Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Folks, I happen to work with the president of the astronomical society, and can likely get us access to the Dunlap observatory (in richmond Hill) during daytime or nighttime for a group shoot. The "price" might be that we have to give him some prints of our shots to hang up around the observatory.

I'd like to see if we want daytime or nighttime more, and what days would be best. Then I can ask him to book it (will likely require 1 month or so notice). The size of the group will determine whether he has to give us solo access, etc.

If you're interested please reply with your day/night preference, and your top day of the week preference.

Let me know!
Stu

You mean Dunlap?
Any day but Friday or Sunday is good for me.

LOL yes, Dunlap (post corrected).

Pardon the brainfart.

I'd be interested in a daytime visit, and any day but Sunday would be fine.

I'd be interested in a night visit. Best day for me is Thursday night.

I'm for a daytime visit as I work evenings.

I'd probably have to bring the kid along... Stroller accessible or should I just throw him in the back pack?

I would be interested, depending on my schedule.

Depending on when it is, I'd be interested in going. Thurs. and Sun. nights are the best for me.

what exactly does this trip entail? just a tour of the observatory?

Nah, why bother if that's all it would be. My friend happens to be a bit of a photography buff (Sony a700 I believe), and I know a few of the guys in the royal astronomical society (the guys who lease the observatory from UofT) are photographers. What I'd ask him to do is arrange for us to have access to wander around inside and out to take pics.

Looks like we have interest, so I'll ask him what times and types of access he can arrange for us in the next month, and post a formal event.

I can also ask him for a guided tour as well... and if anyone from our group is willing to host it as a lighting seminar at the observatory (strobist style) then I can probably also get us access in advance to scope out the site and come up with a few interesting shot excercises.

Really, sky's the limit if we have ideas... he's a good friend of mine.

-Stu

it was a nice treat when dan took us there just a while ago, would definitely be interested in going again.

i'm pretty flexible as long as it is outside regular working hours so i'll sign in once it gets decided, night or day doesn't matter to me.

Who is Dan? (I'm new here)... I wonder if he knows my friend Rajesh...

i think his ID is downtown dan, one of the organizers at TPMG i believe

Kewl, I'll ask him! Either way my friend said we should be able to arrange something... so I'll discuss the details with him next week and try to arrange a fun trip for us.

Yes, that's right. Also known as the author/physicist/all-round science guy, Dan Falk.

And thanks, Stu, for suggesting this!

Aww, Sue, you flatter me!

Anyway, this is a great idea for an event, and I'll come if I am free!

Any time any day, this sounds awesome!

Will we also be able to see through the telescope? I'd love to see Saturn again and anything else cool for the average eye

I can ask. Probably, those guys love showing off that scope...

There's a joke in there but in good taste I'll leave it alone.

yes, I chose to take the high road and skip any uranus jokes as well...

This is awesome! I just found out about the observatory recently and promised myself to go once public viewing is open summer time, but this wayyyy better! I'm definitely up for any week nights after work.

OK, I've sent an email requesting details... I'll post back once he responds! I'll likely book it for Late Feb sometime, giving us a month... and maybe some better weather.

lol some people don't like those jokes! But I find them funny!

You like jokes about Uranus? hehe.

Sounds like fun. I would be good for the evening during the week, but anytime on weekends.

I was at the Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Natural History in New York two weeks ago. The narator used both pronunciations.

I'm in any time of the day or night - I will make time for this event, it sounds like fun.
Can't wait !!!

Mars is well-placed these days.

If it's a date around first-quarter moon, then the moon would also be fun to look at.

OK Sweet, sounds like the RASC are willing to arrange the trip for us based on our interest, so my friend Raj will bring it up to their planning committee and get back to me with the date and time. The first visit will be nighttime, BUT he is also suggesting a springtime trip during the day, if we want to take pics of the grounds or the observatory itself... so there will likely end up being a few of these.

-Stu