Yesterday was a lo-o-o-o-ong day. I had an 8am call to be 2nd assistant on a photoshoot. The day was split in two with a 2 hour break in the middle. We shot until 8:30pm then I was off to the other job until 5am. By 2am I was sleepwalking but it was all worth it!
There was no way I was going to turn down the opportunity to assist this photographer (not dropping names cause this is not the place for it). I was referred to him through another local photographer, whom I will forever love. The local photographer who referred me is well on his way to breaking into the photography world on a grand scale. He's been nice enough to throw things my way and I can't thank him enough for that.
It's always a joy to watch another photographer work. I always find the first few steps in the process amazing. A photographer (as problem solver) will analyze his shooting conditions (lighting, background, compostion and various others) and make his conclusion. Shoot from here with this lens, light from here with these lights, modify the lights this way, set up and wait. Of course you must always keep in mind what the client wants and shoot/light accordingly. This is how it takes shape. Its part of the process that is still taking shape with me. I feel this last year of assisting has helped me hone the skills of visualization. I have learned so much just from watching others work. More so than anything I was taught in 3 years of photography classes. With my first couple of shoots it was tough to "do the math", analyzing the conditions and making the right conclusion. As I've grown, from watching others, it has become much more intuitive.
I've been consistently assisting one photographer for the past three months. While that has been a good learning experience it is always great to work with other people. To see someone else's approach. As with anything in life you don't want to be in a bubble experiencing the same things. Shooting the same stuff the same way until the monotony pushes all the creative drive away.
I've been thinking quite a bit about making the jump and getting some mailers made up. There's only 2 magazines in town that I'd want to shoot for. There's really only 2 magazines in town actually. I'm somewhat nervous about stepping on peoples toes. Toes that have been dug into the mud that is New Orleans photography. But competition is healthy for everybody, isn't it? I feel I need just a bit more in my portfolio and I'll be ready. I have two shoots on monday. One is for New Orleans City Business and the other is for a personal project, both of which I am exctited for!!
I'm sure I'll blog about the City Business shoot soon. It's an editorial shot for an article about Bourbon street strip clubs vs the "religious" people. I believe the article will be on stands Nov 3rd, so you'll have to wait til then.
ll
Saturday, October 25, 2008
assistance
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
portrait of a john
Mr. John Regis was kind enough to let me photograph him for a project I've been working on. You can see the portrait in the "portrait" section of my website. Hit the jump to see the outtakes.
One of the 3 Johns. Referred to as Regis 2oo8. 
Regis is probably one of the hardest working men I know. He's got that midwestern work ethic that is truly admirable. He's a brilliant man with a wonderfully biting sense of humor.
ll
I can see the top of the hill from here.
Celebrated a birthday recently with a gathering at the Halfmoon Saloon, my favorite New Orleans watering hole. It's a custom down here to pin money onto the shirt of the birthday boy/girl. Generally this tradition is reserved for the youth, but hey, I'm young at heart!
Thanks to all that showed. My last few bdays haven't been the grand celebrations one generally thinks of. Considering that one was right after Katrina and the other right after a motorcycle accident, this was definitely the best in recent years.
ll
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
a portrait for verna press
After a couple of re-schedules I finally got to shoot author David Parker. He's written a short story that is being published by Verna Press.
Going in I thought I was under some time constraints so I hastily made my decision to shoot David in his apartment. This is how it turned out.
David Parker was great. I wanted to get outside and shoot something with a little more edge to it but time was not on my side.
thanks to David Z for helping out!
ll
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Shoot day turned scout day!
stood up. New Orleans 2008 © Leonard Lopp
Had a shoot scheduled for this morning in the French Quarter but it got canceled. My first cancellation... So after a good breakfast I went scouting in the Quarter for an upcoming portrait project titled "tourist" that will hopefully get started soon.
Scouting can be one of the best aspects of shooting a thought-out portrait. You get to wonder around not aimlessly but with a purpose. As for today, well, I've wandered the Quarter plenty (sober I might add) so it was kind of a refresher. I knew the spot I wanted to use but why not get out in the sun and look for some back ups, right?
The picture above was taken a few months ago. It's not really my cup o' tea to go down to the Quarter and fire off shots of the human statues, street performers and what not. There's plenty of others doing that so I'll leave it to them. The "tourist" project comes at it all from a different angle but I don't want to reveal too much about it until I get a few finished shots under my belt. I'll unveil it here on the chronicle first though!
Since I'm on the topic of the Quarter I'll throw a few more photos at ya from the past.
Untitled. New Orleans 2oo7 © Leonard Lopp
I wish I remembered this guys name but I forgot to write it down. I call him Herman now though. Herman and his buddy (at least 80 years old) were on there way to a gig during Jazzfest o7. They were playing some cocktail party. I felt so bad because it must have been 95 degrees that day. I offered to give them a hand because I thought his buddy was going to have a stroke but they politely declined and went about there way. I had just come from a Jazz Communion at St. Augustine's in the Treme'.
The Tamborine Lady!!
All images © Leonard Lopp 2oo7
ll
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
first post
New York Love 2oo6. © Leonard Lopp
Ok, first post. Where to start? I'm a photographer in New Orleans. I currently assist a couple of photographers as well as freelance on my own. I'm "paying my dues."
I have a couple of portrait shoots set up for this week and next. Verna Press has asked me to take the portraits of their writers and Artists. They have quite a few titles they need to finish up for the upcoming New Orleans Bookfair. I'll publish some stuff on here and http://www.oneshotremedy.com/ asap.
Needless to say, with these portraits and a big assisting job it's going to be a busy two weeks.
ll
