Festivities - French Quarter - New Orleans, LA
29.9584° N, 90.0644° W
I arrived in New Orleans intending to use specific modalities of photography and achieve a particular body of work. Upon arriving, I encountered unpredictable weather, logistical issues, and other elements that altered my initial plans. I adapted and instead allowed the environment to develop my shots organically. I gravitated towards walking around the streets of the French Quarter, or what many locals call "The Quarter." I arrived fortuitously during the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, illuminating the area's historical context.
The French Quarter, also known as the Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans (1718). The French Quarter contains age-old tales of trade, pirates, voodoo, and perennial festivities. Most of the extant historic buildings were constructed either in the late 18th century, during the city's period of Spanish rule, or were built during the first half of the 19th century, after U.S. purchase and statehood.
My exploration of the French Quarter developed into a combination of street photography and architectural photography, as the area is robust with opportunities of interest. The cultural diversity centralized into such a small geographic region allowed for a broad spectrum of artistic engagement in various forms. I spent equal time engaging in conversation as I did taking pictures, leaving me with an overall positive and lasting impression of the city's antiquity and beauty.
