Monthly Archives: November 2011

 

Colosians 3:23

²³ Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

 

Work is a fact of life, and I’ve had jobs I loved, and jobs I hated, but I’ve always tried to do them as unto the Lord.  Yesterday’s In Touch devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley dealt with this subject and I would like to expound upon it too.  Work can be trying, tiring, and troubling, but it doesn’t have to be.  Work can be a wonderful boot camp for getting us trained to live “the Real Christian Life”!  I’ve heard more than a few people say, “Why would I want to be a Christian, have you seen how they act?!”  Sadly, that is  often true.  Christ told us to love one another, to help one another, to forgive each other, to not judge others.  How are we doing?  I won’t speak for any of you, but I know how miserably I’ve failed on all those points myself!

 

No, I’ve not always been a good example of what I believe God has called us to be.  But there is hope!!!!   Please let me make a little list of things that have helped me, and I believe will help you, to live more in keeping with what our Heavenly Father has required of us.  This is a pretty simple list, but it is powerful when lived out in our daily walk.

 

(1)  Remember and practice the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”  You can never go wrong by treating others with the same respect you would like to be treated with. Have a smile and a kind word, and encouragement for everyone.  Remember that their is no one beneath you, we are all in  this world together, some have been less fortunate, but no one is worthless.  Some exhibit behavior that is terrible, but Jesus died for them, as much as he died for you!

 

(2)  Leave judging up to God.  It’s easy to look around and make a pronouncement of the actions of others, but it’s not our job, God’s got that covered!  Any time you see something in someone else that you don’t like, ask yourself if you’ve ever been guilty of the same??  It will stop judgement in it’s tracks!  Judgement is too big a job for mere mortals!

 

(3)  Forgive those that have hurt you.  We have all done things that we are very ashamed of; actions, words, and thoughts that we would love to sponge away from our lives.  Jesus died so we could be forgiven for all of that!   How could we be offered forgiveness for all we’ve done, and fail to offer it to others.  The love that grows out of forgiveness is beautiful indeed.

 

(4)  Trust in Him.  In our world today, it’s very hard to find anything that you can say you have complete trust in, but you can fully, completely, totally, believe in, and trust in Him.  He wants you to have peace, and that is only possible when you begin to realize He is worthy of your trust.  He will never leave you or forsake you.

 

(5)   Take time, every day, to count your blessings, for they are many!!  Seriously, sit down some time  today an take a pad and pen and start a list of all the things that you’ve been blessed with; a husband or wife, children, grand children, family, a job, food on the table, a roof over your head, laughter, love, the kindness expressed by others, fun things to do, wonderful things to look forward to, the list will be very long indeed.  Every time the enemy comes knocking at your door trying to tell you how awful your life is, pull out your list and wave it in his face, and call him the lier that he is.

 

When you go to work, thank God that you’re employed, ask him to help you deal with those that can be difficult, love those that need someone to love them, show kindness to those that feel empty. Be a friend to the lonely.  Ask Him to help you to be patient with those that try your patience,  to be helpful to those that need help.  Ask Him to show you what others look like in His eyes.  When you see others with His great love and compassion, you will be moved to work in a way that honors him and brings joy to others.  Be great at what you do, for Great is He, that is in you!!!!!

 

Have a great day at work………

 

the pilgrim

 

Have you ever wondered what the top pros use to make all those images that we all admire so much?  Well I made a few phone calls and visited a few website to see for myself.  Not so surprisingly, they all have systems that are more alike than you might think, but the differences bring up some interesting questions and may give each of us a better idea, how to build our own system!

 

 

Bob Krist, World Class Travel Photographer

Bob uses a pair of D7000’s (he says because of “their image quality, light weight, and terrific video capabilities!”)    His stable of most used lenses include:  Nikon 12-24 AF-s DX f4 wide angle zoom, Nikon 16-85 AF-S VR DX  f 3.5-5.6 mid range zoom, 70-300 AF-S VR f 4.5-5.6 telephoto zoom.  When he needs speed lenses he carries the Nikon 85mm f1.8 AF lens and the 35mm f 1.8 AF-S DX lens.  He uses the SB-900 flash units wiht the Nikon CLS (Creative Lighting System)

 

 

 

John Shaw, Nature Photography Master

John has been the dean of nature photographers for many years, and is still one of the leaders of photographic education in the world.  John Shaw and Larry West are the two photographers that set a fire under me in the early 70’s!   John uses all Nikon gear; A Nikon D3s and Nikon D3x are his two main bodies, His lenses include:  Nikkor lenses:  16-35, 24-70, 24 Tilt/Shift, 45 Tilt/Shift, 90 Tilt/Shift, 70-200 AF-S f 2.8, 200-400 AF-S VR f4, 500 AF-S f4, Nikon Teleconverters, SB-800 flash.

 

 

 

Jose’ Ramos, Premier Aviation Photographer

Jose’ make spectacular images both air to air and ground to air, he has worked side by side with many of our greatest military squadrons!  His kit bag has to be very portable to fit in the cockpit of modern jet fighters!  His basic kit includes the Nikon D7000, and Nikon D90 and the 12-24, 16-85, and 70-300 Nikon zooms.  He uses SB-900 and SB-800 flash units for light aircraft of all sizes.

 

 

 

Jim Begley, HDR Master

Jim has fast become one of the countries most recognized and appreciated HDR shooters and teachers!  Jim’s kit includes; D700, and D3s cameras. His lenses kit includes; 16-35 f 4, 28-70 f 2.8, 70-300 AF-S VR.  Jim gets more out of his gear than almost anybody I know!

 

 

 

Scott Kelby, Celebrated writer, photographer, workshop leader, all around great guy.

Scott’s work runs from travel to sports, portrait to nature, and his gear selection shows his versatility!  His bodies are D3s, D700, D300s, and Canon 50D.  His lenses include; Nikkor 10.5, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 18-200 28-300, 50 f1.4 , 105 Micro, 85 AF-S f 1.4, 200 f2, 300 f 2.8, 200-400 f4, 400 f 2.8, Nikon TC-14E II,  and a Canon 18-35.   Wow a lot of stuff and no he doesn’t have a bag that carries it all!!!!!!

 

 

 

Joe McNally, World famous magazine photojournalist and lighting master.

Joe’s work runs the entire gamut of photography so you would expect him to have the gear to cover it all!!  His bodies are D3s, D700,   His lenses include; Nikkor 16mm f 2.8, 14-24, 50mm f 1.4, 24-70, 70-200, 105 Micro, 200 f2, 200-400 f4,  Nikon TC-17E II.  As you would imagine tons of SB-900s, SB-800s!!

 

 

 

Tony Sweet, One of leading Art photographers in  the world.

Tony’s beautiful and inspiring work is captured with a specific system best suited to his needs;  D3, D700, D300s, D200 (Infared converted)  Lenses include, 16 mm Fisheye, 14-24, 24-70, 85 Tilt/Shift, 70-200, 105 an 200 Micro lenses, 300 f4 and a Lensbaby!

 

 

Mark Alberhasky, Fine Art, Travel, and photographic generalist modern master.

One of my favorite photographers and an amazing shooter, Mark has done it all and he didn’t start until after a full medical career!  Mark shoots Nikon D3s, D3x, D7000, D700 and the full compliment of Nikon lenses mentioned in every entry, 16 Fisheye, 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 200-400 and much more!  The bottom line is that whatever piece of gear that is in his hands, he sure knows how to use it!

 

 

A final thought, I hope you enjoyed a peak into the camera bags of some great shooters!!!  Please let me brag a little, and praise a lot!  I count all these men very very close friends, not associates, friends.  i can say that as spectacular as their work is, i appreciate them even more for there long frienships, I’ve learned a great deal from each of them and have greatly enjoyed their company.  This is what is called a lifetime of blessings!

 

the pilgrim

 

Equipment image courtesy of Think Tank Photo.

