The Greatest Gift…….
The image above is of the Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove. I know it well, very well. My daughter Catherine and my son-in-law Clint were married in this very church! I’ve photographed it many times, but on this last workshop I saw it in a new way, for the very first time. Joe looked up as soon as he got out of my car and described what he saw, and it was not what I’ve seen in the past. It was clear as a bell that Joe had a unique and different vision.
I immediately tried to capture what Joe described, admittedly it was his vision, but I had to try and capture it. I’m pleased with the result, but I’m more pleased that he opened my eyes to seeing something in a new, and fresh way. A gift is something you give out of love to someone that truly wants to have the gift. I really want to have the gift of Joe’s unique and special vision. Joe gave it willingly.
After a four day period with Joe I came to see something I hadn’t seen before in all the years I had known him. His greatest talent is that he sees what is there, but that few others recognize. Vision is more than what our eyes see. I’ve known Joe’s heart for a long time, but it came into clearer focus this week, it’s gold and it thinks of others, always, before himself. Sharing his vision with us this week may seem like a small thing, after all he is a teacher, a really good one, but that would be denying the bigger point. Gifts, true gifts can only come from the heart, a heart that wants to share what it owns, even a vision. It is Christmas and what better time to give a gift, receive a gift and recognize a giver. Merry Christmas Joe, in every sense of those words.
Let us all learn how to give in this season!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Friday, December 11th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
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I’ve attended one of Joe’s seminars through KelbyOne in Washington, DC. He’s a fantastic teacher and very approachable. You could see in this seminar as well his willingness to share. I wish I could have attended this seminar with you but after attending the Landscape Summit, I could arrange my schedule to attend.
Steve, we will try to bring him back!!!!
With all the bad news lately, it’s nice to see a group of smiling faces. The portraits were great. I wish I could have came along. Maybe some day/next time. I’m glad you all had a wonderful time.
Merry Christmas 🙂
Jon
Jon,
We will get you in one of these days, and it truly was epic! Probably the best workshop I’ve ever run!
Bill: Is that the new Fuji 100-400 I see in Joe’s camera? 🙂
No, that is Nikon’s new 150-500 f 5.6! Which is a great lens. The rumored 100-400 F 4.5-5.6 is expected to be possibly be announced in mid January! I’ve been promised an early one to shoot for fuji and produce some images for them and myself! Stay tuned
Sorry, wrong picture, the one directly above is actually the a Fuji 50-140 with an X-T1, Joe just happens to be standing near it, it is not his. Joe is exclusively a Nikon shooter. That new lens is in today’s post!
No, that is Nikon’s new 150-500 f 5.6! Which is a great lens. The rumored 100-400 F 4.5-5.6 is expected to be possibly be announced in mid January! I’ve been promised an early one to shoot for fuji and produce some images for them and myself! Stay tuned