Unexpected Trip: New Orleans Here I Come!

[Gdad]

Well this happened completely unexpectedly today but it looks like I will be in New Orleans French Quarter for a few days next weekend. I should be there mid day Friday- staying two nights- and leaving Sunday morning. I have always been fascinated with New Orleans history and culture- although the closest I have ever been to the city has been killing time in the airport a few times. The good news is most of the two days I will have to spend on photography- so I need some quick tips! I am very interested in shooting some of the historic buildings- Jackson Square- St. Louis Cathedral- Bourbon Street- and lots of people of course. I plan to shoot a lot and really immerse myself in the culture for my time there (not planning on sleeping much...) so any can't-miss suggestions would be much appreciated.

And what gear to take? Here is my kit:

Nikon D700
Nikon D200
16mm f2.8 AF Fisheye
20mm f2.8 AF
28mm f1.4 AF
50mm f1.2 AI-S
50mm f1.4 AF
105mm f2.8 AI-S Micro
135mm f2.0 AI-S
180mm f2.8 AF
300mm f4 AF-S

I usually travel pretty light but am thinking the following:

Both Cameras- D200 for Backup if nothing else.
28/1.4 for the Cathedral, Museums, Cemeteries, etc.
50/1.2 and 135/2 for Misc People / Street Photography.
Tripod and Cable Release

Also- any thoughts on a good place to stay that's walking distance from most things? I'm only going for the two nights so cost is not a huge deal.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Chikabowa]

I was there back in October. I stayed at the Royal Omni Hotel and it was BEAUTIFUL and totally comfortable. Loved it. Plus, it was perfect walking distance from everything. Just a block off Bourbon as well.

The only thing I would add to your list is the 105 macro. There is so much detail, texture and color there that a macro comes in super handy.

I was there specifically for a photography workshop. I've got a few shots up on my blog from my time there.

Blog Post #1
Blog Post #2

Have fun!

 

[Experiment_626]

I've been to New Orleans twice, but the last time was almost 10 years ago. I think your planned kit sounds good, but I'd take the fisheye as well. I could see having fun with that in numerous places -- inside the cathedral, in the cemeteries, that sort of thing.

SSB

 

[YesDear]

Sounds like the proverbial kid in a candy store. Enjoy the sugar high!!!

 

[YEKCIM]

Jeff-

Sounds like an interesting photo venue. If you have an interest in the subject, you may want to consider visiting the National World War II Museum, located not too far from the FQ. Not a prime photo op, IMO, but interesting (if you are into history).

Have fun; looking forward to the fruits of your labor!

~Ed

 

[crazydadguy]

I live about an hour and a half from NO, I recommend the cathedral, the square, Cafe Dumonde for coffee and Bienet (a type of doughnut). The culture is distinctly different there. On past Cafe Dumonde is an open air market, plus a golden statue of Joan of Arc, I think. There is also an aquarium on the Riverwalk. And down the road a ways there is a Zoo at Audubon Park. Lots of stuff to do. If you manage to get out of NO, you will still see alot of devastation from Hurricane Katrina, alot of derelect buildings. Dont know if any of that helped, but let me know if you have any questions.

 

[zipuzee]

I live just outside the city but work downtown. If you want to stay in the quarter, there are tons of photo ops there. The aquarium is on the river and is a neat building to photograph. plus pics of the river and the ships that traverse it. Of course the buildings will keep you busy as well. The Royal Omni is nice and a good location. If you want to get away, I suggest you hop on the St. Charles streetcar and go uptown. Get off at Audubon Park and you’ll get nice shots of the park, as well as the buildings of Loyola and Tulane Universities. There are lots of older homes that are along St. Charles that are good for photograpy ideas.
If you want more info, just ask! And enjoy your trip!

 

[zackiedawg]

You'll be in photographer heaven. That place is dripping with amazing details, colors, lights, shadows, people, history, flavor, decay, opulence, food, joy...Man, you are going to have a million photos!

Jackson Square is great, and the cathedral. All around the French Quarter, you've got wood and brick buildings dating from 300 years old with amazing brickwork, wrought iron, gates, fences, roofs, statues, fountains, gardens, etc. Do NOT just stay on the streets - head down any open alley or archway you see - almost every building in FQ has an inner courtyard. You can't go wrong with any of the quarter hotels - they all have amazing flavor. Check the Royal Orleans, Royal Sonesta, Dauphine, and many others. I'd definitely recommend staying in the quarter, but if you have booking troubles, any of the big-market hotels along Canal street are still close to the action (W, Sheraton, Hilton at Riverwalk, etc).

The river itself is a great photo opportunity - the street performers along the levee walk, the riverwalk area and fountains, the shipping traffic, the bridge. The details in the quarter are great, but so too is the renovated wharehouse district behind Riverwalk and under the GNO bridge. And don't miss the streetcars themselves...they are a gorgeous photo opporunity, both onboard and passing down St. Charles Ave. The afformentioned mansions in the Garden District, along St. Charles and side streets, are right out of the antibellum south, and beautifully landscaped and hiding under canopies of live oak. Uptown's Tulane University campus is beautiful, and sits right across from Audubon park, and further in, the Audubon zoo. And if they're still running, you used to be able to take a riverboat from Audubon zoo back to the French Quarter...giving you the opportunity to photograph the paddlewheeler too!

Enjoy - it's an amazing city and culture, and a photographer's dream. (I lived there 4 years while going to college at Tulane, and have been back many times since - once you've been there, you know what it means to miss New Orleans!

 

[tessiesevin]

New Orleans is a great place for photography. I am from the area also. Cafe Dumont is a must. My favorite is the Riverwalk and the aquaruim.There are all sorts of street performers and palm readers all around. Hope you have a great time. I don't know if you have any litle ones but there is an awesome childrens museum in the area also.