nonetheless, I'd suggest it is a reasonable place to dinghy over to after the photo session, either from Weems or from anchor outside the small private mooring field by the Severn Inn.

[josrulz]

We just found out about this thread--very cool! wwilson, thanks so much for offering to set this up. If we're available on the weekend that you settle on, we'll definitely participate. My wife has a decent digital SLR camera and lenses, so we'll try to take pictures of other boats from our boat.

For us, the best weekends would be August 15 or 22, or September 12. We'll understand of course if this ends up on a different weekend. Either way, thanks!
-J

[wwilson]

The voting to date attached. We need Joe so 15 Aug is shown strikethrough - too soon anyway. I included all responders though the Telstar 28 can't possibly be so fast that it can get here for a weekend - can it? I'll let the voting continue till Friday, then set the dates.



Lots of folks with DSLRs - if any one of you would volunteer to make the 1st pass then anchor river center, just north of the bridge we will have a photo boat for the on the water passes. (I'd do it but I have a "point & shoot" camera that just doesn't compete.)

Thanks Dave - re Severn Inn I looked at the docks on Google Earth (recent imagery) - dilapidated would be a kind description. Maybe a raft in Weems Ck would be better for those so inclined after the photo session?

No serious (large crowd) events planned at the USN Academy either of the two Sept. Sundays
USN Academy Event Schedule

Good News (tepid edition). I called Annapolis PD, they directed me to MDNR who finally directed me to the correct police authority for the 450 bridge, the Naval Academy Police (a federal authority 410 293-5786) "No problem taking pictures from the bridge pedestrian walkway. Be sure to have some photo ID in case asked". That - is as good as it gets in the post 9/11 era!