Help me sort my Katrina Pictures

[Ed Richards]

I have selected about 50 of my Katrina pictures as the best of the lot:

http://www.epr-art.com/katrina/best/index.htm

If you have looked at earlier versions, these have all been reprocessed, rescanned in most cases, and optimized for fine prints on paper.

In selecting these, I spent a lot of time thinking about what makes my images different from the many other good collections about Katrina. I think the key difference is that each image is intended to stand alone graphically, i.e., be a successful image without the context of Katrina. Or, as my wife diplomatically puts it, not just another picture of a pile of crap.

I am sorting these down to about 20 for a portfolio review, and would appreciate comments and suggestions. In one case - the Rolls with the FEMA trailers - I cannot decide which perspective I like best.

[darr]

Hi Ed,

As soon as I get more time (a day or two) I will enjoy helping you with editing suggestions. The Rolls/Trailer shot immediately hits me as more compelling with the larger view showing the pedestal with plant. Kind of helps gives the message, "I use to live upscale, so this is the reason for the Rolls."

Darr

[venchka]

My wife and I are making a list and checking it twice.

I do agree with Darr. The second Rolls+Trailer photo has too much Rolls.

[Henry Ambrose]

These go in for sure:

367, 382, 384, 863, 903, 1017, 1070, 1129, 1210, 234, 354, 399, 935

As I've said before, your whole project is excellent work.

[Eric James]

Beautiful work Richard!

237
376
405
863
937
1129
1120 (heckava job Brownie)
239
234
and
1020 (Isn't that the point: too much Rolls)

Eric

[Bob Jones]

Another vote for the wider view of the Rolls.

I'd certainly include 1196. Jazz is so emblematic of New Orleans that the cymbal is, well, a symbol of sorts.

[Steven Barall]

Hi Ed,
First of all let me say that I have really enjoyed looking at your photos.
Here is my list:
000237 Viking ship.
000239
000280 The eyes of that car looking back at you.
000360 For the record and I like it otherwise too.
000384
000407
000426
000808 000824 000871 001017 001117 001210 234 354
520 Awesome 542 Fitzcaraldo 000854

Well thats it for me Ed. Really fabulous. Congrats.

Cheers, Steven.

[venchka]

All of your photographs are very good.

Here are our selections:

367, 376, 382, 386, 405, 407, 409, 808, 824, 863, 871,
903 "Stairway to Heaven"
904, 1017, 1070, 1207, 1213, 1009, 234, 399, 520, 542

You'll notice that we are partial to the Mississippi coast.

Thanks for your hard work and vision.

[David Karp]

Ed,

I would love to take a run at this for you. It will take some time to digest.

Awesome work. The best I have seen on the subject.

[Merg Ross]

Ed, you have some very powerful and well composed images. Congratulations! It was indeed a sad event that gave you this opportunity, a point that should not be forgotten.

In 1991, after over two thousand homes burned in my neighborhood, I attempted a similar project of documentation following the fire. I had high hopes for the project, but after a couple of days in the rubble, and meeting the survivors, I abandoned the project. I could not divorce myself from the immense depression of the whole event. I am sure that you must have had similar feelings.

As to helping you sort, I made a quick list, and find that about ten of my choices are noted in preceeding posts. With twenty images, you can make a very strong portfolio.

Again, very fine work. Thanks.

Merg

[Ed Richards]

Thanks everyone!

Merg,

I know exactly what you mean. Baton Rouge, which I live and teach, was within the reach of the storm but is on high ground, so we were inunnudated by refugees before and immediately after the storm. We had more than 250,000 folks in BR a day after the storm, adding about 50% to our population. We were then the staging area for the relief, and as well as having to get ourselves back in operation. All that activity, plus not wanting to get in the way of the rescues, keep me out of NO for a couple of months. That made it a lot more bearable, but getting inside those flooded churches was still sad. I regret not getting in earlier, but, like you, I saw it as a community disaster and not a news story/political opportunity. There will be a big show about Katrina at the LA State Archives next year by local artists of all sorts. There was a lot of great local work that has not gotten much national press.

[darr]

Ed,

I actually ended up with 25, but I did my best to trim it down even further. I hope there will be a book and print sales in the future as I have a few favorites I'd like to hold on to. Best, Darr

239
360
367
384
426
824
863
871
903
1017
1120
1129
1207
1009
1284
203
234
272
513
935