Category : The Learning Center

 

I was cleaning up my office this morning and was straightening my books that I keep right next to my desk.   As I was dusting and organizing them warm memories came back, and I started to remember why these are the books that I keep an arms length away.  I own over 300 photography books, and field guides.  I’ve enjoyed them all, but these are the ones I pull from the shelf so often that I moved them to a table close to my desk.  I’m not suggesting that you need to own them, but if you are looking for great information on any of these subjects, I can highly recommend these!

 

From left to right;

 

Low Country by Bob Krist.    One of my favorite picture books of a region I love , by a photographer I love, and admire even more!

 

Natural Places by Rod Planck   A beautiful portfolio volume from one of the very best nature shooters out there, and a dear friend.

 

A Guide to Florida Nature Photography by the Late John Netherton, this is the best guide to shooting in Florida from a man that made many wonderful images there.  John was one of my first friends in nature photography, not a day goes by that I don”t miss him!  Having him at arms length away, is comforting.

 

Understanding Close-Up Photography by Bryan Peterson.  I taught for years with Bryan and always found him to be one of the most entertaining people I ever worked with, a great shooter who is also a wonderful teacher and mentor.

 

A B&H Catalog.  People always want to know how much something costs,this is the best way for me to find out a ball park figure.

 

Full Compass Catalog.  An audio visual company I buy a lot of AV stuff from.

 

Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson  This is Bryan’s runaway best selling book on how to see and make creative images, I consider it among the very best books you can own.  This is one book everyone should own!

 

The Art of Photography by Art Wolfe.  Another great book for helping you sort our the artistic part of your work!  Few shooters have more talent than Art!

 

Nature Photography Field Guide – Close-Ups in Nature – & Landscape Photography all by John Shaw  These three books by John are the core of any nature photographer’s library and though dated because of digital the fundamentals hold true and they are terrific reference volumes!  I enjoyed years of teaching with John, he is truly one of the legends of that field.

 

Photography and the Creative Life by the Late Nancy Rotenberg.  Nancy was among the most artistic of close-up masters and her work and words of wisdom continue to inspire all who knew her.

 

Take Your Photography to the Next Level by  George Barr  Another great thought provoking volume on the art of seeing.

 

Photoshop Lightroom 3 and Photoshop CS5 For Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby    If you use either or both of these programs these are the single best volumes to master them!  Scott Kelby is not only a very dear friend, but the absolute master of explaining what others make even more complex!

 

Light & Lighting by Michael Freeman   A great book to get your light recognition juices flowing, beautifully illustrated.

 

The Hot Show Diaries and The Moment it Clicks both by Joe McNally, a great friend married to one of my favorite Nikon tech reps of all time!  Joe is not only a great shooter and teacher, he’s a wonderful guy as well and it comes through in these must own books!

 

Get Your Photography on the Web by R.C. Concepcion   R. C. is the man, and this book will help you sort out many questions you have about how to get you web presence up and running, the very website you’re reading is thanks to t his dear friend!!!!  By the way his new HDR book was on my desk but it usually reside right in this spot!

 

How to Photograph Insects and Spiders and How to Photograph Birds (also on my desktop)  by Larry West   Larry is the grandfather of general nature photography and close-up work.  A dear, dear friend and missed in the field!

 

The Backpacker’s Photography Handbook by  Charles Campbell   A great gear guide for the backpacker or hiker.

 

The Smoky Mountains Photography Guide by Dr. Bill Campbell   One of the very best guides to the Great Smokies, my home park, for the serious photographer.  Bill had been a long time friend and field shooting friend.  If you are visiting the Smokies you need the book!

 

The Fine Art of Nature Photography, of Flower Photography and Water, Ice & Fog Photography all by Tony Sweet.  These are not only great teaching guides to fine are nature photography but just inspirational to sit and leaf through.  Tony has been a long time friend and I admire his work immensely!

 

D700 Manual  With today’s cameras you must keep the manual close-by!

 

The book with nothing on the spine!!!???  Soul Full…….Emotions by Mark Boris   Still on of my favorite books to just enjoy the incredible vision of a great shooter.  Mark and I have been long time friends and this book, a gift from him of his work, is still one I look at ever so often to remind myself why I do this!!!

 

Shaker Village by Jim and Sue Haverstock   Another wonderful gift that I treasure for the memories and the wonderful images.  These are two of the wonderful friends God has given me on this photographer’s walk!

 

Developing the Creative EDge in Photography by Bert Eifer   One of the most valuable books I’ve ever owned for learning this craft, I learned more here than form any other book, I’ve ever read about our craft!  It’s dog eared and I hope I’m living up to what it espouses!

 

Lensbaby by Corey Hilz  A great guide to this wonderful tool for creative work!

