the chronicle

Pause in the chronicle

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:36:00 +0000

I have ceased blogging about photography. There are so many other great blogs to read so click on the "blog patrol" link in the side bar if your looking for photography related stuff.

I have been consumed with my new project/job. I am writing about and photographing my life as a New Orleans cab driver. It's been quite a fun ride so far. Check it out at:

www.crescentcityhack.blogspot.com

Type rest of the post here

nolarhythm video #1 wrapped

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:02:00 +0000

So we just wrapped on the first Nolarhythm.com video shoot. I've mentioned the site in previous posts. It's been slow going since the inception of the site but hopefully things will start picking up now.

Click the jump for more on the first shoot.

The idea behind nolarhythm.com is to help local musicians promote themselves. We are currently in talks with one of New Orleans favorite radio stations. Hopefully this partnership comes to fruition because it will allow us to focus solely on producing content for New Orleans musicians. We intend on having daily music listings in the very near future and that's where the partnership comes in. As of now though we are in the process of creating our first few videos to promote the look, style and idea of the sites content.

The very talented Daryn agreed to shoot the first video for Nolarhythm.com. Our first shoot together was of New Orleans band FELIX at the Pearl Lounge. He scored a Letus set up for us to use. I must say I was impressed. I am completely thrilled to be working with Daryn and I hope it turns into more videos in the future. The Letus was also a dream. It allows you to use 35mm lenses on a video camera (in our case, Nikon). This gave us complete control over our depth of field which on video cameras is usually lacking. All in all I think the shoot went really well. I should get a chance to look over the footage sometime tomorrow. Felix did a delightfully wacky, bang up job. I have high hopes for this band and not just because I know them. I truly think that they are one of the best bands in New Orleans and I am so excited to have them as Nolarhythm video #1. And now they'll have a video to use to promote themselves for FREE. Yup, that's how we do it!!

Now we wait on the edit. I will be sure to let everyone know when it goes on line. Thanks to everyone involved, thanks to Jay, the Pearl Lounge, Nathan, Daryn, the other Jay, and of course the band.

tearing it up...

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Slow...

That's the pace of life right now. I shot a few pics of former UFC fighter Rich Clementi for the North Shore Report that will hopefully produce my first glossy tear sheet.

I'll talk more about Rich Clementi after the article gets published. City Business should be doing an article on him also.

Since this blog is supposed to be about learning the ropes and fighting your way into the business I should explain Tear Sheets. Tear sheets originally came about before digital (as I understand). When you showed your portfolio to an agent or an art director/photo editor sometimes you would include (or have in a separate book) some tear sheets. If you were published in a magazine you would literally tear the page right out of the magazine. This would show prospective clients that someone else had confidence in you to hire you and you delivered... I guess.

I've been published quite a few times but I've yet to have a print in a glossy mag. I'm not in love with the pictures but, hey, it's a start. Hopefully they like them enough to run one on the cover!

a state of the media address

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:12:00 +0000

In case you are not aware print media is feeling the crunch big time right now and it is directly affecting us in the photography world. Budgets are shrinking and generally less work is available.

Full on rant about the media after the jump.

I just read an article on cnn's website about e-ink and e-readers. I've been telling people about this for at least a year now. The entire magazine industry is folding it seems. Print media and the people who run major publications have had a hell of a time trying to figure out how to take advantage of the net. Now, I would much prefer to look and read a magazine any day. But lets say I have an e-reader and I can pay a small monthly fee (the fee must be small because there is so much available for free on the net) and download every Conde Nast publication or say any magazine or newspaper I want. Now that is pretty f'ing cool. I'd sacrifice the luxury of paper and printed material to be able to scan through anything I want. Would you? I agree wholeheartedly that having coffee and reading the newspaper (do people still read newspapers) is a wonderful combo. But things change and they can no longer support the insane overhead of printing and delivery. Several prominent papers have already, or will fold within the year. Magazines are dropping off like flies. Fact is, print media is on it's last leg. So if the e-reader is the solution then bring it on. We as a society need newspapers no matter how much bullsh*t they feed us.

My friend Rich (writer for a weekly paper in New Orleans) and I were talking about the state of the media the other day. The public needs news and information from reputable sources. Sources that have a code of ethics under which they operate. Now, of course, that statement is not lost on me. I do understand that the 'media' is a profit based mechanism. So, sure, they might not concentrate on the important issues or offer the most in depth stories because... well they have ad space to worry about. The idea of a code of ethics may be an oxymoron but, I digress. Back to Rich, he told me that in print his articles are 800 words but on the net the same article expands to 2000. Wow.

