Why you should be data-informed and not data-driven

Storytellers Abroad Multimedia Workshop [X-E2, XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 400, ƒ/4.5, 1/150, Focal Length = 83]

In data-driven decision-making, data is at the center of the decision-making. It’s the primary (and sometimes, the only) input. You rely on data alone to decide the best path forward. Data is a crucial input among many other variables in informed decision-making. You use the data to build a deeper understanding of what value you are providing to your users.

I have sat in many meetings hearing about analytics. When I first learned about analytics, I was thrilled. One of the very frustrating things is how the content you create is seen, but no one clicks the LIKE button.

However, analytics doesn’t rely on the audience to “LIKE” your content to know if they have been to it or even shared it. It can record if someone came to the page and how long they were on it, as well as many other tidbits.

FANZONE for Georgia vs. Alabama SEC Championship game Georgia World Congress Center[NIKON D5, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 65535, ƒ/4.8, 1/4000, Focal Length = 62]

Are you aware of “Blind Spots” in your analytics, such as images?

Images are increasingly taking over social media and becoming a significant way of engaging and talking about your brand. Prints are generally more memorable and shareable than text.

There are over  300 million active daily users on Instagram alone; it’s clear images are a vast social commodity. But why is the intent behind sharing images such a big deal? For starters, not all images are accompanied by text. Sometimes the whole point is that words can’t adequately convey the emotion or event, so it’s shared in image form. If your social media listening is all about text, these posts and users aren’t accounted for in your analytics. This is your “Blind Spot.”

This means there is no way to get accurate analytics about photos unless you could employ eye-tracking technology. Most people will not allow the cameras on their phones and computers to be turned on to watch how they behave while looking at your content.

Georgia vs Alabama [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 14400, ƒ/5.6, 1/250, Focal Length = 52]

Why are clickbaity headlines working? Content that piques users’ curiosity does well. Instead of writing clickbaity headlines, can we integrate this insight into our content strategy? Write about topics people are curious about but may not know enough.

I think Henry Ford once said, ‘If I‘d asked customers what they wantedthey would have told me, “A faster horse!”’ People don’t know what they want until you show it to them. That’s why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things not yet on the page.”

Steve Jobs
Lifeshape Third Annual Legacy of Leaders Golf Classic [NIKON D5, 35.0 mm f/1.4, ISO 100, ƒ/5.6, 1/1250, Focal Length = 35]

Editorial judgment is still needed alongside analysis of quantitative data. Each newspaper and station adopts its news values. Good “news judgment” means understanding your audience and your organization’s principles and values.

Being a good storyteller/journalist is akin to being a good parent/teacher. You rely on data to help you know what is working while simultaneously looking out for them and distilling information into a digestible form.

Nikon Z6 & Fuji X-E3 Contemporary Worship Service

Photo Above Data [NIKON Z 6, Sigma 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0 ART, ISO 16000, ƒ/6.3, 1/200, Focal Length = 95]

Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [NIKON Z 6, , ISO 51200, ƒ/4, 1/80, Focal Length = 24]

I have owned the Fuji X-E series cameras for a few years. I love them. Then I bought the Nikon Z6 to be able to shoot mirrorless with some of my Nikon glass.

Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [NIKON Z 6, , ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/200, Focal Length = 105]

I think the Fuji X-E3 compares pretty well to the Nikon Z6. I like that the Fuji X-E3, when you are close to someone will find their face and eyes. 

Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [X-E3, XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, ISO 800, ƒ/4.8, 1/100, Focal Length = 300]

The Nikon Z6 camera automatically detects the subject and selects the focus area. At default settings, the camera gives priority to portrait subjects; if a portrait subject is detected, the selected subject will be indicated by a yellow border (if multiple faces are detected, you can choose your subject using the multi-selector). 

Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [X-E3, XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, ISO 1000, ƒ/4, 1/125, Focal Length = 143]

To get some photos from the service, I left the 55-200mm on the Fuji X-E3 and the 24-105mm on the Nikon Z6.

Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [NIKON Z 6, , ISO 51200, ƒ/4, 1/60, Focal Length = 95]

No question that the larger full-frame sensor on the Nikon Z6 had less noise. However, I was also pretty happy with the noise on the Fuji X-E3.

Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [NIKON Z 6, , ISO 51200, ƒ/4, 1/50, Focal Length = 35]
Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [X-E3, XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, ISO 12800, ƒ/3.5, 1/25, Focal Length = 83]

I think that the dynamic range is better with the Nikon Z6. You can see some of that comparison here.

Contemporary Service at Roswell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 30, 2018, in Roswell, GA. [X-E3, XF55-200mmF3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, ISO 2500, ƒ/4.8, 1/100, Focal Length = 300]

I love the smaller size and weight of the Fuji system. I think the quality is excellent.

I think that the image quality and higher ISO are definitely in favor of the Nikon Z6.

Nikon Z6 & D5 at Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Top photo specs [NIKON D5, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, ISO 20000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 17]

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 450, ƒ/5.3, 1/100, Focal Length = 90]

I was able to do some testing of the Nikon Z6 at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl game of Florida vs. Michigan. The final for those interested in the score was Florida 41 and Michigan 15.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 18000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 150]

I can say that the Nikon Z6 sensor gives you great dynamic range and very little noise at high ISO numbers.

Andy Stanley – Invocation Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 40000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 300]

The mirrorless Nikon Z6 used an electronic shutter at 1/4000, which gave some lines if the LED signage was in the photo at those shutter speeds. At the slower speed of 1/100, the jumbotron came out just fine.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, ISO 22800, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 320]

Regarding the fast action on the field, my Nikon D5 did a superior job of focusing. I do not think the Nikon Z6 is in the same league for sports as the Nikon Flagship D5.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 25600, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 125]

Due to the performance not being equal to the Nikon D5, I put the Nikon 28-300mm on the Nikon Z6 and shot some with it in the Red Zone.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 14400, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 300]

When you compare the image quality, the Nikon Z6 is fantastic. Good dynamic range.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, ISO 25600, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 600]

The big difference was that whenever the LED boards were in the photos, the Z6 gave those lines, and the D5 didn’t look at the 1/4000 shutter speed.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, ISO 32000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 550]

I am still very pleased with the Nikon D5 for sports. However, I do love seeing what you will get with the EVF of the Nikon Z6.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON D5, 120.0-300.0 mm f/2.8, ISO 40000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000, Focal Length = 460]

So for sports, I will continue to rely on the Nikon D6, but I think the Nikon Z6 is much more fun to shoot for almost everything else.

FanZone at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 2800, ƒ/4, 1/100, Focal Length = 52]

I love walking around with the Nikon Z6. It is a lot lighter than the Nikon D5.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 640, ƒ/4.2, 1/100, Focal Length = 48]

Another thing that the Nikon Z6 is great about, but not a factor at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, is how quiet the camera is when clicking the shutter.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl 2018 Florida vs. Michigan [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 22800, ƒ/5.3, 1/4000, Focal Length = 105]

Many think I should lower the ISO and shoot at a slower shutter speed of 1/1000. I can tell you that the sharpness goes up with the higher shutter speed.

I hope you enjoyed seeing the results from the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. In summary, buy the Nikon D5 for shooting sports, and for most everything else, the Nikon Z6 is just perfect.

Focusing & High ISO with Nikon Z6

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 51200, ƒ/3.5, 1/50]

The main reason I bought the Nikon Z6 over the Z7 was to have the extra stop for higher ISO and lower noise at higher ISO.

On Christmas Eve, I photographed our church’s service. I was shooting at ISO 51200 at times.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 51200, ƒ/4.2, 1/20]

The Nikon Z6 has “Single-AF” as well as “Point-AF,” and this week, I discovered it is best not to use the “Point-AF” when trying to lock on people.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 51200, ƒ/3.5, 1/30]
Marina Tanjga [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/160]

While shooting in the studio, I quickly got 20% out-of-focus photos using the “Point-AF.” By switching the “Single-AF,” I improved the number of in-focus images.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 4500, ƒ/5.3, 1/100]

I prefer the “Single-AF” over the group setting for accurate focusing.

For every camera I have owned, there is a learning curve. You need to learn all the menu settings and find what works best for your way of shooting.

