A Photo Essay: New Orleans

[Jeff Fillmore]

I was fortunate enough to get to spend last weekend in New Orleans- mostly in and around the French Quarter- and with some actual time for photography. That being said I thought I would share a few of the images. It was my first trip there ever so I was not too sure what to expect- but I found the city and the people to be quite charming. I love the history and the little nuances and details found around every corner.

I took exactly 800 images but am going to take my time in processing them over the next few weeks. I'll post some of my favorites here if anyone is interested- if you would like to see even more they will be on my Flickr set HERE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/sets/72157619331608131/detail/). Feel free to comment or share your own photos and experiences.

The gear I ultimately took and used was as follows:
Nikon D700 & D200
28mm f1.4
50mm f1.2 AI-S
105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro
180mm f2.8

The only gear I took and never touched was the tripod and cable release- probably because I was still a little intimidated to lug that much equipment around an unfamiliar city. This trip I pretty much traveled light and kept moving. Next time I plan to put the tripod to better use.

The only gear I left home and regretted not having was an ultra-wide or fisheye lens. I found myself several times wishing I had both- particularly inside of St. Louis Cathedral. Something else to keep in mind for the next trip.

Constructive criticism welcome.

[Jeff Fillmore]

This image jumped out as one of my early favorites and I thought it just screamed for Black & White. He was playing on Decatour Street just outside the square. There was a television crew there filming him at the same time and he was really into his performance.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3605616059_7e2493e2ec_b.jpg

D700 & 180mm f2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3605616059/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))

[Jeff Fillmore]

The Angel of Grief monument is located in the crypt of Chapman H. Hymans in Metairie Cemetery. The blue light comes from three stained glass windows inside the mausoleum. I visited two cemeteries- this modern one and Lafayette #1 which is one of the oldest in the city. Both were quite interesting and awe inspiring in their own way. The area was extremely tight and I was crammed right in a corner- another place something wider than 28mm would have been good to have.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3605602297_277f5a5c29_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3605602297/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3605602527_4c1d4a118a_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 1.4 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3605602527/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))

[Art Scott]

Good Start....ya not goin' ta leave us ah hangin' are ya?????????:bow:bow:bow:bow:bow:thumb:thumb:thumb: thumb:thumb:clapmore:clapmore:clapmore:clap more :clapmore:clap

[rutt]

Gotta love the B&W portrait of the guy with the tattoos and jewelery. Lots of impact and not much room for improvement. It's a wow.

The Angel of Grief pictures are cool. I like the first one best, the background, particularly the window, are distracting in the second. I think that blue light is a little problematic. It makes it look like a duotone or like you didn't fix the color balance. For it to have the impact you want, you need to show the light somehow so it's possible to decode without having to read about it. That's the only thing better about the second one than the first.

So what's the essay going to say? Is there a story you want to tell?

[Jeff Fillmore]

Thanks Art-

Not too long- I'm just trying not to rush thru all the processing.


Thanks Rutt-

Good points on the Angel shots. I actually tried to bring out more of the blue in processing- it was actually not quite that dramatic. I have some more of her to process I'll try a little different take on.

As for the essay- not so much a story. Just a rarity that I have much time to dedicate just to photography- and in a new and interesting city to boot. Just the results of me playing Photojournalist for a long weekend. I pretty much just wandered around and shot was I found interesting. :D

[Jeff Fillmore]

My breakfast every morning I was there. Beignets and Cafe Au Lait from Cafe du Monde. I'm sure the narrow f1.4 DOF was way overkill here but I like it anyway- and it's the only shot I have since it's the only time I remembered to pick up the camera before digging in. :wink

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3606402380_a5e8de2010_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 1.4 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3606402380/meta/))

[Jeff Fillmore]

