Monthly Archives: January 2018

6 years, 2 months ago 10
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In the past 48 years I have had in excess of 10,000 students, this is only one small group of 13, but 13 great ones!  In truth, almost every group has been a terrific one.  Before I go any futher, I want to credit this shot to Jim Begley, (to the far left in the group), the file info tells me it was from his Nikon D3s, so does the quality!!!!  I could say something about every person in this group and I know a lot about each of them, but I will just tell you this was an exceptional group, everyone a great person.  So many great friends in this image!

 

At church a few week ago, a member asked me where I  went when I was gone from home for those long trips?  I started to answer that I was off doing photo workshops or givng a talk about photography, but I didn’t!  I paused for a long moment and said, “Well I’m tansported into a magical place where the air is fresh, the scenery is beautiful and the people I’m with are the kindest, most wonderful people you will ever meet!”   She immediately said  “I want to go there!!!!!”  I smiled and said  “Yes you do!”  Just then, the pastor said let’s pray…..

 

We never finished that conversation and to be honest I couldn’t give any better description of what my life has been like for the past 48 years out on the road.  Different people might explain this gift in all kinds of ways, but I can tell you the truth, It’s God’s Grace. It says in the Word, “Seek First the Kingdon of God and his righteousness  and all these things will be added unto you, even the desires of your heart.”  It’s hard to argue with that, because I know what one of my heart’s desires has always been!!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

6 years, 2 months ago 2
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I got out this morning for a few more flights!  Above, are the reserved seats in Cumberland Universities football stadium.  Below the circular slide ride at the Williamsburg Water Park!

 

 

I went backup and made another couple of angles on our church!

 

 

 

Learning everyday!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

 

6 years, 2 months ago 4
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Winter is my time off from field work.  I study and write and try to learn new discplines, or brush up on old ones, durimg the coldest months!  This winter I’m learning to fly and photograph with a drone, learing how to edit video and add msuic for shows to share when I speak or do workshops, and I’m attempting to learn Luminar 2018 well enough to try and stop using any other forms of post processing.

 

I’m also missing all of  you and spending time with you, in-the-field!  It’s been a long time since Jack and I did a workshop and even longer since I had the pleasure standing “out there” with Jim Haverstock.  I miss Richard Browne, Bryan Jolley, Michael Early, Dudely, Rodney, and many, many others.  Time away from those we care about makes us realize how imporant they are to our lives.  For many years it was the “location” I couldn’t wait to get back to, now it’s being back with the friends!

 

2017 was a time of deep reflection as I walked through the cancer of Deb, Gloria, Don,  Sue and Wesley with my family and my extended family.  I learned something amazing, those people that we deeply pray for become even closer to our hearts.  God opens up our lives and lets them in even closer.  Of course I was already very close to Welsey, my son, and Sue, but I’d never even met Deb Jolley.  I love her husband, my dear brother Bryan, but only knew her through his sharing about her.  When she faced cancer it was like I had known her for my entire life!  What a wonderful, God given, gift!  He takes care of His children and He lets us be a part of it!!!

 

I often get caught up in the technical details of life and often miss the sheer beauty of what is around me.  The image above was a such moment.  It was beautful scene, I really wanted to share it with my family, that very morning, that very instant!!!  So I pulled out my iPhone and made the photograph, processed, and sent it, with a text message, to a number of family members and friends.  I then reached in my camera bag to get a “real camera” and, the light was over!  I smiled.  For that one moment I put other people I love first, and shared a magical Teton’s sunrise with them.  All over the country they got to live that moment, with me, as it  happened!

 

I knew, even then, I did the right thing…….

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

6 years, 2 months ago 7
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There’s a water park in Barbourville, KY where my wife works in a clinic one day per week, actually every other week.  I drove her to work this morning and it was 7 degrees, but I still had the DJI Mavic Pro in the back of my SUV.  I just couldn’t help it, I made a quick flight over the water park and found this water slide, snow covered with only the yellow showing through and patch of blue.  I pulled this as a small section from a 4K video frame.

 

Still having too much fun!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim