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Meade drinking one of his favorite beverages - a Mint Julep. This is usually a hot day, Kentucky Derby kinda a drink, but Meade doesn’t conform. The steam off the top is due to it being ridiculously cold in Brooklyn. Just goes to show that an enjoyable drink is always enjoyed if made correctly.
For this week, I’m going to feature a photo of a slightly different kind. In case you didn’t know, in addition to my photography, I also scrapbook. I’ve started making scrapbooks, cards, gifts, etc. to sell to others. You can check out that website at - Simply Kincke (kĭnk’y).
With this photo-a-week I’m showing off a card I made for a wedding a few weeks ago.
I really love this shot because it not only shows the detail on this card, but at an angle that adds a romance to it. The colors aren’t traditional love and romance colors except for the red, but the combination made so much sense. I pulled from the centerpiece embellishment of the stack of love letters and then from a color wheel. I have started using the wheel in all aspects of my art. I’m even using it in my photography. When looking at a scene, I’ll change my point of view to capture the most appealing color combination. Now, of course, this isn’t a rule to live by, but it’s fun to try when the opportunity presents itself. Enjoy and give the color wheel a second look - it’s not just for painters.
If you’re looking to challenge both your hands and eyes, Lensbaby is the gear to get. It lets you get inside the image and control everything. The focus is completely up to you. So much more than manual focus, it goes beyond. You can, and will, bend physical objects to bring focus to something special in the scene.
Check out their website for more info and where to find them, Lensbaby. It’s too much fun.
I’m challenging myself to take the Lensbaby out this weekend and play around. I’ll post my favorite photographs and I encourage you to do the same.
Anyone who knows me well, knows I love the outdoors, specifically the sky and the rain that comes from it. In photography, rain is challenging in all the best ways. The first and most obvious problem is not getting your camera and equipment wet. The second is lighting. The third is focusing on either the rain or the subject, especially in heavy rain. Finally, of course, there’s wind and lightening and any other trial nature might swing your way. In any event, rain makes for some of the most spectacular photographs. Water symbolizes so many things like rebirth, fertility, and purification. This symbolism allows the viewer to interpret each photo in such a personal way and I love to see what it evokes.
Now, working for Jazz Fest, we actually fight off the temptation of rain. This battle became a conundrum for me. I wanted the fest to continue on without a hitch, but it was so hot and dry. We went 6 out of the 7 days with no rain, so on the last day, right before the last act, it had to show its face. Just to prove something. It cleared out some of the guests, but the true festers stuck around: soaked and ready to rock.
This photograph is taken from the Test Barn, the “Louver.” Many took cover under our roof because the barn door was open to light and air, but protected us from the rain. This scene only lasted about half an hour and ended just in time for our last acts to finish with finesse.
So much to see, so little time to take photos. This weekend proved to be a bit more difficult getting around because of the lack of golf carts, but that did give me a greater sense of appreciation for all those true, die-hard Jazz Festers who walk all day.
Anyway, I managed to see many different bands at several different stages and loved it all. With four full days of activity and big names, it’s hard to choose just one to feature. So I’ll just pick one of my top favorite performances and emotion in the photograph.
Buddy Guy had a blast. He was rocking the Blues Tent like mad and you could tell. The tent was overflowing with people. All standing and dancing. I caught the beginning and the end of his show and I knew I had missed out in the middle. Let’s just say he ended by not only playing guitar with a rag, yes I said he played guitar by swinging a rag, but he then played with his teeth. I was enjoying his show so much that I didn’t want to be behind the lens. I wanted to catch it all first hand.
That says a whole lot for Buddy Guy. The man actually got me out from behind my camera. He is truly a entertainer.
Here he paused just long enough. He looked me dead in the eyes, through the camera, and I felt it. He told me a secret. One that is mine and mine alone.
Since it’s festing time, I’m going to give you a double hitter.
To start I have to share one of my favorite photographs of Dave Matthews.
After a fun, albeit hot and humid, set, Meade and I caught a glimpse of Dave leaving the Fairgrounds in the front seat of his tour bus. We waved, he saw us and returned the gesture.
This image shows me what passion and love he must have for his career and fans. After two hours of singing, playing, and sweating, he’s still smiling.
Check back after this weekend for another sneak peek into the Jazz Fest world.
I’ve fallen so far behind with my website, but I have a great excuse . . . Jazz Fest has taken over!
With a tiny break in between weekends, I’ve found a moment to breathe. I’ve posted some photos from the First Weekend with the Dave Matthews Band and Etta James and the Roots Band. What a wonderful weekend. Great performances, delicious food, and so much fun!
Looking forward to this upcoming weekend full of four days of more fun.
It’s been too long since my last post. I’ve been working hard. I started working for Jazz Fest, which has been wonderful. I’m also scheduling some photo shoots, so it’s been a great two weeks.
My new weekly project:
This week I’m going to devote to contacting potential clients. Seems so simple.
My Photo-A-Week:
With the new house and so much wall space, I’m needing to print and frame more photographs. It’s so great to have a reason to get my work out and about. This is a photo that I’ve been wanting to frame and just haven’t for one reason or another. It’s actually already printed, but sitting all alone in a book. I think it will be my next one to go on the walls.
This windmill is in my in-laws backyard and I have on many occasions been very intrigued by its speed and versatility. When I took this photo, I knew there was a storm brewing. The pink sky was the dead giveaway. The pale, faded red blades just blended so well into it, like they were not trying to cut through, but trying to join forces. The blue tail was just holding them back, holding them in place, or maybe even holding them right where they needed to be.
We rush through life, speedy, trying to get somewhere, get everything done, while at times missing that perfect scent of a rose or a simple clear, blue sky. Mesmerized by this windmill, I felt in place, centered, happy. It seems so easy to let things fly by or even join them, the hard part is to stay your ground and keep your footing. We all have a blue tail, what’s yours?
The exciting news is that I just received my copy of the Acadiana Center for the Arts book, Sustained Winds - Artists Respond to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - Before, During, After, and it turns out that all three of my photography pieces that were exhibited are featured in the book!
So for this week’s photo-a-week, I present my favorite - Aurora Occidentalis.
As we approached downtown New Orleans from Canal Street, I noticed a gleam of light that was reminiscent of hope. Driving from darkness, complete blackness, stop signs instead of stop lights waving us by. I finally saw New Orleans again. Aurora Occidentalis means Western Dawn. I saw light, then darkness, and then light again… this photo demostrates my sense of hope through light ahead coming for me, coming for all of us.
Well, it’s not finished, but it is usable! I’ll post photos as soon as it’s basically complete.