Taken from near and from far- the first shot was taken with the D200 and the 28mm which is near 'normal' on a DX camera. The second shot was from across the street with the 180mm. The longer lens is a bit more comfortable shooting people on the street since you don't have to be right on top of them to take the shot- easier to be discreet. I think I like the first one better though- because it shows the environment where he is performing. I shot a lot of street performers while I was there- none of them seemed to mind having their picture taken so long as I threw a doller or two in the hat.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3605615873_98cff59f35_b.jpg

D200 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3605615873/meta/))




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3605569675_56954256dc_b.jpg

D700 & 180mm f2.8 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3605569675/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))

[Nikolai]

Jeff, thank you for bringing up good memories! :thumb

[Jeff Fillmore]

I love the inside of St. Louis Cathedral- unfortunately I only got inside one time the whole weekend- and as you can (maybe) see it was occupied with a wedding rehearsal. Every other time I came back it was occupied with actual weddings and closed to the public. These are kind of selective focus- I have some of the Cathedral ceiling that I will post later.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3608896119_72c357277d_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3608896119/meta/))




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3608896335_35857a64c3_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 1.4 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3608896335/meta/in/photostream))

[Jeff Fillmore]

Lafayette Cemetery #1 is located in the historic Garden District. It is said to be among the city's earliest and most significant above ground burial sites. It is distinguished by its intersecting avenues, designed to accommodate funeral processions. I saw a lot of the crypts in various states of decay- a few were even open partially or completely. I spent an hour or so exploring- here are a few of the photographs.

She seems to be weeping over the unkempt memorial-

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3612133387_dfcb9d5e87_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3612133387/meta/))



Crucifix with Marti Grass Beads-

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3612133573_224533bf5f_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3612133573/meta/))



Deteriorating Crypt wall-

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3567/3612133201_e536da5201_b.jpg

D200 & 105mm f2.8 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3612133201/meta/))

[Jeff Fillmore]

I love the late afternoon when the light turns soft. Always my favorite time to shoot.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3612187173_e7a3c166fd_b.jpg

D700 & 50mm f1.2 @ 2 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3612187173/meta/))



This one was taken the afternoon I got there- kind of stormy and spitting rain. I corrected the distortion on this one and now it looks 'off' to me. :confused:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3613002604_4d4201db45_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3613002604/meta/))



I think the tee shirt says it all. ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3616072232_9964ef50ff_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3616072232/meta/))

[Jeff Fillmore]

Here are the last few since I feel like I am boring everyone to tears. :dunno

Still one of my favorites of the whole trip- I reworked it last night in color. actually I overlayed the color over the black & white to get kind of a moody tone and did away with the mild crop from the first version.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3627780182_098322f4b8_b.jpg

D700 & 180mm f2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3627780182/meta/))


One thing New Orleans certainly seemed to have no shortage of was interesting people. Here are a few more from the trip that I thought stood out.

Street Music - I love he looks so comfortable in his surroundings.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3625586678_42545965d6_b.jpg

D200 & 105mm f2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3625586678/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))


Skater- This guy was zipping down Royal so fast I almost missed it. A little blurry but I like the energy.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3601/3627712322_354c5c8381_b.jpg

D700 & 50mm f1.2 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3627712322/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))


Cowboys- This shot just cracked me up. Like these two guys just rode in on their tiny miniature horses for a hamburger. I had to wait ten minutes for them to get a break from all the girls wanting to pet the horses though so maybe I should not laugh too much- they may be on to something. :wink

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3615166673_4a0cde4ebc_b.jpg

D700 & 50mm f1.2 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3615166673/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))


Purple Hair Guy- Not sure if the mystic hair thing is working for this guy. He seemed to be one of the less busy forture tellers.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3626865529_aef73fbc0f_b.jpg

D700 & 180mm f2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3626865529/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))



Gypsy on Jackson Square - I like the special pointy hat sitting in the empty 'customer' chair. Not sure if wearing it maybe facilitates her mind reading superpowers?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3371/3627642898_aabd150347_b.jpg

