Going to New Orleans and Biloxi

[david b]

On Wednesday I am going to NOLA and Biloxi with a friend with the sole intention of photographing the landscape as it looks 5 months after Hurricane Katrina.

I will be shooting with my Hasselblad Xpan II and Hasselblad 503cw. I am packing light so I will be taking the 45mm and 90mm for the X and just the 80mm for the 503.

I will be taking 60 rolls of APX100 with me as well as my tripod and a Pentax digital spot meter.

Any advice? Any thing I must see? Anyone I must see?

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I was both places a few days after Katrina, the areas along the coast were the most damaged. Alot has been cleaned or bulldozed since but there is still some damage. Good Luck.

Todd

 

[david b]

I just got a report the Biloxi is still very bad. I had wanted to go right afterwards but my emotions and family would not let me.

 

[ch1]

My only suggestion is to "blow your budget" and spend lots of money helping their local economy! :angel:

 

[david b]

I plan on eating and drinking well. My tipping calculator will be left at home. I intend on being "very" generous.

 

[egpj]

David,

Right now I am based out of Alexandria, LA. Capturing mapping data over Slidell and New Orleans. Yesterday weather was bad so we drove down to Slidell and then across the bridge into New Orleans. By driving from Slidell down Ponchartrain Drive you will witness some bad devastation. After getting across Lake Ponchatrain you can jump on I-10 and head into New Orleans. Bourbon Street is very active right now and there is allot of police presence in the area. The devastation is very visible. If you go around the wreckage then be carefull. Also, to the west of New Orleans (between New Orleans and Baton Rouge) there is allot of road work on I-10 west bound. This road work put my crew and I 2 hours behind schedule. Avoid that area like the plague. Have a safe trip.

Glenn

 

[Byuphoto]

David,

Right now I am based out of Alexandria, LA. Capturing mapping data over Slidell and New Orleans. Yesterday weather was bad so we drove down to Slidell and then across the bridge into New Orleans. By driving from Slidell down Ponchartrain Drive you will witness some bad devastation. After getting across Lake Ponchatrain you can jump on I-10 and head into New Orleans. Bourbon Street is very active right now and there is allot of police presence in the area. The devastation is very visible. If you go around the wreckage then be carefull. Also, to the west of New Orleans (between New Orleans and Baton Rouge) there is allot of road work on I-10 west bound. This road work put my crew and I 2 hours behind schedule. Avoid that area like the plague. Have a safe trip.

Glenn

Hey I am only about 80 mles N of Alex

 

[Honu-Hugger]

It was impossible to find a bad meal (or so it seems) before the devastation; I hope the restaurants and bars are up and running. It sounds like a fascinating trip, I wish you well and hope we see your pictures when you return.

Best wishes for a safe trip,

 

[david b]

I will have time if anyone would like to meet up and show me and my friend around or even meet for dinner. My buddy is shooting with his Hasselblad and his Leica M7. I will try to post a bunch of photos here or at least a link to my website so you all can give me feedback.

 

[vodid]

I live in New Orleans, in an unflooded area called Bywater, right near the now famous industrial canal that broke spilling water into the lower Nin't Ward, which is on the other side of the industrial canal. New Orleans is currently in the middle of the long carnival season which starts on Twelfth Night (6 days after New Years) and culminates on Fat Tuesday...Mardi Gras Day. So the effect of carnival is beginning to be felt in the air. The Katrina devastation is indeed shocking, but there is a lot of really cool stuff to see as well. Some of the kooky artists around the neighborhood have been making quick and impromptu street sculptures using the giant mounds of stuff being thrown out as source material. These temporary art pieces last until they are hauled off along with the rest of the crap being thrown out. The neighborhood bars are doing a pretty good business, and the French Quarter is packed and festive...just as you'd normally expect on a visit to New Orleans. My advice would be to go downriver from the French Quarter, to the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, and enjoy some of the funky neighborhood bars. Get out on foot and make some photos of the eccentricity that is so prevalent here. Today, for example, I saw two gals from a distance, and they were all dolled up with really fancy dresses...as I approached however, they both had beards. Put this in context with everything being sorta tattered, and trash piled up everywhere, and you can imagine that there's probably a wealth of photographic opportunity.

I can offer more specific suggestions for places to visit if you wish.

haroldgee@cox.net

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I have to say that I'm really glad to hear that the carnival spirit isn't going to be crushed this year due to Katrina. I'm not coming down this year, but I was hoping to spend some time down there next year with some friends.

 

[RJBender]

On Wednesday I am going to NOLA and Biloxi with a friend with the sole intention of photographing the landscape as it looks 5 months after Hurricane Katrina.

I will be shooting with my Hasselblad Xpan II and Hasselblad 503cw. I am packing light so I will be taking the 45mm and 90mm for the X and just the 80mm for the 503.

I will be taking 60 rolls of APX100 with me as well as my tripod and a Pentax digital spot meter.

Any advice? Any thing I must see? Anyone I must see?

Are you driving or flying?

R.J.