Category : Uncategorized

 

 

For 29 years I’ve had one constant companion as I’ve discovered America, Robert “Bob” Hitchman!  Well, Bob has not been on the palne or in the SUV with me, but his knowledge, experience and insight have guided me!  When I started the Great American Photography Weekend in 1990, my dream was to take people to all the great National Parks and nature locations across America and I had one problem, I hadn’t been to very many of them mysef!!!  How was I going to guide others???  Early on I read books and guides, talked to friends and went to new locations a few days early to find the right spots.  Then I discovered the greatest tool of all, Bob’s Photograph America Newletters!

 

Through out those early years Bob visted, scouted and studied many of the locations I wanted to ake students to and his guides were perfect for pre-scouting locations.  Bob was not only a sharp guy at scouting he was a amazing shooter himself so he truly understood about light, position, and the seasonal affect on each location.

 

Before I go any further, here is where to find out about his newsletters:

 

http://photographamerica.com/

 

If  you do not have any or only a few of his great newsltters here is the way ot go!  He offers all his newsletter on a thumb drive.

Complete Collection of all Newsletters (PDF files on a rewritable FLASH Drive with 2 GB Data Storage) Over 1,800 pages of detailed directions to thousands of wonderful places to set up your tripod and photograph rain forests, desert slot canyons, autumn color, wildlife refuges, and landscapes across North America.

For $140. you will have all his newsleter with complete decriptions of 146 great shooting locations!

 

 

Just look at all the places you can have scouting reports on!

 

 

This is how I use them, I print out (they are PDF files) the pages for the locations I’m travleing to and study it on the plance or in transit.  When I arrive at my locatuions I have  a perfectly worked out plan to am and pm shooting loations and places to stay and eat! This is an invaluable way to make the very most of your trip and get better photographs!

 

If I was a nature, travel or Americana ashooter and I wanted a leg up when I traveled to new locations, this is the best $140. dollars I can imagine spending!!!  After you buy the thumb drive subscribe for all the new one’s Bob produces!!!!

 

…..and on top of all that Bob is a great guy!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

 

When I was in grade school my father was the manager of the Coca Cola bottling plant in Harlan, Kentucky. He was a hard working man, a great husband and wonderful father.  He raised both Homer and I to make something out of our lives.  You may think I mean a financial success, but that is not what I’m talking about.  My father made sure that both Homer and I knew that he meant character and integrity.  My father was a man with a great deal of both.  He mirrored that for us, and that is why I reacted rather poorly yesterday because the fore mention email.

 

I simply wanted to set the record straight, I just couldn’t bear to think someone thought I would have neither character or integrity.  Then, unlexpectately, I started getting those wonderful responses from many of you.  I want to thank you for stepping up to the plate and reassuring me that one man’s opinion was not shared by everyone I know.  Now, of course I knew that was not me, but it certainly helped to have your kind words.  Thank you.  I’m genuinely grateful!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

I got an email that was disturbing for me.  Someone, who will not be named, suggested that I was in the tank for Fuji after reading my review of the new 200mm f 2 lens.  It’s fair that if you blog and share your “opinions” that someone might think you have ulterior motives.  So please let me address this criticism up front.

 

When I was asked to be a Fujifilm X-Photographer, I was honored, but before I accepted I asked one question, “Do you expect me to promote your products, or may I continue to be totally honest about my opinions on any equipment or service from Fujifilm?”  The only reason I said yes, was they said, “we would not want you to be anything but honest and up front about our products or services.”

 

The only reason I blog is to serve My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to share His love with others and to share about photography and other interests in my life.  I get no special favors from any manufacturers who make the products i reviews or share about.  Fujifilm does allow X-Photographers to buy some of their lenses and bodies at a discount.  When the X-T2 came out they gifted a body with our names as the serial number to each X-Photographer.  In spite of these kinds of acts on Fujifilm’s part, I would never review a product favorably because of my friendship with or association with Fujifilm.

 

Let me tell you why.

 

When I was a tech rep for Nikon I knew that if I was always honest with my clients and they came to know they could trust me, I could truly help them.  The moment they would have discovered that I was lying on behalf of the company, I would have lost all credibility with them and could no longer help them or Nikon!  That’s why I never lied to them, or  have I ever lied to any of you.

 

The reason I chose the picture above is that I know that is how Jack feels and in this image of us we look pretty serious, and we are, we hold each other to that personal standard.  I also owe it to my wife, my children, grandchildren and dear friends that expect only the best of me.  Nothing that could ever be given to me could ever be enough for me to sell out my integrity,  just to get it!

 

I promise you  that when you come to this blog, you will get my honest opinions and feelings, I will not lie to you or ever try to misguide you.  I hope most of you that come here already know that, if you don’t I’ve failed you and all the others that have honored me by coming here for information and inspiration!

 

You can take that to the bank!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

My dear buddy, John Gompf asked about the bokeh, so, here is a couple of examples. This is the 200mm f 2 at f 2, of a subject with distractions right behind it,  within inches,  a tough task and the 200mm f 2 makes the background buttery smooth.

 

By contrast this image below is the 100-400 shot wide open at f 4.5 still a nice images  but the background definitely inserts itself!

 

 

That is the difference!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim