<p>Im getting an error message both when i try to search but also when i tried to purchase membership. The site seems to think i purchased, but the credit card website said my card would not work, though i know it will</p>
<p>I'm having issues with the site, also.</p>
<p>I have been having problems with the photo search since Saturday. Worked fine on Friday though....</p>
<p>I am guessing they website is not up and working yet :)</p>
<p>I called Thornton this morning.. they have the pics uploaded but their website is having technical difficulties. I did find pic of Lola on Dropshots thanks to USNA2010 and USNA2010and2007.</p>
<p>I don't know why USNA2010 is taking pictures of the mess hall. Visitors are not suppose to "watch" the mids eating....hence they put the blinds on the drydock side. If USNA was okay with letting visitors watch, they wouldn't have put the blinds up and put up signs disallowing people from entering the hall. The reason they don't have blinds on the other doors is because the doors are opened and closed a lot, which would ruin the blinds.</p>
<p>It is one thing to take pictures while plebes are out and about (while I think this person is already over doing it) and it is another thing to be treated like animals at the zoo. I think any person who takes pictures at USNA should question themselves, "Would I care if I was the one in the photo?"</p>
<p>jadler03,
In addition to the privacy issue, taking pictures in the mess hall is primarily a security issue too, and that concerns me.</p>
<p>From what I saw, the deck pictures were taken from outside....not sure about the one other picture from the deck above.</p>
<p>Yes, security could be an issue, too. To be frank, if my mother was going around and taking those pictures, I would be quite upset.</p>
<p>It is common courtesy to respect the privacy of others.</p>
<p>The Thornton Studios Co. has been commisioned by the Academy, to take pictures of plebe summer. Part of the profit from the sale of said pictures I think goes back to USNA. it is not, from my understanding ,just some random parent with a camera taking pictures. I was not able to access the pictures as well. I hope it is a problem on their end because if not I wasted 34.95</p>
<p>As the parent of a new plebe, I am extremely grateful to everyone out there taking pictures! I've found a couple of my son and it is so wonderful to be able to do so. I extend my heartfelt gratitude!
FYI, I'm also unable to view the pictures on Thornton's website but can view the daily schedule which is nice.</p>
<p>I'm with you Nick! Love all the photos! Although I have only found one of Lola so far :) I will keep up the search.</p>
<p>To plebe parents,</p>
<p>I understand you are grateful...and there is nothing wrong with that. However, remember that you take the perspective of a parent and NOT a MIDN. Would you want someone in your dining room area taking photos while you ate? I highly doubt so. </p>
<p>Essentially what this mom is doing is following plebes everywhere. Thornton Studios is an exception because USNA contracts them...they are professionals. I can tell you from personal experience, having Thorton Studios is enough of a distraction....having a mom put her camera up to the mess hall windows and taking pictures goes way beyond. Not only is it a violation of privacy (and possibly security), it shows a lack of respect for the cadre/MIDN and USNA Training.</p>
<p>And now that I see more pictures, some were taken where visitors ARE NOT AUTHORIZED.</p>
<p>Does anyone have a really good photo of the fly over on I-Day?
THANKS!</p>
<p>M2L...check on the <a href="http://www.usna.com%5B/url%5D">www.usna.com</a> under the I-Day 2011 link</p>
<p>The two problems here are:</p>
<p>1) Taking photos of MIDN inside the mess hall (this is not allowed).</p>
<p>2) Taking photos of chapel services (while in progress) is not allowed.</p>
<p>This is out of respect. OIC/Chaplains of plebe summer are going to take action.</p>
<p>The two women (usna2010 and usna07and10) taking pictures met with the administration last year and had permission to photograph the events that they posted, this was posted and verified on the parents list serv run through the alumni association. Their pictures are really much better then Thortons and are free to download. My now 3/c has many of the dropshot pictures on his picasa site and has used them in photo montages for his Xmas card. He really appreciated those pictures after the fact. Kind of helped put plebe summer in a good light after the fact. That is where he decided it was more or less summer camp with guns!</p>
<p>Neither of these two women have plebes this year, both have 3/c's and one's husband is an alumni. Last year the events that they photographed did not focus on either's plebes company but on whichever company was participating in the event that they had chosen to photograph for the day. It was very spread out representing all companies.</p>
<p>That may be correct. I never actually said they could not photograph on the yard. I just gave my opinion and I thought it was quite excessive. What IS NOT allowed are the two points in my previous post.</p>
<p>The OIC had even stood a watch BEFORE these pictures were taken to ensure that visitors could not take pictures from the 2nd deck of DH. Obviously, one of the ladies was able to take a few pics.</p>
<p>Secondly, the chaplains do not want pictures being taken DURING services. I highly doubt that was brought up in a meeting with the admin.</p>
<p>Thirdly, there is an entirely new administration from the Supe, Dant, DepDant, and OIC...so things might change course. Though, it is understandable that permission last summer = permission this summer.</p>
<p>Otherwise, the two moms are free to take almost any other pictures...just as I said earlier...I don't agree with coming to USNA and taking pictures everyday...but that's the two parents decision, not mine.</p>
<p>Interesting website concerning an individual's right to privacy, which I think might apply here, maybe even if not legally, probably ethically:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.publaw.com/photo.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.publaw.com/photo.html</a></p>
<p>As with most things in life, it is all a matter of repect and finding the right balance....</p>
<p>as a parent, I loved being able to peruse the photos in search of our plebe... and when I finally found him (after many, many "false alarms," by heart overfloweth with joy!)</p>
<p>Having said that, I can also appreciate it from the other side.... I am not sure how I would feel being on display or in a fishbowl, every grunt and groan suspectable to public posting....and certainly, I would second that photos should not be taken in "non-public" areas....</p>
<p>what I did notice is that the mids last year who were "ok" with the process looked straight into the lens with huge grins for "mom and dad".... just as there were many who looked away or concealed themselves behind others...</p>
<p>so while I valued the thousands of photos posted each week, I can imagine it may have been difficult for those struggling through some tough days at the academy....and how frustrating it must be for those doing the training....just as I can appreciate the joy spotting one's plebe brought to the hearts of their parents....(me included I'm afraid!)</p>
<p>I don't recall the photos taken last year including any taken inside Dalgren or the Chapel....other than the Halloween concert and the like....but not during any service....and again, "non-public" boundaries should be respected...</p>
<p>I am also of the opinion that parents should not be on the yard during plebe summer.... as hard as that may be, we, as parents, need to respect the rules as well....just as we expect our mids to respect and follow them...
so no yard.....(as hard as it is, it is more than time to let go!!!)</p>
<p>plebe summer is only a few short weeks when it comes right down to it...and PPW will be here before you know it....
the visit is made that much "sweeter" with the absence inbetween...</p>
<p>having said that, having met both "photographers," they were very professional in their own right....and, IMO, did a much better job than the other "professionals" hired to do it....I do not recall any dining room/chapel photos posted last year by either group.... and with the size of their lenses, it appeard they kept a respectful distance from what I understand.....</p>
<p>perhaps having 2 "reps" taking pics instead of "thousands" of others trying to catch a glimpse is perhaps not a bad solution...as long as the "boundaries" are respected???</p>