Tangier Island
June 5 – 7, 2015

This wonderful island in the Chesapeake Bay has been described as an island out of time. It lends itself to a unique learning experience for all levels of photographer. Known as the soft shell crab capital of the world, it is one of the last places of its kind in the east. The unfortunate reality is that the character and traditions of the island are beginning to change due to the decline in fishing and crabbing opportunities and the constant search for a means to pay the bills. Many of the local fishermen have taken other jobs off the island to help support their families. Many of their children elect not to return once they get onto the mainland to attend school. Life is not easy for the islanders, but it is the life they love and struggle to maintain. So who knows how much longer this island out of time will remain. Photo opportunities include: the waterfront, working watermen, their gear and vessels, a fast fading fishing community, marsh scenics, birds, dry-dock/graveyard for working vessels, sunrises and sunsets, the beach, abstracts . . . you’ll have a chance to record islanders living life as they have for generations and note how modern times are affecting it.

Lodging will be at a B&B on the water in Tangier. A delicious breakfast is provided. Other meals are not included but will be taken at one of the few local restaurants. With a little luck on our side, but not guaranteed, we’ll visit Smith Island for a real treat – a simple but scrumptious crab cake sandwich you won’t soon forget, highlighted by the 9-10 layer Smith Island Cake which has become the official cake of Maryland. (If you don’t like crab there are alternatives.) According to an article written for the National Geographic Traveler, “it is absolutely the World’s best crab cake” and it will be served especially for our group.

We’ll depart by ferry promptly at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, from Reedsville, VA, and head to Tangier. You should arrive at the ferry no later than 9:30 a.m. We’ll leave Tangier on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. by the same ferry. The cost of $775.00 includes the boat, lodging, two breakfasts and instruction. Due to the scarcity of lodging on the island, a non- participant will be asked to pay the entire fee unless they can wait until the last minute to see if the workshop is full. This does not hold true on any of our other workshops. Non-participants are always welcome. It is just that in the case of Tangier Island, we just don’t have any spare lodging most of the time. Let me know ahead of time if a spouse or friend would like to tag along and as soon as I can determine availability, I will let you know is they can. Transportation on the island is by golf cart and we highly recommend that you rent one. The cost is around $100.00 for the weekend and they must be reserved through me ahead of time but can be paid for once we arrive. It is their main mode of transportation and makes for getting around much more fun. You can share the expense with a fellow photographer. Each cart will carry 2 to 4 people plus gear. We’ll collect the cart fee once we get to the island.