New Orleans

[Laszlo]

Will travel to New Orleans in the next few days and taking my 4x5 along. Any recommendations come to mind for cityscapes? Many thanks.

[Ed Richards]

Start in the French Quarter at dawn and you can shot before things get moving. The Explore the Garden District by driving down St Charles to where it dead ends. Drive back on Magazine street to the far side of the Quarter and take Esplanade to the art museum.

[BarryS]

Me too. If you spot a guy with a Speed Graphic and a Darlot--that would be me. :)

[Simon Benton]

There are so many great scenes to photograph in New Orleans - one of my favorite cities and it is very photogenic wherever you are in the French Quarter and along the river. Make sure to visit the grave yards but take care. Enjoy the baked oysters too!

[Brian Ellis]

Last time I was in NO - about 8 years ago - we got a bunch of warnings from the hotel concierge and others about going in some of the cemeteries. At that time it apparently was common practice for thieves to hide behind the mausoleums and then rob people as they went by. I wouldn't think things have improved since Katrina but maybe Ed or someone else who lives there could update you. Personally I wouldn't take expensive camera gear into one of the major cemeteries without knowing that that problem no longer exists.

[Laszlo]

Thanks everybody -- will try Fr quarter, seems like that will keep me busy.

[Robert Hall]

If you head north west out of the french quarter there is a decent cemetery. I felt ok going in as there was a policeman stationed outside the only gate open. It made for a safer experience as it is in a slightly dodgey spot.

[Thom Bennett]

The French Quarter can keep you busy with Architectural subjects all day long as well as interesting people. Be prepared to tip any street performers you photograph. The cemeteries are very interesting and the one just north of the Quarter has Marie Laveau's grave. Go into the cemeteries with at least one other person to watch your back and your stuff. If you have time and are in the Garden District come by the New Orleans Photo Alliance Gallery, 1111 St. Mary St. (just off the 1900 block of Magazine St.) We have a show up entitled Four by Five which was juried by Steve Simmons of View Camera Magazine. Right around the corner is The Darkroom and he has some large format film if you need it. Go to Frenchman St. at night for great local entertainment. Have fun!

[Thom Bennett]

Oh, and don't forget to go to The Napoleon House for a drink and/or a bite to eat. Best bar in the world!

[Ed Richards]

St Louis Cemetery #3, on 3421 Esplanade Avenue, is in midtown and is safe. One of the most impressive is Metairie Cemetery, which is also safe:

http://www.nolacemeteries.com/metairie.html

[tgtaylor]

Oh, and don't forget to go to The Napoleon House for a drink and/or a bite to eat. Best bar in the world!

It is, or at least was, a college (Tulane/Loyola) bar. Nice ambience and crowd but not the "best bar" in New Orleans which probably does have the best bars in the world. Best food too.

[Brian Vuillemenot]

Last time I was in NO - about 8 years ago - we got a bunch of warnings from the hotel concierge and others about going in some of the cemeteries. At that time it apparently was common practice for thieves to hide behind the mausoleums and then rob people as they went by. I wouldn't think things have improved since Katrina but maybe Ed or someone else who lives there could update you. Personally I wouldn't take expensive camera gear into one of the major cemeteries without knowing that that problem no longer exists.

Not my experience- I shot in the cemetaries a number of times when I lived in NO and never had any problem. Of course, you need to be careful and observant there as well as anywhere else in that city, but I never encountered anything like that. My favorite is Metairie Cemetary-lots of scenic old tombs and statuary.

[Brian Vuillemenot]

Another recommendation is all of the beautiful old oak trees in City Park and Audubon Park

[Flea77]

Last time I was there shooting you could shoot St. Louis Cathedral as long as you didn't use flash. Early in the morning there was no one there so they might let you set up a tripod and shoot if you made a "donation" and asked nicely. Didn't have my 4x5 then but would love a LF shot of their ceiling.

Allan

[Ed Richards]

My churches page has some interiors of Immaculate Conception Church in NO at the bottom, with a GPS map link:

http://www.epr-art.com/galleries/b4a-la-ca-churches/

It is usually open, and they have not minded picture taking.

[Thom Bennett]

It is, or at least was, a college (Tulane/Loyola) bar. Nice ambience and crowd but not the "best bar" in New Orleans which probably does have the best bars in the world. Best food too.

