James Nacthwey- Pulitzer Prize Winning Photojournalist

This is one of my all time favorite photographers of all time. He is the reason why I became a Photojournalist. Please watch a segment of this profound story. 

What are you looking at!!!!

This kid was the coolest! Just walking along, as I take my camera everywhere, when suddenly a little boy says "Hey will you take my picture?" his mother was in amazement of his boldness. His staunchly grimace definitely makes the coolest portrait list.

New Orleans Night Photography-Tips and Tricks

New Orleans at night [ like most cities] is beautiful, and there is a special magic about capturing this great city at night.  Night and low light photography is a difficult feat. Thus, it takes much practice and patients.

I see many tourist come through New Orleans with there expensive DSLR cameras, and they always want to shoot at night the many beautiful locations that New Orleans has to offer. However, many people always come up short because they use either a fast Film Speed and/or flash. The secret as most of you may know is first a Trp-Pod, Slow film speed (ISO 100 or lower) and a long exposure. This is just one technique.Having fast glass (F/2.8 or lower) is the other and the best way to go.

Here is a check list that you should have to accomplish clear, crisp and properly exposed night and low light frames. 1)A sturdy Tri-Pod or monopod 2) F/16 for DOF [wide apertures are a mistake as they can increase your chance of flare] 3)A clean lens free of dust (Most important) 4)Long exposure as I used 30 seconds (You want to bath you film or CCD in as much light stopping down on you aperture as much as possible, or a Fast lens and a High ISO (Note: I would only do this with full frame digital cameras, like the Nikon D700 and D3 5)Always Keep your EV value at 0 6) Manual Focus- Spend about five minutes looking at your seen or subject through your lens, allow time for you eyes to adjust. Then get the sharpest focus you can produce manually. 7_Manual Exposure- Dont depend on Aperture or shutter priorities, true pros shot with manual exposure. Also Use your spot meter feature when shooting night. Photography The recipe above should produce the results that I have achieved above everytime. A good book to read on Night Photography: "The Complete Guide to Night and Low Light Photography" by Lee Frost ISBN 0-8174-5041-6 Pick it up at any borders or Barnes & Noble Happy Shooting Jamil-Kareem

"Tom"

While walking through the French Quarter today. My wife and I came across a talented young man whom calls himself Tom. 

There are many street musicians that play in the quarter;however, this young cat has real chops to boot. His playing is very original and organic, which makes me think that he is self taught. 

His style of playing is very melodic. In using a variety of minor chords you cant help but to stand their and just listen.

I wanted to capture this moment on film the best way possible the really give people a glimpse of Tom, his guitar and his story. If you are ever in the quarter on decatur street, give Tom a listen as well as a tip.

Jamil Jones

My Little Pony On Bourbon Street

My wife and I were walking along Bourbon street in New Orleans. As we went further down [crossing into the Gay district] we came across these two ponies just walking down the street. Don't ask me why there where wild  ponies walking down bourbon. Moreover, nothing seizes to amaze me when it comes to the Big Easy.

Cee Cee Michaela's CBN Interview

Here is My friend Cee Cee's Interview, that she did on 700 club. She called me to let me know it was on as she was really excited about it. She has come along way and I support her ministry 100%.




Be sure to discover more on her ministry

http://www.ceeceemichaela.com




Here is Part 2 of her interview

Black Mississippi- Photo History and Essay

On the first and Second weekends of every month for the next year. I will be working on a Photo Essay called "Black Mississippi" the essay will be published as a book through "Book Surge" an (Amazon.com Company whom also owns Borders book store) 

I will be traveling all through out Mississippi visiting historic civil rights locations, and documenting people that have been affected by Jim Crow laws and recording their stories. I will be visiting the prison in Jackson MS and documenting the place where the "Freedom Riders" where held and mistreated.

My wife and I have already visited the site of where Emit till was slain in 1955 for whistling at a white woman. which was the event that has marked the beginning of the modern Civil Rights Era movement in Mississippi.

While I was there at the historic seen of the crime (Tallahatchie River near Greenwood, Miss)whilst taking photos, someone drove by and threw a bottle at us. No one was hurt, but this goes to show you that, its been a little over 50 years and the wounds of bigotry and hatred are still open. This was clrearly a sign saying "Stop dredging up the past and your presence is not welcomed there.

As an African American and a journalist. This event has made me even more passionate to complete this documentary.

This is just a microcosm of things I will cover in Mississippi throughout the next year.

Unfortunately, racism is still alive and well in Mississippi. 

As I am also a new photojournalist for Sheen Magazine (www.sheenmagazine.com), I will be discussing a proposals with my editor, in doing an exclusive on this piece in time for black history month 2009;whereas, It would also help promote the book.

If anyone would be like to assist me doing some documentation and coverage this summer for a couple of days please contact me as I could use the help.

Your photos and/or article will be credited in both the book and magazine it will also be a chance to discover more about this history. We will be going into areas that will not welcome us (Photographers and Journalist, any type of media) in (rural Mississippi), 

in general people just protest in shouting out there disapproval or doing coward stuff like what I described above. I live not to far from the MS border in a suburb of New Orleans, which I am in Mississippi all the time so I know the area and the people. 

I don't expect allot of this to be going on, but it does happen surprisingly on both sides (White and Black) as the past is hard to deal with

So drop me a line if anyone is interested in trekking and documenting through out Mississippi on an historic scavenger hunt.

Peace and Blessings,

Jamil Jones