Category : blog

 

I’m working on a new set of classes for a program I’m doing in Corbin next month, and I’m discovering some interesting things!  I was attempting to find some of my favorite images and use them to emphasis the importance of image quality.  After assembling 30 images that I felt were the best both aesthetically and technically.  I checked the file info in Photoshop and was floored when I discovered that 28 of the 30 images were all shot with one camera and 20 of the 30 with one lens!

 

The X-T1 and the 18-135 zoom!!!!

 

 

What is going on.  I’ve owned X-T1’s, X-T2’s, X-T3’s, X-T4’s and the current X-T5 and of course lots of other X-Pro models, X100 models and the X-H1!  For years we’ve been told that the more mega pixels, the better!  Well…….. I’m rethinking that!  What do you gain with higher mega pixel sensors?  For a start more resolution, more pixels more detail, no question.  But how much more detail?  That is your call but in some serious pixel peeping, I found the difference is not as great as I thought it would be.  The X-T5 sure has a lot of resolution (40 mega pixels)  The 16 megapixel X-T1 still has a ton of sharpness and detail!  How about noise at higher ISO?  The image below is shot at ISO 6400 with the X-T1, if I  had shot it on the X-T5 the background out of focus green area would have shown more noise f or sure.  High ISO winner:  X-T1!

 

 

 

So, is the X-T1 the best Fujifilm camera?  I can’t say that, I can say that if today I was required to shoot only the X-T1 as my main body, I’m not sure the I would be disadvantaged!  Considering that the X-T1 is a 10 year old camera body with 16 mega pixels and they can be bought for $500. or less………  It’s a great time to be a shooter in the Fujifilm system!

 

Blessings,

 

 

the pilgrim

 

 

I live in a small town, less than 5,000 folks.  I’ve lived here over 40 years, and I haven’t been home more than about half of those 40 years, I travel to make photographs and work.  Because of that,  I have not made a ton of friends in Corbin.  Joe at the laundry, a few folks in the neighborhood where I live, some more people in our church, and my barber, Robert.  Today was a sad day for me, I went to Robert’s Barber Shop for the last time, actually called Bob’s Barber Shop because his father, Bob, started it many years ago. Sadly Bob passed away a few years ago and Robert his son, Penny, Robert’s wife and Alicia his sister, (and one of my photo students),  have remained as the barbers.  From time to time his mother, Theata, will be at the shop and I love to visit with her too.

 

So why was today sad?  After over 40 years, at the end of December,  they are closing the shop doors for good and retiring.  Robert deserves to be able to do that but I will miss him and the crew!  A man’s barber is more than someone that keeps his hair and beard under control!  Robert has been my barber, a therapist, a good buddy to talk politics with, (who mostly agrees with me or visa versa).  Over 40 years, he has become one of my few friends in our community.  I don’t think we take the time to thank those folks that enrich our lives, so that is why I am writing this!  Robert, I will miss you my friend, thank you for years of taking care of me and keeping me from being so bushy I needed a dog license!  Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it and certainly have earned it!  Expect me to stop by your place to say hi from time to time!  It’s been a pleasure my friend!   God Bless!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

I do blog entires for a lot of reason; inspiration, spiritual growth, technical advice, equipment reviews, but ever once in a while I try to talk about dealing with the disappointments that occur from being a nature/landscape photographer!  As you all know we need four things to make a great image: a definable subject, great light for that subject, the right conditions and a well composed image!

 

We’ve all come upon a situation where you have a great subject with great light…… but the conditions are just not there!  Fall foliage photography is one of the most “condition dependent” of all kinds of nature/landscape shooting!  If the color is great that’s wonderful,  if it is not, then you’re sorta dead in the water!  There is another problem! If you have been shooting landscape images all over the U.S. or world for that matter, then you’ve undoubtadly seen some knock down gorgeous fall color!  If you have, you get rather picky about what get’s your juices flowing.  Someone said to me the other day in the area where I live, in Southern Kentucky, isn’t the color beautiful!? I was kind and said yes, but in my opinion this fall in our area was pretty disappointing, but this person has not seen what I’ve seen so why burst their bubble!

 

I did a little shooting this fall around our area and in the Smokies, but I’ve seen better conditions!  The older you get the harder it is to say, “well there’s always next fall!!!!!”  Thought I would share a few of my favorites!  The bottom line, don’t get discouraged and do the best you can with what you get!!!!

 

Tremont branch for the Wooden Bridge.

 

Great Smokies on Tremont Branch of the Little River

 

Old church near Seymour, TN.

 

Here are several around the Corbin area on the last day of ok color.

 

 

So not great but still a lot of fun the be out in nature and shooting for fun!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

The bag above was a gift from my dear brother Carl Turner.  The Back Story:  I went down to the Smokies a few weeks ago with Tony Rogers and joined by Carl Turner and we spent a couple of days shooting around the Smokies.  Before we all headed home Carl showed me a new bag he had picked up by Tenba.  It is the Solstice 10L Sling.  I was shocked at just how much it could hold and still stay under 10 lbs. 

 

 

The point of this bag is a grab it and go and have what you really need to shoot “almost” anything!  With a body and 5 lenses you can cover all the way from 15mm to 630mm.  I love how easy it is to carry and work out of.  A side opening allows access, quickly, to all  your gear and once again your back doesn’t hurt at the end of the day.  I will still keep a backpack for all the other gear I want to have available, but this is a great way to work in the field without all the pain!

 

So thanks Carl, you were really generous and my back thanks you too!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim