Emily W. Kincke Photography

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.