Category : Uncategorized

Where’s the photographer?

 

I went down to Old Car City today to spend some time with my dear brother Pete Collins and to celebrate his great news that he is cancer free!  He brought along  his friend, David Carr, a great young man and the drummer for Third Day a terrific contemporary Christian band!  We had a lot of fun fellowshipping and working over Dean Lewis’ collection of rust as art!

 

This was my first time back to OCC for a while and I was using the X-T2 for the first time there.  I also did a number of shots trying to work out the 16mm f 1.4 lens from Fujifilm. The next few images show the versatility of that lens using near and far positions on the subject.  All shot at f 1.4.

 

 

 

 

I also tried the 18-135 (my most used lens, by far) to shoot some old favorites and a few new images.

 

Sure love that Acros with  red filter!

 

 

This is the special filter that makes the selected color appear and turns everything else monochrome, love the Elvis and the red dial on the radio!

 

 

I far prefer overcast light at OCC, but this morning sun made the, much shot, Cadillac emblem really shine!

 

 

This Ford body panel changes every year but is still lovely!

 

 

Please remember you can join Jim Haverstock and I at Old Car City for a workshop to benefit the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital!  Details below!

 

 

Thanks again to Pete and David for a great day!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

discernment |dəˈsərnmənt| noun1    the ability to judge well: an astonishing lack of discernment.2 (in Christian contexts) perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding:without providing for a time of healing and discernment, there will be no hope of living through this present moment without a shattering of our common life.

 

This is the definition of discernment from Webster’s dictionary.  It our everyday lives we observe the actions of others and we often are puzzled, concerned, or dismayed and we seek to understand, to discern, what is really happening. Waht is driving the narative?

 

For the purpose of this post I am going to “assume” that you are a Chrisitan, that you believe in God and hopefully have accepted Jesus Christ as  your Savior.  If that is not the case this will not make much sense to  you or you will probably reject it, outright.  If you are as described, a believer, you already know that there is a God and His counterpart, an enemy, Satan.  God desires the best for you and tells you the truth, Satan desires your destruction and lies to you.  In this world there is a war happening and these are the two field generals.

 

How do we “discern” where a person is coming from and what his or her actions really mean. and who they are getting their marching orders from.

 

* Quick note, this is not an encouragment to JUDGE others, only a way to divide the thoughts an actions of others into a God position or Satan position.  The fate of any person is in God’s hands, and all have the opporutnitiy to accept or reject Him.  So we all have the same chance to make the right decision.

 

This was the last sentence in my moring devotional, and it brings a great deal of light to the process of discernment.

 

When a decision is unclear, ask yourself these questions: Will Christ be glorified in this choice? Can I do this in Jesus’ name? If either answer is no, then don’t follow that path, because the Holy Spirit is not guiding you there. His leading always aligns with Scripture and brings glory to Christ.

 

When you here the words of someone and they do not meet this test, you can make a safe assumption that the their motives and actions are NOT coming from a “God based” decsion.  It is vital in these times to know who our enemies are.  Keep in mind that Jesus, himself, said “Pray for your enemies, pray for those that do wrong against you.”

 

We are not to discern in order to punish those enemies, we are to discern that we may know who to pray for, and who to be careful, not to follow!

 

Keep these truths in mind from God’s own Word;

 

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV

 

³³ “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. ³⁴ You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  the words of Jesus

Matthew 12:  33-37

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2: 20

 

I wanted to get a little news out to you guys and gals!   First, I know there are a lot of Fuji shooters out there, I hear from you folks all the time.  I wanted to re-iterate that we have two incredible Summits comimgup this year and really would love to have you join us for one, four X-Photographers, and lots of great activities!  Please consider joining  us!!

 

Still have a couple of lenses and one body to sell!

 

 

 

A Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite body,  Like New, rarely used,  MINT ( I had three more X-T1 in black and they were my user cameras)  includes L Bracket, box, strap, charger and battery.   $800.

 

 

 

Fujinon XF 35mm f 1.4 R  Like New, not used much, very sharp, includes original square hood, and an excellent  screw in hood I prefered, (stays in place) caps and box.    $400.

