Category : Pilgrim’s Chronicles

This is not a test, or a review, as a Nikon Tech Rep that is not something I should be doing, it is a frank description of how these two products will change the way I do travel photography, personally. I work for Nikon, but that doesn’t keep me from getting excited about the products we make. The Nikon engineers hit a couple out of the park this time.

For me personally, travel is all about weight and bulk. I love the D3s, it is an awesome imaging camera, but I don’t want to carry it and three or four heavy lenses on a stroll down the beach. For travel I really want two things, something that lets me make great images, but doesn’t get in the way of having a good time. I don’t do personal travel with assistants that can coral all my gear and protect it from weather and theft, I have to do that myself. On this trip these two cameras have done everything I wanted them to do and then some. I only brought the D7000 and P7000 and two lenses for the D7000, the 16-85 AFS VR (which I used 95% of the time) and the trusty old 70–300 AFS VR. I used some automatic extension tubes with the 70-300, but that was about it.
I never had more than one, of the two with me, at any given time.

I think both of these cameras are going to get a great deal of attention. The D7000 is a very sophisticated DX sensor camera that makes beautiful images, and is quiet as a mouse. The video is stunning, and it even allows an external mike to be connected. The D7000 is packed with features you would never expect to see in a camera in this price range, and it is really built well, with a full magnesium alloy frame and sealing. At 16.2 mega pixels it is a true High Res camera.

The P7000 is dream when you just want to go ultra light. The 28-200 zoom and lots of great shooting options make it usable in many situations you would consider using a compact camera.
Add to that the really great performance at higher ISO settings like 800 and 1600. This camera really works and makes gorgeous images. I still catch myself looking at the EXIF data to be sure the images were made with the P7000!

Never, say never, but I can’t see my doing serious travel with anything else for some time to come.
I have warned on many occasions that I would not use this blog to promote products, but I’m so excited about these new cameras, I just couldn’t help myself. Of course, other manufacturers make great cameras as well, but these two just might make you wish you shot with Nikons.

I’m going to take the weekend off to enjoy being with Sherelene on the last few days of our vacation, please have a great weekend yourself, and forgive my enthusiasm.

Blessings,

the pilgrim

Sherelene and I have had a great trip together, but when I get home, one thing I want to do right away is see as many of my grandchildren as I can. Every time I see a child while traveling, I think of my grandchildren. What a joy they have brought into my life, I love them, each and every one.

The other day I thought of Ben when a couple of large Iguanas crawled up to our table to beg for food at Molly Malones. Since Molly’s has turned out to be our favorite spot for breakfast and dinner we have been there at least once a day. I shot the image for Ben below and then started thinking this morning I wanted to dedicate one shot to each of the grandchildren. First, one shot says it all about all about my three granddaughters, Hannah, Cassidy, and Abigail. They are the radiant flowers of my life. Color is such an important part of a photographer’s life and they each bring bursts of color into life for me. Hannah, Cassidy, and Abigail are the most loving young ladies. They all hold such a special place in my heart. I’m Papa to them, and they all know how much I love their hugs and I get lots! I’m so proud of all of them, and in spite of any genes passed down from me, they are
beautiful.

I grew up one of two
children in my family,
two boys, Homer and
I, so I never had a sister
and I wasn’t sure what
to do when Sherelene
gave birth to our last
child, our daughter
Catherine. Boy did she
open my eyes, what a
pleasure it was to have
a little girl. She got me
ready for three grand
daughters.

My grandsons are just as
great, Ben is my nature
lover, he collects anything
that crawls, slithers, or
walks and we’ve spent
hours talking about
animals together. Some
day I want to take him
to the Galapagos Islands,
he would love it. Ben is
a really great young man,
I’m so proud of him too.

Cade is my sports guy, he
loves basketball, soccer,
football, anything played
with a ball, he’s all over it.
He is a great athlete too.
No bigger U.K. (University
of Kentucky) fan ever lived.
Cade also loves Chocolate
just like Papa. When I saw
this sign, I knew it would be
for him…… Sorry Cade, no
basketball sign down here.

Elijah is another wonderful
grandson. He was born on
St. Patrick’s Day, so Elijah
this one is for you, it tells how long it is until your birthday. Elijah just started school and he is a smart little fellow. Elijah, just like Cade and Ben really shows his love and when I can slow him down long enough his hugs are great. Elijah is, just like Cade and Ben, a great joy for me.

Any of us, fortunate, and blessed enough to have family are truly blessed. I can’t imagine going through life without the gift of family. Below, from left to right; Elijah Fortney, Hannah Fortney,
Ben Fortney, Cassidy Moore, and Cade Moore.

Right, Nana gets
some love from
Abigail.

Thank you Father for my countless blessings……..

the pilgrim

*Photo notes: All four images at top P7000.

What makes a photograph interesting is the dispersion of tones, light and dark. In the days of black and white photography it was everything, today with color, the actual color can re-direct the viewers attention. Contrasts are what make images interesting, the same is true of life. Sherelene and I came to St. Thomas for sun and rest. We’re getting plenty of rest, but the sun has only been seen a few times. What can you learn from this kind of situation?

Into every life some rain will fall.

There are no guarantees in life.

Sometimes something that keeps you inside together is not all bad.

The lush plants can’t survive without rain.

No matter how you state it, it’s disappointing to go to the beach and see day after day of rain.
Maybe even more important than conditions is how do you handle them. I’m really proud of Sherelene, she’s handling it well. I keep hoping and praying the end of the week will be a lot different. One thing is for sure, we are together and she is getting the rest she so badly needed, me too.

Life is a lot better once you learn how to take lemons and make lemonade.

Father, thank you for all I have to be thankful for, and help me to see what you are teaching me.

the pilgrim

* Photo note: P7000

Sherelene and I did a little exploring this morning around the island, we heard about a beach on the north side that is beautiful. So we went to check it out, it was o.k. but was very crowded. The drive however was a real eye opener. The U.S. Virgin Islands are not a third world area, but the poverty is still pretty staggering. I never travel outside the U.S. that I’m not reminded of just how incredible we have it back home. I live in an area, (Appalachia), that most of the country thinks of as the poverty belt of the lower 48 states. It probably is, but our poverty is living high compared to most of the world. Poverty in the Caribbean is a lot different than poverty in America. Poverty in much of the third world is ten times worse. My point is that we have it pretty great in America.

I went to a “Super Market” to pick up some stuff we needed in Red Hook, while it was a pretty good store, and one of the very best on this end of the island, my local Krogers is like dying and going to heaven, compared. I remember going in a grocery, general, store in Kenya and couldn’t believe how little they had. Look, I’m on vacation and certainly not out to save the world, but I can’t help but be reminded that I’m unbelievably fortunate to live where I live in this world. So the next time you feel like complaining about how little there is to do, or buy where you live, try visiting just about any place else in the world and see how you feel, then.

And now a few random oddities from my trip out this morning, Sherelene is not one of the oddities!

One of my keys to living well, is thankfulness. I think that one of the real traps in life is feeling that we are not getting what we deserve. I once complained to my friend Dr. Charles Stanley about something I thought was unfair. I felt I deserved more in a particular area. His advice was pray this prayer, “God, give me what I deserve.” That was the last time I thought that way. I know what I deserve, and I’m happy to be getting a lot better than that………

the pilgrim

*Photo notes: All images Nikon D7000 with the 16-85 AFS VR lens.