The Workman’s desk

While visiting the San Diego Air & Space Museum, our group was aloud to go into the basement area where restoration work takes place. I found the desk of a master craftsman and was fascinated at the curious and interesting collection of things on the desk. It brought to mind that through out my career as I’ve worked with a number of very talented photographers, who each is unique in their own special way. To say someone eccentric may not seem to be a compliment, but I believe it is. People with extraordinary talent are often eccentric, they march to the sound of a different drummer. I think it is this difference that makes so many shooters the visionaries they are.
I had the pleasure of visiting with Jim Sugar, legendary National Geographic photographer and Moose Peterson, legendary wildlife photographer, and both dear friends, at ISAP yesterday.
We really enjoyed chewing the photographic fat and sharing philosophy. Jim spent some time with me showing me some of his bag of tricks with wireless flash, some of his shots of me are below.

Below in a shot by Larry Grace, Moose and Jim are working the lights for the portrait of me
below right. I’m a huge fan of Charles Lindbergh and so I really enjoyed having this shot made.

Of course Jim and Moose are both extremely talented
photographers and great guys. I met Jim many years
ago and we were once working on an assignment
together when he told me he was going to go and
do his work out which was cycling for 10 miles
and then swimming for 6 miles. I jokingly said, “When
you get to be my age you won’t be doing that stuff.”
Jim was quick to tell me he was older than I was. After
some bantering we compared drivers licenses. Turns
out Jim was born February 8th, 1946 at 9:00 p.m.
I was born February the 9th at 6:00 a.m. Nine hours
later….. It has been a source of much fun as every Feb 8th I call Jim and tell him I sure am glad I’m not as old as he is……. Jim has gone on to become one of my best friends in photography.
Moose and I met many years ago as well as we were both working hard to work our way up in the ranks of nature photography. Certainly Moose has succeeded, being one of the most recognized wildlife photographers in the field. Moose has also become a very accomplished
landscape shooter and aviation shooter as well, he is a very talented guy indeed. His son Jake works closely with him and he certainly is a wonderful shooter in his own right.

The joy of these trips is being with people you respect and enjoy their company, along with Jim and Moose, I got the pleasure of hanging out with Jay Miller, one of the nations leading aviation historians and a dynamite shooter as well. I also had time with my dear Christian brother and the dean of Air to Air shooters, Paul Bowen. I was joined with Sara Moosebrugger, our rising star among Nikon Tech Reps and great work mate. Another great aviation shooter Richard Vandermulen is also a long time dear buddy and a great inspiration as a shooter. Then there was David Leininger, Arnold Greenwell, John Slemp, and Tyson Rininger all absolutely incredible shooters, I better stop before I get in trouble here. Needless to say I’m immeasurably blessed by being able to be with such great people…..

All these people have something in common; they excel because they have the workman’s desk, covered with the evidence of their heart, their labor, and their dedication to our craft…….

the thankful pilgrim

And finally some of Moose’s fun shots of us cutting up in the gift shop! Thanks Moose, I think…….
You’re a pal!

* Photo Note: Image of the desk, D7000, 24-120 AFs VR f4, HDR, Topaz Adjust. Shot of the shoot, by Larry Grace, the new president of ISAP and great shooter and friend. Portrait of me
by Jim Sugar and Moose Peterson.