thambar
Shouldn't it be sharper?
Even if you hope to shoot there sometime, you should help. Like so many other arts groups in the region, Sandy did its devastating worst to the Mermaid Parade HQ and support infrastructure. Please join me in helping the Kickstarter campaign to save what has to be the greatest pro/am photo opp in the world! Honestly, if you had to choose between photographing highly decorated tits and another moody shot of a dying tree, the tits would take it every time. Save the tits!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/377116752/save-the-coney-island-mermaid-from-extinction
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/377116752/save-the-coney-island-mermaid-from-extinction
lew1716
Newbie
I hope this won't be taken amiss for a first post, but I'm not so sure I agree. The Mermaid Day parade used to be an informal, irreverent free-for-all. No cops, judges or rules. Gradually it was organized and "improved" to the point where barricades, rules, judges, police and a crowd greater than CI can easily handle are much in evidence. The name "Coney Island Mermaid Day Parade" has been copyrighted and is now owned by a small inner sanctum of organizers. Last year, despite great weather, attendance was way down. I certain that if the kickstarter fails, an unofficial event will happen anyway.
thambar
Shouldn't it be sharper?
The good news, I suppose, is that with five days remaining it looks as though they'll reach the $100K goal. As their video pointed out, the crowds are about 750,000, which requires the requisite police, sanitation, and other personnel. The usual avenues of fundraising evidently disappeared with the Sandy-strafed headquarters and equipment storage. The parade obviously taken on a life of its own after modest beginnings--but so has Burning Man, the Love Parade, and lots of other great artist events that become must-do events. I particularly love this event because it brings out so many amateur photographers with vintage film equipment--from 4x5 press cameras to Barnack Leicas to Stereo Realists. It's almost like a vintage camera show in action. Plus, the costumes are often hilarious and wonderfully political. That's why I was more than happy to support it, since I've been more than happy to exploit the photo opps for so many years.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Plus one on being a vintage camera show. It is always a fun event and a way to break into summer. See you there Jim.
Cal
Cal
thambar
Shouldn't it be sharper?
As of today the Mermaid Parade Kickstarter campaign has exceeded its goal. Looks like the show will go on!