First Christmas Eve Contemporary service at Roswell Presbyterian Church [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 5600, ƒ/5.3, 1/100]

Hopefully, these photos will give you a peek at my learning of the Nikon Z6.

Too Much BOKEH

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6, Sigma Art Zoom 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/4, 2.5]

When shooting wide open aperture and getting as close as a lens will let you get to the subject, you will get the shallowest depth-of-field possible with that lens.

Look at the photo above shot at ƒ/4, which is the same photo zoomed in closer.

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6,Sigma Art Zoom 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM , ISO 100, ƒ/4, 2.5]

Now the only way to see what I am talking about is to shoot the same photo with different apertures.

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6, Sigma Art Zoom 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/16, 2.5]

Now here is a closeup of that ƒ/16 photo.

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6, Sigma Art Zoom 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/16, 2.5]

Now I shot this at a variety of apertures. Here it is at ƒ/8.

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6, Sigma Art Zoom 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/8, 5]

Here is a closeup of that photo.

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6, Sigma Art Zoom 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM, ISO 100, ƒ/8, 5]

I have discovered with all my lenses that the depth-of-field at the widest aperture and focusing as close as the lens can produce what looks to be an out-of-focus photo, but what is happening is the depth-of-field is so shallow that it looks soft.

When getting this close to a subject, I recommend starting with an aperture of ƒ/11.

Here I shot this at ƒ/11. I also changed my ISO from 100 to Auto ISO, which gave me ISO 51200 because I have the shutter speed set to 1/100. As you might notice, the shutter dropped to 1/50. That is because I had capped at ISO 51200.

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 51200, ƒ/11, 1/50]

Here is a closeup of that photo, in which you will notice some noise.

Christmas Ornaments [NIKON Z 6, Sigma Art Zoom 24-105mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM, ISO 51200, ƒ/11, 1/50]

When it comes to still-life photos like the ones here, there is no reason not to experiment. Shoot on a tripod, as I have done here, at different apertures. Shoot at ISO 100, ƒ/16, and for 20 seconds. Then shoot as many apertures as you can to the widest aperture. 

When you have the photos on your computer, zoom in and find the picture that works the best to make your object appear sharp and in focus, as well as the soft BOKEH. 

Hopefully, you also see that there is such a thing as TOO MUCH BOKEH.

Headshot for Opera Singer

Sarah Clements, one of my daughter’s good friends from the church youth choir, asked me to help her with some headshots. She is a soprano majoring in voice.

She is in her junior year of college and getting closer to graduation. She is thinking of now having to promote herself for jobs. Headshots are needed since casting often involves getting someone to look the part.

Sarah Clements [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/160]

We took a lot of photos together. I enjoyed using my new Nikon Z6 camera and the Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G lens, which produces incredible quality.

Sarah Clements [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/160]

The photo above is a closeup showing just the eye of the previous image. The detail is beyond remarkable.

I always want to get the best possible photos during a photo shoot. 

I started with almost 300 images, and after editing for slightly missing the focus due to such a shallow depth-of-field and occasional blinks, I could give her over 200+ images.

Sarah Clements [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/160]

What I love about photographing artists is they understand nuance. As a professional musician, Sarah has to know more than the mechanics of music theory. She knows the difference between being slightly out of tune and in tune—between each note blending properly in a choral group.

We can work on tweaking facial expressions and lighting to achieve the perfect combination that captures the person’s personality in the best possible light.

Closeup of the above photo
Sarah Clements [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/160]

I love the finished images I am getting with the Nikon Z6. 

Sarah Clements [NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100, ƒ/5, 1/160]

By the way, today, everyone needs a headshot. Do you have one?

Nikon Z6 vs Fuji X-E3

Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [NIKON Z 6, Sigma 35mm F1.4 ART DG HSM , ISO 8000, ƒ/4, 1/100]

This is just a quick comparison shooting some ornaments on my tree. First, this is using my Sigma 35mm F1.4 ART DG HSM on the Nikon Z6 using the FTZ Mount Adapter.

Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs. Nikon Z6 [X-E3, XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 10000, ƒ/4, 1/100]

With the Fuji, I am using the kit lens XF 18-55mm ƒ/2.8-4. It is close to the same format I shot compared to the 35mm. 

Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [NIKON Z 6, Sigma 35mm F1.4 ART DG HSM, ISO 16000, ƒ/5.6, 1/100]
Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [X-E3, XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/52]

Here I am shooting with a telephoto range using the Nikon 85mm.

Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [NIKON Z 6, Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G, ISO 4500, ƒ/4, 1/100]
Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [X-E3, XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/100]

Here I cropped into about 100% 

Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [NIKON Z 6, Sigma 35mm F1.4 ART DG HSM, ISO 8000, ƒ/4, 1/100]
Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [X-E3, XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 10000, ƒ/4, 1/100]
Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [NIKON Z 6, Nikon AF S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G, ISO 4500, ƒ/4, 1/100]
Comparing Fuji X-E3 vs Nikon Z6 [X-E3, XF 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/100]

Overall I think the Nikon Z6 focused faster. I was using the point to focus. I did the same thing with the Fuji X-E3, but there is a little back and forth with the Fuji.

In my opinion, the larger sensor gave a cleaner file and less noise than the Nikon Z6.

I noticed that the Fuji kit lens compares nicely to the two sharpest lenses I own for the Nikons.

When it comes to travel I still would prefer to carry the smaller Fuji. I think I give up a little performance to pick it, but less weight.

When it comes to performance, I believe the Nikon wins.

Learning to “Peel the Onion” in Storytelling

Stanley is teaching at the University of Nations in Kona, Hawaii. [top photo by Dorie Griggs, bottom photo by Robin Nelson] [Nikon D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8, ISO 3200, ƒ/7.1, 1/60]

While majoring in social work in college, I discovered photography’s power. Specifically, I realized that photojournalism did the best job I could find in educating people about the world around them.

Before graduating with my degree in social work, I had to do an internship in the field. I found an internship working at the mental health center in Kinston, NC.

When counseling a person, I would “peel the onion,” as we would say to move from the symptoms to the cause of a problem in a person’s life. When someone is suffering, it takes them longer to see the root cause of their pain.

While in college, I was also taking photos for the school newspaper. I saw how a photograph helped “peel the onion” for a community. Mirroring is a therapeutic technique where you repeat back to a client, usually in your own words but sometimes word for word, the idea that has just been expressed. It can be as simple as the Client: “I felt hurt and confused.”

I discovered that a photograph was even more potent than the mirroring technique.

I finished grading the students in Introduction to Photojournalism at Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.

More than half of the two classes I taught had never owned a camera other than the one on their phone. I was teaching them the mechanics of photography and how to tell stories as a photojournalist.

I discovered that the one skill they needed more than how to use their camera was how to “peel the onion” of the subject.

Togo, West Africa [Nikon D5, Nikon 85mm ƒ/1.8G, ISO 100, ƒ/1.8, 1/200]

The photojournalists that consistently tell potent stories are the ones who spend more time getting to know their subjects.

I will love to help you if you don’t know how to “peel the onion” of a story. In January, I am going to Lima, Peru, with a few other instructors who have the same calling to help ten workshop participants to become storytellers using their cameras.

Each person will work with a person to tell their story. While working on the story, they will have one-on-one time with the instructors to coach them daily through the process. By the end of a week, they will show the community a short 3 to 5-minute video with the subject telling their own story.

I will do this again in March in Trinidad, and then this coming summer, we will bring the team together again and go to Bucharest, Romania. Maybe you want to join us.

James Dockery enjoys taking photos and showing the boys in the Balkans their photos.

Go here to sign up for our trip.  You can also contact me for one-on-one classes, or we can organize a workshop for your organization.

Faith and Human Rights with Jimmy Carter

President George H. W. Bush addresses the Unification Conference. The Atlanta-based German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States hosted the Unification Conference, a historic meeting of President George Bush, 41st president of the United States of America, former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr. Helmut Kohl, and former Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, at the Georgia World Congress Center on October 3, 2003. The three world leaders discussed their perspectives on the global impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany, along with their visions for transatlantic partnership, leadership, and prosperity. [NIKON D100, Sigma 120-300mm + 2X, ISO 800, ƒ/5.6, 1/30]

Today our country buried former President George H. W. Bush. In attendance were all the current living former presidents, including Jimmy Carter.