 

Two more camera manuals! 

 

One more book on my desk is the little self produced by Sam Garcia  The Second Time I Saw Paris.   Another wonderful book fromwhich to draw inspiration.  Sam is one of the best sbooter I know, I always enjoy his work.

 

Hope you enjoyed that trip down memory lane!  I sure did…….

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

I promise I will let this go after today, but I got one more email I think is relevant to the subject, and I want to take one more stab at this.  The email contained this;

 

“I am not wanting to disagree with you on this issue of fame…..but, here is my story; I win a lot at my camera club competition, I’ve self published one book, and I have hopes of getting better known as a photographer, which seems to be happening, are you suggesting I am wrong to want that to happen??”   “I honesty like that my hard working is paying of, but I also see the points you’ve made, I admire you, your work, and your advice.   Any thoughts!!!”

 

Let me start by saying congratulations, your hard work is paying off, and you should feel good about that, and I feel good for you.  Recognition and how we handle it are two completely different things.  To receive, well deserved, recognition is a good thing, as long as we don’t let it affect us negatively.  I’m a big believer in working hard to accomplish a goal.  I’m also a big believer that when we succeed, recognition is in order.  The problem starts when we take recognition and start to believe it makes us better than others in every way.  Let me use an illustration.  Let’s say you win a photo competition run by a major magazine and are named the grand prize winner for the year 2011.  You win a camera, a tripod and a nice check.   What are the proper responses to such an event in your life.  You should feel great to have won.  You should feel excited that you have a new camera, tripod and some spending money for that lens you’ve been saving for!  You should feel that your hard work is paying off and be thankful that some others judged work as worthy of that kind of recognition!  What you shouldn’t do is; think this makes you the greatest photographer that ever lived.  You shouldn’t think it means that on any given day you can probably out shoot anyone  out there.  It shouldn’t make you feel you are a better person than the person that came in in third place.   Now very few people would react in these negative ways, unfortunately some have.

 

I’m not saying that success shouldn’t be enjoyed.  I’ve had several best selling books, but after the initial thrill of the accomplishment, you have to set it aside, and go back to being who you really are, someone that loves photography and has success many times, failures others.  Success is a good thing, I think we should strive to be the best we can be, just not let it define us.

 

Let me give you the only example I have, my self concept.  This is dangerous, but if a person is going to suggest what is a healthy way to see ones self, they should be willing to step up and lay it on the line, so this is how I see myself.

 

Hi my name is Bill Fortney, I live in Kentucky with my wife of 43 years, Sherelene.  I’m madly in love with her, my three children, their three spouses, and my six grandchildren.  The number one thing in my life is my love for, and relationship with Jesus Christ, His Father, my Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit.  My goal is to serve them every moment of every day of my life. I have failed often in that pursuit.  Everything good in my life is because of that relationship.  I’ve been a photographer for over 42 years.  I’ve had a wonderful career filled with many great experiences, lots of wonderful friends, and some very nice high points, and an equal number of low points.  I’ve worked very hard and continue to do so, and thus I’ve become a very accomplished photographer.  In spite of the fact that my work is often exceptional, I see the work of others everyday that well exceed mine.  When I was young it killed me to see someone who made better photographs that I did, now I feel great joy in seeing their work, and I’m proud of them and their accomplishments.  My feelings of self worth are not based on how I compare to all the other photographers out there, my self worth was stated in the first five sentences of this paragraph.  Period, end of point!

 

Hope that helps my friend, I’m proud of you, and you certainly do good work, as I’m familiar with your images, having visited your website.  I wish you all the best and pray for a life filled with the most important things, faith, family, service, and fun!  This really isn’t that difficult;  work hard, feel pride and joy when you win, get up and dust yourself off when you loose, have faith in God, love your family, have lots of fun, laugh a lot, share your joy for life with all you meet, and spend eternity with Him!  If I say so myself, that’s a good plan…………..

 

the pilgrim

 

* Photo Note:  Peeling paint, simple point and shoot camera.  Simple is good!

You may have noticed that all the last few post images have been texture shots, since these posts have dealt with a point that determine the texture of our  lives, I thought it was appropriate…..

 

I got a lot of email responses to yesterday’ post in the Learning Center about what the pros carry.  It seems each of these photographers have a very enthusiastic following and I would agree, and count my self as a fan of their work!  When we start to look at various top shooters the invariable question comes up, (taken from one of yesterday’s emails), “who are the ten best shooters out there today, and how do they compare to the ten best of all time?!”   This brings up a very important question;  what is a photographic identity?  That is, after all, what the question asks.

 

Websters:  IDENTITY, Distinguishing character or personality of an individual. Dividing into kinds, classes, or categories.  The bottom line is we seek to find a way to score ourselves for the purpose of comparison with others, so that we may rank ourselves.  Why do we feel the need to do that?  Does it really make us a better photographer because someone perceives us as better than someone else.  Do opinions matter, maybe, but would you wear half the clothes you see on the streets in New York!!??  Not me, it’s fair to say that opinions vary, greatly!

 

So why do we care about rank?  The definition of  Rank: a degree of a position of  dignity, eminence, or excellence.  A grade of official Standing in a hierarchy.  What’s the point?    How good are you?  Why does it matter?  Why can’t we just have fun, enjoy learning, and just get better with practice.  Are any of us ever going to be Joe McNally, or David Muench, Ansel Adams?  I hope not, those people already exist, or in the case of Adams, did exist! Are my HDR images ever going to look as good as Jim Begley’s?  No, and frankly my dear, I don’t give d—!  For some time now I have been making images to please only one audience, myself.  Does that mean I don’t care what others think, no, but my life is not ruled by what they think.  If someone likes, loves, adores, despises, or hates my work, what difference does it make?  Only if they are a client, (meaning I want their money for services rendered),  would I care that much.  Everyone would love to be loved and appreciated, but that should not be what drives us to get out of bed in the morning and function.

 

JOY:  an emotion based on a state of well being, success, good fortune, and  the prospect of possessing what one desires.  I’ll take that!!!  Does this mean I will not make an effort to get better as a photographer and artist?  Of course not!  I love learning, and getting better,  but not to move up in any kind of ranking.  People are free to see me anyway they would like, frankly I doubt very few people care, which is fine with me.  Honestly there is only one Number One in my books, and I don’t think scripture ever mentioned Him owning a camera.

 

the pilgrim

 

* I posted this entry in both categories of The Pilgrim’s Chronicles and The Learning Center, O think it applies in both places……

 

Kicking the ball forward!   I got an email today after the post asking a really good question, I would like to respond to everyone as I think some others may have had the same thought.

 

The question was, “Do you feel it is wrong to want to be quote, “famous”.  You have to admit that all of these photographers, including yourself, have benefited from having some recognition in the photo industry.  Your thoughts would be appreciated!”

 

I think that is a good and fair question and I’m glad it was asked.  First let me take a slight issue with the word “famous”.  I think Elvis was famous, Harrison Ford is famous, Frank Sinatra was famous, Joe Montana was famous.  To me, and forgive me if I’m wrong, but famous means you are instantly recognizable by the vast majority of the population in the country you are considered famous, possibly the world!  Muhammad Ali is certainly world famous.  If any of these people (if they were living) walked into a mall in any city in America they would cause quite a stir as they would be instantly recognized and mobbed for autographs.  Pick a photographer, any photographer, the one you think is most famous, now take them to that same mall, what do you think would be the reaction????   I am almost certain no one would have any idea who they were!  To me that’s not famous.  I believe that if a photographer is known and appreciated among their peers (other photographers) that is as far as fame goes for any of us.

 

Is it true that if you are known and recognized within our small community, you get certain benefits or special treatment?  Sure, people are generally nice and kind and many really want to benefit from a persons recognition, so yes I will concede that being known in the industry does buy a level of opportunity.  A Joe McNally, or a Scott Kelby, or a John Shaw certainly get more of that than a Bill Fortney.  Enough said on that.

My favorite part of the question was “Is it wrong to want to be famous?”  I wouldn’t say wrong, maybe misguided?!  Since we have established that there are no “famous photographers” at least not in the text book meaning of  famous, it would be a little like wishing you could be Superman, not gonna happen, doesn’t exist!  I think the question that needs to be asked is why would a person feel that need to be famous.  Even if, as a photographer, you could become famous, look at many of the truly famous people out there.  How has it worked out for them?  But you say, I could have more money, more power, be more respected!  Well I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I don’t think it works like that.  I know lots of people that have lots of money but are not happy at all.  I know several people that are very powerful, but that has not brought them peace and joy.  I and you do too, l know people that the world knows well, but they are not respected.  No fame doesn’t guarantee anything except you will be known.  I’ve been on a long standing mission to hopefully help people find a way to have real happiness, peace, joy, contentment, and a feeling of real security.  Fame or nothing related to it will guarantee any of those states of being.  I’m not against fame, if it can make you better, and make you aware of others, their needs and causes you to use your fame to reach out to the world around you, it’s a great thing.  Just don’t think that being a great photographer is a good way to get to there, probably not going to happen.

 

Did I rather generously use the words famous in my description of the photographers in the gear article, I plead guilty, I’m a fan too!  The lesson be careful how much weight you bring to bare on even my words!!!!

