Tag: baltimore

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Pride of Baltimore II at the Francis Scott Key Bridge

A nautical scene shot from the seawall at Fort McHenry

The historical replica ship, the Pride of Baltimore II, is seen under sail at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The location of Pride II is close to where Francis Scott Key, the lawyer, was held captive on a British Ship during the Battle of Baltimore of September 12-14, 1814, one of the culminating battles of the War of 1812.

Pride of Baltimore II

It was in the morning of the last day following the night of bombardment when Key say the American Flag flying in the dawn’s early light. He then penned the words of the poem that would later become our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

The American Flag Flying over Fort McHenry

Link to Fort McHenry Gallery: https://uspictures.com/collections/fort+mchenry

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American Flag Photography at Fort McHenry

There is no better place to shoot flags (as in “with a camera”) than at the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner, Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland. Remember that just a little more than 200 years ago the British were actually shooting at our flag – with big guns (cannons).

When I visit in Baltimore I often go for a walk at Fort McHenry. This particular day had one of those “postcard” skies, with fair-weather cumulus clouds against a bright blue background; so I went to Fort McHenry for a couple hours…with my camera bag, of course. Today I actually got to photograph two American Flags flying over the Fort at the same time and on the same flagpole. Read why below the photograph…

Twin American Flags at Fort McHenry in Baltimore

If you bring an American flag or buy a flag in the Ft. McHenry Gift Shop – a ranger will “run it up” the flagpole, let it fly in the breeze for a short while and then bring it down. You will then be a proud and patriotic owner because you have a flag that actually flew over Fort McHenry. They will even provide a certificate of authenticity for your flag stating that it flew over Fort McHenry. How cool is that?

This image is available, along with more of my photographs, in my online gallery at US Pictures, Bill Swartwout Photography. 

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Old Otterbein UMC Photograph #100 for Online Gallery

This afternoon I hit a milestone, of sorts, by uploading the 100th fine art photograph to my online gallery at US Pictures. The subject matter may even be appropriate for hitting this “Century Milestone.” I chose an image I shot last Winter of the Old Otterbein United Methodist Church in Downtown Baltimore, next to the Inner Harbor. Why appropriate? There are a few “centuries” involved in this choice.

Old Otterbein United Methodist Church Building PhotographThis church is historic in the fact that it is the oldest continuously operating sanctuary in the city of Baltimore and has been around for more than two centuries. The church was built in 1785. My wife and I have been members here for about a quarter century.

In addition, at the time of this post, Old Otterbein UMC is involved in helping the City to celebrate the Maryland Bi-Centennial Celebration of the War of 1812. During the celebration we will be recognizing the 200th Birthday (two centuries) of our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, which was written by Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Among numerous activities, the two-year recognition of the War of 1812 will be culminated with a modern bombardment of the Fort – with a massive fireworks display designed specifically for the event.