New Orleans Confidential: The Twilight Edition

Sunset at Jackson Square: The Basilica of New Orleans
on the banks of the mighty Mississippi

A few hours after lunch in Meridian, we arrived in the Crescent City--New Orleans. (Or N'awlins, to the locals.) I've been to a lot of big cities in the U.S. in my short life, but none quite like this one. Let's just say that Rue Bourbon was "interesting." If your nasal passages weren't being assaulted by the none-too-subtle odor of last night's vomit and libations, your ears were being assaulted by overly loud jazz and blues at one bar in competition with the overly loud jazz and blues next door. You're accosted by hawkers for peep shows, licensed charity solicitors, and Mardi Gras-festooned fellows who ask to have their picture taken and then demand a buck for the privilege. You can walk past a prostitute leaning in a doorway putting on polka-dotted panties over fish net stockings or be propositioned by a guy with a tuba. Fun.

Okay, truthfully, not all of New Orleans is that tawdry, tacky, and cheap, and Bourbon Street is only one part of Sin City, but this place makes Las Vegas look like kiddie camp by comparison. That said, I'll be exploring the French Quarter a bit more tomorrow and hope to bring you the sunny side of New Orleans. In the meantime, here's the sunset from Jackson Square and a few photos of some of the architecture and characters that lend N'awlins its charm.



Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 04/09

Reflection

Conversation in UV
(Click image to enlarge)

The reflection of this guy's friend in his sunglasses caught my eye at the World Pillow Fight last weekend in Dupont Circle. Snap!

I'd like to include this as one of my 100 Strangers, but as I didn't ask this guy his name, it's a nix.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential / Janet Kincaid, 04/09

Waiting

Waiting

Caught this picture of a woman waiting for her husband. She'd just had a slice of pizza. He had nothing. They both had tickets to the movies.

The Thai restaurant behind her? Not so good. (My litmus test for good Thai? Their chicken satay and their pad thai have to be outstanding. In the case of this restaurant, horrible.)

*****

Mount Timpanogos : Sunset and Moonrise : Circa 1986

In addition to my newest gadget being a really cool printer, it's also a really cool scanner. I scanned in a few photos I have in some albums lying around the house. The photo above was shot with a Minolta Maxxum 7000 in 1986 or thereabouts. From the front yard of the townhouse my family lived in in Orem, Utah, this was the view: Mount Timpanogos. I managed to capture the sunset on the clouds as the moon was rising.

*****

Finally, a note regarding yesterday's entry and the pictures of the Our Lady of Hope Chapel in the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Bob and Dolores Hope donated the money to the Catholic Church for the construction of the chapel. The chapel commemorates the appearance of Mary in Pontmain, France, in 1871. Yesterday's entry should have included this link about the chapel. The name of the chapel commemorates the events in Pontmain and not the name of the donor.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

Flower Man

Flower Man : Bethesda, Maryland

Continuing my 100 Strangers series, I saw this gentleman yesterday in the plaza in front of Barnes & Noble in Bethesda. It was a pretty chilly day. We were all bundled up, but he looked particularly cold sitting next to his cart of flowers.

Have you finished all of your Christmas shopping?

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 12/08

Tunnel Vision

Commuters heading home at the end of the day

Just one of the other black and white photos I had to choose from for this past Sunday's Two Things Challenge. This is the tunnel that leads from the platform elevator at the Takoma Metro station to the buses and parking lots.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/08

Non-Partisan Coffee

Mayorga Coffee in Silver Spring, Maryland: The not-Starbucks coffee shop

Despite the proliferation of that West-Coast-coffee-chain-that-shall-not-be-named, there are still some independent shops around the area. One of the more popular ones is Mayorga Coffee Roasters. There are only a few locations in the D.C. area, but they are well-loved by their patrons. The other day, I met a friend--who is a Mayorga aficionado--at the company's coffee factory in Silver Spring to hang out and catch up for a few hours. Of course, I took my camera along and the result is the photo above.

While Melissa sipped her Mayorga special blend coffee and I enjoyed a hot chocolate with whipped cream, we chatted about books we're reading and stuff we're writing. We also swapped pleasantries about our families. I love getting together with friends and Mayorga is a nice place to do that on occasion. If you don't care for the hustle and bustle of Starbucks, Mayorga (and any of its non-'Buck counterparts) is the place to go.

Oh, and you don't have to declare your candidate loyalty for this cuppa joe! (Speaking of 7-11, check out their website for a running tally of votes based on sales of coffee cups.)

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 10/08

Studious

Studious reader on the Red Line

Yesterday, I had to go downtown for a haircut and to the office of a client to edit a document for them. Rather than fight traffic and pay through the nose for parking, I took the red line from Takoma to Chinatown. One of the stops is Brookland/CUA. This young man got on at that stop, sat down, and started reading a copy of Newsweek magazine he had in his hand. He was so intent on his article, I don't think he noticed when I rested my camera on my knee and snuck this picture. (Or maybe he did and he was too gracious to say anything.) I didn't get his name or story, but in my imagination I decided he's a poli-sci major at Catholic University and his goal is to one day run for Congress... Or something like that...

One of these days, I'll muster up the courage to actually ask the strangers I photograph if I can photograph them and what their stories are. Until then, here is Studious on the Red Line.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 09/08

Dinner

Solitary diner

I promise I don't have a culinary theme going on here, but yesterday evening I was out taking pictures near Union Station in preparation for September's City Daily Photo Monthly Theme. I decided to pop into the station itself to snap a few pictures and, when I looked down into the food court, this guy totally jumped out at me and seemed to yell, "Photograph me!" The best part was, he'd chosen a table right under the lights and there was no one else around him.

Happy Friday everyone!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08

Lunch

Walking on sunshine, yeah, yeah... Or, in this case, sitting in the sunshine. :
On the steps of the Smithsonian American Art Museum : Penn Quarter

This group of guys caught my eye as I was walking past the Smithsonian American Art Museum around lunchtime the other day. They seemed to be enjoying (if that's the right word for their culinary choice) McDonald's for their midday repast. Can you guess what their job is?

In other news, it seems that Mirage over at Vienna Daily Photo, has deigned to bestow upon me her Photography Buddy Award. Needless to say, I am flattered. Thank you, Mirage! The feeling is mutual. For those who don't know, I lived in Austria for nearly 20 months back in the late 1980s/early 1990s and spent nine months living in Vienna. I absolutely loved it! It's a beautiful city and a lovely country. Herzlichen Dank, Mirage.


Now here's a question: Am I suppose to pass it on? I really enjoy doing D.C. Confidential. The added bonus is all of the great people I've met in cities near and far. My thanks to those of you who visit this little blog and motivate me to continue bringing you my country's capital city in picture and word. And thank you to everyone who shares their corner of the world with the rest of us. You open our eyes and help us understand one another in ways our politicians and leaders are failing to do.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08

Take My Hand...

Take my hand : Penn Quarter

I saw this couple the other day while I was downtown and I just had to snap their picture as they were crossing the street.

Love knows no bounds, eh?

And now I've got Dido's Take My Hand running through my head. Sublime.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08

Two Things Challenge: Window / Shop

Window: Jagermeister-in-the-Sun
(Wisconsin Avenue and N Streets NW)

This week's Two Things Challenge was Window / Shop and it was quite a lot of fun! I took photos in Penn Quarter, on 14th Street, in Columbia Heights, and in Georgetown. (PSA Alert:* Note to the wise: If you want to see Georgetown without fighting all the insane crowds and pub crawlers, go early in the morning before traffic gets too heavy and all the businesses open. It's a great way to see the oldest part of Washington without all the headache. /PSA)

Shop: The Vitamin Shoppe in Columbia Heights
(14th Street and Park Road NW)

I got some good pictures of windows, shops, and window shoppers! And again, a PSA: for some of the best window shopping in Washington, Georgetown tops them all! There are some unique stores on 14th Street with great window displays--like Pulp, Go, Mama! Go!, and Home Rule. There's certainly plenty of big box shopping in Columbia Heights--like Target, Giant, Staples, The Children's Store, and so forth. Penn Quarter has expansive windows for stores like Urban Outfitters, Aveda, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and similar national brands. But the best and most unique window shopping is in Georgetown where the shops aren't brand name and they've been around for decades.

Window shopper at City Sports in the Penn Quarter
(7th and H Streets NW)

To see a couple more pictures of the unique wares I found in windows in Georgetown, visit Standing Room Only.


* PSA = Public Service Announcement

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08

Contests

Chattin' and chillin' at The Awakening while it was still at
Hains Point, East Potomac Park, Washington D.C.

I mentioned yesterday that I recently entered a local photo competition for amateur and professional photographers. It's been fun to visit the exhibit with family members and friends and to have people contact me for copies of my photos.

For those who are interested, National Geographic and Smithsonian magazine are both holding photography contests that are open to amateur and professional photographers from all over the globe.*

The National Geographic International Photography Contest 2008 has three categories you can enter: People, Places, and Nature.

The Smithsonian magazine's 6th Annual Photo Contest has five categories you can enter: Americana, The Natural World, People, Altered Images, and Travel.

Given the breadth of places we all live, the things we each see, and the talents we all possess, I daresay any of us could enter at least one of these two competitions with an award-worthy photo!

