Happy Thanksgiving!

We miss being with our extended families today.  But at least we have a great cook in the house!

These were shot at ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1/30 sec, handheld, available light from flourescent overhead and window light.

A Salute to Our Veterans

I was down near Galliano recently photographing a natural gas well when I stubbled upon a veteran's memorial on the side of the road.  It was a humbling experience to walk around the momument and read the names of the men and women of the area who had lost their lives protecting our freedom.   These photos are my way of saying thanks to our veterans...

(Click images to enlarge)

I went on up, to the Audubon Zoo

"I went on up, to the Audubon Zoo" (The Meters)

We lived in New Orleans for several years in the 80's and 90's. We discovered the Audubon Zoo after our first child was born. The Zoo is truly the best thing about New Orleans, period. We enjoyed strolling through the gardens and viewing all the animals and teaching their names to our sons. We usually timed our visit such that we would end up at the Lousiana Swamp exhibit at about lunch time. Those hotdogs at the little swamp cafe were the best! The swamp exhibit contained the famous white alligators and the most terrifying swamp monster you'll ever see!

Well, we recently realized that Jennifer had not been to the New Orleans zoo since being old enough to remember, so we "went on up, to the Audubon Zoo." Most of the zoo survived the hurricane intact with a few notable exceptions. It was sad to see that some of the newer buildings have fallen into disrepair. It is still a great zoo, though. Jennifer thoroughly enjoyed it, except for one thing... the swamp monster!

It was threatening rain all day, but we're glad we didn't cancel the trip. I had to use a high ISO all day, but still had some great photographic encounters with the wildlife. In fact, I think they preferred the cool, damp weather. After visiting the zoo, we went on up to the aquarium, and then to the insectarium. Here are some of my favorite photos from that day...
(Click on any image to enlarge)

They All Ask'd For You - The Meters

: (The definitive lyrics)  (Go here to hear the music:  http://www.rhapsody.com/the-meters/the-very-best-of-the-meters/they-all-askd-for-you/lyrics.html  click "play", then on popup, "continue play".)
: --------------------------------------------
: Es la bas
: Crawfish Etoufee (crawfish)
: Day all axt fuh you
: I wennon down to dee Audubon Zoo
: An day all axt fuh you
: day all axt fuh you, (fuh who?)
: Well day even inquired about chuh'
: I wennon down to dee Audubon Zoo
: And day all axt fuh you
: Duh mounkeys ast, duh tiguhs ast
: And duh elephant axt me too
: Andouille
: Red beans. Rice.
: Bomp Bomp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: Es la bas (Es la bas) (Es la bas)
: Red beans n' rice
: Creole gumbo
: I wennon up to duh Big Ol' Sky
: And day all axt fuh you (fuh who?)
: day all axt fuh you,
: Well day even inquired about chuh
: I wennon up to duh Big Ol' Sky
: And day all axt fuh you
: duh ducks ast , duh eagles ast
: And duh buzzard axt me too
: Do it to it
: Es la bas (Es la bas)
: Laissez bon temps rouler
: Bomp Bomp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: BOMP! BOMP!
: Buh Deeba Doomp Beemp Bomp
: Hey la bas (hey la bas)
: Grits n' fish drippins
: Un e crawfish bischien l'etouffee,
: boil willin' n' tomato pase
: do it!
: puh-chall hans tuh-gethuh.
: I wennon down to duh deep blue sea
: And day all axd fuh you (fuh who?)
: day all axt fuh you, (fuh me?)
: Well day even enquired about chuh.
: I wennon down to duh deep blue sea
: And day all axd fuh you (fuh me?)
: duh shark ast , duh whale ast
: And duh barracuda axt me too
: day all axt fuh you (in nuh mornin)
: all axt fuh you (early inuh mornin)
: Evybody der
: wanna know where
: day all axt fuh you
: day all axt fuh you (early inuh mornin)
: day all axt fuh you (early inuh eevnan)
: Evybody der
: wanna know where
: day all axt fuh you
: yeah.

Jeremy in the Studio

Here is a shot I like from a session with the family this morning.  On this shot, I turned off the rim lights and the fill light, and just let the giant softbox work it's magic.   I was also trying out the old ottoman he's sitting on as a prop.  I think it looks pretty good.

(Click photo to enlarge)

My Flickr Website

Be sure to check out my "flickr" website sometime to see lots of different types of photography that I've done.   The address is:  http://www.flickr.com/cajunphoto .   The following is an image from the "sets" page at address  http://www.flickr.cajunphoto/sets .   The sets page allows you to quickly navigate through the photos by gallery.

Harsh lighting with a straight flash

I had a mini-session with Ally on Halloween night at the Gillian's home.  (The fire alarm went off during the shoot!)  I shot with the flash mounted on a camera bracket and the flash pointed up at about 45 degrees.    This type lighting is good for a Hollywood/glamour/paparazzi  type of look...

Here are a couple of shots of Ally during her senior photoshoot last year...

(Click photos to enlarge)