New Orleans

[JulianoL]

Hi,

I'm going to New Orleans next week spend a couple of days. I'll appreciate some tips from locals or not of places to shoot and what places should I skip.

Thanks in advance,

[IndyJeff]

You could always be a moron like I was. I went in 94 to Mardi Gras with 3 other guys. I wanted to get some good shots of the happenings so I wandered off by myself with a 10S and a 100-200 around my neck. About 9pm or so the streets were really crowded and I ducked back into the bar which we decided would be our home base. I began talking to a cop who was in there. He said I was nuts for wondering around like that. Lucky I didn't get robbed. Based upon what he told me that night, stay in a group of 3-6 people. Don't wander off the main streets and be aware of your surroundings and who is around you.

[clorich]

Not a local, but I spent a couple of weekends there last year. Things to be sure you see:

Jackson Square - I loved the street performers
St. Charles St. where it gets residential
Riverwalk, etc. - I love bridges
Streetcars, of course
Superdome

Daylight is your friend. After dark, I only took my Fuji FinePix 2300, a low limit credit card, and about $20 cash. The rest was safely locked up in the hotel room safe.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

Having been to New Orleans 3 times, I'm going to stress what everyone has said: Think 3 times then be extremely careful.

The city is beutiful like a black widow spider!

Stay in common areas and do not wander at night alone.

Must see:
French Quarter during the day. Beautiful trellis work on the buildings, look up often to see some great images.
Look in alleyways and doors in courtyards. There are some great shots in the courtyards, and everytime I asked, I could shoot. This was B.D. (Before Digital).
The waterfront is great, steam big-wheelers, period settings.
Jackson Square
All kinds of shops in the Quarter that will provide interesting pictures / backgrounds.

Above all, play safe!

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

As well,

Try to get to one of the older grave yards, morbid I know.
Some great architecture on these masoleums, plus some really old grave sites above ground.

For fun, use the reference of the hotel to book a swamp tour. Interesting looking at some of the local life, wild and wilder.

Get some real Cajun food. It isn't all that spicy stuff that restaurants offer, but some really tasty seafood, rice and local cuisine. You'll be suprised at the difference.

[JulianoL]

Thanks. I appreciate the tips, specially the "safety" ones. I was planning to take some photos at night with my 50/1.8, but now I'll think twice.

[sdommin]

Boy, there sure is a lot of "doom & gloom" here about New Orleans. After reading all the above, I'd be afraid to go at all! The fact is, you should be careful in any big city, but N.O. isn't any worse than anywhere else. If you stay in the standard tourist areas, preferably with at least one other person, you'll be fine (and there's nothing to see in the non-tourist areas anyway!). I was walking around at night last March with a tripod and camera, and I wasn't the only one.

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/dixie04

Bourbon St.
http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/image/27092527.jpg

Jackson Square
http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/image/27092530.jpg

[Tiger1]

Boy, there sure is a lot of "doom & gloom" here about New Orleans. After reading all the above, I'd be afraid to go at all! The fact is, you should be careful in any big city, but N.O. isn't any worse than anywhere else. If you stay in the standard tourist areas, preferably with at least one other person, you'll be fine (and there's nothing to see in the non-tourist areas anyway!). I was walking around at night last March with a tripod and camera, and I wasn't the only one.

http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/dixie04

Bourbon St.
http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/image/27092527.jpg



Jackson Square
http://www.pbase.com/sdommin/image/27092530.jpg

You hit the nail on the head about the "danger" of going to New Orleans. Tampa, Philly, New York, etc. have a much worse crime record than New Orleans. New Orleans gets the rap because Mardi Gras lasts 6 weeks, everybody is drunk and who knows what happens during that time. I am from the New Orleans area and the vast majority of the French Quarter is OK. Like in any other big city, ask the folks who operate the hotel you are staying in and they will alert you to any problem areas at the time you are there. The entire waterfront, the "downtown" area on St. Charles going west with the old massive mansions, the streetcars and old architecture are just a few of the outstanding photo ops available.

If you want the real "cajun" flair, take a trip south to Houma and go down to the bayous for the "real thing".

Gene

[JulianoL]

Scott,

Nice photos, specially the ones taken at sunrise. The Jackson Square photo is surreal. Thanks for the comments on the safety.

Gene,

Thanks.