Things I love…and things I don’t love so much…
It’s time for a list; things I love, and things I don’t love so much!
Things I love:
1. My wife! Every time I go out and teach or speak I mention how much I’m still madly in love with my wife, even after 45 years of marriage! I once had Sherelene with me when I made that pronouncemnt , once again, I lady came up to us and asked, “How could you still be in love after 45 years of marriage?!” My wife quipped, “well he’s only been home 15 of the 45 years!” While that is almost the truth, I think the absence has actually made us grow closer. I love to travel, shoot and teach, but I love coming home even more. Sherlene has made the last 45 years countless great homecomings!!! In a very large way, God has used Sherelene to set me free to experience the life I’ve been so blessed to live. My family fits in here too! I have a wonderful family; three great children, (now adults), and their spouses, and 6 wonderful grandchildren, I’m truly blessed, and a great brother too!!! I took my granddaughter Cassidy to the workshop at Grandfather Mountain, and she shot some great images!, one is below, we had a great time!
Image by Cassidy Moore
2. My Faith! My daily walk with my Lord is all that keeps me going. The schedule I keep and the things I’m doing are exhausting, especially as I get older, but the Lord holds me up and guides my path! Some years ago when I gave my life completely to Him, He took me at my word, and has blessed me in more ways than I could ever share.
3. My friends! I got an email a while back from an angry reader who accused me of manufacturing the number of friends I have. He suggested you can only have a very few close friends! Well Westers Dictionary says a d friend is:
friend
noun1
a close friend: companion, soul mate, intimate, confidante, confidant, familiar, alter ego, second self, playmate, playfellow, classmate, schoolmate, workmate; ally, associate; sister, brother; best friend, kindred spirit, bosom buddy, bosom friend; informal pal, chum, sidekick, crony, main man, mate, buddy, bud, amigo, compadre, homeboy, homegirl, homie, dawg, gal pal, BF, BFF; informal, plural peeps; archaic compeer.
ANTONYMS enemy
.2 the friends of the National Ballet: patron, backer, supporter, benefactor, benefactress, sponsor; well-wisher, defender, champion; informal angel.
I can’t tell you what a friend is for sure, for me there are very long term friends, people I’ve known for decades and their are newer friends that I may have known less than 10 years. I love them all and treasure them all. I meet a lot of people that I get to spend only a few days with, like workshop guests, but many of these folks feel like friends to me. I can’t say how many of them feel that way about me, but that doesn’t matter, the fact is there are many,and they have blessed my life! I’ve also been questioned about saying I love you, to what some people would consider almost strangers. If you are filled with God’s love, He enables you to love others, with His love!!! That is not an ability we possess, but one we can exhibit through Him!
4. The fun of photography gear! I love buying and using cameras and lenses! I’ve been shooting images for over 45 years and I’ve always enjoyed the camera gear! I think at one point I loved it too much, rather worshipped my gear, but I got over that, now they are just tools, but fun tools none the less! I am especially fond of the Fuji prime lenses. Fuji makes a number of spectacular prime lenses, all tack sharp and very well made of mostly metal. It is a pleasure to use such good glass!
How about a few things I don’t love so much!
1. People that do reviews so they can trash any certain brand. Out in the big photography world there are those that love their brand so much that they trash all the other companies. You won’t find that happening here! I respect everyone’s right to love the gear that works best for them, As I tell my students, at workshops, “If you own any modern camera and are not getting spectacular images, it’s probably not the camera!”
I read a review recently by a fellow and he not only trashed the gear he was reviewing, he speckled profanity through out his article. It’s a free county, but I don’t think you need to do that to get you point across! I’m sure some people like it, but I’m not one of them!
2. I really don’t like to see reviews by people whose work makes you wonder if they know enough about photography to have a valid opinion! If Art Wolfe, Jack Graham, or John Shaw have an opinion about a camera or lens, I want to know what they think, they are exceptional artists, but when I see an article and it is accompanied by, at least in my opinion, sub standard work, it makes me wonder how they can make a real point. My advise to myself , and the rest of us, is to make some great images before you critique the manufacturers equipment! I know the internet is filled with nit pickers, and that is just the way it is, but having some real knowledge and experience would be helpful before you start expounding, at least that’s my thought!
3. People that are judgmental! That may seem strange after my previous paragraph, but I don’t consider calling folks out on that kind of thing a judgment. What I’m talking about is people that look down on other for any reason. If you think you are better than someone else because of your social status, wealth, or fame, then you’re making a terrible mistake. Some of the finest people I’ve ver known were people that some people would have seen as “the lesser” in society. We have much to learn from each other, and it needs to start with acknowledging that we’re all God’s children, and try to see others though His eyes! Trust me, the rewards will amaze you, if you can let Him teach you how!
Well, I hope I haven’t offended to many folks, it was never my intention!
