Die and Let Die VIDEO

I compiled a video from a previous photography project I completed called "DIE AND LET DIE". I had recorded audio while I was shooting at St. Louis Cemetery #1 that was intended to be included in this project. The calliope from the riverboat, Natchez, can be heard from the Mississippi River as well as the mutterings of cemetery visitors and car horns from Basin Street. 

The project was inspired by seeing how much vandalism had occurred at the cemetery that, in my opinion, was perpetuated by some of the myths surrounding the cemetery, such as marking tombs with three Xs so that a wish could be granted. I photographed people in this project as incidental subjects such as one would find in a supposed picture of a ghost. One could be taking a picture of a living room and find a spirit when the image is reviewed so that's how I shot this project. A little tongue-in-cheek joke that addresses a serious issue at the cemeteries of New Orleans.

If you're interested in learning more about the local cemeteries, check out the website of Save Our Cemeteries. They're doing very good things.

Email me if you'd like to use this video or just chat: info@carlosdetres.com

A Time Lapse of the Photo Essay Sequence for "Die and Let Die"

This is me sequencing a photo essay with a working title of "Die and Let Die" (it was scribbled on the side of a tomb) about spooky humans haunting the dead of St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans. It's part dark humor and part sincere commentary.

I've posted several blogs dedicated to the process of photographing this series. The project changed during its course and has now become two distinct collections. The rest of the posts with plenty of photos inside, can be found HERE.

The Last Week

View fullsize

After a very short work trip and an amazing shoot with Brugal and an hour and a half of sleep, I rushed to St. Louis Cemetery #1 to get what I could today. The temperature sucked and the sky was gray but I was glad to get an extra couple hours to work.

Since I have only have a few days to shoot this project before the cemetery closes for good, I took out my Lensbaby kit to see what kind of inspiration would occur. Well, it worked. It helped me find a mood that would underline my theme of a "haunting portrait of the ruin, mystique and beauty...". 

So here's what I got today. In the photo directly below, I had my shutter open for about 25 seconds and caught this interesting, anomaly undoubtedly caused by something in the lens. Either way, it was a very nice, eerie effect. 

My goal for this project has been to create a unique photographic experience that takes the viewer through an intimate journey into the heart of New Orleans' oldest and one of its most unique cemeteries (Holt Cemetery is probably the other one that comes to mind as far as uniqueness). If you'd like more photos and info, click HERE.

Please feel free to forward any questions to info@carlosdetres.com. 

Thanks for visiting!