Saturday, March 29, 2008

Day 5, Audobon Park

Today we went to Saint Louis Cemetery and did some shooting around there. Many of the crypts are falling apart. Some are taken care of by the family members that are still in the area. Others are not. Brian was telling me that some families dint even know that their families have crypts.

Afterwards we took the street car to Audubon Park and had a picnic with the whole group. It was a nice relaxing hour. The essay group picked up stuff for the picnic and met the editorial group.

Brian, Britney and I went and took photographs of the large homes around the park. Many of the homes are amazing in size and the details in how it was built. I love the cornice, moldings and the columns.

In the evening we went to Cafe Du Monde and tried begnette which were amazing and did some shopping.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

3rd day, 6am is too early

Today we were up bright and early to capture some amazing light on the homes. Today is the day we photography Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is building homes all over the city but we photographed the Musicians village. We arrived early to get that great light on the homes and to get a feel for the area. We started at 9 and was shooting photographs as quick as we could. Many of us shooting over 400 images and many of us getting burned. I survived for the most part. I am not manila color but I'm not Minnesota white either. I am going to add my images from habitat. I just need to get them fixed up. I met some amazing people that came from all over the country to help the locals rebuild and to just have a home to live in. Some came as far as California and Colorado. Some as close as West Monroe, LA with a church group. Thank you all for your hard work in helping these people during your spring break. Who said that there was any compassion left in this world?


After we came back we did a critique and than went off to the cemeteries. The light was amazing of the tombs. Some of the havebeen broken off but many look just like they were before the Hurricane. We shot around the cemetery for about an hour or so and than road the street car back to the hotel and went for dinner and than off to bed. What another busy day. Tomorrow we are sure to be just as busy

Day 2, Not such an early day

Today we went to the parish Holy Cross. The neighborhood is slowly coming back on its feet but it is taking a while. Some of the pictures I included are in that area. I didn't take as many pictures of the larger picture. I am more of the details that are often missed in the area.






After, we had lunch we went to the Ogden Museum. The museum is a center for Southern arts. It has art from artist that are from the South and art that was been done about the South.

After the museum we went down to the French Quarter to do photographs of street performers. I did some of bands playing down there and some kids skateboarding down off the river.



The next thing we did was architecture in the French Quarter. I thought I got some amazing images but that is my opinion. Than after a late night of downloading all of my images we went off to bed and i snored my way to the next early morning.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Day 1, 4am Wake up

Today is the first day of my New Orleans trip. Oh, what an early morning. We had to be up at 3 to be at the airport on time. I was of course but there was so not so. We were all very excited to go and get here to start our photography. I couldn't wait to try all the new things here.

When we arrived we had lunch at Gordon Birsch, right by Harrah's casino. Very good Cajun pasta. Next we went on a tour of the city. A guided with the city. It was very glossed over. In my opinion. We went through several of the still damaged areas. many of the homes are being worked on but ALOT are still empty.

The tour guide brought us through the musician's row houses. Where it is put together by some of the bigger names that live here. The owners do have to provide a certain amount of time to volunteer hours. Very much like habitat for humanity.

After we went on our tour, Emily, Amanda, Jorie, and I went for a walk to our group get together, which was about a mile and a half, maybe a little more. We got yelled at on the walk by a woman that didnt want us to be in front of her house since someone had stolen her stuff. When we got to Juan's Flying Burrito we found out that it was closed and that we had to try and catch a bus. Everything worked out in the end and we were able to get to eat. After that we waited an hour for a bus to come to our stop.

By that time I was so tired we went back to our room and after getting ready for bed I fell asleep in midsentance. Which is pretty crazy. More look back for more tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

When the Levees Broke

As I think about all the things that have happened to the people in, not only New Orleans, but all across the South. I think this should not have happened. People died that could have been saved. Our country is fighting a war overseas and spending thousands of dollars for another country when that money could be used right here in our country.

Every time I think about the tragedy that has accrued to these people I think that something can be done and it should have been done 6 months after it happened, not 2 and a half years of waiting. It makes me mad every time I think about this great city sitting in ruins. The people are still living in trailers and not their rebuilt homes.

Very recently I read an article that said that over 40% of the people are still waiting for checks for the company that is sending them out. The company wont even return calls to the people and that the company has actually made money off the fact that they are the check distributors. This is what makes me more mad about this situation.

I hope that when I go down to New Orleans that I can create images that will compell people to help and make a differnce in anothers life.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008