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Fourth of July on the Levee
Fireworks along the levee in New Orleans.
I'm a fan of going to the Bywater levee in New Orleans, sometimes called "The End of the World". People often make campfires there while the bright lights of Downtown sparkle in the background. On the 4th of July, many people gathered, danced, drank, lit fireworks and mingled with strangers as large boats streamed past us on the River.
About an hour before all of this, my wife and I were relaxing in the backyard, drinks in hand and listening to the pop of firecrackers coming off the Mississippi. I wasn't in the mood for a party but we left anyway, hoping that my mind might change. I danced for a little bit but didn't feel like socializing. I grabbed my camera and participated in my own way.
For more info, email: info@carlosdetres.com
There's Nothing Like the Streets of New York City
Photography throughout New York City including the Occulus, 9/11 Memorial and Midtown.
On a recent trip to New York City, I took a couple of days to wander from Midtown to Downtown Manhattan for the purpose of photographing it with 100% focus. I'd previously do these trips half in/half out with a more carefree approach rather than a rigorous work, bleeding out a scene until I got a photo that I wanted. I wanted to put my all into this recent expedition. The street gave back.
It's not a secret, among my close friends and family, of my love/hate relationship with the City. After nearly thirteen years of living in this metropolis, I had developed a reserve of animosity for the place I had once dearly loved. I admit that when I spent those two days out there in Manhattan that I couldn't help but focus on the negativity, the feeling of invisibility among the throngs of people bumping into each other, wearing sullen faces and walking in the shadows of godlike, stone faced buildings. A feeling came to me after the end of the second day, one that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was like the story of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas when his small black heart became filled with love and compassion again. I actually started feeling a pang of "love" for this place that I had been so happy to now be away from. It was an old feeling, an old love.
I hope you enjoy the photos below. There is certainly surreal elements within the framing and juxtaposition. It was a lot of fun doing these and I'm glad I walked away from this mini project with an old flame reignited.
Email: info@carlosdetres.com