 

 

 

 

 

Image by Susan Scharenburg

 

You may ask why I teach workshops, I would say because I love to!  You may ask if people come to be inspired and learn from me?  I would say they may, but in the end I get inspired and learn from them!!!  I’ve been saying for a long time that great photographers are far more numerous today than ever before.  I can’t tell you exactly why, but I suspect that more people are interested in photography at a serious level today, that more opportunities to learn are present today than ever before,  and that digital photography has made the learning process easier and a lot more fun.  What ever the reason, when I teach a workshop and look at the results from my students, (more friends, and pals than students!!), I see wonderful things that, in fact,  inspire me.  This will be the first of a several part attempt to share work that was done on the recent (October), New England event.  As I look at these images they bring back great memories of having a wonderful time with terrific people, who obviously made the most of the opportunity!!!!

 

Before I let you feast your eyes on their wonderful work let me praise my Heavenly Father for giving me such a wonderful life, filled with rich experiences, in the company of such precious brothers and sisters……

 

Image by Raymond Rabola

 

Image by Lynn Rogers

 

Image by Richard Siggins

 

Image by Santiago Melians

 

Image by Kin Envoldsen

 

Image by Miles Smith

 

 

Image by Ted Thelin

 

Image by Paul Roskoff

 

A photograph is the poetry of the soul.  The unspoken vision of an artists view of his or her world.  These photographers share a glimpse of their vision with us, and we are richer for it!  Stay tune, more to come!

 

the pilgrim

After a pretty rough early week, the weekend blossomed into a great two days!   Saturday night Sherelene and I went to a Chris Tomlin concert in our hometown.  I’m a big fan of his music and his strong stance for Christ.  It was more than an enjoyable concert, it was a deep worship experience.  As often happens when you spend several hour in worship, it really started to focus me on the task at hand.  The second thing that happened was a sweet email I received from my dear brother, and shooting buddy, Jim Haverstock.  Jim expressed his thoughts on my postponed retirement plans, and said he thought that maybe God was not finished with my ministry opportunities through my service to Nikon. Finally this morning Sherelene and I went to church and a guest speaker delivered a wonderful, thoughtful, and very timely message for me.

 

He spoke of our need to reach out to the Least, the Last, and the Lost, he called it,  looking for people that no one else wants.   All of these things came together to create something of a perfect spiritual storm in me!  I’ve made it clear what my hearts desire is, but tonight sitting in another Courtyard by Marriott in Nashville, it’s more clear than ever.  My ministry has always been about trying to live in a way that points others to my Heavenly Father, and while I have been involved in personal evangelism, it has not been on the front burner.  It is now!  I will start to pray that God will send me those people that are seeking Him.  Some time ago I prayed the Jabez prayer for several months and He sent me countless people that were seeking someone to share Christ with them.  I’m ready for another round.  I’m not talking about handing out tracks or approaching total strangers in the mall!  I am talking about asking God to make me keenly aware of those that I meet that are searching, or lost, or in need of an extra large helping of His love.  I’ve kicked plenty of doors down for Jesus, and it never works, but when He opens a door, that’s when the fun starts.  I’m pumped about a renewed commitment to serve Him more deeply, more completely, and more faithfully.

 

I want to thank, the speaker at church, Jim Haverstock, and Chris Tomlin for helping me to re-focus on my intended purpose in life.  I never lost complete sight of that purpose, but the point of my focus was beginning to get, forgive me, “blurred”.  Couldn’t resist a photography term.   Now I have a very big favor to ask to all of you that frequent this blog.  I would ask that you pray for me.  I want Him to prepare me, strengthen me, and show me through the Holy Spirit, how to be a witness for Him.  I also want to be more aware of what is happening spiritually around me, and lastly, I ask that He will send me those that He knows I can share His love with.  I’ll make a deal with you, when He starts to answer our prayers, I will share the stories of victories with you.  I will call them, Unrestrained Stories!

 

I’m excited and filled with hope about what God is about to do!

 

Thank you,

 

the pilgrim

 

The Song:     From the Inside Out

 

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

My Soul cries out to You
My Soul cries out to You
to You, to You

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out.