With myself more involved in the production of visual content I am excited about what is in store. It's just such a shame that the media hasn't stepped up to the challenge. Take for example Rich's 2000 word story on the web. Why not also publish along with it 3-4 BIG photographs? Or a multimedia piece with it? Big media doesn't understand our visual society and they sure as hell don't understand people who have, and are growing up with the internet. That's why. So instead Rich's 2000 word article has the same photograph as the 800 printed article. Oh, and it's tiny... like 300 pixel tiny... hm.

I told Rich, "If only someone would give you and I $60,000 dollars to produce news content over the web about New Orleans for a year. We could really make a difference." It wouldn't be your run of the mill site. Small pictures, fluff articles. We wouldn't have to hold our punches back because of some silly corporate structure. Big pictures, multimedia works involving photos video and audio. Stories that matter, stories that delve into the real reasons as to why our Mayor is such a manipulative... expletive. It would be powerful. Why? Because we understand the net and how to utilize it. We aren't some crusty old farts perched high above the rest of society. I would imagine that after that year, Rich and I would be able to sell advertising on our site and generate a profit.

That's the question though. How much profit can be generated from the internet advertising? I hear the same thing all the time. "Um, well, internet advertising rates are really low and it doesn't generate that much money." Yet!! (Of, course this is all barring this financial crisis we are in). It will generate huge profits in the future!!! Trust me. Internet advertising is a very direct form of advertising because of all the little spyware and other evil things we have in our computers. It isn't the shotgun blast that print advertising is. As soon as the advertising world and the print media understand this they will be able to utilize it much more effectively. And, of course, as soon as the print media dies advertisers will need a place to coax people into being consumer whores. When print media dies internet advertising revenue will grow infinitely!

Finally, I will give one last example. Well over a year ago I went into a local publication that focuses on the Music scene here. I offered a plan to editor. It was a complete restructuring of their website. The idea was to make it more user friendly, more in depth, more interactive, and utilize the web to reach a broader audience. It was an advertising based structure that would use it's own advertising to generate content for the site. A self sufficient model. The first thing the editor said was, "If I sell advertising over the net then what will happen to my print advertising?" Really that was a rhetorical question and was uttered with such contempt from the editor that I nearly walked out. I was then told that I had no idea on how the whole thing worked and besides, they already spent 3g's updating their site two years earlier. Well, I really was just trying to help this editor out. I was trying to show the editor how the publication could use the web to their advantage but it was lost. Apparently, now they are looking to re-tool their website. Probably because in this economic climate they are having a hard time convincing people to pay $1500 for an ad. I wish them luck, but I doubt they'll get it right.

I've decided to go it alone. So far I've convinced a major radio station down here and a sundance accepted filmmaker of the possibilities of such a website. It's an entirely different take on an old business model. And everyone is incredibly excited about being a part of it.

This whole shift in print media is a matter of adaption and ingenuity. Something that most of the CEO's of this world have a hard time with. This, proven by the pathetic and terrible mistakes within the music and movie industry and their battles with the net.

Change is inevitable.

pics from Mardi Gras 09'

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:10:00 +0000

Mardi Gras 09' snapshots are up! Click here!

Just jpegs straight out of the camera. I was shooting from the hip most of the time because I hate being the guy with the camera who misses all the fun. I would say 75% of the time I wasn't even looking through the viewfinder. I love shooting from the hip and being in big crowds gives me a chance to practice.

http://www.oneshotremedy.com/mardigras09.php in case ya missed it above.

style vs. trend

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:45:00 +0000

What is style? It's a very important thing when it comes to photography, especially portraits. Sometimes I think people confuse style with trend. A friend and I were talking about just that early this morning. Or at least I was talking that at her. When I read about photography and the business of getting and shooting editorial work I get a little frustrated. I thumb through magazines, look online and read about photography constantly. There is a lot that I don't understand about the professional world of photography. At times is seems that the magazine editorial world is jumping on trends as much as the fashion world. It seems to me the industry has become over-sensationalized.

I think the industry has sacrificed a very important aspect of portrait photography. A good portait for me is an accurate representation of my interaction with the sitter. When I am photographing someone I try my best to find a connection with that person. When I do a good job of that then it shows in my photos. That is what I think the industry has sacrificed. In it's place they have put slick lighting and photoshop techniques. There is a weird detachment trend in photography these days. Where the sitter seems detached from the photographer and in turn the viewer of the photograph is detached. But all the shiny beautiful light draws everyone back in.