 

 

Fujinon XF 27mm F 2.8  This is a great lens and mine is essentially new, onloy used a few times.  Just have too many lenses that cover this area.  Nice compact lens for travel.  Box and caps. $300.

 

 

 

 

 

FAIR WARNING  –  September 20-24 we are having an extraordinary workshop with “The Joe McNally”  In our past workshops with Joe they were quickly sellouts and everyone that came said it was one of the best workshops they had ever attended.  So we will take 14 people and there are already 4 people with deposits made, REMEMBER First Come, First Serve, so if you don’t want to miss this on,  call me ASAP!  (606)-528-6119  or email me at:

 

billfortney @earthlink.net      or      bill@billfortney.com

 

This year we will be staying at the Historic Civil War era Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg, KY,  with visits to Fort Harrod and several trips into Shaker Village.  It’s going to be EPIC!!!  Call or email soon, don’t miss this!

 

 

 

 

Coming very soon, Volume Two of the best selling Fujifilm X-Camera User’s Guide.  Over 200 pages of updated info on the X-System, all the current lenses and bodies, especially deep diving into the X-T2 and X PRO2!!!  This time it is a super deal, if you buy the Volume Two eBook at $9.95 you get the first Volume and the Close-up eBooks as a bonus,  three great books for just $9.95.  Keep watching here for the official release!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

I buy a lot of fujifilm gear, often just to test it for you guys, but I have a policy, if I don’t use it or rarely use a piece of gear for over a year it has to go out the door, to make room for the next bunch of stuff I buy and test. All of this gear is exactly as described and mostly un-used or used very little.  Therefore I have following gear is for sale, the prices are firm and already a very good deal, the first email asking for piece of gear gets it!  I will consider it sold when you say you want it.  All products are USA Waranty items, no grey maket stuff.

Prices do not include shipping as I do not know how fast you may want it delivered!

 

A Fujifilm X PRO2 body, Excellent condition, only very minor wear,  Have had it since March 2016.  Approx. 5,000 frames. Just broken in. Includes an L Bracket with grip, Lensmate folding thumb rest,  box, strap,  body cap, charger and battery, and paperwork.   $1,000.

 

A Fujifilm X-T1 Graphite body,  Like New, rarely used,  MINT ( I had three more X-T1 in black and they were my user cameras)  includes L Bracket, box, strap, charger and battery.   $800.

 

 

 

 

Fujinon XF 50-140 f 2.8 R LM OIS WR  This lens is extraordinarily sharp, it’s just too big for me to haul around, rarely used Like New. I have to pick between this lens and the 100-400 all the time and I go with the longer one, even though this one is sharper! Can’t beleive I’m selling this one  but I just don’t use it. Includes box, literature, lens shade, caps and an RRS Arca Swiss plate that cost $75 alone!    $1,000.

 

 

 

 

Fujinon XF 35mm f 1.4 R  Like New, not used much, very sharp, includes original square hood, and an excellent  screw in hood I prefered, (stays in place) caps and box.    $400.

 

 

 

 

Fujinon XF 27mm F 2.8  This is a great lens and mine is essentially new, onloy used a few times.  Just have too many lenses that cover this area.  Nice compact lens for travel.  Box and caps. $300.

 

 

 

 

Fujinon XF 23mm f 1.4 R  This is one of the best lenses Fujifilm makes and I love it but I own both it and the 23 f 2 which is more compact and since I got into this system to save weight, I usually just use that one, they are both tack, tack sharp, but the f 1.4 is sharper to my eyes.  Like New with box, hood, & caps.     $600.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fujjinon XF 55-200mm f 3.5-4.8 R LM OIS.  This is a esentially new lens, bought it as a back up when i gave my first one to my granddaughter,  and it has remained on theshelf, not sure I’ve ever made an image with it!  Tack sharp box, caps, hood.   $500.

 

 

So that’s it,  please email your shipping address when you request gear.  I can take credit cards.  I will also need your phone number to let you know you were first.   All gear can be returned in 7 days in the condition shipped to you if you are not satisfied.

 

billfortney@earthlink.net   or   bill@billfortney.com

 

Blessingss,

 

the pilgrim