Emily W. Kincke Photography

Meade drinking one of his favorite beverages – a Mint Julep. This is usually a hot day, Kentucky Derby kinda 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.

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.

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.

Now that it’s March and we are fairly settled, I’m back and ready to go. So for this week’s photo, I’m going to describe the one you see above. It makes me happy because it’s a no parking sign during Mardi Gras. Gotta love New Orleans!

Well, we’re moving this week, so I’m going to have to take a break until we’re settled with internet and all.  Check back soon, maybe even this next weekend for an update.

See you soon . . .

While living in New Orleans, snow was the last thought on my mind.  Honestly, living in the South, snow is rare, but not unheard of, especially when I’m around.  I’ve been known to bring the snow to wherever I go.  My first year at Hendrix College in Arkansas it snowed for the first time in years.  It was so much snow that they cancelled classes . . . what fun!  It then continued to snow all four years I attended the school.  Then we moved to New Orleans where it not only snowed a nice bit, but it was on Christmas day in 2004!  I love a White Christmas!!  Then in Texas it snowed both in Fort Worth and in Austin while we were there.  People no longer doubt my snow bearing gift.

So this photograph is of the long lost tree out in front of my in-law’s home holding a nice little blanket of snow.  This year we had gotten a new little puppy, Nimbus, who at the time was only a month old, so Meade took her out wrapped up in his coat just so she could see and feel the snow, then quickly took her back inside.  He did the same for Briar, who was much older than Nim, but it was still cold and she was a princess.  I have pictures of us with the puppies standing next to this great, colorful tree with snow falling and us shivering.  Now I pay homage to this tree not only because of its great color and patch of snow, but also because it took quite a beating during a horrendous storm.  No, not Katrina, surprisingly enough.  This was before Hurricane Katrina, but the winds of this storm were heavy and strong enough to take this broad down.  She put up a good fight, but then came crashing down to the ground splitting the concrete sidewalk with her roots revealed.  We will miss this tree as it was a part of our home.   Cherish the nature that encompasses yours.