Conversations at The Carter Center Harmonizing Religion and Human Rights [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 10000, ƒ/5.6, 1/200]

I had an appointment with President Jimmy Carter today. Dorie, my wife, had signed us up to be at the Conversations at The Carter Center: Humanizing Religion and Human Rights, where President Jimmy Carter was the host and on the panel.

If you want to watch the presentation, here is that video link.

Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the exec director of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, speaks during the Conversations at The Carter Center on Harmonizing Religion and Human Rights Wednesday, December 5, 2018. [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 10000, ƒ/5.6, 1/200]

It was pretty refreshing to hear from the three Abrahamic Faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, about how the individual faiths address Human Rights.

Imam Omar Suleiman speaks during the Conversations at The Carter Center on Harmonizing Religion and Human Rights Wednesday, December 5, 2018. [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 14400, ƒ/5.6, 1/200]

For those reading this for photography comments on the Nikon Z6, I want to talk about two things I tested the camera on. First, I tried to shoot on Silent Mode, an electronic shutter but got banding.

Banding due to using the Silent Mode. [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 6400, ƒ/5.6, 1/200]

I also shot just a couple of shots at pretty high ISOs.

Conversations at The Carter Center Harmonizing Religion and Human Rights [NIKON Z 6, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 32000, ƒ/10, 1/200]

This photo is shot at ISO 32000 and cropped a bit as well. I was impressed with the high ISO with the new Nikon Z6.

While I enjoyed testing the camera, I kept pinching myself. I have had many opportunities through the years to be in the presence of President Jimmy Carter. No matter which president in history, it would still be rare for most of us to have so many opportunities unless you are friends/family or work for their administration.

Atlanta is blessed to have The Carter Center in our backyard. We plan to return to Plains, GA, to hear President Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School again.

I admire all he has done with The Carter Center. I also enjoy his Sunday School class.

What a privilege it is to listen to him.

My first assignments with the Nikon Z6

Georgia vs Alabama, Fanzone Georgia World Congress Center [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm ƒ/4.0, ISO 5600, ƒ/8, 1/60]

This past week I picked up the Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera. In s few days, I could put it through some assignments.

[NIKON Z 6, 85.0 mm f/1.8, ISO 100,f/3.2, 1/125]

The first assignment I did with the camera was a headshot. I was thrilled with the performance of the camera with the headshot. The 85mm ƒ/1.8 never looked this sharp before to me.

Before I did this first assignment, I ran tests, and the first thing I realized was the files would not open in PhotoShop or Lightroom. The camera is so new that the RAW files are not readable.

The BETA-Version Adobe RAW converter is available on:

Georgia vs Alabama
Georgia World Congress Center [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 11400, ƒ/5.6, 1/250]

The second assignment was shooting the SEC Fanzone event at the Championship game between Alabama and Georgia.

Georgia vs Alabama
Georgia World Congress Center [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 1100, ƒ/5.6, 1/30]
Georgia vs Alabama
Georgia World Congress Center [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 2200, ƒ/5.6, 1/50]
Georgia vs Alabama
Georgia World Congress Center [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 900, ƒ/5.6, 1/30]
Georgia vs Alabama
Georgia World Congress Center [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 5000, ƒ/5.6, 1/125]

I enjoyed using all my Nikon F-mount lenses and seeing what you will get before you press the shutter. I wanted the incredible sharpness due to no more anti-aliasing over the sensor.

I shot over a thousand images at the Fanfest with the Nikon Z6. I got a lot of great shots and was please with the performance of the camera.

Georgia vs Alabama
Georgia World Congress Center [NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 400, ƒ/5.6, 1/25]

I had to use an on-camera flash to get this photo of Hines Ward with a young fan. The image of Ward behind them was super bright jumbotron, and the only way to get them from not being silhouetted was with a flash. The Godox V860iiN worked just incredible with the camera.

[NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 8000, ƒ/5.6, 1/100]

After all day shooting, I charged up my batteries for the camera and me. By the way, I used three batteries all day shooting with the Nikon Z6.

