Category : Uncategorized

 

This is a personal story, but, since so many of you suffered along with our family at the loss of Wes, I wanted to share this with you in hopes it will also give you peace as well. This past weekend our family gatherd at a beautuful lake house in North Carolina to be with Rhonda as she scattered Wesley’s ashes in two of his favorite places to hike and camp.  Wes had discussed with Rhonda that, just in case, he didn’t survive his cancer that he wanted his ashes scatterd in a number of places so she, Elijah and Abigail might experience these places he loved so much. It was a time of healing, and family warmth as we continued to deal with our loss,  but also the great memories of a beloved loved one.  So many of you walked through this journey with us, and I wanted you to know your prayers are being answered.

 

 

 

It was a wonderful moment knowing Wes was coming home to two of his favorite and beautiful spots.  What was even more joyful is to know these are simply the ashes of his body, that Wes is with his Heaveny Father in Paradise, and we will embrace again someday and never have to say goodbye again!  Until then, Wes, we miss and love you and are glad  your earthly pain is over, and that your eternal joy is just beginning!

 

John 14 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.  ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.  ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.”

 

The way is to accept Jesus as your Savior and to prepare to be with Him for all of eternity!

 

Blessings

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

Sorry I’ve been off line for so long!!!!  I was on the road much of the period from October 1st until this past Sunday!  First, an event in Houston for Fujifilm, then the UP of Michigan with Jack and Rick Browne, on to Acadia National Park (all without going back home), then a short stint in Corbin to make sure I was still married and then on to the Smokies with Jack and once again at the Summit (this years was one of the best ever!!!).  I am now home of rah winter planning next years schedule which I hope to release in the next 10 days!!!  Stay tuned!

 

I thought you might enjoy seeing some the take from the fall events!

 

UP of Michigan

 

 

Acadia National Park:

 

 

The Great Smokey Mountains National Park   (Due to a dry summer color was not the best this year, but we had a great time with great people!)

 

 

So it was a great fall, please stay with me over the next week as I announce my 2020 schedule of events, lots of new locations!!!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

 

 

 

I came across a interesting test on youtube and I would love to see what your thoughts are!  Andrew shows a series of images A thru E of a similar shot.  Two are from a Fuji X-T3, one in Acros film simulation and one in monochrome, two are from two Leica cameras one a regular color camera that has a monochrome setting and one from the Leica monochrome only camera and the last from a  film camera.

 

It’s easy, get a piece of paper and pen and then play this youtube video writing down your pick from each sequence of shots.  I picked my two favorites and the shot I thought was the worst.  PLEASE share your results with the rest us and I will do the same!

 

Be sure to click the full screen symbol to make your selections easier!!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

In two weeks I will be leaving for three weeks of photo related trips; a speaking engagement, for Fujifilm, in Houston and then workshops with Jack Graham in the UP of Michigan and Acadia N.P.  The Houston trip is easy, a laptop and chanbe of clothes!  Two straight workshops without returning home is another thing altogether!

 

For the last two weeks let’s look at the photography gear first:

 

Because I will be flying to Detroit, then on to Portland, Maine and then back home, all the gear must fit in a bag that will store in the over head compartment.  I am flying Southwest for two of the three flights so I know I will have the space of a Boeing 737 and my rolling Think Tank bag fits fine in their over haead compartments.  This is what will be in that bag:

 

Fujifilm X-H1 body

Fujifilm X-T3 body

All lenses are Fujifilm lenses:

100-400

80mm macro

16-80

10-24

The following Fujicrons:  16mm f 2.8. 23mm f 2, 35mm f 2, 50mm f 2 & a TC-14

Nikon Diopters in 62mm

Canon 500D

An extra polarizer

 

Why this specific gear?  First, since I’m flying and rolling a bag anyway, I can take my favorite lenses and have them available even though I won’t use some of them very much!  The Fujicrons are my pet favorites since they are small they usually are along for the ride!  The 100-400 is my one long piece of glass and is great for reaching out and compression work, it’s also extrememly sharp!  I do not shoot a lot of stuff very wide but the 10-24 serves that purpose well.  The new kid onthe block is the 16-80 and i am falling in love with it, it will most likely get 80% of the work on this trip!  I will share a few images from last year’s trip to the UP and everyone of these could have  been made with the 16-80!

 

 

All of these were made with the 18-135 and the 16-80 will replace that lens for me now.  I also will put the 80mm macro to work on leaves this year, it is one of the sharpest lenses Fujifilm has made so far!

 

In another rolling Pelican case I will take my projector and small sound system and will of course check that with my rolling duffle bag.

 

When planning a trip in the fall up north it is good to be prepared for all kinds of weather so I will carry several layers in case of rain, snow and very cold weather.  Don’t forget gloves and something to cover your head!  Working along the cost of Maine also brings it’s own special weather cirumstances so I pack to be prepared for almost anything.  A rain parka shell, a polarfleece jacket, medium weight, and a goose down jacket can all be layered to deal with almost any tmeperatures I’m willing to stand out in to shoot!!!  Good Goretex boots and heavy socks will protect  your feet in the field.

 

 

Acadia National Park has it’s own special magic and I can’t wait to return there too!!!!

 

So the flighs are booked, the gear is packed, batteries charged, and the pack list checked three times, now it’s just time ot watch the forecasts and get ready for an exciting fall!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim