Over the last two days I’ve noticed an emerging trend in my vision.  As I’ve started to really get relaxed, I’ve found my way of seeing has gone back tot he basics, which is not a bad thing!!!!  As I was starting to awake this morning, Sherelene called my attention to the patio off our room and the beautiful morning light.  I grabbed my tripod, D600 and 70-300 AFS-VR and started to try to extract some examples of pleasing or interesting light.  Above I saw a large number of birds along the shore and a couple walking right towards them, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what would happen when they got close!!  The birds flushed and as they circle around wanting to return to where they started the couple calking under them made for a pleasing composition with the added interest of a sky full of birds against the blue gulf water.

 

Next I noticed that the thatched roof huts on the beach, if isolated, was an interesting composition with the shadow of hotels streaking cross the frame.

 

 

Lastly those same building shadows created a V of light on the beach, once the composition was set up, it was simply a matter of waiting for someone to walk into it for scale.

 

 

Of all the things I enjoy about being a photographer, I think seeing and working with light is my favorite, it is no small coincidence that in my life the Light of the World, Jesus, is my foundational point of reference for everything else, thus His Light Ministries and His Light Workshops!!

 

Be Blessed today!!!!!

 

the pilgrim

 

Can’t stop!!  Couple of late entries.  Remember the man on the bench for late evening?  Always go back to the same subject in different light!

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful day!  I plan too!

 

 

 

 

 

Another great day of rest, starting to catch up.  Sherelene was preparing for us to go out to dinner tonight, and  I went out on our patio top check on the setting sun, looked down, and came back in for my camera.  Isn’t light wonderful!  Isn’t it great to be a shooter, and have things like this, knock your socks off!

 

Blessed to be,

 

the pilgrim

Well after 7 hours of driving, (home from Henderson and then on to Louisville to fly out this morning), Sherelene and I arrived in Marco Island this early afternoon and immediately collapsed by the pool.  A short soak in the hot tub and I was out like a light in the shade on lounge chair!!   Later we cleaned up, well not too much, my favorite beach clothes, a comfy t-shirt and North Face shorts, and went to the local Micro Brewery for some killer pizza and the fun of watching all the fans yelling at the 20 TVs with all the  late NFL Sunday games playing, what a great start to a week of rest I need desperately, and Sherelene needs even more!

 

Just before we left the hotel for dinner the sun was setting over the gulf and I was able to fire off a few shots with the D600 and the 70-300 AFS VR.  I have to tell you, I’m really loving this camera.

 

 

To all my photo buddies joining us out west in early November, you better rest up, if the rest of the week goes this well, I’ll be loaded for bear!!

 

Blessings, thanks for all those that have been throwing up prayers for my getting some rest!!!

 

the pilgrim

 

To my son Scott, Happy Birthday son!!

These are my kids, (adults!!!)  From left to right Wesley, Catherine, and the Birthday boy, Scott!

 

 

How do you see the world photographically?   This is not a question with a value judgement, just a question!  The great thing about photography is we can see and interpret the world as we desire.  The shot above is my vision for something I saw this morning and then photographed it, then processed it to my liking.  The shot below is more like what I saw, in reality.

 

 

 

 

Which is better?  Well, that all depends on how you want to share your vision with the world.  If you see a spectacular world with vivid rich colors, the top shot is for you, if you are much more grounded in reality, you might like the one directly above.  Fortunately we don’t have “photo police” that enforce seeing the world only one way!  Once you start to explore your feelings about images you are open to stretch that vision even further.  As an example, the image below is the original, close to reality shot, with an application of NIK’s Color Efex 3.0 filter Glamour Glow, thanks Scott Kelby, I’ll be forever in your debt for turning me on to that filter!!!  (And for a lot more as well!!)

 

 

With your permission let’s take another example and play some with it!!  On a drizzling morning rain I took shelter in my car and captured the front door of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Henderson, the weather was perfect for saturated colors, so let’s start here with a straight shot of the church door and surrounding stone.

 

 

Now let’s play on the texture of the stone and apply Topaz’s Adjust – Spicify to the original image.

 

 

I hope this is fun for you, I’m having a blast!!!!  For my last example I saw this faded, rusting, trailer side with a Penzoil logo on it, what a playground!!!  First the straight shot:

 

 

To sharpen the details and add some grit we applied Nik’s Color Efex 3.0 Tonal Contrast.

 

 

Unable to leave well enough alone, I went a step further and applied Glamour Glow from NIK’s Color Efex 4.0

 

 

So what is the bottom line?  If you feel adventurous, I’ve given you some food for thought, if this is not your thing, it’s o.k.,  feel free to leave it alone.  The most important thing is to find a vision that fits you and works for  you.

 

Now your spiritual vision is another thing altogether!  I hope you’ve opened yourself up to the infinite possibilities that come with accepting Christ and following His plan for your life.  While “creative processing” of images may not be for everyone, Jesus Christ is!!!  A friend told me a while back that he just wasn’t sure he believed in God, I told him that I knew one thing for sure, “He believes in you…….”

 

In Him,

 

the pilgrim

 

Blog note:  I’ve been on the road for  16 straight days and I’m going home Saturday to change suitcases, pickup my bride and immediately (within an hour or two), runaway to a warm beach, for a week.  I’m not a sun person, so when I’m not spending time with my girl friend, (yes, Sherelene), or napping or soaking in the hot tub, I will blog occasionally, but I can’t promise one everyday!!!  Starting November 2nd I’m off for another 15 straight days out on the road, so I need to be a good husband during my short time off!!  For those of you that are joining us out in Arizona and Utah in early November the excitement is really on the rise as Jim, Snake, Chuck, R.C. and I are making preparations for a wonderful time with you guys!!