It's almost time to go home and I am super excited to see everyone. We just got back from the lower 9th Ward. Our shoot got called on a count of rain. I could've kept working but apparently some people think they're prone to melt : )
I've had a pretty mean streak of bad luck. Yesterday four of us went out for another casual shoot nothing planned we just went out to a spot that Rich wanted to see. There we found a house that has been untouched (as far as we can tell) since the storm. A lady named Nora was there showing her sister and family the same house. I started interviewing her and in the middle of it my ipod died. So I moved onto taking pictures of her and her kids and then this house. The hardest part was a little boy’s room. His bed, his clothes, his toys, all tossed on top of each other. Next to it was the parents room and there I found a rusted metal picture frame with the little boys picture still in it. Judging from the water lines I believe the water came up about 10 or so feet on this house. It is located less then a block from one of the leave breaks.
The sucky part came at dinner. I pulled out my camera to show Caitlin some of the photos only to find out that my card corrupted and all the images are probably gone. I'm taking the card home to Jon; hopefully he can work some of his magic and bring a couple of the images back. It sucks because I previewed the images on the back of the camera, so I can see them in my head, and I know they were some of my favorites from this trip. But now I can't get them from my head to paper.
To add insult to injury my ipod died again today in the middle of another interview. And so I couldn't use it later when a local man was telling us his experience to trying to help his and three other families escape the 9th Ward.
Sign.... such is life.
I did get some good stuff today that I'm working on right now. So, I'll talk to you all later. I should be home tomorrow sometime after 5ish. If the sun comes back out we might make one more trip to the 9th ward tomorrow bright and early.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Ipod trouble
I really do have more information on stories, names, etc. but my ipod is tweaking out today for some reason so I'll have to come back to that later.
Ms. Gibbs
We went to see some of the working being done by "Rebuild New Orleans". Basically they are a group that is reclaiming and restoring many of the older homes that historic value to them. The keep as much of the old home (wood work, doors window) as possible in attempt to preserve New Orleans rich architecture heritage.
We also met a couple of locals who are going to or just moved into their new home. These two people had both been through so much hell, and yet they had such positive attitudes, and they thanked God for everyday. they were some of the warmest people I've every met. Ms. Gibbs had just moved back into her new home yesterday. She was rescued by a boat from her perch on top of her kitchen sink (she will be turned 80 something next week). After my photo shoot with her I went to shake her hand and she pulled me into a big hug and said I love, which she said to everyone. after that I stepped outside and had to take a moment to regain my composure. How, how can things like this happen to people like that? How can they being so compassionate towards those of us who have never lost anything when they have lost everything. Of all the things I've seen this short little woman has touched me the most.
Mrs. Gibbs tells us about how after being recued she went to live with her son who then died a month later. She lost four sons, a husband and mother with in three years. For a woman who's seen so much grief she has such an up beat attitude.
Sydney is still living in a trailer in the yard behind his house. During the flood he escaped to his cousins house who lives next door, they then had to be rescued from his cousins attic.
This is from the warehouse where they keep part of old buildings, they clean them up and resell them to contractors.
The recording is of the kids from Hillel who gave up their spring break to come help build houses.
John works for Rebuild New Orleans Together. He was the one nice effect to show us around different work sites today.
We also met a couple of locals who are going to or just moved into their new home. These two people had both been through so much hell, and yet they had such positive attitudes, and they thanked God for everyday. they were some of the warmest people I've every met. Ms. Gibbs had just moved back into her new home yesterday. She was rescued by a boat from her perch on top of her kitchen sink (she will be turned 80 something next week). After my photo shoot with her I went to shake her hand and she pulled me into a big hug and said I love, which she said to everyone. after that I stepped outside and had to take a moment to regain my composure. How, how can things like this happen to people like that? How can they being so compassionate towards those of us who have never lost anything when they have lost everything. Of all the things I've seen this short little woman has touched me the most.
Mrs. Gibbs tells us about how after being recued she went to live with her son who then died a month later. She lost four sons, a husband and mother with in three years. For a woman who's seen so much grief she has such an up beat attitude.
Sydney is still living in a trailer in the yard behind his house. During the flood he escaped to his cousins house who lives next door, they then had to be rescued from his cousins attic.
This is from the warehouse where they keep part of old buildings, they clean them up and resell them to contractors.
The recording is of the kids from Hillel who gave up their spring break to come help build houses.
John works for Rebuild New Orleans Together. He was the one nice effect to show us around different work sites today.
