USS Potomac Photo Cruise
On Sunday May 22nd, San Jose Camera and Video sponsored a San Francisco Bay Photography Cruise on board the USS Potomac. About 60 Photographers attended and were treated to some great views of the Bay as well as the opportunity to spend time on and photograph the historic USS Potomac. The weather alternated between cloudy and sunny making for challenging photographic conditions. Besides some awesome views of the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate, the photographers on board were witness to a rare humpback whale appearance in the bay.
The USS Potomac, known as the “Floating White House”, was originally commissioned the USCG Cutter Electra in 1934. In 1936 it was renamed the USS Potomac and served as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Presidential Yacht until his death in 1945. It is now berthed in Oakland’s famous Jack London Square. You can learn more by visiting the official website at www.usspotomac.org.
We were joined on this cruise by representatives from Nikon, Sigma and Panasonic. All three companies provided loaner cameras and lenses to the photographers onboard. Many of the participants took advantage of the opportunity to try out some really cool lenses.
Everyone had a great time and consensus at the end of the voyage was that we should do this event again. Check out the images below.
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- FDR’s presidential yacht the USS Potomac known as the “Floating White House”,at its dock in Jack London Square.
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- Starboard bow detail of USS Potomac.
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- Presidential Seal located on the fantail deck.
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- A tugboat with accomanying sea gulls guides a container ship in the Port of Oakland.
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- A container ship prepares to go to sea in the Port of Oakland.
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- Bow detail of motor launch onboard the USS Potomac.
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- A photographer onboard the USS Potomac as it cruises down the Alameda Channel.
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- A Photographer onboard the USS Potomac tries some big Nikon glass.
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- Motor launch and “Charlie Noble” vent onboard the USS Potomac.
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- A Photographer on board the USS Potomac checks his images.
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- A sailboat with colorful jib passes under the Golden Gate Bridge.
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- A Humpback whale makes a rare appearance on San Francisco Bay.
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- A Humpback whale makes a rare appearance on San Francisco Bay.
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- The Captain of the USS Potomac in the wheelhouse.
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- Bow detail of motor launch onboard the USS Potomac.
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- Jim of San Jose Camera and Jeff with Nikon direct a group photo on the bow of the USS Potomac.
A great time on board with all. Got to see parts of the SF Bay I have not seen from a boat before, totally enjoyed the ride and the shooting there