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

Have you ever wondered what the top pros use to make all those images that we all admire so much?  Well I made a few phone calls and visited a few website to see for myself.  Not so surprisingly, they all have systems that are more alike than you might think, but the differences bring up some interesting questions and may give each of us a better idea, how to build our own system!

 

 

Bob Krist, World Class Travel Photographer

Bob uses a pair of D7000’s (he says because of “their image quality, light weight, and terrific video capabilities!”)    His stable of most used lenses include:  Nikon 12-24 AF-s DX f4 wide angle zoom, Nikon 16-85 AF-S VR DX  f 3.5-5.6 mid range zoom, 70-300 AF-S VR f 4.5-5.6 telephoto zoom.  When he needs speed lenses he carries the Nikon 85mm f1.8 AF lens and the 35mm f 1.8 AF-S DX lens.  He uses the SB-900 flash units wiht the Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting System)

 

 

 

John Shaw, Nature Photography Master

John has been the dean of nature photographers for many years, and is still one of the leaders of photographic education in the world.  John Shaw and Larry West are the two photographers that set a fire under me in the early 70’s!   John uses all Nikon gear; A Nikon D3s and Nikon D3x are his two main bodies, His lenses include:  Nikkor lenses:  16-35, 24-70, 24 Tilt/Shift, 45 Tilt/Shift, 90 Tilt/Shift, 70-200 AF-S f 2.8, 200-400 AF-S VR f4, 500 AF-S f4, Nikon Teleconverters, SB-800 flash.

 

 

 

Jose’ Ramos, Premier Aviation Photographer

Jose’ make spectacular images both air to air and ground to air, he has worked side by side with many of our greatest military squadrons!  His kit bag has to be very portable to fit in the cockpit of modern jet fighters!  His basic kit includes the Nikon D7000, and Nikon D90 and the 12-24, 16-85, and 70-300 Nikon zooms.  He uses SB-900 and SB-800 flash units for light aircraft of all sizes.

 

 

 

Jim Begley, HDR Master

Jim has fast become one of the countries most recognized and appreciated HDR shooters and teachers!  Jim’s kit includes; D700, and D3s cameras. His lenses kit includes; 16-35 f 4, 28-70 f 2.8, 70-300 AF-S VR.  Jim gets more out of his gear than almost anybody I know!

 

 

 

Scott Kelby, Celebrated writer, photographer, workshop leader, all around great guy.

Scott’s work runs from travel to sports, portrait to nature, and his gear selection shows his versatility!  His bodies are D3s, D700, D300s, and Canon 50D.  His lenses include; Nikkor 10.5, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 18-200 28-300, 50 f1.4 , 105 Micro, 85 AF-S f 1.4, 200 f2, 300 f 2.8, 200-400 f4, 400 f 2.8, Nikon TC-14E II,  and a Canon 18-35.   Wow a lot of stuff and no he doesn’t have a bag that carries it all!!!!!!

 

 

 

Joe McNally, World famous magazine photojournalist and lighting master.

Joe’s work runs the entire gamut of photography so you would expect him to have the gear to cover it all!!  His bodies are D3s, D700,   His lenses include; Nikkor 16mm f 2.8, 14-24, 50mm f 1.4, 24-70, 70-200, 105 Micro, 200 f2, 200-400 f4,  Nikon TC-17E II.  As you would imagine tons of SB-900s, SB-800s!!

 

 

 

Tony Sweet, One of leading Art photographers in  the world.

Tony’s beautiful and inspiring work is captured with a specific system best suited to his needs;  D3, D700, D300s, D200 (Infared converted)  Lenses include, 16 mm Fisheye, 14-24, 24-70, 85 Tilt/Shift, 70-200, 105 an 200 Micro lenses, 300 f4 and a Lensbaby!

 

 

Mark Alberhasky, Fine Art, Travel, and photographic generalist modern master.

One of my favorite photographers and an amazing shooter, Mark has done it all and he didn’t start until after a full medical career!  Mark shoots Nikon D3s, D3x, D7000, D700 and the full compliment of Nikon lenses mentioned in every entry, 16 Fisheye, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 200-400 and much more!  The bottom line is that whatever piece of gear that is in his hands, he sure knows how to use it!

 

 

A final thought, I hope you enjoyed a peak into the camera bags of some great shooters!!!  Please let me brag a little, and praise a lot!  I count all these men very very close friends, not associates, friends.  i can say that as spectacular as their work is, i appreciate them even more for there long frienships, I’ve learned a great deal from each of them and have greatly enjoyed their company.  This is what is called a lifetime of blessings!

 

the pilgrim

 

Equipment image courtesy of Think Tank Photo.