I guess this rant is born out of the frustration that I don't have that super identifiable style. I resist trends, or at least I try to. I want honest photos. Arnold Newman said, "We do not take pictures with our cameras, but our hearts and minds". Arnold Newman, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Yousuf Karsh. Their work is amazing. That is what inspires me. One day I hope to have a body work like them.

People have said that they like my photos because they feel like they know the sitter in the image. I think that comes through in a good portrait. So maybe in this "detached" era of portait photography that will be what sets me apart. Maybe that's my style...

oh Mardi Gras pt 2

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:59:00 +0000

The internet is truly fascinating. I write this silly blog and someone from Malasyia logs on and reads it... Apparantly, someone has also put a link to my blog on their facebook account... Um, please let me know if your doing this!! Common curtusy isn't it?

Well, with Mardi Gras now in full swing I have no choice but to concede it's victory over me. I spent an hour driving 3 miles yesterday trying to get to work. I was on the road a full hour and 45 mins before any parade was about to roll... But when I got to work, all stressed out, Paul made it all fade away. The Rolling Elvi set up shop at St. Joe's before there were to roll with the Muses parade. Paul takes on a whole different personality when he is in his red jump suit and it made my day. I unfortunately didn't take any pics of the group because I had planned to skip out on work to go shoot them as they rolled past the corner of Jefferson & Magazine. The crowd was too dense though and I just gave up. I'm not the most ambitious person when it comes to photographing or taking part in parades...

I spent the majority of last night at the Hi Ho Lounge photographing musicians. Felix played, along with DJ Urine (from paris), MC Trachiotomy and his band and a few others. I plan on posting a BIG photo blog once Mardi Gras is over with all the pics in one spot. So hold out a few days. It was a great night with crazy music. I wish there would've been more people to witness the show.

I may have lined up a photo of DJ Urine while he's in town too! If you haven't seen or heard this guy you should. It's SIC (sic)! It's definitely out there, some might say noise pollution. I say it's mad genious!

I woke up today with my right eye in serious pain. I have a stye in my eye! Under my eyelid! and it hurts like all hell. I hope it goes away by monday because I'd like to shoot more photos and it hurts too much to put a camera to my eye and scan the viewfinder.

Counting the ways

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:13:00 +0000

Oh Mardi Gras... How much do I love you? Ha! It's the time of year when you're supposed to love New Orleans. This is how I know I'm still a northerner. It's the time of year when everything slows to a crawl and we all indulged in a little fun before lent... Ha! As if we don't do this year round. It's the time of year when you spend an entire two weeks planning everything based on parade schedules. Every year I see Mardi Gras as a test of my patience. It really is New Orleans way of making me stop and enjoy myself. But I still get aggravated that everything ceases during Mardi Gras. It's a terrible time to try and get things done. So, I must tell myself every year that I will just enjoy it. Celebrate. Have some fun...

I end up working myself to death during Mardi Gras. It takes to much out of me to deal with all the drunkards. By the time I have a chance to let loose I'm usually too pooped. "Not this year, it'll be different." I say. I have some wonderful plans this year. Thursday I may be running around in the Muses parade photographing the Rolling Elvi. I'm not sure yet but I hope so. No fun to be had until Sunday night after that but it'll all be worth it. I should have Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras off this year. My old Friend Jen will be in town so that's another bonus!

Mardi Gras day will be spent taking pictures for the most part. Here's a few snapshots from 07' & 06' (I slept all Mardi Gras day last year).

06'

ll

?

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:07:00 +0000

I don't know what's going on but I've had a crazy surge in hits on my website over the last two days. Great, but kinda weird. I wonder where all these people are coming from. Last time I had this big of a surge was after shooting Josh Wexler. But that was no surprise cause Wex probably told half the population of New Orleans about it.

Shooting a portrait of my friend Chase tomorrow. Hopefully there are beautiful marshmellowy clouds floating around. I'll have some quick edits after the weekend.

Came across a great video at A Photo Editor from the TED conference. Author Elizabeth Glibert talks about being a creative. Rob Haggart gives a great description so read his.

yeah, that's all I got.

Thank you, nikon

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Nikon finally introduces a prime lens for the DX format! It's about friggin' time Nikon. It's a 35mm f1.8 DX lens which means it's about the equivalent of a 50mm on a full frame camera. If you've ever shot photographs on a 35mm film camera you probably used and loved your 50mm. Nikon, I'm glad you realized that there are some of us who love the perspective of a standard prime lens and like shallow depth of field!

Expand blog for the link

http://www.pdngearguide.com/gearguide/content_display/news/e3ib2336cb7507211a241ba900cc4d9f640

I've been waiting for this lens for a loooooonnnngggg time. There are rumors that a replacement to the d300 will come at PMA next month now. I sure hope so because after Mardi Gras I plan on investing in a new camera!

film film film film

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:07:00 +0000

I shot a roll of slide film through my rz67 last night! I'm so happy I got that beast working again. It's the first roll of film I've shot in probably 6 months. I got a little tipsy and decided I wanted to get some test shots for a new photo project. I'm sure the film will not look so good. I was shooting at a bar (the Bulldog) where my friend Adem works. It was very low-light and I intentionally under exposed. When I dropped the film off I decided to "push" the film 1/2 stop. (For those who don't know, you can cheat a little with film and over develop it). When I was younger I "pushed" almost every roll of film I shot. I was very dedicated to getting the most out of whatever film I was using. I was also very dedicated to experimenting with every roll of film I shot. I've basically forgotten all the little tricks since I made the jump to digital but I look forward to re-learning them.

I love digital but I miss film. Considering the fact that I probably won't be able to afford a new Dslr anytime soon I need to get re-acquainted with my rz and slide film again. I've had the idea for this photo project for a long time. I had planned to shoot it with my rz67 originally but then it crapped out. Then I decided I'd sit on the project until I bought my new Dslr but then Gustav, and the holidays and medical expenses consumed all the money I saved up. Damn. But, with the rz67 working again I can finally get to work on it!!!!!

So now the wait is on. One thing I truly love about film is the anticipation. Did I nail the exposure? Was pushing E6 slide film 1/2 stop a stupid idea (probably)? Did I remember to switch the back off of multiple exposure? With digital I find myself always looking at the little screen on the back making sure everything was there. As if I didn't know what I was doing. I love shooting film because you don't know for sure. You just have to trust yourself and fire away.

I've been looking at a bunch of photographers work from back in the day. I appreciate their work so much. It wasn't always absolutely perfect. There were flaws because you couldn't see it immediately (like digital) and remedy it or spend hours on an image in photoshop. You just have to trust yourself...

I've been reading Annie Leibovitz new book. She talks about how bad of a photographer she was in the early days. How poorly her negatives were exposed and how she owed so much to the people who did her processing. It's a good book but a lot of the stuff I've already read in various other sources. But I do get a kick out of Annie talking about how most of the time (early on) she had no idea what she was doing.

Anyway, I got off track...

I will get the film back sometime next week. Then I'll have to scan it. I'm sure it'll all be worth it. There is nothing better than holding a big old piece of slide film in your hands. So, once I know everything is back in order with the rz67 I can get to work on the "barflies" project.

I'm very excited about this project. Whenever I talk to anyone about it their eyes light up. New Orleans has so many crazy bars and I can't think of anyone who has documented it in the way that I am going to. Hopefully next week I'll have some samples. But for now I have to figure out the best ways to light big dark spaces...

my invitation was lost in the mail

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:33:00 +0000

If your a fan of Rock and Roll and photography then head over to What's the Jackanory where he has posted a video of legend Jim Marshall speaking about his photographs. Hosted by Platon in his studio in New York.

Damn!! I wish I lived in New York sometimes. There's always something fantastic going on. Not that I would've received an invite to this exclusive shin dig but still. For example, I read today that MOMA is showing a collection of picture postcards that Walker Evans had collected throughout his life (along with some of his photographs). Evans was apparently an avid collector of many things. The article mentions his fondness for signs and hints that he may have even *taken* some after photographing them. I love it.

stupid gear!

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:15:00 +0000

I recently shot a mixed martial arts competition at the Superdome. Shooting sports is not my bag. Out of 300 I think I may have gotten 10 decent pictures. It's nice to have all the action playing out in front of you and to only have to worry about catching that "decisive moment" but that is quite a challenge. No flash allowed, shooting at 1600 iso (my camera is not a low light camera), and stuck in one spot (on your knees at that) makes for getting "the shot" a tough job. Of course not as tough of a job as the fighters have. I wanted to get into the locker room and shoot portraits of the fighters after their fights but that was pushing it. Everyone wanted "action" shots.

It's times like these when I truly realize the limitations of my camera and lenses. I am by no means set up to shoot sports. No f2.8 zoom lenses here, and no super fast focusing, super frame shooting camera either. My set up is for portraits and that's what I like to do the most.

I shot a portrait of my friend Whitney who is self publishing an art photography book. I also took him around a little bit and showed him how I approach lighting. You can see the portrait of him that will go into the book in the "portrait" section of my website. Here's an outtake of us walking around. I wasn't so concerned at the time with composition. I was really just showing him how I balance light between strobe and ambient. But turns out I kinda like the pic anyway.

Finally, I got my RZ67 working again so I'll be shooting film again!!!! Hells Yeah! Big, medium format film! I'll Also be shooting all sorts of polaroids because I am... you know, the hipster photographer (see previous post). I only put 5 rolls through the camera before it pooped out on me. Turns out the screws in the, um, cocking lever were loose which kept the shutter from being properly... cocked. Now if I can only find someone who can fix my large format lens!!! It, um, cocks just fine but there's an issue with the shutter prematurely closing... ha ha.

ll

no frills

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 01:35:00 +0000

I was recently asked by a journalist to give some input into the New Orleans night life for Modern Luxury Magazine. They wanted to know spots where "young locals involved in the art scene" would like to go. Then the email said since the magazines demographics were 20-30 luxury jetsetter that I shouldn't mention any hole in the walls... after all, where do they think New Orleans artists types hang out? After reading this I did not want to take part but I had already agreed with the writer and she was on a deadline. So, I followed through. Not with my favorite places, but of places I thought the "jetsetters" would feel cool hanging out.

I thought it would be good publicity to take part in such silly little articles. I thought they'd publish my website along with my name and maybe I'd see a spike in my web hits. Well, all I got was a label...

"Hipster photographer Leonard Lopp"

I don't quite know how to take that. Does that imply that I only photograph hipsters? That I hide out in the local hole in the wall, camera in tow, waiting for a twenty something in tight pants to order a PBR? Or, worse yet, am I the Hipster? Toting my polaroid camera from one Mod dance party to the next?

THe writer apologized to me. Apparently the editor took some liberty with the article. I thought for a minute about writing a letter to the editor but I came down with a vomiting spell that lasted 24 hours (which I think was from a vegie burger and not the hipster label).

So here's one from the hipster archive:

rambling

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Happy Holidays! Happy New Year and all that! It's been a while since I've posted. Sometimes it feels futile to bother posting but I do know there are a few out there who read this. I spent the holidays in Detroit, and yes, things are as bad as you hear. My father has basically been laid off for a full year. He turned 57 while I was home. I feel for him. To have worked so hard your entire life and be this close to retirement and see everything just crumble must be a little disheartening. He'll be ok though, my pops is a trooper. While I was home I wanted to do some quality portraits of my family. I guess I kinda chickened out. I didn't want to bother trying to get all my equipment past security and the airport and I didn't really have a good idea of how I wanted to shoot everyone. So I thought I'd save it for the summertime when the weather is nice. That way I could get em' all outside and shoot in the style I've been shooting.

Afer the jump... a new shoot with Adem (+ Ginny), nolarhythm.com, and what 2009 holds.

I arrived back in New Orleans on December 29th. It's always good to get back into New Orleans. I miss this place even after a couple of days. I'm glad the holidays are done with. It's time to settle down and get back to work. There has been quite a bit of goings on with myself and my work.

I may have mentioned a site called Nolarhythm.com before in the blog. It's still in Beta form so there's not much happening at the site itself. Behind the scenes... things are stirring. I keep a myspace account for it with a blog to keep people posted so if you want some details PLEASE check it out. December involved two meetings with a local radio station hashing out some of the details. They are excited about the idea and want to help. Now it's just a matter of convincing all the "higher ups" that this is a viable thing.

Early December I quit assisting a local photographer whom I had spent the previous 4 months with. It was quite a learning experience, for mostly all the wrong reasons. The idea of assisting is to learn. To learn photography and to learn the business side of photography. I was learning neither. It feels good to walk away from it, but the extra money was really nice. A little advice though to others who are starting to assist. Don't waste your time with photographers that you will not learn from (unless the pay is OUTRAGEOUS). You do not want to learn from someone who is unprofessional and you do not want to be associated with someone like that either. You want to learn the profession in the proper manner. So, if a situation is wrong just walk away from it and find someone else. Or focus on your work, you'll be much happier.

