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I’ve been working the last couple of days on a series of programs I will be presenting about six times before the end of the year. The major program, which is also the title of my next Kelby Training class is, “Learning to See Photographically”. This is the class I’ve been preparing to do for many, many years. Virtually everything I’ve learned has gone into developing this program. As I was working on the presentation, and reviewing images to share as part of the class I found something that fits in perfectly, but is short enough to share with you right here. Years ago the GAPW had a series of plastic cards made that were called the John Shaw’s Pocket Field Guide. It was a gift to all the folks attending our workshops and was filled with useful information for working in the field. John and I planned what material to include and it was a big hit. No card was more important that the one titled, “Designing Your Photograph…” This 11 step card really got down to the nuts and bolts of making a good image. Here is the list:

1. A good photograph is a synthesis of many decisions that work together in unison.
2. Composition is the art of imposing order and structure on the random natural world.
3. The starting point is to choose a subject, simplify, simplify, simplify.
4. Look around the viewfinder and carefully identify and eliminate any elements that
are not supporting your intended subject.
1. Ask the question, “What is this a photograph of?”
2. Think of the elements in your photograph as graphic elements thus; Photo-Graphics.
3. Use foreground objects carefully positioning to give a sense of depth.
4. Be aware of and use to full advantage C or S curves that appear in the scene.
5. Study the composition and determine if the Horizontal or Vertical format best
handles the subject.
1. Take advantage of Aerial perspective to show depth.
2. Avoid white skies and keep your horizon level…..

Today this list is just as meaningful in making a great image as it was 20 years ago. I hope I get to see many of you that read the blog at some of those programs this year. Just putting the program together has made me a lot more excited about our craft.

Be blessed,

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: D2x with the 80-200 lens.

I am innocent, I was just taking the laundry into town and to the post office to mail some letters. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the sun was streaking through a field of tall grass covered with beautiful dew. I love August, the hot days and cool nights and the magic happens. I’ve seen
beautiful pearls, but none as beautiful as these creations of God. I used to love close-up photography until I met and got to be friends with John Shaw and Cliff Zenor, they were so ridiculously good that I stuck to things I knew how to do well. Later I decided what the heck, I’m not the best I’ve ever seen at anything, so why not have fun with close-ups. Since then I’ve become more and more intrigued with seeing things in this exciting new way.

Vision comes with a relaxed
heart. Being calm, feeling
confident, leads to clearer vision
and tighter perspective. It’s not
a technique, it’s the certainty of
knowing that you do not have
to control anything, you are
no longer under the allusion that
you are in control of any of it.

As I walked through the field,
hundreds of tiny grasshoppers
leaped from one blade of grass
to another, completely unaware
of me, except for the fact that
I was disturbing their world.
That is exactly how much I
matter, and that’s great, can
you imagine how freeing it is
to know that you are nothing,
absolutely nothing, and yet
the Creator of the Universe gave
His only Son just for you.

Is that eye opening or what? It is the most wonderful feeling to know that even though you have done nothing to deserve it, that the Master of the Universe gave His most valuable possession so that you might be saved. As I looked through the lens at these jewels hanging from every blade of
grass I thought how wonderfully beautiful God has made the simplest of all things, and the same God that made the Universe, and every dew drop made me.

Be overwhelmed by His love,

the pilgrim

My apologies to John and Cliff, this is not spectacular close-up work like your, but boy am I having fun and you taught me how to do that…………….

Last night after we shut down the Nikon office at the PGA, I struck out for home, I knew I couldn’t make it all the way, about four and a half hours, but I could get closer and that was good enough. It must be an indicator that I’m closing in on retiring, wanting to be home more than wanting to be on the road. For the past 25 years I’ve been traveling a great deal, averaging over two hundred days a year away from Sherelene. It’s a life that both of us have gotten use to, but never happy with it. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, the people I work with, and the work is, (most of the time), interesting, but being away from home is not my idea of ideal. Many people have jobs that require travel so I’m certainly not all that different from millions of others. I have to say that it does have some up side. After forty two years of marriage, I still love my wife and always enjoy coming home to her. I appreciate my home, my home town, my church, my friends and the life of living like most normal people, when I get the opportunity. Then again in the last twenty five years I’ve been to Africa, the Galapagos Islands (three times), France, South America, several trips to Canada. I’ve also gotten to extensively shoot the National Parks, virtually all of them, over 25 times. That has been a real blessing, but yet, my favorite evening is snow falling outside, a fresh log in the fireplace, and cuddled up with Sherelene reading a good book.

Life is not always exactly what we want, to be paid, we have to go where the work takes us. If it means time away from home, that’s just the way it is. With my limited talents, (I can write, photograph and like and get along well with people), there are only so many jobs out there. I’m
blessed to have this one. I’ve been asked often by friends and associates how I’ve handled such a heavy travel schedule. It’s simple;

1. I trust God with my life, my work, and my family. I know they are under His supreme care and knowing that allows me to concentrate on the work that must be done.

1. While I think of Sherelene and my family often, I don’t dwell on how far apart we are. Thinking
constantly about how much I miss them will not get me home any sooner, and it makes it
impossible to do the work I’m paid to accomplish.

1. I work on the things that Nikon needs me to do and work hard at becoming a better; man of
faith, photographer, and craftsman at what I do.

1. I spend some time everyday thanking Him for all He has given me. A life worth living, a great
family, wonderful friends, and exciting experiences.

1. I pray that God will help me to grow into the man He wants me to be and give me a mission
worthy of devoting a life to.

Thank You Father for another day, another day at home, another day to belong to You, to serve You, to honor You. Thank you for a better family, better friends and a better job than I deserve.
Thank You Father, Amen.

Be blessed,

the pilgrim

As Paul said, “I am not in prison, I’m in the Lord.”

* Photo Note: Image shot with the D7000, 200mm Micro Nikkor, ISO 3200. Match head color changed from
green to blue in Capture NX2.

Every evening they parole us from golf prison so we can return to our hotel to rest up for the next day of incarceration. O.K. I’m just having fun, it’s great to work with golf photographers and try and make their lives better, but as a story line it’s pretty boring. So I’m left to show you where we ate, or what the early morning course looks like.

It was my pleasure last night to take Brien and
Abe to Dreamland, the legendary Bar-B-Que
place. The original is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
and then also in Birmingham, where I eat the
most often. Many years ago I interviewed
Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, I asked him if he
loved anything as much as football? In his
deep voice, he said, “Dreamland”. I had
to go to this famous ribs place, and have
been a frequent visitor ever since. The food
is great and the Dreamland family is always,
deep south, friendly. I really enjoy working with
Abe and Brien. Brien has been a great addition
to our team, I can see he is going to be a great
Tech Rep.

Above, Takayuki Abe and below, Brien Aho,
enjoying some great Bar-B-Que. The picture of
Brien with the American flag behind him is
appropriate since he is a many times, category
winner in Combat Photographer of the year.

We really are taking good care of the photographers and having great meetings with key customers, but then parole is great too!

When you count your blessings, think of the rich blessings God has granted you with if you have great folks to work with, and call your friends………

Blessings,

the pilgrim

* Photo Note: All image with the Nikon Coolpix P300.