I want ot thank Don DeLong, Don Dennis, Lynn Rogers, Gerry Emmert and Tom Roper for joining us at Grandfather Mountain this past weekend you guys were great and a special thank you to my dear friends, Jim Begley, “Snake” Barrett, Jim and Sue Haverstock and Miles Smith for adding to the great fellowship we all enjoyed! It was great to see Chris Klapheke for a day too!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Monday, June 1st, 2015 at 1:37 pm
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Another great post, Bill. I am struck by the angry email you got about your number of friends. This really highlights the blessing of being able to view the world with a positive outlook that allows you to assume the best and look for the good. I know there are people to whom this perspective is so foreign that it seems nothing more than an incomprehensible fairytale. Although I don’t believe this is just about faith (or lack thereof), I have no doubt that the burdens of this life are that much harder without the hope and comfort offered in Christ.
My own outlook on life is a work in progress :-). Your positivity and your witness help me do the same—so thank you!
My pleasure! You guys do the same for me!
Now this is a post I can agree with all the way. When I was a teenager I used to swear a lot until one day when my brother told me flat out that no one was impressed. It stung me so clearly that for the last 27 years or so I have rarely let such words pass my lips or keyboard.
And you are correct, all the cameras out today including smartphones are capable of making excellent pictures. Most of us should really look to improve our practice before improving our equipment.
Thanks Neil!
A little over a year ago, I was quietly shooting some close ups of a classic car at old car city, when a jolly figure entered my world and he truly took an active interest in what I was doing. I often tell people that photography is not a great spectator sport, but this fellow was really interested in both me and what I was doing. He introduced himself as Bill Fortney.
We spent the next 2 hours talking about life, spiritual matters, and of course photography. I now have a friend that has impacted every aspect of my life. I have a friend that guided me through my transition from Nikon to Fuji. I have a friend that has prayed for me this passed year while I’ve battled health issues. I have never been to one of his workshops, I haven’t purchased his E-books, yet he has treated me as both a friend and a brother. People who take that kind of interest in a total stranger can’t help but find themselves surrounded by a multitude of friends! Thanks for taking the time and just being you! I really hope we can get together again on this side of eternity but if not, I’ll see you there!
Thank you Jim, it was me that was blessed that day and every day since, and yes we will see each other again, probably in both places!!!
Wow. Some heavy stuff — and by and large well-stated.
1, Back in 1972 or so I saw a sign on a church near the Notre Dame campus in South Bend: “The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” The contemporary translation of that would be: “The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.” I suspect leadership by example is right up there, too.
2, Isn’t He the source of it all?
3. The wealth of a man (woman) is the number of things he (she) loves and blesses and is loved and blessed by. You know what’s so cool about old friends? It’s how you can pick up a conversation years later and it seems like it was yesterday.
4. You are an equipmentholic. A recovering one (such as me) can spot it. But camera dealers need all the help they can get these days.
On the other hand…
1. That’s what separates the wheat from the chaff. I have never heard a Canon guru made a cheap shot at Nikon gear and vice versa. They know their products would not be as good as they are without competition. That’s not to say everyone is always praiseworthy but the criticism is focused and well-reasoned. Rare does a true professional stoop low. They don’t have to.
2. Hmmmm. I agree and strongly disagree in part. I’ve seen marginal or worse work by “name” photographers, some of whom have trouble accepting new things and people. There are some great up and coming photographers and some old pros resistant to change. It’s part of life. But I also think it’s interesting how some of the “critique” pieces are overstated, overanalyzed and often miss the point. I take any overstated review — positive or negative — with a huge grain of salt. Some reviewers sound like marketing reps and that, too, impairs credibility.
3. One thing at “judge camp” that was drummed into us: “The best judges are nonjudgmental.” Funny but when the need arises to “light someone up” it’s a no-brainer. It’s like there are neon lights flashing. The rest of the time, nope. Most people are decent souls.
Good points, all!
I once dated a 14 year old girl that told me, “If you want to have a friend, you have to be a friend”. She became my wife, and after 48 years of friendship and 43 years of marriage she passed away last year. She left behind a treasure of many friends.
I have another friend that runs workshops who knew that she had passed who would ask me if I would come up and join his workshop anytime they were a few hours from where I live, knowing that time spent together with a camera in hand would be therapy for me.
Thank you, Bill, for coming alongside, being a part of my journey, and being a friend to me. It’s no wonder you have so many friends.
I sure am glad to have you as a friend, Mike!!
When we first met over 20 years ago (woah!) I was shooting Minolta. I know some wondered “what?” but with kid’s college expenses that came first and I just could not afford the higher atmospheric layer of Nikon & Canon. Eventually, I came over to Nikon (I was so proud of that F4) but you never once questioned my choice of the “inferior” Minolta (although others did). All you did was take my prior forty years of taking pictures (mostly urban black & white) and transform me into an image maker. You also taught me a number of other things like how to teach, how to run a workshop and how to critique. I thank you for those years of mentorship and for your continued friendship. Now you have me hooked on Fuji. Would you please quit telling me about new stuff!
I’m sorry, guilty as charged!!
Now, thanks for the kind words! We were blessed with countless hours of great fellowship and incredible scenes, light and conditions!
I want to revisit #1 because it inspired me to publish this:
http://naturecallsphotography.blogspot.com/2015/06/mike-roykos-finest-column-love-story.html