So, I've been thinking about producing my first "mailer" to send out to magazines. After reading about how to market yourself on sites like APhotoEditor and reading PDN I think I am starting to figure out what I want. Now, I am not out to land major gigs. I'm keeping it local for now, targeting the few local magazines we have in New Orleans. I hope to have the mailer finished by the end of Jan. and to mail them out early Fed. I have a few shoots this month that I think will add to my portfolio very nicely.

As for the rest of 2009 I have high hopes. There is still a desire for a grand adventure across america. It may happen but for now I must maintain my focus on nolarhythm, my portfolio and my photography projects involving New Orleans.

Finally I'll leave you with a couple of shots from a recent shoot with my friend Adem. It was spur of the moment but all sorts of fun. His roommate Ginny came home halfway through the shoot so we made her take part against her will. Everyone wants it in my portfolio but I think I probably have enough oddball stuff in there already. Enjoy.

ll

Take that New York!

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:36:00 +0000

Jörg Colberg was in New Orleans to do some portfolio reviews for PhotoNola this last week. While I wasn't able to afford a portfolio review I was pleased to see this post on his blog. Yeah, uh huh! That's what I thought!

As for me, I was on my first day of a 5 day shoot with some talented people from Chicago. A splendid day shooting in the park I must say. The shoot for tomorrow was cancelled though so hopefully my new out of town friends can get out and enjoy my wonderful city.

edit; Later in the week it ended up snowing on one of our shoot days. These poor fellow (and ladies) came down to New Orleans from Chicago to shoot in better weather and they get snow!! I think it was the second time in 20 years. Sorry no pics, cause I was working :(

2 new pics in the portrait section!

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:31:00 +0000

I finally shot Paul the Rolling Elvi. Also shot the well known Josh Wexler last week. Check the portrait section of my site for the final choices. Click the jump for a couple of outtakes and some info.

Paul and I work together at the other job. He's an original member of the Krewe of the Rolling Elvi. They are a Mardi Gras Krewe that rolls in the Muses Parade. Paul is generally a calm and reserved person and I am inclined to think that this is his alter ego. He was a natural and really hammed it up for me during the shoot. I wanted to shoot it so that it looked like I just found this guy riding around the side streets (Which Paul has been known to do). I can only hope that you could be so lucky as to be in New Orleans and see the Rolling Elvi... roll by. Seeing them during Muses is a treat but seeing 70 or so of them roll by in full regalia on a random day is a moment of hilarity that will be cherished for years. I'm hoping to shoot all 75 current members at once sometime soon. They have also asked me to be the official photographer for them during the Muses parade. Here's an outtake.

Josh Wexler gives piano lessons and also plays piano in a band called The Soft Shoes. He has a dog named Lenny Bruce. We met up before the shoot at a "quaint" little dive bar. Everyone kept calling Lenny over to pet him and I kept turning my head thinking they were talking to me... It seems that Josh knows everyone. I met him about 6 months ago and I am amazed that it took me so long to meet him since he's friends with pretty much everyone I know. Josh had told me a few days before that a bunch of people wanted to come to the shoot and watch it go down. So I was expecting there to be 20 critics on hand. Fortunately that wasn't the case. We shot at a coffee shop where Josh and Lenny can be found just about every afternoon called the Rue de la Course. Thanks to Jerry and the staff for letting us shoot there. Here's an outtake.

Again, please check the Portrait section of www.oneshotremedy.com for the ones that made the grade.

up next... MC Trach and Luthier Leo Esp.

time to get personal

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:30:00 +0000

Well, it's finally happened. Work has slowed to a crawl at this point. The photographer I work for has unfortunately cut his rates because the magazines are having budgetary problems. Because of this he can't afford to hire me for his editorial work. Well, it's not so bad though. This will give me time to dive into my personal work.

I've been photographing some pretty interesting people for my personal project. The project itself is nothing new, groundbreaking, or kitchy. Just me shooting environmental portraits of all the wonderfully talented people I know. It's half about developing my portfolio and half about archiving a part of New Orleans. Are you familiar with the idea of 6 degrees of separation? Well, in New Orleans it's more like 2 degrees, 3 if you're a hermit. Because of this I find myself meeting all sorts of fascinating people. I've been setting up portraits sessions with anyone who is willing. This week I will finally shoot Paul who is a Rolling Elvi. Also on tap is piano player and tutor Joshua Wexler and hopefully guitar luthier Leo Esp. Also trying to line up MC Trachiotomy for next week. I met MC Trach last night at The Pearl. He agreed on the spot to let me shoot him inside of The Pearl. The place is tucked away in the bywater with loads of Old New Orleans charm (decay).

thoughts of standing still

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:25:00 +0000

Tard! Dancing Machine. Memphis 2oo8

I've been listening to some old Memphis Jug Band music and it made me think of my last evacuation to Memphis. There is something to be said about that city. I was born and raised in Detroit and now residing in New Orleans. Memphis, I feel, is the average of the two. I've been in a bit of a rut when it comes to New Orleans. It's a love hate relationship that I will expound on more after the jump.

I love New Orleans with every bit of my soul. Sometimes it is a hard place to love. It's much like a relationship, and this is the only place I've lived where I have felt this way. Detroit, was, well Detroit for pete's sake. Chicago had lots to offer and San Diego had the ocean and beautiful weather.

I've been thinking about my career and growing as a photographer. New Orleans offers so much in terms of creativity but not much in terms of growth as a photographer. There are few magazines published down here. Visually these magazines stay on the safe side. As for photographers in this city, we have plenty. Probably more per capita than anywhere else I would guess. Most are Fine Art Photographers and don't really approached the business in the manner in which I do. There are a couple in this city who I admire greatly. Lee Crum and Brady Fontenot are two that I have had a chance to work for, and I hope to follow in their footsteps. I still have much to learn and I'm not sure if it is going to happen here in New Orleans. I want to assist more, it really is the best way for me to learn. But the list of portrait photographers who get paid enough to pay for assistants is pretty small. Which has got me thinking about moving to a bigger market.

The joke amoungst my friends is that I'm perpetually moving out of town. It's because sometimes I feel there is a ceiling for me here in New Orleans. I've been working on all sorts of plans on how I can stay in New Orleans and progress. One is a website I've been developing for the music scene here, Nolarhythm.com. The others involve ideas for books. And of course the third is to pursue editorial work for the few magazines that are published here. Also, there is still so much more personal photography I want to shoot also before I leave. I'll be working on all of this until the summer at which point I will re-evaluate my circumstances.

There are definitely times when I think I'm crazy for even wanting to leave. This last week has been a good example. I'm surrounded by sooooo many talented people and they all inspire me sooo much. The music, the food, the people, the slow pace are all things that make this such a wonderful place to be. Jilliene says people in New Orleans live in the moment, and it's so very true. I find when I am wanting to leave here it is when I am not living in the moment, when I'm thinking about the future.

In other leonard photography news;

I believe I have found my new muse. I will share some pictures soon. We are in the process of trying to set up a couple of shoots. Also should be shooting another portrait for "people I know" of my friend Paul who is a member of the Rolling Elvi. That should be an interesting one. I'll also have a new assistant for that one, which should be fun. I like helping out the youngsters. Finally, I got bumped off of the City Business shoot for the story of a push to shut down the bourbon st. stripclubs. Bummed.

ll

Happy Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:36:00 +0000

Halloween is always the best holiday in New Orleans. The day started with an 8am call to assist on a photoshoot of Olympic athlete Lolo Jones. The night ended with a 3:30am performance at the Balcony Music club by a fantastic band Felix. I left the camera at home this year though because I didn't want to get silver paint all over it. I went as a B&W actor from the 30's. I've yet to see any pics from last night but click the jump to see some from years past.

Up at 6:30 and off to the airport to pick up the rep, then off to Baton Rouge. Long day. There was some confusion and lots of last minute things happening to get this shoot off the ground. But it all came together just fine. Lolo was great. She had a good personality and was a lot of fun to work with. The rep from Set Magazine seemed please with the shoot. I think the story runs in Jan. Should be fresh.

I'll leave you with two photos from past Halloweens.

This was 2006, I was dressed as a blown up terrorist.

This was from 2005, the craziest Halloween I've ever experienced. It was only a month after being back in New Orleans after Katrina.

ll

assistance

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:41:00 +0000

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

portrait of a john

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:51:00 +0000

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.

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:15:00 +0000

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

a portrait for verna press

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:36:00 +0000

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

Shoot day turned scout day!

noreply@blogger.com (They call me Bruce) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:06:00 +0000

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.

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!!