opc

Harvey, I won't post anymore. For your information my house in New Orleans is less than one mile from the convention center. Is it there? I don't know. It may be three months before I can get to it. I do know that one of people I am with lost her house because she lived three blocks from the 17th street canal where the flood waters caame in. I feel for and are praying for the people who are still in the hell hole. I am crying over the destruction of my beloved city as it now goes up in flames. Yes, I am grateful that my wife is sleeping next to me in a bed in a house with air conditioning and knowing that my children are safe. I am grateful that I finally was able to speak to my mother and three sisters this morning. That they are safe in Houston. I posted here because I like this community. It gives some respite from this surreal madness. But since you are so offended. I won't post until I can take some photo's with my retina IIIc. Does the mention of the camera make this post on topic?

I made my way to Mandeville,Louisiana which is 30 miles north of New

Orleans in St. Tammany Parish. This area had extensive wind damage.

My condo only had minor damage. I will be able to use it as soon as

the electricity is back. Estimates are week to three weeks. My

fathers house in Covington which is 7 miles north of Mandeville

sustained more damage. I could not get close because of downed

powerlines. Looks like a tornado hit about hundred yards from the

house. However, I still don't know about my house in New Orleans. A

friend was able to get into the uptown area yesterday. He took

pictures which I should have tommorow by email. He said the people

looked like the walking dead. Very difficult to get around because

of water and tree damage. I am always amazed how random the damage

is from these storms. Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Jefferson, Orleans,

and Eastern St. Tammany took the brunt of the storm.

 

The Sovereign State of Louisiana also known as "this part of the

world" hereby offers the United States to enter into an Oil for Food

program effective immediatly with the United Nations overseeing the

treaty.

Maria, it is physically impossible to get that many people out. Most people who stayed chose to stay. The city has been concerned about those who can't leave on their own. The problem is the warning that this is the one did not come til late friday night and early saturday. It was forcast to go to the Florida panhandle. Most hurricanes do not have a such a wide swath of destruction. It is usually limited to 30 to 50 miles wide, The mayor called a mandatory evacuation for the first time in the city's history. But there is no way to enforce it. There are 500,000 people in the city with 1.4 million in the metro area. This is the first storm I did not stay and ride out. I dont know why but my gut said get out. New Orleans is 70% african american. What you are not seeing are the people stranded in the surrounding parishes. The national media is focusing on a very small part of the metro area.

David, do you have any information about Mandeville. I have a condo in Beau Chene. I can not get any info. This is so surreal. I have so many mixed emotions. I went fishing friday afternoon in St. Bernard Parish. Washed my boat and put it in the shed. I am sure it is gone. On the drive back, I hear on the radio we need to be concerned. I normally do not leave for these things, but my gut said get out for this one. I am leaving tommorow for Baton Rouge to stay with family for it looks like several months. Thanks for your prayers.

Thanks for your prayers. It is not going to be pretty.

Left New Orleans Saturday night. Now at a friends house with 14

people in Winnsboro, La. Its not looking good. One of the 14's house

is a half mile from the levee breach. Before the breach reports said

6 feet of water. As of last night my area in uptown still had no

water, but I don't think that will hold. Need your prayers.

Thanks Gene. Please keep them coming.

Fantastic! I want one.

Because you can go into the darkroom and be in another world.

No indeed. The pentax just has sentimental value, and this thing reminded me of it.

I stop by goodwill and others second hand stores looking for cameras. I only bought this one because my first camera was a pentax MX. I was pleasantly surprised at the pictures. Makes a Holga look expensive.

2n shot<div></div>

As requested here it is.<div></div>

It looks like a typical small slr. When I get home I will post an image of it.

Absolutely an accident. This was just snap of my boys with a toy camera. Here is another.<div></div>

Taken with a Capital MX-II with a 50mm Capital Optical Color Lens.

Bought for $2 at goodwill.<div></div>

Travis, I either use Tri x or believe it or not Walgreens Studio 35 400 which is made by agfa. In this case it was the studio 35. Photoshop for the conversion to b/w.

French Quarter. Retina IIIc. Hand held wide open at f2 with a

shutter speed of 4.<div></div>

Frank, my first real camera (1981) was the MX with a 50 mm f2 lens. It still works great.

Hot? Try August in south Louisiana. The church shot reminds me of a church in Vacherie, Louisiana.

Gene, I like the look of old photographs. The found film shots that you have posted have been an inspiration to me.

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the compliments. The coffee shop is at the corner of Race and Magazine Streets in area called the Lower Garden District. It is in an old corner shop that has a tin ceiling and large French windows. The coffee is excellent and cheap. It's one of those few places that attracts people from all walks of life. A great place for candid shops.

Retina IIIc<div></div>

Taken with a Retina IIIc

Just got back from Florida.<div></div>