Moving Pictures

I've been asked to start shooting video on my trips for Journal Communications. I guess it's one of those things that was bound to happen sooner or later. I think most photographers dread the day when they have to juggle a still camera and a video camera on a shoot. What I dread most is the day when I get asked to take a video camera and have to leave the still camera behind.

My first official video shoot was on my last trip to Monroe. La. I didn't have any idea what I was doing. I'd never really shot video before. Not to mention, I also had to get some still shots as well.

I was fortunate though, I had a really cool subject in Kenny Solley. You can see some of the still photos in a previous post.

I loaded all of my gear onto his 4-wheeler and we tore off through the neighborhood and into the woods. We set up in a little area down from Kenny's house where he and a buddy go to hunt.

Kenny was all decked out in his camouflage gear, complete with his shotgun and a bag of decoys. I was just waiting for the game warden to show up at this point and lock both of us up, seeing how duck season had been over for about three months.

Well, the game warden never showed and I think we managed to get a decent video for my first time. I just hope the rest are this easy.

The Smells are Free

I had another food shoot with my friend Karin Calloway recently. We've been trying to get ahead in our shoots for Viking and managed to get a few more out of the way.

As with all of our shoots, we try to keep things simple. The lighting is window light from behind with a couple of fill cards in front, bouncing light back into the food. Nothing fancy.

Long Live the Shrimp Buster

I just finished shooting in Shreveport, La., for the Business Images of Northwest Louisiana Magazine, the second half of my doubleheader in the great state of Louisiana.

First and foremost, if you are ever in Shreveport, you have to go to Herby K's. Drop whatever you're doing, postpone he wedding and go have lunch and/or dinner there. It's that good.

The restaurant is one of, if not the, longest running family restaurants in Shreveport. They opened their doors in 1936 and have been at the same location on Pierre Avenue ever since.

Their claim to fame is the "Shrimp Buster," fried butterflied shrimp served on french bread along with their famous buster sauce. Very good eating.

You really can't go wrong on the menu though. Try the crawfish etouffee. It's incredible. I also had an oyster poboy, their onion rings and the gumbo; all very good.

The etouffee is my favorite by far.

Herby K's

The Shrimp Buster

The Etouffee and Gumbo Sampler

While in Shreveport, I managed to work in two visits to Herby K's. I'm kicking myself for not making it there more often. Besides visiting Herby K's, I did do a little work while I was there.

One of the stories I worked on was at the Mardi Gras Museum in Bossier City. The museum has an impressive display of costumes and floats.

I also had assignments to photograph venture capitalist Ross Barrett and businesses found at the Port of Shreveport-Bossier.

Sure beats working for a living

When you do something you enjoy, it's no longer a job. And to think I was originally going to get a degree in business management.

Today, I finished working on a project in Monroe/West Monroe, La. I had the good fortune to meet some really nice people while I was here. Thanks again to Edmund and Brad for showing me around and helping me out on a few of the shoots.

I had a wide variety of assignments; from a local hunter named Kenny Solley, to the James Machine Works, to some of the local landmarks.

If you're in Monroe and get the chance, check out the Mohawk Tavern on Louisville Ave. Edmund and Brad took me there for lunch. It's been a Monroe staple for about 50 years and the decor hasn't change much in that time. After your eyes adjust to the dim lighting (just one fluorescent tube illuminating the dining room and I think it's the original bulb) check out all the memorabilia lining the place, especially the old, decaying boxing gloves hanging over the bar. And try the gumbo.

Also, check out the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens. Joe Biedenharn was the first person to bottle Coca-Cola and believed people should always be able to buy a Coke for a nickel. If you visit the Biedenharn, you can still buy a bottle of Coca-Cola for five cents. But be sure to only bring nickels, that's all the machines take.

Here are a few more images from this week.

This is me on the back of Kenny Solley's ATV as we head to the location for the photo shoot.

Layton Castle

St. Matthews Catholic Church

James Machine Works

Almost fell into the Black Bayou trying to get this photo.