Jack and I just wrapped up the Grand Tetons Fujifilm workshop this past weekend, wanted to share some of the images!  We had fantastic sunrise light which led to so so light in the afternoons.

 

 

I’ve started making images with the iPhone (7+) to share with fmaily and friends all the shots above were iPhone shots, now some of my best with Fujifilm cameras!

 

 

Another great group in another great place!!!!

 

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

A new angle to an old scene!!!

 

 

Like most Americans I have been near a TV since the shooting and have heard the same curious question, over and  over;  Why did he do it?

 

I have the answer, but let me preface it by sharing something.  I did not choose to write this blog, to share my faith and to extol our ultimate need for our Heavenly Father.  Once I started to post blogs, immediately I was inspsired to share what is is written here.  I sit at my computer and it simply comes to me, inspred by the Holy Spirit.  There is nothing special about me, I simply, long ago, pledged my life to Christ and submitted to His will.  It is His will that I hold up a candle in the darkness for the world to see.  My candle is not seen by billions or millions of people, maybe not even thousands, but it is is seen and God speaks to people through it’s light.  It’s not my light, it’s not my thoughts, I take no credit or want no praise, I want God’s will to be done. All glory should always go to Him.

 

TRUTH:  Why ISIS, terrorism, murder, gangs, racial hatred, bombings of innocents, and all the other horrible things we experience everyday?  Man is inherently evil.  The secular humanists will tell  you that man is basically good and that he can be fixed with the right abount of love, counseling and government programs.  It  hasn’t worked, you can’t change a heart with man’s efforts, only God can make us new creatures without the desire to serve evil.  All you need to do to confirm these words is study history, man has committed acts of hate and damnation for centuries.  You can believe this, or be a victim of the world’s fallen state.

 

THE ANSWER:  We all must ask God to guide us, to help us be peace makers, to stop first the hate in us.  We must reach out and love the lost, and heal the sick of spirit.  We must steadfastly refuse to adopt the lies of the lost that there is no God, that we have no Hope!  Life without hope is meaningless.  God does not desire for even one to be lost, He loves His creation and wants it redeemed, but He will not force you to beleive and accept Him and His everlasting love.  You must ask Him for forgiveness and to accept you into His family.  If you do that with real repentence and faith in Him, He never says no!

 

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR:   Jesus said,  “I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and answwers, I will come in and be with him.”  That knocking is happening right now, a new life, freedom from hate and destruction is no further away than your answer, “Yes Lord, please come i!”

 

Please answer the knock.

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

Yesterday my pastor preached a sermon few pastors would approach and I really appreciated it because it clarified some things all Christians should pray about and consider.  Our pastor provides a outline and we fill in the blanks, which is a good study method.  I am going ot share the outline points.

 

Sermon Title:  “There is one true God and We can know Him.”

 

Quote about Political Correctness:  “There is no idea so absurd but if repeated often enough will eventually come to be beleived”  William James

 

Two World Views:

 

The Biblical World View                      The Secular World View

Eternal Life – Hope                                         No Hope.

Jesus Christ – God’s Son                                Jesus Christ  –  religous leader

Basic nature of man is sinful                         Inherent goodness of man

Absolute Standars revealed (Bible)              No absolutes  (moral relativism

                                                                                                                and tolerance)

Creation  –  God                                             Evolution  –  ?

 

Christians believe God is the                      Secularist  believe the world evolved

designer of our world.

 

Obviously it is apparent why we are at odds with each other in this world, Chrisitans and Secularists.  After all, we have two very different world views.

But how can we, as Christians,  find peace with one another and establish civility?

 

Four Steps to take in response to the politically current emphasis today.

 

A.  Be humble, and accept God’s revealed word as truth.

 

B. Be couragous and speak truth “in love” regardless of the response from the world.

 

C.  Be a vigilant guard to the gate of your house for the sake of  your children. (teach your children the truth)

 

D.  Be confident God’s truth will prevail in the end.

 

We live in a world where some will be adamantly opposed to our Chrisitan beliefs, and a certain segment will attempt to destory us becasue of how opposed they are.  We can’t let that cause us to walk away from the basis of our faith; Love, Foregivness and Grace.  It’s hard, very hard, but their souls are worth more than the temporary satisfaction of loosing our calm spirits.  Pray for one another as we struggle with the world we must live in.

 

Thank you Pastor!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Personal Note:  This sermon was very helpful to me and hope it will be to you as well.  I beleive that the only way to progress as a person,  is to seek truth and test it and then stand by your findings, and for that reason I posted this entry.  I offer it in love.

 

 

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of shooting with the new Fujifilm XF 80mm f 2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro Lens!  The new macro lens is abaout 40% larger than the current 90mm f 2 and takes 62mm filters.  It will be priced at $1,195.  Compared with the 90mm f 2 below!

 

The question is, is this lens worth twelve hundred dollars?  That depends, but first let me share some of the images I made with it and then I will draw some conclusions!

 

 

On a 10 point scale:

 

Optical quality: 11  This the sharpest lens Fujifilm has produced in the XF line, with the possible exception of the 90mm f 2 which may be equally sharp!  With each new lens Fujifilm proves that they are among the very best designers and builders of truly exceptional lenses. This macro lens is as good as any I’ve ever shot and I’ve shot all the classics.   It is tack sharp right from f 2.8 and with the lens modulation built into the cameras even the defraction at f 22 is minimal. The contrast is that perfect place between punchy and smooth.  It works fantastic with the Fujifilm automatic extension tubes and the real plus is it works with the teleconverters, which is a real bonus!

 

Build Quality:  10  While the lens is substantial, it is not too large and the controls function perfectly.  The manual focus ring is smooth and has the perfect touch when manually focusing which you will certainly do in critical work , (or should)!!  The OIS is very handy when shooting a moderate to infinity distances.  It works great in close too, but you will likely be using a tripod when you get down to 1:4 ratio and closer.

 

So, is it worth it?  It depends, if you do a lot of close-up work it’s a no brainer, I’d say it’s a  12!!  If  you just do close-ups occasionally, the 90mm f 2 with extension tubes and diopters will serve you well.  The 60mm Macro is small, compact and incredibly sharp and half the cost!  Do  you need a little more working distance and a lens that focuses all the way to 1:1 ratio, without accessories?  This would fill the bill, but that’s your call!  I know what you’re thinking, will I buy one?  Well since I’ve bought every other lens, and do a lot of macro work,  I certainly plan to!  If you want one though, I would get on a list, I feel it will sell very well and it will take a little while to get one!

 

Hope that helped!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim