Mardi Gras beads for flower arranging

 In New Orleans it is the carnival season and that means balls, parties, parades, king cake, beads, dabloons and other trinkets. New Orleanians come up with many ways to use the items that they catch. They decorate the following year, or they keep a shrine.

 Mardi Gras becomes a part of you whether your family belongs to a social organization, your school participates or you are a spectator. Some items become collectibles and others can be sold or used for other purposes. Over the years I have used the beads that I didn't sell instead of floral foam or those decorative stones. 

If you are using a clear glass vase then you will won't the beads to match your color scheme, but if you are using a dark vase in which you can't see then it doesn't matter what color beads you use.

For this projects I am using the signature colors of Mardi Gras, purple, green and gold. Purple is for justice, green is for faith and gold is for power.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.

A fascination with tats.

I am not sure when I had an attraction to this particular art form. I of course would never get a tattoo, but I had thought about it. When I was on the Big Island I had one of those temporary tats of a gecko. It was made to look like a tribal design. I still have one that I was thinking of using in a photo shoot.

I’ve known many people with tats that I’ve photographed on several occasions and there are people I’ve just seen around and asked if I could photograph their tats.

There are people who have tats that aren’t always visible. I'm intrigued when people tell me they have tats. There are some really great works out there.
I’ve also come to realize tats don’t look good on everyone. Some people just know how to pull it off like fashion. The right canvas makes everything look just right. Some times I am only interested in the tat and there are other times when the person is just as intriguing; it helps with telling the story. But not everyone wants to be photographed so I just do the best I can to capture the moment.

The images featured here were taken during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It happened to be one of those times when the weather was warm and everything was visible.

I am still on the prow for people with unique tats that would like to be photographed. I have several locations around Austin where I would like to shoot that, but since the focus is on the tat, whatever city I am in I can always pull it together.

I’m hoping I can get some new equipment and create a studio/gallery here in Austin. I’ve found a few spots now I just have to work on my business plan and see if I can get the funds together. I also have to give myself a time frame. If I wait too long I could miss out, but I always feel when things don’t come together as I plan it just wasn’t meant to be at that moment.


Artography by Dlonzo “It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

If you are in need of an artist/photographer to capture your event from concept to completion contact me, 1960Photo@gmail.com or Photo1960@aol.com

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again to see where the journey leads.

Check out my other blogs for more insight.
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
http://filmlover4pg.blogspot.com
http://artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.
Taking it one day at a time. Keep the faith.

Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).

Check out the links below for some of my videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

An Update from the Artist

There was a magazine called Bluecanvas that I stumbled across a few years ago in a Barnes and Noble bookstore. I then checked out the website and saw that I could upload my art to sell. Although I didn’t sell anything to my knowledge, I liked the idea of being able to have other artists critique my work. I also got to be involved in a virtual community of artists where we could collect and share each others work.

A few weeks ago I found out the site would be shutting down. It probably has to do with the fact that it isn’t generating enough income to run the site.

I was thinking about posting some of that art here if it is still on this computer. I have been working on some newer stuff which I also hope to post.

I got me a new camera which I have been teaching myself how to operate. It wasn’t the camera that I wanted, but it’s a start to get back into being in control of my photos. I keep trying to get that same effect as I did with the 35mm camera. That was the reason I wanted to stay with Pentax, but the camera I wanted was a bit pricey at the moment. So I’ll keep working toward getting the money saved to buy it.

There are always newer models coming out. I’m learning to use a Canon, but there are some things I don’t like. As I get familiar with the camera perhaps it won’t matter as much. There are things that I didn’t like with the Casio and I got used to it.
Now that I have a laptop with Windows 10 I’m using the photo program to enhance some of the images that just couldn’t be taken over. Sometimes you only have a moment and once it is gone you can’t recreate it. So, if the shot it blurred or a little out of focus, you do what you must do.

Artography by Dlonzo “It’s not just a Photograph, it’s Art!”

If you are in need of an artist/photographer to capture your event from concept to completion contact me, 1960Photo@gmail.com or Photo1960@aol.com

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again to see where the journey leads.

Check out my other blogs for more insight.
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com
http://filmlover4pg.blogspot.com
http://artbyDlonzo.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.
Taking it one day at a time. Keep the faith.

Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

While you’re here, why not become a follower (fan).

Check out the links below for some of my videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmgUzGZGt98

The above link is a video for an organic flutist in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hciIcHFm3Yw&NR=1

The above is a link of a performance from Oz in New Orleans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-qcybZsUzc

The above link is for a promo of a DJ in New Orleans.

http://www.myspace.com/darqueleight/music/songs/d-bohemian-31098704

Computer generated music.