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

About today's picture: This is one of the first photos I took with my then-new Canon A630 last year at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. At the time, The Awakening was the park's prominent feature and had been for more than 25 years. Then the artist, J. Seward Johnson, sold his work to developer Milt Petersen for $750,000, who recently moved it to a very sterile and uninspiring spot at the uber-development Prince Georges National Harbor Complex. Sad, really, because The Awakening was a wonderful and whimsical site to see. Now, it's just a poorly exhibited possession for an egomaniac.

* Be sure to read the rules carefully. I know the National Gee contest has some restrictions and participation is prohibited in a few countries.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Pink

Runner : Sligo Creek Park

Yesterday morning, I went walking in Sligo Creek Park and snapped this picture of a runner coming over a footbridge. I also took some cool pictures of a tree fungus, some wildflowers, and a dad pushing his kids in a double wide stroller. But this is the one I chose for today's purposes.

Sligo Creek Park is a lovely expanse in Montgomery County that stretches from Takoma Park northward to University Boulevard in Wheaton. It has paved trails, playgrounds, exercise stations, tennis and basketball courts, and a public golf course and is a lovely place to walk, run or bike. Like its counterpart, Rock Creek Park, Sligo Creek Park is an oasis in the midst of traffic and suburbia and a beautiful place to get away from all the hubbub.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 07/08

Pairs

Yesterday evening found me in Silver Spring with some friends to see Batman: The Dark Knight. (Side bar: Heath Ledger is very good in this, though I'm not 100% sure I'd call it an Oscar performance. Ledger aside, save this movie for your Netflix queue. I don't think it was worth the $10.25 price tag.) While I was waiting for my friends, I leaned up against the wall of the theater, rested my camera on my arm, and started snapping pictures of people in twos. They didn't have to be a couple, they just had to be two people together. This picture was my favorite of the eight or nine I took before everyone showed up.

And, one of my readers asked if I wouldn't try posting only one picture a day here. Apparently, I was making it difficult to choose one really good one out of several. Hence, only one picture here at DCC today. If you want to see a couple more of my pairs pictures, visit Standing Room Only!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 07/08

Two Things Challenge: People / Watch

Sunday reading in the park : DuPont Circle

Salvaging bruised fruit for taste testing : DuPont Circle Organic Farmer's Market

This week's Two Things Challenge was People / Watch. Photographing people is a challenge for me. I always feel like I'm being intrusive or stealing their spirits or something. But, I figured this week's challenge was a good way to overcome my hang ups and dive right in.

Multi-tasking on a Sunday morning : DuPont Circle

I chose three different venues for my photography: DuPont Circle--The Organic Farmer's Market and the park circle itself; the White House--near the South Lawn and in Lafayette Park; and the Renwick Gallery of Art--inside and out.

A busload of Korean tourists taking each other's pictures :
The White House / South Lawn

Solitary sitter : The Renwick Gallery of Art

One of the things that always strikes me about this city is its international attraction--both to people who come here to live and people who come here to visit. And they come from all over the world! This morning, in the span of three hours, I heard French, Korean, Hungarian, English, Spanish, Dutch, Urdu or Punjabi (I'm not sure which), and an African language I couldn't identify. I love that!

Looking : Lafayette Park

I love this picture. Click on it to enlarge and you'll notice none of these women are looking in the same direction. I also love the juxtaposition of three of them in very bright, vibrant colors and the older woman in softer, muted tones. Just a lovely group of women, I think.

Restoration project : Front Gates of the White House

I should probably title this one "Tourists Watching People" or something witty. Really what I wondered was, does President Bush know these painters are working on a Sunday and, if so, what does he think?

To see a few more People Watching shots, visit Standing Room Only.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 07/08

Busted!

Busted: Some poor dude getting a ticket in Takoma

I'm trying to improve my people-picture-taking skills. As I've been out and about, I try to take a couple of pictures of people doing random stuff. In this case, here's a D.C. police officer issuing a ticket to some poor schlub in the van. I don't know what his infraction was, but I took a shot anyway. I promise (or, at least, I hope) these kinds of pictures will get better over time as I overcome my shyness. (I'm thinking of starting a series where I photograph people in my neighborhood. I already have one volunteer and I may take him up on it.)

Also, for the month of July, I'm trying to post material within 24 hours of shooting it. Normally, I take a ton of photos of a bunch of stuff and then divvy it out into the month, which isn't truly daily photo blogging. I'm going to try being a daily photo blogger in the real sense of the word and see what I end up with! In other words, you could end up seeing a lot more of my neighborhood and immediate environs, as well as my family, than you've seen in these parts. Oh, and in utter desperation, I may have to resort to photographing the cat and posting his mug here! (But only if I'm desperate.)

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential

Secrets

Sharing a quiet moment on the river

I captured this couple sharing a quiet moment along the Potomac River in East Potomac Park a couple of weeks ago.

Another perspective on the same moment...

Which of these two do you like better? (Click images to enlarge.)

Happy weekend, everyone!

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 5/08