I live in a small town, less than 5,000 folks.  I’ve lived here over 40 years, and I haven’t been home more than about half of those 40 years, I travel to make photographs and work.  Because of that,  I have not made a ton of friends in Corbin.  Joe at the laundry, a few folks in the neighborhood where I live, some more people in our church, and my barber, Robert.  Today was a sad day for me, I went to Robert’s Barber Shop for the last time, actually called Bob’s Barber Shop because his father, Bob, started it many years ago. Sadly Bob passed away a few years ago and Robert his son, Penny, Robert’s wife and Alicia his sister, (and one of my photo students),  have remained as the barbers.  From time to time his mother, Theata, will be at the shop and I love to visit with her too.

 

So why was today sad?  After over 40 years, at the end of December,  they are closing the shop doors for good and retiring.  Robert deserves to be able to do that but I will miss him and the crew!  A man’s barber is more than someone that keeps his hair and beard under control!  Robert has been my barber, a therapist, a good buddy to talk politics with, (who mostly agrees with me or visa versa).  Over 40 years, he has become one of my few friends in our community.  I don’t think we take the time to thank those folks that enrich our lives, so that is why I am writing this!  Robert, I will miss you my friend, thank you for years of taking care of me and keeping me from being so bushy I needed a dog license!  Enjoy your retirement, you deserve it and certainly have earned it!  Expect me to stop by your place to say hi from time to time!  It’s been a pleasure my friend!   God Bless!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

I do blog entires for a lot of reason; inspiration, spiritual growth, technical advice, equipment reviews, but ever once in a while I try to talk about dealing with the disappointments that occur from being a nature/landscape photographer!  As you all know we need four things to make a great image: a definable subject, great light for that subject, the right conditions and a well composed image!

 

We’ve all come upon a situation where you have a great subject with great light…… but the conditions are just not there!  Fall foliage photography is one of the most “condition dependent” of all kinds of nature/landscape shooting!  If the color is great that’s wonderful,  if it is not, then you’re sorta dead in the water!  There is another problem! If you have been shooting landscape images all over the U.S. or world for that matter, then you’ve undoubtadly seen some knock down gorgeous fall color!  If you have, you get rather picky about what get’s your juices flowing.  Someone said to me the other day in the area where I live, in Southern Kentucky, isn’t the color beautiful!? I was kind and said yes, but in my opinion this fall in our area was pretty disappointing, but this person has not seen what I’ve seen so why burst their bubble!

 

I did a little shooting this fall around our area and in the Smokies, but I’ve seen better conditions!  The older you get the harder it is to say, “well there’s always next fall!!!!!”  Thought I would share a few of my favorites!  The bottom line, don’t get discouraged and do the best you can with what you get!!!!

 

Tremont branch for the Wooden Bridge.

 

Great Smokies on Tremont Branch of the Little River

 

Old church near Seymour, TN.

 

Here are several around the Corbin area on the last day of ok color.

 

 

So not great but still a lot of fun the be out in nature and shooting for fun!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

 

The bag above was a gift from my dear brother Carl Turner.  The Back Story:  I went down to the Smokies a few weeks ago with Tony Rogers and joined by Carl Turner and we spent a couple of days shooting around the Smokies.  Before we all headed home Carl showed me a new bag he had picked up by Tenba.  It is the Solstice 10L Sling.  I was shocked at just how much it could hold and still stay under 10 lbs. 

 

 

The point of this bag is a grab it and go and have what you really need to shoot “almost” anything!  With a body and 5 lenses you can cover all the way from 15mm to 630mm.  I love how easy it is to carry and work out of.  A side opening allows access, quickly, to all  your gear and once again your back doesn’t hurt at the end of the day.  I will still keep a backpack for all the other gear I want to have available, but this is a great way to work in the field without all the pain!

 

So thanks Carl, you were really generous and my back thanks you too!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

I’m going through the equipment closet and selling off gear that I do not use.  As usual for my sales, First Come First Serve.  Email me at:    billfortneyphoto@gmail.com  You pay the shopping of your choice.

 

Here goes:

 

Fujifilm X-Pro 2 Body – 24 mega pixel Very low frame count, in Mint Condition a steal in this condition and getting hard to find. Includes a  Folding thumb rest sold for $75.  battery and charger an strap.L- Bracket

Asking $950.

 

 

Fujifilm X-T1  16 mega pixel, low frame rate, mint condition with thumb rest, and L-bracket battery ans charger and strap.

Asking $500.

 

 

Fujifilm 50-140 f 2.8 with Kirk Arca Swiss plate and hood.  Mint condition, rarely used.

Asking $950.

 

 

Fujifilm 90mm f 2 lens Mint condition – Super sharp with hood and caps.

Asking $700

 

 

Induro GT 204 Stealth Tripod and head, case and all accessories, never used, Sells new for $375.  Great travel tripod.

Asking $275.

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim