Joseph P. Dorignac: photos from NOLA

Metalfan: Hi Joseph and welcome to Metalfan.ro! I've discovered your work some time ago and since then I keep my eyes on you. How it's to be a photographer in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Joseph P. Dorignac: Man, New Orleans and Louisiana are great for the photographer and any artist for that matter. There is so much culture and history in the air, you can feel it like humidity in the summer, one can find inspiration wherever they turn...Whether it is from architecture, nature, food or people and music.

Metalfan: How and when you have discovered your passion for photography?
Joseph P. Dorignac:  I have had a passion for photograph since about the age of 12. I really cannot say there is one big moment that I was like: this is what I want to do. It has just been with me and growing.

Metalfan: Could you tell us more about your technique and style as a photographer?
Joseph P. Dorignac:  Haha… This is a difficult one, because I really don’t think I have a special technique and my style has developed on its own. I do find myself shooting most of my shots underexposed. I find I like most of my images a little on the darker side so it makes editing for me easier. I am able to keep the dark blacks but also able to lighten the shadow areas and bring my colours to where I want them for that specific image. This process is the opposite of what some teach. They say it is easier to edit a shot that is overexposed rather than underexposed. But that is like me to do it the hard way!
Haha…

Metalfan: I think that discovering music was easier than discovering photography. Which were the first bands and records that you had the chance to listen?
Joseph P. Dorignac: Ozzy, Eagles, KISS, AC/DC, Heart.

Metalfan: When you fell in love with rock music? In which way your passion for music influences your work as photographer?
Joseph P. Dorignac: I was 12 and would listen to Ozzy’s Speak of the Devil over and over and over! So that is the album that stared it for me! I would say album covers influence me more that the music! I love the visuals! Not that music can’t give you some great visions...

 

Mike Williams, Jimmy Bower, Philip H. Anselmo

Metalfan: During the years you've worked with a lot of iconic bands from the rock/metal scene. Down, Eyehategod, Superjoint Ritual and so on. Which is the greatest band to work with? Why?
Joseph P. Dorignac: Oh, I can’t say one over the other. They are all great! I am close friends with all of them, so it is not work. It is more like hanging out with good friends and taking photos while having fun.

Metalfan: In the documentary NOLA: Life, Death, & Heavy Blues from the Bayou made by Noisey, Mike Williams described New Orleans to be more like an European city. Do you feel the same? Could you tell us more about this?
Joseph P. Dorignac:  Yes, we as a city are very close to our European roots. Of course we were developed by Spain, France and England. Most of our architecture is made up of all three. The French Quarter actually has more Spanish influence than French! Neat little fact!

Metalfan: Boiled crawfish it's a famous local dish when it comes to food from New Orleans. From the same documentary NOLA: Life, Death, & Heavy Blues from the Bayou, I've seen that Phil Anselmo it's the chief cook. How good he cooks?
Joseph P. Dorignac: If you have seen the cartoon Cooking Hostile with Philip, that says it all! Haha…

 

Metalfan: Could you share with us more regarding the New Orleans cuisine, are there any foods that anyone should try if they visit the city?
Joseph P. Dorignac: What you do not know about me is that my main gig is cooking and my family owns a grocery store in New Orleans. So New Orleans cuisine is a big part of my life. Just like our architecture, our cuisine is heavily influenced by Spanish, Italian, African, French even Asian. Lately, Mexican inspired flavour and technique have been the fad though. But if you visit you have to try the staples, Crawfish Étouffée, Alligator Sauce Picante’ or any locale seafood dish. We have some of the best seafood in the world. Also you have to try a Roast Beef Po Boy! It is our version of a sandwich. We use a French Loaf, slow roasted beef usually sliced thin or shredded with a thick brown gravy, topped with shredded lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Now I have to go eat!! Haha…

Metalfan: During these times, there is still a lot of violence in the world, a lot of useless wars where egos are larger than life itself. Do you see a way to stop this madness?
Joseph P. Dorignac: There has always been war since the beginning of mankind. War will never stop as long as there is mankind.

Metalfan: From outside, guns in US seem to cause some serious problems. For example, Megadeth tried to send a message with their song and video from the mid '90s, 99 Ways to Die. 20 years later it seems like nothing has changed. Which are your views regarding this matter?
Joseph P. Dorignac: It is the people that cause problems, not the guns. I own a few guns myself and my guns have never caused a problem.

Metalfan: Henry Rollins once said that "Education will restore a vigorous democracy". What do you think about education and how do you comment this quote?
Joseph P. Dorignac:  I love knowledge!! We are always learning if we keep our minds open. But here in my country we are getting dumber, even though we spend billions of dollars on education in this country. It is causing a whole generation of sheep and followers of lies and political propaganda.

Metalfan: Here at Metalfan.ro we are big fans of mix-tapes. We consider them a good way to find new music and by new I don't think specifically at new bands, but at undiscovered jams and songs that you enjoy. Could you choose 12 songs from 12 different bands for a virtual mix-tape? Which it would be the title of this mix-tape?
Joseph P. Dorignac: I would call this mix, I Am a Old Fucker!!!
01. Exodus - Bonded by Blood
02. Pantera - I’m Broken
03. Sepultura - Arise
04. Suicidal Tendencies - Trip at the Brain
05. Corrosion of Conformity - Vote with a Bullet
06. Superjoint Ritual - Fuck your Enemy
07. EyeHateGod - New Orleans is the New Vietnam
08. Down - anything off of NOLA
09. Outlaw Order - Alcohol Tobacco Firearms
10. Today Is The Day - Pain is a Warning
11. Napalm Death - Sold Short
12. anything from King Parrot!!!

 

Metalfan: Did you ever think to release a photography album? Do you see doing this in the near future?
Joseph P. Dorignac: Yes, I am working on a book of my photography right now. I hope to have it finished by October. But it looks like it is turning into 3. Each one a different subject... One of all Louisiana sunsets and swamps scenes... Then one of Louisiana cemeteries and one of my live concert shots...

Metalfan: Thank you for your time and for your answers! In the end would you like to add something or to send few words to our readers?
Joseph P. Dorignac: Thank you! I appreciate that you like my work enough to want to find out more! Metal Unites the World!!!