Monday, February 23, 2009

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

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Mid-day Saturday was chilly and clear as our town's Mardi Gras parade stepped off. It ain't New Orleans but it is full of color, enthusiasm and, uh, not a little alcohol. St. Louis was, after all, founded by the French, just like the Big Easy. The crowd was a rich buffet for photographers and I was a glutton. Over the coming days STL DPB will feature street portraits and scenes from the craziness. There are bunches and bunches more on Flickr here.

Photography tip: I always had a hard time shooting parades - nobody stands still for you, dammit, people keep walking into your shots and it gets to be a pain unless you are a press photographer allowed into the street with the marchers, which I am not. Try going into the parade staging area well before the start. Nothing is moving yet: it's just waiting for you and people are happy to pose.

WHAT
'S AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER TO DO? Way to much work this week and way too many pictures to edit. Which will win out?

TOMORROW:
St. Louis, city of genteel good taste.

7 comments:

cieldequimper said...

LOL! I agree, for 50 parade shots you end up with palatable one!
Great shot for starters!

Olivier said...

c'est le titre d'une émission de blues à la radio en France ;o)

is the title of a program of blues on the radio in France ;o)

Pat said...

Vive Mardi Gras. Waiting to see more...

Virginia said...

Lord, I love this gal's costume. That's a doozy B. and she's magically in front of that fab orange sign!!! Perfecto. Bring on more. USe the whole week for all I care. I love your parade/street portraits. I say take the week off from work and just edit. Hey, you're the boss right?
V

Sterl the Pearl's Daily Pics of Boulder said...

What a wonderful capture!!! So full of life and colors. well done.

Kim said...

Okay Bob, guilty confession. . .I had four presentations to prepare for at work on Monday and Tuesday and a couple big school assignments due Wednesday, so how did I spend Saturday morning and evening and part of Sunday afternoon? Taking and editing photos. . .nothing like anxiety to bring on a fit of photography indulgence, I say. Are you a senior partner? Will you loose a case or a client if you lay low and edit away? :-)
Her Cruella DeVille ensemble is fetching!
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo

Diederick Wijmans said...

That is a great start indeed, Bob!! An excellent photo!