Then Sunday, I shot another 1000+ images at a church covering all types of settings. Once again, the Nikon Z6 performed flawlessly.

[NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 4000, ƒ/5.6, 1/100]

The camera, without putting it into silent mode, was already quiet compared to my Nikon D5, which I was also shooting.

[NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 7200, ƒ/5.6, 1/100]

I think the files look much better than my other Nikon D5 files. I think the new CMOS sensor with the new Expeed 6 processor gives much sharper images out of the camera.

[NIKON Z 6, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 22800, ƒ/5.6, 1/100]

It is fantastic to see what you will get before you click the shutter in those tricky lighting situations with mixed lighting.

I think the Z6 performed well and compared very similarly to the Nikon D750 I used to own. I think the Nikon D5 is the camera for sports and outperforms the Nikon Z6 in responsiveness. Well, it ought to be better at a ticket price of $6,500.

The best part of the Nikon Z6 for me is to have all the things I love about mirrorless but can now use all my Nikon glass.

Every Sunday Christians Re-experience Their Story

Siberia—Working with outsiders means listening and being heard, according to Eduard Genrich, Second Baptist Church in Novosibirsk. People here say they are encouraged and helped by outsiders but taken advantage of by some. (photo by Don Rutledge)

The order of worship in churches is based on the only whole worship service we have recorded in scripture, Isaiah 6:1-8.

When we start the service, the first thing that happens is acknowledging we have come into the presence of God. This is similar to how you create a story and introduce characters.

When we meet God at this moment, it will cause us to be reminded of our sin, which is similar to a story needing crisis/tension. This is where in worship, we acknowledge there is nothing we can do and only God’s grace can save us. But first, we must confess.

This dialogue continues between man and God in worship, where God is asking who will go after we confess and God has forgiven us. This is like in the storyline where the mentor is outlining to the main character what they need to do to overcome their crisis.

Often this is where the homily/sermon gives us more insights into how to live our lives. This is the direction given to all main subjects in a story that they go and then live out those instructions.

Emily Wright during the Easter Services at Roswell Presbyterian Church.

Here is the scripture that Christians and Jews use to create their order of worship.

Isaiah 6:1-8 

REVELATION– verse 1: “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

ADORATION– verse 3: “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'”

CONFESSION– verse 5: “Then I said, ‘Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.'”

EXPIATION– verse 6-7: “Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.'”

PROCLAMATION– verse 8a: “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?'”

DEDICATION– verse 8b: “Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.'”

SUPPLICATION– verse 11: “Then I said, ‘How long, O Lord?'”

COMMISSION– verse 9: “And he said, ‘Go, and say to this people…'”

Roswell Presbyterian Church

If you look at this order and then compare it to the Narrative Storyline, you will see they have a lot in common.

PLOT – a series of incidents that are related to one another; what happens in a story includes five stages (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution)

EXPOSITION – usually in the beginning of a story, where the characters, setting, and conflict (problem) are introduced

RISING ACTION – the part of the story where the conflict(s) develop, in which the suspense and interest builds

CLIMAX – the turning point or most exciting moment of a story, in which the main character comes face to face with the central conflict, and a change happens

FALLING ACTION – all the loose ends of the plot are tied up, the conflict and climax are taken care of in this part of the story, and the suspense is eased

RESOLUTION – where the story comes to a reasonable ending and the outcome is resolved

Roswell Presbyterian Church
Here is how I see these lining up
Worship ServiceNarrative Story
RevelationExposition
Adoration 
ConfessionTension/Struggle
ExpiationClimax
ProclamationFalling Action
Dedication 
Supplication 
CommissionResolution

All the stories in scripture have flawed characters who either turn to God for help and are obedient to those directions or refuse to be respectful. Many of those stories involve a series of times where well-intentioned characters continue to return to God and ask for forgiveness for not being obedient.

I believe this format is used in worship because it forces us to process our faith in story form. It reminds us that, like all characters in a story, we live in a crisis that we cannot solve alone. We need help. In the stories of Hollywood, you need THE FORCE in the Star Wars movies to take on your enemies. You go to someone like Yoda to be trained.

New hymnal celebration event at Presbyterian Church [NIKON D4, 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.3, 1/30]

In the Disney stories like Cinderella, she needed a Fairy God Mother to help her.

Stories move us because we can relate. While the problems are different, they are problems that the main character, like us, cannot solve alone.

The other cool thing about worship services relating to storytelling is that they have a soundtrack. The music in worship services helps to set the tone for stories to be told, and as we resonate with those stories, we are reminded of the story we are living.

Thanksgiving is a lot about food

Charleston, SC [X-E2, XF18-55mm ƒ/2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 400, ƒ/10, 1/100]

Thanksgiving is a time for many people to stuff themselves with food.

Just Coffee Cooperative in Salvador Urbina, Chiapas, Mexico [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, ISO 720, ƒ/7.1, 1/100]

I am reminded of the many meals I have shared with people worldwide.

Just Coffee Cooperative in El Aguila, Chiapas, Mexico [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm ƒ/2.8, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/200]

Our family traditionally cooks a turkey.

Thanksgiving 2013 [COOLPIX P7000, ISO 1600, ƒ/8, 1/18]
Thanksgiving 2013 [COOLPIX P7000, ISO 1600, ƒ/2.8, 1/210]

We get together around food a lot throughout our lives.

Tami Chappel organized a memorial time for us at Manuel’s Tavern to celebrate the life of Dave “Mullet” Martin [X-E2, XF18-55mm ƒ/2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 6400, ƒ/2.8, 1/40]
Manuel’s Tavern to celebrate the life of Dave “Mullet” Martin [X-E2, XF18-55mm ƒ/2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.6, 1/35]

My family loves to get together for food.

Family Vacation with the Leary Clan at Emerald Isle Beach [NIKON D5, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 65535, ƒ/14, 1/80]

I am reminded today also how some people around the world cook their food and how little they have to eat.

A lady showed us her kitchen in Nicaragua [NIKON D5, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 4500, ƒ/4, 1/100]

I stopped with David and Tammy Woods, where we bought some goat and lamb to eat while I covered them in Burkina Faso in West Africa.

This is a roadside restaurant on the way to BoBo from Ouagadougou.
(Photo By: Stanley Leary) [NIKON D2X, AF Zoom 18-50mm f/2.8G, ISO 100, ƒ/5.6, 1/400]
This young boy runs his restaurant roadside cafe in Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso, where they serve food, petrol, and drinks. (Photo by: Stanley Leary) [NIKON D2X, AF Zoom 18-50mm f/2.8G, ISO 400, ƒ/2.8, 1/50]

After making me some coffee, the boy cooked some eggs for me to eat.

(Photo by: Stanley Leary) [NIKON D2X, AF Zoom 18-50mm f/2.8G, ISO 400, f/2.8, 1/90]

For the past few years, I have enjoyed traveling with Jeff Raymond, Pat Davison, and James Dockery, where we have tasted the food in many different countries together.

James Dockery in San Benito, Nicaragua [NIKON D5, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 57600, ƒ/4, 1/100]
Jeff Raymond, James Dockery and Pat Davison in Kosovo [X-E2, XF18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 1600, ƒ/4, 1/100] 
Togo, West Africa [NIKON D5, 35.0 mm f/1.4, ISO 1600, ƒ/1.4, 1/200]

I don’t always remember what the food was called, but I did enjoy it.

Shrimp and Grits – Charleston, SC [NIKON D5, Sigma24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 1400, ƒ/5.6, 1/100]

One thing Dorie, my wife, and I love to eat is Shrimp and Grits. We have had wide varieties in Charleston, SC.

Charleston, SC [NIKON D5, 24.0-105.0 mm f/4.0, ISO 2200, ƒ/8, 1/100]

In Lisbon, Portugal, we waited a couple of hours to eat at this restaurant where they serve the meat on a hot stone that you then cook your meat.

Lisbon Mission Storytelling Workshop [X-E2, XF18-55mm ƒ/2.8-4 R LM OIS, ISO 6400, ƒ/2.8, 1/80]

I wish you a pleased and blessed Thanksgiving! Wishing you the gift of faith and the blessing of hope this thanksgiving day! We gather on this day to be thankful for what we have, the family we love, the friends we cherish, and the blessings that will come. Happy Thanksgiving!