D700 & 180mm f2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3627642898/meta/in/set-72157619331608131[/URL])</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This is pretty much my retirement plan now- except I'll have photographs hanging on the fence since I have no idea how to draw pictures.:scratch </p><p> </p><p>http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3625587054_4798f848e4_b.jpg</p><p> </p><p>D200 & 105mm f2.8 ([URL=&quot;http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3625587054/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))


French Quarter Traffic Jam - This pretty much sums it up... a car tailgating a mule all being passed by a guy on a bicycle.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3626783659_60fd397110_b.jpg

D200 & 105mm f2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3626783659/meta/in/set-72157619331608131))

[Nikolai]

Awesome, awesome stuff! :thumb :bow

[pathfinder]

I like these shots a lot; they carry the feel of New Orleans well, to me.

The pale blue of the Angel, while accurate, given the blue window allowing skylight to shine through, feels "off" . I wonder if a blue toned B&W, like a platinum tone might work. Sepia would be the other choice often used for statues. It is a lovely piece of statuary.

Cool street scenes, too.

Let's see some more! I am not bored!!

[sweet caroline]

Great work! I love how you've used a shallow depth of field in some. You've got some wonderful street shots. The light is wonderful. Definitely not boring.

Caroline

[dustin32]

I think the tee shirt says it all. ;)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3616072232_9964ef50ff_b.jpg

D700 & 28mm f1.4 @ 2.8 (Full EXIF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/3616072232/meta/))

Very cool shots! I think this one might look interesting in B&W.

[schmoo]

First of all, amazing set of photos from such a beautiful, soulful place. The first photo you posted is stunning - and I really love the b/w over the color version. :thumb

I shot a lot of street performers while I was there- none of them seemed to mind having their picture taken so long as I threw a doller or two in the hat.


I had a question about this and I even asked a friend who used to busk for a living. Giving them money for being a model is fair, but I never know whether to give the money first, thus altering their awareness of you, or waiting until afterward you shoot, when they might get pissed at you for taking advantage of them. In your experience, which do you find works better? :ear

[Mav]

These are fantastic shots! Really, very, very nice and motivating for me to take more shots!

[bike21]

Great series! I especially like the first one and the skater :thumb

[Jeff Fillmore]

I had a question about this and I even asked a friend who used to busk for a living. Giving them money for being a model is fair, but I never know whether to give the money first, thus altering their awareness of you, or waiting until afterward you shoot, when they might get pissed at you for taking advantage of them. In your experience, which do you find works better? :ear

Good question- I kind of struggled with that myself. At the end of the day I tried to do both. I would usually try to grab a few shots before hand although sometimes THAT just got them raising eyebrows, winking, and nodding vigorously toward their collection hat. Of the ones who payed attention (and I would say less than half did) I found their 'awareness' of the camera evident worst from the point that they see a big camera until the point they see a couple bucks left my fingertips- then they went back to doing what they were doing.

[Jeff Fillmore]

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to look and comment. I pretty much finished up processing these last night. Out of 800 pictures I brought home I thought 124 of them were good enough to share. Here are a few more- probably my last pictures post in this thread. If anyone would like to see more- or see the EXIF for any- please take a look on my Flickr Set. The sequence there has been reset so they are mostly in chronological order- my two camera’s clocks were not in sync though so not perfect.

Gallery: New Orleans - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/sets/72157619331608131/detail/)

Slideshow: New Orleans (http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturelifeinaction/sets/72157619331608131/show/)

(Warning- One or two may be borderline not safe for work.) :wink

Thanks!

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[UmmmHowsThat]

Excellent mix of people, structures and atmosphere! And bravo for getting such natural looks (or unnatural, once the camera is pulled?) from the folks that call The Big Easy their home.

I enjoy these very much :clap

[dave92029]

Love your composition, and how you use depth of field to focus on the subject. Very nice...more please.:thumb

[Thesmaz]

Great shots! N.O. is one of my our favorite cities. I really wish that I would've had a SLR for our numerous trips there several years ago.
Thanks again!

[dsm02c]

great work love the shots felt like being there.