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February 11, 2008
Atlantic Yards Shutterbugs Meet Up
About two dozen photographers gathered yesterday afternoon to take photos of the Atlantic Yards footprint. The Atlantic Yards Camera Club meeting was inspired by the recent experience of videographer Katherin McInnis, who says an MTA cop harassed her—allegedly trying to confiscate her camera—while she was taking pictures around AY. No Land Grab has a summary of yesterday’s events, and blogs including Brit in Brooklyn, Dope on the Slope, and Flatbush Gardener have posted some of the photos they snapped. MTA police apparently circled the footprint in a cruiser but didn’t mess with the photographers.
Atlantic Yards Camera Club [No Land Grab]
MTA Cop Tries to Stop Videographer at AY Site [AY Report]
First photo by Dope on the Slope; second and third by Flatbush Gardener.
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Comments
Wow, a dozen people! Clearly, the AY support remains incredibly strong.
The photos show two (count 'em) black people. That's a record for an anti-AY event.
I have every faith that the AY opposition will defeat the giant RAT. He's no match for this savvy, well-financed operation. Their court victories alone are enough to stop the most experienced developer in his tracks!
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 12:23 PM
Can all the photographers that were there yesterday send in your photos.
You must have got some AWESOME shots.
Cant wait!
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 12:29 PM
looks like the photographers took more photos of each other than of the actual site.
Posted by: z at February 11, 2008 1:07 PM
Thats what someone on Gowanus lounge said too..anyone have pictures of the actual yards?
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 1:33 PM
I'd say the developer is doing a fine enough job of stopping himself in his tracks.
The financial feasability of AY has unwound.
D-E-A-D-D-E-A-L.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 1:59 PM
They didn't have to take pictures. I could have told them what the site looks like: virtually the same as has for the last 40 years.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 2:35 PM
There were TWO dozen people, not a dozen. In zero-windchill weather. If the weather had been better we would have spent more time in discussion on the sidewalk.
There are so many shots of the people attending because that was the event: the meet-up. And there are shots of the tracks, and the now-vacant land where buildings have been razed. The center photograph above is one such photo: there used to be buildings on that empty lot surrounded by orange construction fencing. There is no "yards" to be photographed, because nothing has been built.
Posted by: Xris at February 11, 2008 2:37 PM
From the Brooklyn Paper:
"It’s official, direct from Forest City Ratner Companies: the Atlantic Yards developer is a liar.
Forest City Ratner now admits that its claim of a tax revenue windfall — a justification for the government’s support of the $4 billion project — was actually concocted by Ratner’s paid consultant, and was not based on an analysis by state officials as the developer repeatedly claimed."
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 2:44 PM
"There is no "yards" to be photographed, because nothing has been built."
So, uh what the hell were you guys supposed to be doing?
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 2:46 PM
GO NETS!!!
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 2:49 PM
If it's A-yards then will the result of the digging be called the A-hole?
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 2:54 PM
No, that would be the developer.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 2:58 PM
The financial viability is still sound, because we're giving Ratner $2 billion. On a $4 billion project that's a corporate welfare deal that would make Halliburton blush.
Posted by: Johnny at February 11, 2008 3:51 PM
Thanks for the clarification. TWO dozen instead of a dozen makes a world of difference. In fact, this constitutes a REVOLUTION! Unfortunately, this reduces the percentage of black attendees. Just when I thought that the anti-AY movement was finally achieving some diversity...
Look out Ratner, because these two dozen people are going to block this project. They cannot be stopped.
I think that there are yards here. Aren't they called the Vanderbilt Yards?
VIVA LA REVOLUCION!
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 4:14 PM
I'm pretty sure all the photographers [myself included] were opposed to AY, BUT the point was about photographers' rights--the well-established right to photograph ANYTHING, as long as you're doing so from a public space.
BTW, I'm in the center right of Flatbush Gardener's last people photograph--the fat old white guy with dark glasses and a mustache. I made exactly one exposure [too cold and snowy] but will return with a tripod to do it right.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 11, 2008 4:21 PM
If you put a girl in a bikini in your pictures, they will be much more interesting.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 4:52 PM
"If you put a girl in a bikini in your pictures, they will be much more interesting."
And relevant.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 5:08 PM
It wasn't an anti-AY event, and it wasn't intended to draw hundreds of people. It was for photographers who live and take pictures in the immediate area, which is a relatively small group. In fact, it's amazing that 25 showed up on such a bitterly cold and windy day.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 5:21 PM
I walked from the PSFC over the 6th Ave Bridge yesterday heading back to FG right as the snow squalled through and the high winds kicked up.
By the look of the photos of the weather, I was there at the same time these guys were.
The wind was HORRIBLE! This has always, always, always been something I have pointed out regarding this Forest-City of towers they want to build. The environmental studies regarding wind are nearly nil. Towers are going to make it more horrendous than it already gets. The wind wasn't half as bad on 6th Ave in Park Slope or on the other side deeper into FG. It was horrible off of Flatbush and into PH and the footprint of the proposed project. It's just a result of the lay of the land. This same wind whips up Hanson and FCR's current buildings there didn't help with Hanson's wind tunnel effect. They basically closed it in permanently.
I was nearly air-surfing and with all my coop shopping was probably 250 lbs or so...high winds! Had to lean deep into the wind. It was terrible at 4pm or so at that spot way before the high winds picked up in the later evening all over NYC.
I can't believe these guys made it out there yesterday with the subzero wind chill. Anyway, as said above, it wasn't an anti-AY event.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 8:30 PM
DOORNAIL.
Posted by: guest at February 11, 2008 11:32 PM
It's funny how whenever the small turnouts are mentioned, the inevitable reply is to simply state that the turnout was, in fact, impressive.
Posted by: guest at February 12, 2008 9:02 AM
Were your feelings hurt? Well too bad. I am sure it was all done for your safety. Did you forget about 9/11. Grow up and knock off the nonsense! I have been told that the MTA Police Dept. is one of the best in the entire state. Enough already with this!
Posted by: guest at February 12, 2008 5:03 PM
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