New Orleans from a different point of view

This is the view of the New Orleans Central Business District from the top of the Tulane Medical Center Parking garage -- eight stories above the street I think.  The shot is looking west.  I was enjoying this different view of the city.

Jackson Square performers evoke the feel of the French Quarter

I was just having fun in Gimp with this French Quarter scene I shot a some time back.  I was using some of the filters.  THis is an old vintage picture photo filter with a frame filter.

I'll show you another version of the same shot on my next post --see which one you like the best.
--steve buser

New Orleans, Jackson Square, Jazz

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Rolling on the river into New Orleans

One of my favorite things to do in New Orleans is to take the ferry ride across to the West Bank of the Mississippi River and then come right back -- you can do it in a car or as a pedestrian. For a buck you get an amazing view of downtown New Orleans rising up.   The large building in the center is the International Trade Mart. To the left of that are a couple downtown hotels. 

The dark building is, I believe the Pan American building, which only looks smaller because it is much further downtown.  Far on the right, the green glass is the entrance to the Aquarium of the Americas and behind it in bright white is Canal Place which houses the Westin Hotel, offices and a very upscale shopping center.  The ferry puts into dock at the foot of Canal Street.
--steve buser

New Orleans, Canal Street

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Reflecting the times

The Conservatory of Two Sister in City Park in New Orleans is the visual icon for the gardens.  This was shot there during the Celebration in the Oaks some time ago.  I just hope my schedule will allow time to make it again this year.
--steve buser

City Park, New Orleans, gardens

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Garnish Grows near Gargoyle Guards

Built in 1871, the magnificient St. Stephen's Catholic Church on Napoleon Avenue in New Orleans is adorned near the top with these gargoyle guards. Originally gargoyles on churches were for water runoff spouts. I don't think these serve that purpose.

Notice the green plan growing on the left of this 40-some-odd high creatures. On the right, and even on the top, if you look closely, you can see some new sprouts, trying to get hold. They are totally white, which to me, does not signify they have got a good lease on life yet.

--steve buser

Gargoyles, Church

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Rain high

It's fun to watch the rain sweep across the city and the sky go dark during the day, from the relative safety of a high skyscraper towering over the Central Business District of New Orleans.
--steve buser

New Orleans, downtown, rain

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Something new, something old, something lives on

One of the amazing things about downtown New Orleans is the juxtaposition of the new and old. I guess that is pretty common in most cities. But it really seems to fit here. Old buildings are hollowed out and refit with modern comforts, but they keep the same old faces pointed outward. New building spring from empty lots or where old buildings have lost the will to keep living. And together, they make a old city live on.
--steve buser

downtown, New Orleans, Louisiana

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Concrete defense in City Park

There were a few ducks, geese and a Great White Heron wandering around when I shot this photo of the Hellenic pavillion at City Park. None seemed to present threats that would require a lion for protection.

I suppose that the lion is this there to defend, concretely, the ideas, presentation and themes that come alive in this lagoon-side facility.
--steve buser

City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana

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Rebirth of a city

In an historic city such as New Orleans, some buildings crumble and other survive the insults of time to be reborn in a new use. Evidence of that is show on this wall in the warehouse district -- it's former use as a electric motor, fans and what-have-you center still linger, broken only by window punched into the weathered brick
-steve buser

Heavens above!

Walking down the street one day and the decorative entrance on this building caught my eye.  Looking, up I noticed the whole front of the building was well decorated.  It really brings out a sense of place more than just boxy, unornamented structures.
--steve buser

architeture, buildings, New Orleans, Louisiana

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Poydras -- the power line up.

Good morning New Orleans!

The sun is trying to find a way to lighten up Poydras Street and steamily burn off the residue of an early morning sprinkle.

Poydras is not just a quick throroughfare into and out of the city, but links together many of the city's key business sector.

From where you are sitting here in your car, Harrah's Casino is to your right and behind and around you are some of the cities largest hotels, the Hilton, Loews, Harrahs, Doubletree. The Convention Center is off to the left. This is the tourism center. Canal Street is just a block to the right, and the French Quarter starts just the other side of Canal.

To the left, as you move away from the Convention Center, you pass into the Warehouse District with many of the newest Condo developments in the City. Mixed in there is the Arts District -- unique boutiques and art galleries abound.

Behind you, also, is the busy maritime traffic of the Mississippi River. Also, back there at the "foot of Poydras" is World Trade Center.

As you proceed up Poydras there will be more hotels, but to your right you will catch glimpses of the city's financial center. The Oil and Gas row of tall buildings will slowly blend in.

City Hall will be in that mix too.

Near the end of Poydras will be the Louisiana Superdome, home to the New Orleans Saints.

Then its a quick hop up onto the I-10.

But it is morning. Your supposed to be up by the Superdome coming into downtown.

Did you get up early?

--steve buser

Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, Casino, Hotel, Superdome
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Wax nostalgic. Go ahead, you deserve it.

This one is for you. No, over there.... YOU! THe nostalgic one. I know it is a big -- probably too big for a computer monitor. But, it is perfect for printing out and hanging on your wall. Enjoy. If you don't know how to do it, just right click on the picture and choose "Save the image as." From that point it's up to you to get it into a graphics program, drop it in Word or PowerPoint... what have you. Whatever it takes to get a good reminder of New Orleans. Decatur Street at St. Philip -- right in heart of the French Quarter fun.
--steve buser

Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, French Quarter
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City-lights-soaked clouds

Come in to the city across Lake Pontchartrain on a muggy cloudy night and you will catch a scene such as this. The clouds soak with city light leaking skyward and the buildings at the edge of the Causeway with their hundreds of eyes still gleaming.

--steve buser

Clouds, New Orleans, Night

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High fog

This is downtown New Orleans a while back on one of those foggy days when it hides the tops of buildings but doesn't quite make it to the ground. High fog.

--steve buser

fog, weather, New Orleans, Louisiana, weather

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Take your wonder wandering

One of my favorite things to do is to walk around the French Quarter and pick out buildings I like. This one on Rue Chartres is one of my favorites because of the wrap around balcony.

--steve buser

French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, balconies

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