Habitats for Humanity
We spent some time at Habitats for Humanity, photographing the the progress coming along in the musicians village. It a colorful lot of houses most of which belong to musicians who were displaced by the storm. Yesterday we followed around a group of high school kids all in a jazz band who gave up their spring break to help build houses. During their lunch break they also put on a performance of jazz music. It was excited to watch the older musicians come streaming in and jump into a jamming season with these kids. I don't know much about Jazz music but from the look on the kids faces I knew this was a big deal. I have some sound recording I want to post hopefully in the next couple days so stay toned.
Pearl is a local who recently moved back to New Orleans after being in Florida for the past two years, her mother is still stuck in Huston, for a large close family the hardest part of this is the separation.
Pearl is a local who recently moved back to New Orleans after being in Florida for the past two years, her mother is still stuck in Huston, for a large close family the hardest part of this is the separation.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
First Days of shooting
Hello all,
I wanted to blog last night, but after a long day of travel and a long night of hunting for buses I was exhausted and not looking forward to getting up early the next morning.
Today I have one blister (so far) a light sunburn and a handful of fantastic images. I think I could go home happy now, but I have a whole week left to work.
We started out this morning in the Holy Cross neighborhood shooting houses that are still damaged after the flood, Many people have started to come back, others are still working on their houses, and still others have not even start. Many of the houses still bare the tell tale signs of the x left by search crews. Many houses look good as new except for the spray panted light, I have to wonder if these marks are left intentionally, almost like a battle wound, telling the world "I lived, I fought, and I'm home".
In the evening we hung out in the French Quarter photographing people on the street as well as some beautiful architecture.
It's hard to see but on a small thumbnail, the marks above the house say there were three dead in this house. It was a strange feeling; this was the first and so far the only houses we've seen were victims were found inside. As we drive from site to sight, you can feel your eyes being pulled to my marks looking and hoping to see another spray painted zero. Thank God for the zeros.
In Holy Cross we met Ms. Stacy she told about the neighborhood the picture above is of the pilet house she mentions.
I wanted to blog last night, but after a long day of travel and a long night of hunting for buses I was exhausted and not looking forward to getting up early the next morning.
Today I have one blister (so far) a light sunburn and a handful of fantastic images. I think I could go home happy now, but I have a whole week left to work.
We started out this morning in the Holy Cross neighborhood shooting houses that are still damaged after the flood, Many people have started to come back, others are still working on their houses, and still others have not even start. Many of the houses still bare the tell tale signs of the x left by search crews. Many houses look good as new except for the spray panted light, I have to wonder if these marks are left intentionally, almost like a battle wound, telling the world "I lived, I fought, and I'm home".
In the evening we hung out in the French Quarter photographing people on the street as well as some beautiful architecture.
It's hard to see but on a small thumbnail, the marks above the house say there were three dead in this house. It was a strange feeling; this was the first and so far the only houses we've seen were victims were found inside. As we drive from site to sight, you can feel your eyes being pulled to my marks looking and hoping to see another spray painted zero. Thank God for the zeros.
In Holy Cross we met Ms. Stacy she told about the neighborhood the picture above is of the pilet house she mentions.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Portfolio Next Step
I have spent the last couple days at home packing, cleaning a mountain of laundry, and tying up loose ends before leaving on Monday, at 6 AM! yuck.
So last week with a LOT of help I got my portfolio narrowed down to the following order. It's not done, not by a long shot, but it is nice to watch my modest little book grow up into a true portfolio I can feel proud of.
So last week with a LOT of help I got my portfolio narrowed down to the following order. It's not done, not by a long shot, but it is nice to watch my modest little book grow up into a true portfolio I can feel proud of.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Expectations about New Orleans Trip
In class I was asked to blog about my expectation for the New Orleans Trip and my thoughts on the movies we viewed regarding New Orleans. It's harder request then you might think, I make a point of trying not to build expectations before a shoot. Instead I prepare myself to go with whatever twist might come up.
But anyway, I have to blog something so I'll give it a shot.
I expect it'll be hard, mentally, physically, emotional. I've never been a morning person so starting out at 6am, that will be a challenge. I also know that I have a habit of shooting through exhaustion, I have to make myself pay attention to my body so I don't wear myself out on the very first day out.
It's been years since since I've been in a Southern Climate. I am nervous about what effect that will have on my shooting and my equipment. Right now I want to shoot as much as possible so that no matter what I face there the basics will be so second nature that I can think about bigger concerns and not whether my exposure is good and my focus is perfect and if my flash is strong enough.
