The Vieux Carre
Text and Photography Copyright Tom Guffey - All rights reserved.
The French Quarter
Experience everything you've ever imagined and then some. Mardi Gras - New Orleans!
Start your day with beignets and café au lait at the Café Du Monde, down by the
French Market. This all started way back in 1862, and the bad habits of deep fried
pastry and coffee still prevail today. The people watching in this area, c'est extraordinaire!
Mimes perform out front and just across the street in Jackson Square. The Handsom
Cabs with the really big mules are just across the street, and a ride through
the Quarter can be a memory that will last a lifetime.
You should have your camera out, loaded and ready to go. A wide-angle lens will
handle the close-ups of the mimes and the architecture. If you spend a dollar or
two, you can get some wonderful shots of the mimes as they go through their program.
Money well spent!
You'll be in the neighborhood of the Saint Louis Cathedral, and the very photographic
Jackson Square. A great spot is Pirates Alley, just behind the Cathedral - the colors
of the old area are wonderful, and the area is never busy with tourists. Photo Op!
By now, it's time for a mid-day break, a breather for your feet, and a cool drink.
Take in Pat O'Brien's for a world famous Hurricane. The establishment has
three different rooms, and the outside Fire Fountain is the spot for a few
cool ones and a photo or two. Don't have too many, as the day is still young, and
the remaining "Kodak Moments" are in the hundreds.
As you progress though the city, one mandatory stop is the Central Grocery. It is
one of a handful of true Italian delis still left in the city. They serve up a great
sandwich called a Muffuletta. It's kind of a southern style Italian Sub sandwich
that is to kill for! If you're still hungry after this sandwich, you're way overweight!
While you're in this neighborhood, the photo opportunities are everywhere. Just
take a seat on a bench and see what passes by. You'll truly be surprised by what
you see in this city.
One of the stops while touring the city is the St. Louis Cemetery. All the graves
are above ground, and the architecture ranges from very plain to somewhat extraordinary.
This cemetery was opened in 1854 and still has a waiting list to get a resting place
within the walls! Don't visit by yourself, go in a group. It isn't as safe as it
looks, even in full daylight.
Another wonderful place for a memorable meal is The Court of Two Sisters on Royal
Street. The Sunday morning brunch is the best I have ever had - no exceptions! Have
your photo taken in the garden, after breakfast, as the flowers are in bloom. The
courtyard dates back over 100 years. Take your time in that neighborhood, as there
are many exceptional homes for you to photograph.
The trip wouldn't be complete without a walk down Bourbon Street and Royal Street
in the Quarter. The evening can be somewhat wild, so a pricey camera may not be
a good idea for the late night stroll. Take in the sights and go back during the
daylight hours for shots of the locals and the activities.
If you have time for a day trip out of the city, follow the mighty Mississippi out
of town and visit the restored plantations between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
The signage is somewhat lacking, so don't get lost - we did! The best of the lot
are the Oak Alley Plantation and Laura's Plantation. The colors are wonderful! Be
sure to have a wide-angle lens with you to take in the trees and foreground for
these shots.
New Orleans wouldn't be complete without the sounds of Blues, Jazz, and Zydeco music.
You should try to take in a number of the local establishments, including: Preservation
Hall, The House of Blues, the Maple Leaf Bar and last but not least, Mulate's for
the wonderful Zydeco music - the rhythm of many of the local Parrish's!
Finally, you want to take the St. Charles Streetcar for a ride out of the city and
into the Garden District. Slow and simple. The homes and the photo opportunities
are everywhere. The older, restored homes take you back into the 1800's, and most
of the restorations have been truly wonderful. You feel like you've been taken back
in time!
Mardi Gras is a 6 to 8 week festival that begins with the weekends before Ash Wednesday
and ends with the main parade on the Tuesday before Lent - Fat Tuesday! There are
3 to 4 parades a day through the Quarter and the surrounding neighborhoods. It's
party time for the whole city.
If I had to do it over again, the only thing I would change is my airline ticket,
staying for at least two weeks! Take your time and take in ALL of New Orleans!
Equipment: Take your normal body and multiple wide-angle lenses: 16-35 and
28-70 will work very well if you have them. Also a 70-200 medium telephoto will
come in handy. A monopod will help if you have one, but you'll never be able to
use a tripod so don't take it. Make sure you have a polarizing filter, as well as
an enhancing filter.
This is one trip that everyone should do during his or her lifetime!
About the Author
Tom is a west coast published photographer whose work includes
cards, calendars, and large format landscapes. His work can be
seen at the Artist's Gallery of Seattle and in a number of major
hospitals and medical centers across the Pacific Northwest. Tom
is a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA),
International Association of Panoramic Photographers (IAPP),
North American Nature Photographers Association (NANPA) and the
Royal Photographic Society, Great Britain (RPS).
Tom Guffey is a TPN
Staff Member
. More of Tom's work can be found on his website
, and his online portfolio can be viewed at photoportfolios.net
.
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