Happy Mardi Gras 2015

Here are some images from 2015 and past Mardi Gras' in New Orleans.

(The flamebeaux carrier goes back to the beginning of Mardi Gras as they used to light the path of the Krewe.)

(The lead float from the Krewe of Hermes.)

(From the Bourbon Street Awards when they were moved to St. Ann and Burgundy.)

(People come from all over to participate in Mardi Gras. Thaddeus had come in from Chicago.)

(One of the paper mache floats from the Krewe of Endymion from years past.)

(Often people will get together as a group and dress up.)

(One of my all time favorite images of a couple on Orleans. Who stopped to let me photograph them.)

Happy Mardi Gras

 (This is one of my favorite photographs. She just posed perfectly.)

The Art of Mardi Gras can be found in the imagination of the people who put together the themes.

 (From the Krewe of Endymion)

From the concept, to costumes and the final presentation.

(Another float from the Krewe of Endymion)

Here are a few images from past Mardi Gras' in New Orleans.

 (A little history of Rex which is called the King of Carnival. I think I photographed this at the New Orleans Historic collection, but it could have been a Mardi Gras exhibit at The Mint.)

Check out my other blog for more images.
http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Photo shoot

When I can't find the right person to photograph, I step from behind the camera in front of the lens. Sunday after church I went to a location someone told me about little over a year ago. I thought it would be great to do some wintry scenes or use as a Christmas card. I am not a big fan of extreme cold for long periods of time. I have taken some pictures in the snow in Italy and Seattle, but you can't always go back to those places in a moments notice.

I decided to get an early start before the pedestrians were out with there dogs. I had planned this in my head for quite some time and I was able to get some good shots. The weather was great and the lighting was perfect. The sun came in just at the right moment. I like using natural lighting, but I will begin testing lights in a studio setting soon. It's been a while so I am teaching myself all over again.

I consider myself an artist that takes pictures and that's what I try to capture, giving my clients something they will be proud to show off.

You can find more images on my other blog.

http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Keep an open mind.

It's Carnival Time

For Those that miss all that New Orleans has to offer. Here are some images from various Mardi Gras. All of my blogs are being dedicated to Mardi Gras. Wherever you are and whatever you do, have fun and be safe.

Charmaine Neville performs at Lundi Gras in New Orleans in 2008. Lundi Gras is the celebration the day before Mardi Gras. It's when Zulu and Rex meet for the first time. Bringing back an old tradition from the early days of Mardi Gras.

Because Mardi Gras doesn't just take place in one area of the city, you can find something going on wherever you are. This is the Krewe of St. Ann working its way through the Bywater area.

Some of the costumes are a throw back to the Carnivals in Venizia, Italia.

This was just one of those photo opportunities one can't pass up. So I took advantage of it.

Mardi Gras brings out the artistry as well as the pageantry in the party atmosphere.

One of the floats from the Krewe of Zulu as it headed down Jackson Avenue in New Orleans.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back again.

Mardi Gras - The Art of the Costume

Mardi Gras is all about the art of the costume as well as everything else. Some costumes take a year to put together. In New Orleans, Mardi Gras Indians sometimes work on their costumes until they walk out of the door on Fat Tuesday. Costumes get to represent what the artist is thinking. Sometimes the costumes are humorous and sometimes they are weird. The idea is to be something or someone you’ve always wanted to be. These photographs speak for themselves.

Every Krewe has to have a Queen.

Mardi Gras morning begins with the Mardi Gras Indians. They are up bright and early to meet up with other Indians and battle for the best costume.

You can be a superhero like Wonder Woman.

You can show off your body and piercings.

You can make yourself a part of your favorite work of art.

You can be a sex crazed gladiator or a nun that looks like Ellen Degeneres.

Most costumes are made by the people who wear them.

As a photographer no matter what the costume you want to try to be in a position where you can do justice to the costume and capture its essence.

 In this case I did the best I could. The wing span was so large an there were people walking on each side.

When considering a costume, one should think about being comfortable. The weather can change in an instant and you want to consider the crowds. Mardi Gras is all about having fun.

The Goth, vampire look, it just looked striking and those contacts added the final touch.

If you want people to stop and take you picture you need to wear the costume. You want to have lots of color and strike a pose that will be memorable even for the novice photographer.

Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras.

Check out my other blog for more on Mardi Gras.

http://dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.