I know being an empathic person this project will be very emotionally draining. A lot of terrible things happened down there and the wounds are still very fresh. Hearing these stories first hand, ufta.
I plan to use this to my advantage. Channel my feelings into my camera and hope what comes out is an strong emotional image that tell the stories that need to be heard.
It was recommended to us that we watch a couple movies about New Orleans, one being "When the Leaves Broke" directed by Spike Lee. The other was done by The American Experience, it was a nice cross section of New Orleans culture. I feel like I know the city already and I haven't even been there yet. Spike Lee's movie was very moving, I cried my way through all four hours. So many things went wrong, so many people screwed up and so many people stepped up. I would recommend them both to anyone. (I think the other movie was just call "New Orleans, the American experience...or something like that)
Sometimes its good to learn about the world outside of your bubble. It a humbling experience.
Well, that's all I can think to say right now. Stay tuned in for more ramblings later : )
But anyway, I have to blog something so I'll give it a shot.
I expect it'll be hard, mentally, physically, emotional. I've never been a morning person so starting out at 6am, that will be a challenge. I also know that I have a habit of shooting through exhaustion, I have to make myself pay attention to my body so I don't wear myself out on the very first day out.
It's been years since since I've been in a Southern Climate. I am nervous about what effect that will have on my shooting and my equipment. Right now I want to shoot as much as possible so that no matter what I face there the basics will be so second nature that I can think about bigger concerns and not whether my exposure is good and my focus is perfect and if my flash is strong enough.
I know being an empathic person this project will be very emotionally draining. A lot of terrible things happened down there and the wounds are still very fresh. Hearing these stories first hand, ufta.
I plan to use this to my advantage. Channel my feelings into my camera and hope what comes out is an strong emotional image that tell the stories that need to be heard.
It was recommended to us that we watch a couple movies about New Orleans, one being "When the Leaves Broke" directed by Spike Lee. The other was done by The American Experience, it was a nice cross section of New Orleans culture. I feel like I know the city already and I haven't even been there yet. Spike Lee's movie was very moving, I cried my way through all four hours. So many things went wrong, so many people screwed up and so many people stepped up. I would recommend them both to anyone. (I think the other movie was just call "New Orleans, the American experience...or something like that)
Sometimes its good to learn about the world outside of your bubble. It a humbling experience.
Well, that's all I can think to say right now. Stay tuned in for more ramblings later : )
Friday, March 7, 2008
Adventure into Portrait
I decided I want to expand my environmental portraits. Here is a cross section of previous work. My biggest dilemma right now is stripping off everything I was taught when I was clicking cameras for a local portrait studio. they were all about the cheese factor. Straight poses, and big fake grins, everything that I don't want in my portfolio. So now I am in the process of fighting my previous training and trying to move in the opposite direction. Hopefully I will start to see some usable work come out of it. I'd love to hear your comments about the work, it would help to know which one's are worth keeping, or at least considering it.
This theater picture I took of Kelsey gets a lot of comments. And technically it's pretty sound, but I'm afraid to use it in my portfolio because people will took at my work and think all I can shoot are my friends.
I like these two pictures because composite (bellow) and content (above). You get a good feeling about who this girl is and what she does. but as an image on it's own it's gives of the same hollow tone I got from previous work. I like the way one of my classmates commented. She said "It's cute" and that's all there was to say. I says nothing about me as a photographer other then that I known how to make her look good. As with the bottom, it shows that I know how to make a decent composting and how to use lighting for a dramatic effect. but the viewer really doesn't get much out of the image on it's own. However, there is something about this I really like, and against my best judgment I am tempted not to throw it out quite yet.
I also need to figure where is the line between moment and portrait, the above was a posed image so I count it as a portrait. But you don't know anything about this person so maybe it's not.
This theater picture I took of Kelsey gets a lot of comments. And technically it's pretty sound, but I'm afraid to use it in my portfolio because people will took at my work and think all I can shoot are my friends.
I like these two pictures because composite (bellow) and content (above). You get a good feeling about who this girl is and what she does. but as an image on it's own it's gives of the same hollow tone I got from previous work. I like the way one of my classmates commented. She said "It's cute" and that's all there was to say. I says nothing about me as a photographer other then that I known how to make her look good. As with the bottom, it shows that I know how to make a decent composting and how to use lighting for a dramatic effect. but the viewer really doesn't get much out of the image on it's own. However, there is something about this I really like, and against my best judgment I am tempted not to throw it out quite yet.
I also need to figure where is the line between moment and portrait, the above was a posed image so I count it as a portrait. But you don't know anything about this person so maybe it's not.
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