Whirlwind trip to New Orleans between Christmas and the New Year. French Quarter, Fireworks and Family. The texture, color and energy of New Orleans was a glorious shock to a guy used to shooting in the comparably boring North Dallas suburbs.
I appreciate that I was able to capture this, but I can’t help feeling uncomfortable looking at it. I am very proud of the composition, yet I can’t help but feeling predatory or voyeuristic on shots like this.This was the second time I stopped on our afternoon walk to take a picture of these sea-foam chairs on the yellow wall. I am glad for the second stop because the light was just perfect.Waited across the street from this beautiful awning for a subject to poke through the shadows. I am learning that missing the focus doesn’t always ruin the picture.Thomas doing his best backlit Bob Dylan pose as he walked PERFECTLY into the center of the shot I was framing up. This was not the shot I thought I was going to take…and I am delighted by that.The French Quarter did not disappoint on a warm Saturday afternoon.Marissa was engrossed with this man’s story of rescuing his crow friend after being hit by a car. Everything about the French Quarter that afternoon was an unexpected experience.I was trying to catch the handoff of the joint between drummers, and missed it. The new joint owner saw what I was doing, and just leaned into it big time. Looked me right in the lens and took a solid drag to light up the cherry on the end. I think the photo turned out pretty well, but the experience of interacting with a total stranger like that…just having fun. That is something I won’t forget.Big time Edward Hopper vibes with the light at the abandoned body shop. New Orleans wasn’t holding back on color at all.Even in the middle of chaos, there is time for an ice-cream cone.