I was exercising a bit of hyperbole simply because it is my favorite bar. :) I don't think of it as a college bar at all, though. New Orleans does have great bars and great food.

[tgtaylor]

No, it's not a college bar although it is frequented by a number of the faculty and students from nearby Tulane and Loyola Universities as well as the more sophisticated and refined residents of the City. I was somewhat stretching the relation there.

It a great bar with good ambiance. I've always enjoyed it.

[rguinter]

I'm sorry I didn't see this thread when it first posted. I travel to New Orleans frequently on business. I like to take the ferry across the river in the evening and shoot the city skyline at sunset. Ferry is free for walk-ons and $1 for cars. The paved pathway along the levee goes for several miles with good photo opportunities at many points along the way. This one caught with Provia and my Fuji 617. My next trip I plan to do it with 4x5 and a variety of lenses. Whatever I can carry on the flight. Cheers. BG

[Thom Bennett]

Excellent recommendation! I live across the river and take the ferry to work. It is the best view of the city.

[rguinter]

Excellent recommendation! I live across the river and take the ferry to work. It is the best view of the city.

Thom: Yes it's a very nice ride. This one grabs your ferryboat in motion.

I've also done a number of shots up-river looking back at the city from under the bridge.

Are there any other locations in Old Algiers you would recommend I try? I'm starting to know my way around there pretty well. Cheers. BG

[Nathan Smith]

No, it's not a college bar although it is frequented by a number of the faculty and students from nearby Tulane and Loyola Universities as well as the more sophisticated and refined residents of the City. I was somewhat stretching the relation there.

It a great bar with good ambiance. I've always enjoyed it.

Yep, great place - try the muffaletta and a cold "Pimm's cup" on a warm day.

[Thom Bennett]

"Are there any other locations in Old Algiers you would recommend I try? I'm starting to know my way around there pretty well. Cheers. BG"

Depends on what you like to shoot but there is some typical New Orleans architecture (Algiers Point is the 2nd oldest intact neighborhood after the French Quarter), a couple of old churches, a great neighborhood bar along the levee (The Old Point Bar; http://www.oldpointbar.com/). This site has a lot of good information: http://www.algierspoint.org/.

When you are in town next check out the New Orleans Photo Alliance gallery. We always have something interesting going on: http://neworleansphotoalliance.org/

[rguinter]

"Are there any other locations in Old Algiers you would recommend I try? I'm starting to know my way around there pretty well. Cheers. BG"

Depends on what you like to shoot but there is some typical New Orleans architecture (Algiers Point is the 2nd oldest intact neighborhood after the French Quarter), a couple of old churches, a great neighborhood bar along the levee (The Old Point Bar; http://www.oldpointbar.com/). This site has a lot of good information: http://www.algierspoint.org/.

When you are in town next check out the New Orleans Photo Alliance gallery. We always have something interesting going on: http://neworleansphotoalliance.org/

Thanks for the tips. I've gotten to know Algiers point pretty well.

Panoramics are my favorite but I've been known to drift into other things at times. I've been partial to infrared lately and with those I've been doing more traditional formats including more 4x5.

I had to cancel my April trip due to knee surgery. But I should be back sometime in the fall ready to hike around with my photo pack. Looking forward. Cheers. Bob G.

[Thom Bennett]

Let me know when you are coming and we'll grab a beer!

[venchka]

Make sure you see ALL of the French Quarter. It's actually quite large. Go all the way from Canal to Esplanade. Esplanade runs from the River to City Park. Very nice street. Burgers at Port O'Call on Esplanade should not be missed. You really need a 4x5 AND a Leica for the French Quarter.
Have Fun!

[rguinter]

Thanks Thom. I'll keep you in mind when I'm back in town. Our company headquarters is in St. Rose. I typically visit once or twice a year for a week each time.

On my last couple of trips I was trying to get that perfect shot from under the bridge but not having any success getting precisely what I want. The sky colors and mosquitoes just wouldn't cooperate. Note the bugger that got inside my 617 camera when changing films. And the old railcars on the adjacent siding. For the railcars I'll need to get there earlier when there's better light. Cheers. Bob G