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O.K. I’m always encouraging you to step out and try something new, well I took a dose of my own medicine and went over to Orlando to attend Scott Diussa’s and Alan Hess’s Rock concert photography class. I don’t get to too many rock concerts anymore, but it was a blast learning from two of the best. Then all the students got to try their hand at this craft when Scott Kelby’s band
Big Electric Cat performed. I was supposed to record the other shooters trying to capture some unique images but got a little caught up in the fun myself. I don’t think anyone that is trying to do this for a living has anything to worry about, but I did have some fun and really enjoyed seeing Scott do the class. He did a great job, so don’t blame him for these efforts below!

Big Electric Cat

Good clean fun…….but I need a lot of practice……..

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: D7000, 24-120 AFS VR All shot wide open at f4 and ISO 6400. Hand Held with VR.

I did some preliminary work over at Sun n’ Fun yesterday and then a 5 hour pouring rain drove all activities in doors. Today I’m headed to Orlando to attend Scott Diussa’s Concert Photography class and catch up with the people of NAPP at Photoshop World. Last night I was working on some pre-planning for up coming events and activities. I’ve got a favor to ask of all of you out there, I’m really getting excited about Jim’s and my upcoming class in mid-April at Shaker Village.
Since it will be the first workshop run under the His Light Ministries banner, I have some very specific goals for the event. Let me share them with you, and then ask that favor;

Goals for His Light Ministries Events:

1. To provide a place for learning, in a spirit filled atmosphere.
2. To foster an open and honest sharing of our God given skills and gifts as artists.
3. To enjoy great fellowship and friendship.
4. To increase our skills and inspire one another through field and classroom work.
5. To enhance our ability to see the world through the shared vision of one another.
6. To reflect on His goodness and wonderful gifts to us.
7. To encourage one another into a deeper walk with Him.

I’ve been praying about how to accomplish the things listed above and God is revealing some interesting twists on how to run the new workshop series.

On idea that I’ve had is to open each classroom session with a moment of reflection by listening to a Christian recording that will be both a worship and praise opportunity. I’ve selected some songs that always focus my attention on Him. I thought it might be a good way to keep our hearts on Him. Of course I plan for us to pray each day to start the great opportunity God has given us to be together in such a great place. I will also encourage people to share openly about their walk and what God is teaching them along the way. I have some other ideas as well but would love to draw on your vast experience out there. Please email me (billfortney@earthlink.net) or share in the comments section, anything that you’ve done that has successfully deepened your walk with groups of believers. I know I have several pastors that come here often, I know you must have been taught some valuable lessons along the way regarding this kind of effort. I look forward to hearing from you.

Please know that it is the desire of my heart to serve Him, lead those that don’t know Jesus to the Man Himself, and spend my life living in the wonderful state of honoring and praising Him, this workshop will be nothing less than that……..

the pilgrim

* My watch on my granddaughter’s purse in the shade. D7000, 24-120 AFS VR f4 on tripod
and close focus distance. F11 @ 1/50th of a second, ISO 800, 120mm focal length.

WOW!!!!!! After writing this entry I went to the Intouch website to read my morning devotional, this is just amazing, check it out and see how God is already teaching me how to accomplish His goal for my life…….. The devotional for today 3/29/11 If you don’t see it today just go to the devotional archives on the lower left side.

www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I need a hat that says “Women fear me, fish don’t want me.” Well at least my fishing prowess would suggest that. Today is the first day of the Sun n’ Fun Air Show build up. I’ll be getting everything set up for this years big event, hopefully some good airplane shot will start tomorrow.
Yesterday I went with my family over to Tarpon Springs, little did we know it was a national holiday for the Greek Community, parades, and all kinds of great stuff. I got a few shots and then went off to the beach for a couple of hours. A little practice for the upcoming shooting to be done for the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association).

Enjoy a very eclectic variety of shots, and stay tuned for the week to come!

the pilgrim

*Photo Note: All images D7000, 24-120 AFS VR f4. This is getting pretty redundant, but I love that camera and lens combo! The image of my watch above shows the close focusing ability of the lens without any attachments.
1:4 ratio.

It is rare for me to enjoy family when on these two week on the road warrior trips, but since my son and his family live in St. Augustine, they have come down to visit me and Sherelene over the weekend before I start my assignment at Sun n’ Fun Air Show Monday. As you know, I’m always looking for a great burger so last night we hit the mall and I had a Five Guys cheeseburger, a special treat on this diet plan. On Weight Watchers you count points, I get 39 points a day plus that many bonus points that can be spread across the week, the burger cost 14 points and a few fries about 4 points more, but it was worth it. Sherelene will sun, and beach it while I work and then fly home after I leave for the Masters on Saturday. At least I will get to spend my evening with her when I get each days work done. I’m also going over to Photoshop World in Orlando to catch Scott Diussa’s Concert Photography Workshop, that should be a blast, hopefully I will get a chance to see him play, he’s outrageous on the guitar. Next week I will work the Masters with Mike Anskat and Bill Pekala, both great friends.

O.K. what is this stuff about the three keys
to happiness? First, just a quick note,
happiness is not the same as joy, joy is
a long term inner peace that lasts even
beyond your circumstances, happiness
is a little more fleeting, but yet still import-
ant. I was listening to a book on the long
drive down by Brad Thor, another thing
Bill Pekala and I share, we love many of
the same authors. Anyway in this book
an interesting point was when a woman
asked the protagonist if he was happy, he
asked her to define happiness, she said,
“You need three things to be happy,
something to do, someone to love, and
something to look forward to.” That line
struck me as being filled with truth.

I think that is pretty much right in the mark.
I know that I have plenty to do, and act-
ually love what I do. My job is stressful in
some ways but always a joy. I love the
people I’m tasked to serve and really
enjoy the people I work with.

I really do have plenty of people to love. My wife, my family, my brothers and sisters in Christ, loved ones and close friends, my co-workers, and clients. I also really love those I witness to, as Christ leads me to witness He brings more special people into my life.

Lastly I have lots to look forward to, both now and into eternity. At this very moment I’m excited about the next two assignments, I love airplanes and airplane people so this coming week will be a blast, even if, a lot of work. The Masters will reconnect me with many great professional friends.
I’m extremely excited about the workshop the week after that with Jim and a group of wonderful friends in Shaker Village. That group is filled with people that I dearly love to spend time with including my brother Homer, and Ricky Skaggs. If I start naming the rest I would have to name them all, such is my love for each of them. This is a very special group of photographers and friends.

No one knows how many days we have left on this earth, but for as long as the lord leaves me here I have great expectations for wonderful things to happen right here. Later, to be with the Lord and all those that have passed on, will be the greatest joy of all.

I pray that you have something to do you love, people to love, and something to look forward to in your life as well. You can, it’s a choice.

the pilgrim

* Photo Note: All D700, 24-120 AFS VR f4. ISO 3200 Photo of the pilgrim by Hannah Fortney.