New Orleans, LA

[Bob Kerner]

I'll be traveling to New Orleans later this month for a conference and staying near the Hilton, Riverside on Poydras Street. I've never been to La so the street names/districts/parishes are meaningless to me.

I'm contemplating bringing a small LF kit to shoot the urban area. I won't have access to a car, so we're talking walking distance from the hotel.

Is there anything of interest in that area; for example, old buildings, colorful personalities, streetscapes, a park?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

[Bill_1856]

New Orleans is like Paris -- a blind man could make great photographs there. Don't worry about not having a car, all the best stuff is in walking distance from your hotel.

[David de Gruyl]

What Bill said. Also, you will be near the streetcar if you want to go a little further.

Walk along the river, walk through the French Quarter, walk in any direction, actually.

How big a LF kit are we talking about? I might be tempted to bring my 70lb 8x10 monster (total kit weight, not just the camera), but I'd rather have a 4x5 field camera kit. If only to save on the 15 lbs of tripod / head.

[Thom Bennett]

You will be only blocks from the French Quarter which is very picturesque and full of characters/personalities. Despite its name, most of the architectural details are Spanish in origin. If you have the time catch the streetcar at Canal and Carondolet (again, just blocks away) and head into the Garden District and Uptown. Lots of beautiful 150 year old homes along the way. At the foot of Canal St. (a block from the Hilton) you can catch the Algiers Ferry. Walk-ons are free. Take it across the Mississippi River and walk along the levee for a spectacular view of the city, especially at dusk. As a perk, there is a bar there called The Dry Dock; great burgers and local characters. If you need any help with particulars feel free to PM me. We also have a very vibrant Photo Alliance (http://neworleansphotoalliance.org/); check out the blog for current info on exhibitions, etc. Enjoy your visit!

[Bob Kerner]

How big a LF kit are we talking about? I might be tempted to bring my 70lb 8x10 monster (total kit weight, not just the camera), but I'd rather have a 4x5 field camera kit. If only to save on the 15 lbs of tripod / head.

I don't have a lot of stuff to begin with: one camera and lens. Am hoping to find a Crown between now and then as it will be quicker to set up and operate and will survive the journey better.

I was thinking maybe 3 holders, 10 sheets of film, meter, loop, small Gitzo and that's about it. Has to fit in a small knapsack; otherwise, I might as well hump everything and that sort of defeats the purpose of walking around town going ultra-light.

Thanks for the input. I think I'll give it a shot.

[Thom Bennett]

Also, there is a Canal St. streetcar (the red ones; St. Charles street cars are green) that ends at City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art. Nearby are some of the above ground cemeteries that are so unique.

[tgtaylor]

New Orleans is Flatland which means that you could rent a bicycle with a rear carrier and, if you have the time and don't mind peddling, easily explore the whole urban settings with the same intimacy as if you were walking and not carrying anything on your shoulders.

Red Street Cars!!! God, I got to get back.

Enjoy your visit. New Orleans is the most unique city and culture in the nation.

[Pat Kearns]

Mardi Gras will be starting so New Orleans will be full of "Colorful People". Depending on your length of stay, 3 holders and 10 sheets of film is not nearly enough for New Orleans. If you have a digital take that along for quick shots.

[Thom Bennett]

Whatever amount of film you think you'll need you will need to bring it with you. There is only one place in town that carries sheet film: http://www.neworleansdarkroom.com/ The selection is slim but even if you don't get film there they probably won't mind if you use their film changing room to load holders. They are not within walking distance, however. They are in the Lower Garden District just a short bus ride away. (Magazine St. bus).

[Bob Kerner]

Sadly I'll miss Mardi Gras.

I arbitrarily selected 10 sheets. I'm going for a conference (Friday thru Wed) and hope to sneak away an hour in the morning or evening before the day's events. Maybe I should be more liberal with the sheet stock and bring the pup tent to empty and load.

[tgtaylor]

No place in the city to self-process your own B&W or color? What about darkroom chemicals - developers, etc. - can they be purchased locally or must you bring your own?

[Simon Benton]

New Orleans is a great city with great character, vibrancy and history. So much to see and photograph whatever the weather. Make sure you sample the grilled/baked oysters in one of the many pubs in the French Quarter - I hope to be there again sometime in February to partake of that pleasure.

[Thom Bennett]

tg, sadly, no, there is nowhere to self-process anymore. There is one place Uptown that caters to the colleges that sells D-76, Dektol, stop, and fixer. The Darkroom (mentioned above) may still have their film-processing room plumbed but I'm not sure about that. If they do you could process there. Best to check directly with them. New Orleans was really never that big but it certainly became a very small market after the storm. I read the other day that we have lost 25% of our population in the last 10 years. Still a great place, though! If the OP or anyone else ever needs assistance prior to or during a visit please do not hesitate to PM me. If I can't help you I probably know someone who could.

[Pat Kearns]

Bob, if you get a chance visit, A Gallery For Fine Photography at 241 Chartres St., an excellent gallery that is worth the time you can spare. My wife and I visit it every time we are in New Orleans. Great collection of prints from the beginning of photography to modern day.

[Ed Richards]

Bring more film than 10 sheets. Up river from your hotel (opposite direction from the French Quarter) is the old business district. It has a lot of interesting late 1800s architecture. There is a great church close to your hotel, Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church, 130 Baronne St. You can see pictures of it here:

http://www.epr-art.com/galleries/b4a-la-ca-churches/ (at the bottom)

The father is friendly to LF photography, as long as you are respectful and do not interrupt anything.

I second the visit to A Gallery:

http://www.agallery.com/

One of the best in the US, and very nice people.

[Bob Kerner]

Thank you everyone for the excellent suggestions.

[rguinter]

Another suggestion.

If time permits take the ferry across the river for a sunset looking back at the city. You can catch the ferry boat across the street from Harrah's casino. An easy walk.

I visit New Orleans area for business once or twice a year and I always get across and take some shots looking back from Old Algiers.

You can also walk for a couple miles on the levee.

http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/transportation/gettingaround/ferry.html

Enjoy your trip.

Bob G.

[Bob Kerner]

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. I took Thom's advice and went to the garden district today. Never made it past/out of the cemetery. A lot of subject matter in there!

Wandering the French Quarter with a wooden field camera was a real trip. I must have answered 100 questions about the camera and whether I was a street performer.

Thanks again
Bob

[Thom Bennett]

Bob,

Glad you are enjoying yourself! If you are in the French Quarter again don't miss The Napoleon House. A great place to relax, grab a bite and a drink.

Thom