Great Maryland (and neighbors) Photo Expedition

Everyone could meet at a central location, say near the convention center or the amphitheater at the inner harbor, then split into two groups. One that wants to go in the way of the Railroad Museum, and the others to the aquarium. Then regroup to tour the harbor, Ft.Mchenry, then dinner.

I will be there.

Why don't we meet at the coffee shop of Barns&Nobles (starbucks) which is right in front of the aquarium? it is warm and there is coffee too. usually the parking fees are about $8 a day, which it may make sense on a crowded Saturday. I would recommend going first to the aquarium since it may get crowded. Is 9:30am a good time?

Sounds like a good meeting place. The B&O museum is in walking distance too. Now we need a day.

The B&O Museum is open until 5:00 on Saturday, but only until 4:00 on Sunday. It opens later on Sunday as well. I'm thinking Saturday, Jan. 7

My thoughts for the out-of-towners were that they can get free parking at the B&O Museum - but they would have to get back there by closing time. If they are not adverse to paying for parking (since the admission prices are reduced), meeting somewhere in the Inner Harbor is a great idea. If dinner is part of the schedule (a great idea in my mind), then it might be better to cough up the parking fee and forget about the shuttling back and forth.

The aquarium opens at 10:00, and early is better, but the crowds are so large that when you buy your ticket they give you a time when you can enter. If we figure out how many, and someone gets down there early to buy the tickets, it could be a win to get an early (before 10:30) entry time. Else, we will spend a lot of time waiting - in line or otherwise. That said, early morning at the Inner Harbor can produce some nice shots, with the marina, the Constellation, boats coming in & out (not too many in January though), and other morning sights.

So, back to the meet-up. I think meeting in the morning (9:00 or so) works. Meeting (and waiting for the meet-up) inside in January is a great idea. Barnes & Noble opens at 8:00. They are in the Power Plant (where the Hard Rock Cafe - Giant guitar on the smokestack - & ESPNZone are), so they are not hard to find.

I had this idea of finding a restaurant for dinner that has a room with one or more TVs that we can use to review/critique the day's shots. I have a Sandisk device that displays on a TV from a memory card. It might be a little late to arrange that, but its worth a try.

My latest 2 cents.

Have Fun,

I think I am in. I'm in Manassas, but will try my best. Can't wait. I haven't come into the talk about this because I'm just clueless about taking expeditions. Wow, I can't wait!

SuzyView
Sat. are okay, not Sun.

I could get to the aquarium early to buy the tickets before they open if need be. Meeting at the bookstore inside the power plant sounds like a great idea.

i would definitely be interested! please post when you finalize the details. I know I probably wouldnt be able to do Saturday the 7th because of work, but if the date changes I would loved to participate.

S

Either day works for me. Saturday sounds the better one from the operating hours on the train museum.

I have emailed the aquarium and the B&O Museum to find out how to make this as smooth as it can be. I'll let y'all know when (and if) I hear anything.

The best I got so far from the aquarium is that the ticket office opens at 10:00. If you want an early ticket, stand in line. I'm trying to get some more details.

Have Fun,

I just spoke with the curator of the B&O Museum, and broke the ice. It was very cordial and I think it helps us. What he (and I) said:

• They are happy to have us, and they don't want to stifle us - but they don't want anyone making money from images taken at the Museum without their express written permission. More on that below.
  
• They want us to be discrete, especially on a day they expect to be crowded (ouch, I was hoping this wouldn't be a big day, being in January). He did not rule out tripods and monopods, but mentioned that we are not to interfere with the general public's access and views. I noted that we are familiar with such policies and will certainly not get in the way.
  
• He offered to meet with the group when we get there and go over the policies. I didn't commit to a time (since we don't know yet), but said we may contact them when we know.
  
• Each photographer must get permission to post images anywhere, including the POTN Web site or your own hosting site. He mentioned that the permission is not hard to do, but it must be given. They have a form to fill out.
  
• All posted images must include attribution to the Museum. You can get the details when you go for the permission.
  
• Any commercial use requires a different sort of permission from them. Again, you'll have to contact them about that.
  
• We have full roam of the public areas. I mentioned that we were not looking for special access.
  
• Sounds reasonable to me.

I'll be out of town next weekend so I can't make those dates. Sounds like you guys have some really great things lined up, though, which means there will no doubt be another Maryland meeting in the near future.

Have a great time and I look forward to seeing your pics. Stay safe!

Thanks for all the leg work. You are amazing CTG.

SuzyView

Want to start a running list of who plans on coming?

Count me in - I'm thinking I'll get down there early (7:30, maybe) to see if there are any great sunrise shots demanding to be taken.

Unless we get some tips from the Aquarium, we might need to have a place at the head of the line to get in early. Depending on how early we have to get in line, perhaps we can have some folks take turns so one poor slob doesn't freeze. The rest of us can stay warm in Starbucks and laugh at the place-keeper until its our turn to be the poor slob.

If we go to the B&O Museum later, I don't think we will have the same wait issue as the Aquarium. We may have a line to deal with, but its much more open there than at the Aquarium, so it can take more people.

There are boats to Fort McHenry, but its a little unclear whether they run in the winter. I'll give Fort McHenry a call to see what I can find out.

I think things are starting to come together - so let's see some participants!

Geez, just get on I-95 and get to Baltimore! (If you plan it, they will come)

Have Fun,

Unless there's 3 or more inches of snow on the ground, I'll be there. If there's snow, the cross-country skis come out. A blizzard is a terrible thing to waste, and with Rock Creek Park across the street, I must strike while the snow is pure, before all the walkers have stomped it all into a mess. Of course, the 10-day forecast, as of now, looks like that ain't gonna happen. Looks like sunny & 40 on Saturday. Cloudy on Sunday, though.