We just got back from a whirlwind weekend in New Orleans to work on our Katrina, past and present project. The highlight of the trip by far was hosting a meet-up for photographers in the area. It was fantastic to meet so many talented folks and watch iReporters in action.

We set out in the blazing heat to practice taking past-meets-present photos around the French Quarter, and the group captured some amazing shots. joshuans took this photo of a once-flooded Canal Street.

And ljmagnuson snapped a great shot of a shop aptly named "Hurricane City."

If you'd like to take your own past-meets-present photos in places affected by Katrina, it's not too late! You’ve got until August 18 to send in your photos. You can download CNN images of Katrina's aftermath here, or use your own.

Before you head out, check out this past roundtable conversation with Looking into the Past creator Jason Powell. Capturing these photos takes a lot of practice and patience, and Powell offered some helpful advice and technical tips for aspiring photographers.

This is a big project that requires a variety of photos from places all over the Gulf. That's where you come in. We can't wait to see your submissions!

-- Katie and Christina