Photographic locations in Maryland and Virginia

I'm heading back to the Chesapeake/Norfolk Virginia area for a family

function during the first week in June. I'm going to have 2 or 3

days free to do some shooting. I'll be flying into and out of

Baltimore, then driving down to Virginia.

 

I'm wondering where I should go to do some photography. I don't know

why, but at this point, I'm not terribly interested in shooting the

Washington DC area, but that could change. For whatever reason, I'm

interested in shooting along the coast. For example, around

Chesapeake Bay, over the Atlantic, and maybe some lighthouses.

Alternatively, I'm also thinking about heading over to Shenandoah

National Park and shooting around there.

 

So, has anyone ever shot around these areas? Any suggestions?

Places to visit? What about the Outer Banks in North Carolina? I'

love to hear any ideas or suggestions for what to do and where to

shoot out there. Thanks in advance!!

 

Best,

 

Jeff

Swing through Annapolis on your way south/east. Consider going over the Bay Bridge and checking out Wye Island area, perhaps. Bring mosquito repellant, and plan on getting up at 4:30AM to make the most of such outings. Hundreds of miles of wetlands and coast along the Bay area, of course - so, far too much to chose from!

 

I agree that you probably don't want to bother with DC in June. It can be lovely, but it's crowded, too.

Hi Matt,

 

Thanks for the response! Great info, I'll have a look at Wye Island. I have a full day at the beginning of the trip and another full day at the end of the trip to shoot. Any idea as to which would provide more/better photographic opportunities on my way to Chesapeake/Norfolk, i.e. should I stay on the Chesapeake Bay side or should I head over to the Atlantic side of the island (I don't know what it's called.. ;-) Where Maryland/Delaware border..)

Thanks!

 

Jeff

Yeah, we just call it "that other part, over there," too.

<br><br>

Often referred to as the "Delmarva" peninsula. Now THAT'S original (but that's what they call it!).

<br><br>

Hmmm. Me? Honestly, I'd stay on the western edge of the bay, or just do some round trips that take you not too far over the bay bridge to the east. The little town of Easton has its charms, and is an easy drive. The Blackwater preserve area is beautiful.

<Br><Br>

Things are a lot closer than you might thing - provided you stay away from the DC rush hour traffic. If you DO venture into the DC area proper, you might like checking out the Great Falls area along the Potomac... to me, at least as interesting as slogging it through the crowds downtown.

<br><br>

The bay area is nice, though. And FLAT. You won't be seeing a lot of hills!

What are you interested in the most? Chincoteague and Asoteague islands are really great for birds and the wild horses (and generally pretty in and of themselves). The Eastern shore is also a very pretty area with a lot of picturesque farms and countrysides.

 

Shenandoah is nice, but to get the really great views you need to hike the AT through the park, though the skyline drive has some decent views. You could also head up towards harper's ferry and West Virginia for good moutain/valley views. Heading down to the mouth of the Potomac around St. Mary's is also very pretty.

Chincoteague and Assateague are good suggestions.

See here for a few samples, almost all 50 pages in this gallery shot

on Assateague/Chincoteague- http://www.dcstockimages.com/virginia/index.htm

 

See here for Western MD if interested, further through the

gallery Baltimore/Annapolis-

http://www.dcstockimages.com/maryland/index.htm

 

Have fun!

I second Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. You can take a path to the top of the mountain, lovely views and an old cemetery. The town is interesting too.

Great Falls either the MD or VA side though the area by the Old Anglers Inn is quite nice-MD side

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'll root around on the 'net for a few days or so and come up with a plan. Truly, thanks so much.

 

Best,

 

Jeff

Jeff, I go back there a lot (both, business and family). The Chesapeake Bay is excellent; both east and west sides. The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is superb (south of Cambridge, on the eastern shore). Calvert Cliffs and Solomon's Island (both are nearly adjacent to Patuxent River Naval Air Station (west side, in Calvert County). In Virginia, there's the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (just south of Norfolk). You could also cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel into the Virginia portion of the Delmarva Peninsula; good for both the Atlantic and Bay. Personally, given that you are flying into BWI and going down to Norfolk; I think that Harper's Ferry and the Shenandoah are a bit out of reach this trip. Have fun, Jeff! Cheers! Chris

Hi Chris, Thanks for the suggestions... I've just found out that I may be at a conference in NY the entire week before the wedding, which would kill the shooting.... we'll see.

 

Jeff

So, it looks like my plans aren't going to change. I'll be able to shoot for a day.. and a half before family commitments set in. I'm really thinking about staying in Cambrige, MD, and shooting around the Blackwater national wildlife refuge. Any particulars I should know? suggestions? I'll be flying into BWI around 5:30, so I'm hoping to have a car and be down the road in time to shoot a sunset.. suggestions for shooting a sunset? Annapolis maybe?

 

Any suggestions would be great!

 

thanks,

 

Jeff

How did it go?

I wasn't real impressed by the delmarva pennisula... still here.

Where you can always find a jewel . . .

that's probably true.. or if i would of had a bit more time to shoot.. or if the temps weren't soooo close to and over the century mark.. brutally hot over the last few days there. i'm sure things will be better the next time i'm there i'm sure things will go better.

 

thanks,

 

Jeff

oh.. as a very quick ps... for the very brief time i was around norfolk, i found some really cool places there to shoot. first landing and so on. I'll definately look into shooting there more.

 

Jeff