Monthly Archives: February 2012

 

Over the last several days I’ve shared about how I believe God wants us to relate to others.  Sitting behind a table full of camera gear and answering a bewildering number of questions is a good test bed for putting that into practice.  For the most part my customers are really nice people, only a very small percentage are difficult to deal with.  The group I’ve been working with this weekend are among the best I see anywhere in America.  These folks are truly down to earth, easy people to deal with.  The excitement about the D4 and D800/D800e was at a fever pitch with many of these folks.  Even in a great group like this you have a very small handful that are not happy campers, that’s when you get a chance to see just how much the Lord has taught you!

 

When someone comes up with a problem and they feel it may be my company’s at fault it really gives you the chance to see how you can overcome their frustrations.  I spoke to a man today that had a lot of problems with his camera, far more than is usual.  He was convinced that he had a lemon and was fairly insistent that we needed to replace it!  I asked him if he could walk me through the issues with all the details.  I could tell that just having someone let him vent and express his frustration helped him.  After we went through what the camera was doing, that it shouldn’t have been doing, we started to try to find out what the reason was behind the camera’s issues.

 

I suspected that his issues could be some menu items that were set incorrectly, rather than tell him that, I involved him in walking through the menus with me.  Every time I found something that should have been set differently, I took the time to explain to him why it needed to be changed.   After we found several incorrect settings, together, I asked him to try to replicate the problem, which was now resolved!  He was a very happy camper and he understood why his camera was better.  He walked away thinking we were now the good guys!

 

So what just happened.   I listened, I worked with the customers to find the problem, and them let him become a part of the solution.  Every- body won and that’s how you would love for all these issues to turn out.  Sadly, sometimes a camera needs to go in for repair, or you have to give the bad news that the dropped and badly damage camera, may not be able to be repaired without a great deal of expense.  Once again staying calm and being sympathetic does wonders.

 

As a tech rep, I know the same thing I know as a Christian, when people are frustrated or upset, sometimes what they need more than anything is a person that will listen and try to help them.  I know that I can’t fix every problem, I do know that I can understand their frustrations, and do everything I can to help.  Sometimes we all need just someone to care.

 

Christ cared for us so much that He gave His life for us. I’ve never been asked make that kind of sacrifice, but I surely can listen, and respond with respect and concern. I want to treat people that way He would.

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

After the show closed Friday afternoon I had the of pleasure of  going to dinner with some great friends, and trying a new hamburger joint! Bob Krist,  and his wife Peggy  joined, their friend Deb Sandidge, my friend Tim Isaacson and myself for a cheeseburger expedition!  Tim had found some reviews of a place called The Backyard Cafe out in West Columbia.  It was one of those great little out of the way places that I’ve come to love over the years, a full parking lot and short wait for a table.  The staff was fantastic and they served up a good meal while we all had loads of fun talking photography and telling tall tales.

 

The burgers were actually a pleasant surprise.  I can’t tell how many legendary burgers I’ve had that never quite live up to the hype, this wasn’t one of them.  it was done almost perfect, cooked just right,  toasted bun, could have been better buttered, and they didn’t have American cheese, but it was still really good, and the company made it even better!

 

I can give this burger a solid 4.5 and as you guys know that is not a bad score.  Fava’s, Shake Shack and Milt’s don’t need to be shaking in their boots, but the other burger joints in Columbia sure should be!!  Well worth the drive.  Burger hunting is dangerous business, the health police are always peeking around the corner to protect you, but I threw them off tonight, I order steamed broccoli instead of fries, admittedly a token effort, but, I think, worth an A for effort!

 

I once again had the pleasure of great company and as always being with Bob was a delight, as you know from previous posts, he is truly one of the great people in our business.  Though I didn’t get to see Deb’s program it got rave reviews and I heard her work was outstanding.  I’ve talked many times to Peggy when calling for Bob, and over the years have gotten to really like this great lady.  Tim is one of kind, one of the nicest, kindest, and most giving men I know, we all enjoyed his company!

 

So after a long day of answering photo questions from a good group of photographers, over 400 in attendance, I was ready for this evening of visiting and sharing photographic fellowship.   It was Grouch Marx who once said, “he would never join any club that would have him as member…..”  So tonight I was thankful that this great group allowed me to tag along!

 

In Him,

 

the pilgrim

 

* The art?????  My iPhone shot of the burger is still on my iPhone !*%$##$@  Gotta learn how to get images out of that thing!

I arrived in Columbia, SC about 2:30 p.m. and got everything unloaded from the FJ.  I immediately started running into old friends and acquaintances from meetings past.  Then I came up to the room to get ready for some rest and looked through some images for this post and found this one from the end of the New England Workshop last October, I had the same warm feelings.  If someone asked me what it is about photography that I love the most, it would be a long list; seeing beautiful things, traveling to exciting places, the fun of working hard on the craft of learning photography better, the equipment, ( lenses and the bodies)!!  Those are all great things about being a photographer, but the best thing is what brought about those feelings today, and tonight, the people!  People are the most important thing.  I’ve photographed some stunning places alone, but it is always better with good company.  My memory fails me about many things, but I can still remember who I was standing next for many images!

 

When Jesus sent out the disciples to spread the Good News, he sent them in pairs, He knew they needed each other for fellowship and support.  We are no different.  Human contact is a good thing.

 

Today I’ve been trying to practice what I shared yesterday about how God wants us to relate to others.  It really works.  God has been giving me a real vision of how He sees others and it makes me a more patient and loving person for having seen through His eyes.  If we are going to share our faith, we must first show people that we really care.  Zig Ziggler the famous motivational speaker, and committed Christian, once said, “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care….”  The more I ask Him to help me exhibit that,  the better my walk is with Him, and my relationships with others.  It’s worth the effort, because it is His will for us.

 

the pilgrim

 

 

After what has seemed an eternity of waiting it has arrived!  The new Nikon D800 and 800e are finally a reality.  And, it is worth the wait!  I spent all day yesterday taking phone calls and answering emails about this amazing new camera.  I had a limited opportunity to shoot a pre-production camera back in last September.  I will give you more info. after I get and use a real production camera which I hope will be pretty soon, but for now all I can say is it’s the real deal!  This is a superb camera with resolution and features to spare!

 

Here is some information to chew on while I get started on wringing this bad boy out!

 

Nikon’s D800 brochure.

 

Nikon’s D800 specifications.

 

Nikon’s D800 page.   * Be sure to check out the amazing video by Sandro

 

More soon, I promise…….

 

the pilgrim