Friday, January 15, 2010

Theme Day: Best Photo of the Year 2009



City Daily Photo has chosen January 15th as the day where we showcase our best photo of 2009. I chose this one, shot from the Ports O' Call Village, of the brigantine Irving Johnson, docked on the main channel here at the Port of Los Angeles. I picked this one because of the community service this program provides to at-risk youth, and how well the photo represents San Pedro. You can see the shipping containers and the Vincent Thomas Bridge in the background.

In sailing, a brigantine is a vessel with two masts, only the forward of which is square rigged.

The twin brigantines Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson are the flagships of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute's (LAMI) TopSail Youth program, a non-profit organization created as a character building organization to help at risk youth prepare for life through the discipline and teamwork required to safely handle a tall ship. They join LAMI's topsail schooners the Swift of Ipswich and the Bill of Rights in introducing youths to the subtle but profound influence presented by the sea.

Named for sail training pioneers Irving and Electa "Exy" Johnson, the brigantines take on a proud history initiated by their namesakes. Seven time veteran circumnavigators of the world on board two different boats both named Yankee, each trip with a new crew of boys and girls armed only with a sense of adventure and curiosity. For 25 years beginning in the late 1930s, Irving and Exy did what was thought impossible, and lived a life now legendary. (more from wikipedia here)

IT'S ALSO SKYWATCH FRIDAY TODAY:
Visit blue skies around the world here.

CITY DAILY PHOTO THEME DAY EVENT:
Be sure to check out the best photos of 2009!
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

6 comments:

  1. How beautiful!
    Great scene and capture!

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  2. The ship, your photo and the community service are all beautiful individually but everything together makes it truly special.

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  3. An excellent choice for so many reasons and even without those, the photograph all by itself is superb. I remember this ship when it was just framework, upside down. I might have some photos of it too.

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  4. A good choice, its a lovely scene.

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So nice to hear from you!

Warm regards,
Lori Lynn