Category : Uncategorized

 

When I went out to shoot the “Bean” the first morning in Chicago I also went over to the Pritzker Pavilion to try and recreate some form of the wonderful shot made by Chris to the seats and the city scape.  Not copy it, but try to capture the wonderful lines and shapes he did.  Well, the light was already up and it was not working.  While I was standing there just starring around I noticed the light was just starting to play on the beautiful sculpted stainless steel panels that wrap around the stage area.  I found one shot, then another and 20 minutes later i was still seeing new ways the light was playing off various parts of the sculpture.  I have studied the website of Angie McMonigal (angiemcmonigal.com) and her incredible capturing of the architecture, patterns, and the sheer beauty of Chicago.  To say I see like Angie would be akin to saying I see color like Georgia O’Keeffe!!   No, I just love patterns and color and I find Angie’s work truly captivating.  Here are some of the shots that grabbed me that morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m really looking forward to spending time with the folks that are friend’s of Chris tonight at the University of Chicago.  From the look of Chris’s and Angie’s work, I’m not sure how much I can teach them, but I know Sherelene and will enjoy the photographic fellowship.  ……and thanks Angie for the inspiration!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Chris suggested in his book, a couple of churches that I as able to get to today.  4th Presbyterian and Holy Name Catholic Cathedral.  Both were beautiful and lots of fun to worship in, and photograph!  Above is the sanctuary of 4th Presbyterian, below the alter area of Holy Name Cathedral.

 

 

A stained glass window portrait at Holy Name below.

 

 

The very beautiful organ from the 4th Presbyterian Church.

 

 

I also got to the Museum of Science and Industry this morning and will share some of those tomorrow.

 

I’m really enjoying photographing Chicago, a greater friendly town!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Please remember that you can single click any image to see it much larger!

Rush Limbaugh coined the phrase, Seasoned Citizen, I thought it was cute back then, now I guess I am one!   This would be a good time to preface my remarks with a few important points. I started the Pilgrim’s Chronicles to share my faith and what God is teaching me, and to expound (a fancy word for share), my thoughts on photography.  I get occasional notes, not often, but every once in a while, from people that don’t like my doing either thing!!!  I always wonder why they come here if they don’t believe in God, or they think I know nothing worth sharing about photography and gear.  So here is some sincere, friendly advice; if you are adverse to talk of faith, what are you doing here?  If you think I don’t know anything about photography, you may not be alone, but once again what are you doing here!!!???  All I can give anyone is what I believe to be the truth, in both matters of faith and photography.  So today’s subject;

 

 What should I buy?

 

The answer is simple, What you Need!!!!  Now knowing what you need as opposed to what you think you need is two different things!  Now, the next question;  are you and equipment collector or a photographer?  If you just love to buy and fondle equipment, and there’s nothing wrong with that, (ala Jerry Seinfeld), but if you are a photographer you need cameras and lenses that will help you make wonderful photographs.  Now this complicates things so lets pull some things out of the mix, if you do any kinds of highly specialized work, medical, wildlife, serious sports, scientific, then my recommendation will not fully apply.  So here goes

 

For most generalists, travel, nature, close-up, landscape, Americana kinds of photography I recommend the following:

 

Two bodies: (best if they are identical so the control functions will be the same)

Each with a Really Right Stuff  “L” brackets

A Wide Angle Lens:   (if a zoom in he 16-35 / 12-24 focal length range)

A Medium Range Zoom:   (24-70 or 28-80 focal length or equivalent)

A Telephoto Range Zoom:  ( 70-200 or 80-300 range)

Some method of close-up Lens or device: (90, 105, or 200 Micro lens, Diopters, or Auto Extension Tubes)

Accessories needed in any camera bag:  

Spare batteries and chargers

Polarizers for each lens

Neutral Density Filters (I carry Singh Ray 5 – 10 -& 15 stops)

lens hoods for each lens

Tools:  small pliers (Clutch by Gerber), small blade screwdrivers, allen wrenches)

cable release for your camera bodies

lens cleaning supplies (I use Zeiss cleaning wipes)

toothbrush and camels hair brush for cleaning camera body

Visine or your preferred eye drops

Small container of Advil.  

 

A tripod and ball head ( I use several; one heavy, one mid size, and one small, I use all three with Really Right Stuff ball heads.

 

Ah, but what brand???????  Well that is up to you, but I do have some suggestions:

 

I think the two best current cameras in a full size 35mm size sensor are the:
Nikon D800/800e and the Canon 5D Mark III                                                                        

The D4/D4s and the 1Dx are both great, but heavy.  

 

 

How about Sony, Panasonic, and whoever?  They are all getting much better, but for me not ready for prime time yet. 

 

 

If you need something lighter my choices are:

the Fuji X-T1 and the Olympus OM-D1

The Olympus has a bigger variety of lenses, but not all are critically sharp, (some are).

The Fuji X System has a very complete and awesome quality, everyone!

 

Now something VERY IMPORTANT!   Whatever works for you, works for you, just consider my ideas as the raving of a Garrulous Old SEASONED CITZEN!  Cheers!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

 

 

Where is your treasure?  What is your treasure?  When I found the image from New England of an old fashioned trunk, it made me think of what belongings might have once been stored in it?  These old handmade trunks were expensive in their day, and were often reserved for keeping peoples’s most priced possessions!    Having just been in St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I’ve come home as I often do, with a new appreciation for living where I do!  These Islands are beautiful and the clear blue water, and rain forest are very interesting, but these places are a lot more like a third world country than where we live.  All it takes is a trip into a grocery store and you will see what the standard of living is in another country.  I had a lot of time to think about my blessings while out of the lower 48 states, and I think from time to time it is a great exercise to name them, so with your permission I would like to share the list I’ve come up with;

 

What I am thankful for today:

 

1. A loving God that is my Heavenly Father and never, ever looses track of me, and is always watching over me and my family,  and my friends.  I’m so thankful for my salvation, made possible by Jesus sacrificial love on the cross!

 

2.  A fantastic wife, who is also my best friend, the love of my life, and person I respect, trust, and look up to, and the greatest earthly gift God has bestowed on me!

 

3. A wonderful loving family!  Scott, Diane, Hannah & Ben.  Catherine, Clint, Cassidy, and Cade, Wesley, Rhonda, Elijah, and Abigail.  My brother Homer and his wife Terri, Sherlene’s sisters and brother, and so many other family members who all mean so much to me!

 

4.  A bunch of great friends, (I will not embarrass myself by trying to make a list!!!)  God has truly blessed my life with some great people I get to call my friends!!!

 

5.  Health!  I’m still on this side of the grass, and well enough to enjoy all His blessings, so you can’t ask for more than that!

 

6.  A great love for photography and the fun of a lifetime of trying to learn more everyday and get better at the craft I enjoy so much!

 

7.  A roof over my head, heat when it is cold, a comfortable place to live and work.  A sanctuary from the storm!

 

8.  A future to look forward to!  I get excited when I think about running workshops with Jim Begley,  Jack Graham, James Haverstock, Nick Coury, Snake, Chuck, and Ricky Skaggs, and all the fun we will have, and the nice people we will get to know!  The coolest way to make a living and a life!

 

9.  Peace and Joy which can only come from Him!

 

10.  The honor of serving Him by loving others in His name and for His sake!

 

Your turn, make your own list of what you are thankful for!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim