I have been posting to this blog for over 13 years, each year reporting on accomplishments over the prior year and goals for the new year.

2024 is no different. My main photography goal for the year is listed in the January submission of the 2024 C.London 52 Week Photography Challenge. Content this year will work towards that goal in addition to my general shooting. Check out my website "About" page to learn more. The website is at www.jeffmarcowitz.photography 

All content posted here in the blog will also be on the website, however with a subscription to the blog, you'll continue to receive the email notifications.

Thanks to all of you who have followed this photo blog for many years and welcome to any newcomers. My hope is that the images and stories are interesting and thought-provoking as I continue this creative journey. As always, comments, critiques and suggestions (here and the website) are welcome and appreciated as they often lead to new ideas and inspiration.

Thank You.
Jeff

Monday, May 30, 2011

Barbara


I have seen this frail women several times on Powell Street, leaning on her cane and holding out a cup.  No sign, no banter, just standing there.  For some unexplainable reason, I had previously just passed her by.  This time however, I could not just pass by.  I approached her and told her about the $2 Portrait project and she allowed me to take her picture.  When I asked her name, her reply was with a sweet voice much stronger than she looked.  It was strange…I was pleased by the unexpected strength.  Being a little out of $2 practice, I did not get her whole story.  But I did learn Barbara is 63 years old and has been in San Francisco for 35 years.  She is originally from Ohio and spent some years in Florida before coming to SF.  When I asked her what brought her to San Francisco, she replied, "a change in scenery."  Now I'm sure there is much more of a story here, and perhaps I'll get it the next time I meet Barbara.  Tonight however it was getting late, I was tired and my mind was  preoccupied by another of this evening's encounters (which is a posting for another day).  I gave Barbara $2 and wished her well.

Taken 5/26/11
Posted 5/30/11 - Week 22

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Quincy


On Powell Street, I met Quincy. Definitely an animated character. At first I passed him by, but then looked back and returned to talk to him. Quincy is from San Francisco and is 34 years old. He was hamming it up in front of the camera, but was also a little crazy. I didn't really stick around to get his full story - just took a few shots and felt it was time to move on after giving Big Q his $2.

Taken 5/26/11
Posted 5/29/11 - Week 22

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Sam Spade


5/28/11 - Week 22
Taken this past week in San Francisco at John's Grill, the setting made famous by Dashiell Hammett's Maltese Falcon.

Week 22 ☞ 05.28.11 - 06.03.11


Theme:Portraits

Self, $2 or otherwise.  I have some shots already taken that need posting and I'll also probably shoot a couple more this week.

Not everything I shoot makes it into the Project52.  If you are interested in checking out additional pictures, please see my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/

  




Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Tail of Two Companies


5/24/11 - Week 21
My reality. United?  Eventually.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Wheels


5/22/11 - Week 21
With this week's Project52 theme being "Transportation", I thought a wheels shot would be appropriate.  Bikes are loaded up on the rack to drive to Barrington High School for the start of the Arlington 500 bike ride.  These wheels took me 55 miles, my longest ride of the year.  Total of 87 for the weekend.

Week 21 ☞ 05.21.11 - 05.27.11


Theme: Transportation

With an organized bike ride this weekend and traveling to San Francisco this week, I thought transportation would be an easy theme to shoot.

Not everything I shoot makes it into the Project52.  If you are interested in checking out additional pictures, please see my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/ 

 

Friday, May 20, 2011

Great Debate


5/19/11 - Week 20

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Duel


5/19/11 - Week 20

Conversation


5/19/11 - Week 20

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

SymmetriTrash


5/16/11 - Week 20

Without a TTT shot this week, I was prepared to go to the archives.  Then, pulling into the train station tonight, I spotted this bin. HTTT!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Spring Menagerie


5/14/11 - Week 20
Even though it doesn't feel like spring in Chicago, the calendar says it is.  And there are all kinds of creatures found in this SymmetriCam shot of our crab apple tree, so it must be so.

Posted in SliderSunday. HSS!

Week 20 ☞ 05.14.11 - 05.20.11


Theme: SymmetriCam

It's been a while since I've pulled out the SymmetriCam.  Anticipating a very busy upcoming week, finding ways to keep the photographic pressure off is a good thing.  Hope to come up with some cool shots nonetheless.

Not everything I shoot makes it into the Project52.  If you are interested in checking out additional pictures, please see my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/ 

 

Friday, May 13, 2011

6 Liters and a Pint


5/11/12 - Week 19
Another shot from the Hofbrauhaus.

On the Way to the Wynn...


5/12/11 - Week 19
...after a night of drinking and craps. Things were looking a little foggy.

The Night Started Here...


5/11/12 - Week 19
...at the Hofbrauhaus in Las Vegas. Biggest damn beers I've ever seen. Wasn't walking too straight when I left there at 9pm.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Where Everything is Huge


5/10/11 - Week 19
These shrimp weren't just big; they were enormous, as they could only be in Vegas.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Week 19 ☞ 05.07.11 - 05.13.11


Theme: What Happens in Vegas...Gets Posted Here

I will be in Las Vegas a couple of days this week for a conference and am definitely bringing a camera.

Not everything I shoot makes it into the Project52.  If you are interested in checking out additional pictures, please see my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/ 

 

Friday, May 6, 2011

Marco


Amid the sounds of the city near the end of the cable car line at Powell and Market, I could barely make out the slightly amplified guitar chords and a raspy voice.  I looked around and spotted him.  A street entrepreneur for sure;  perched on a milk crate, with a small amplifier, and old acoustic guitar, a plastic spoon as a pick, strumming and singing, right where the line forms to board the cable car.  A new mini-audience, up front and personal every 7-10 minutes.  I watched from afar, not wanting to break his momentum nor interrupt his mini-concert audience.  I waited until the next cable car came and he took a short break to let the line queue up again.

I walked over and struck up a conversation, complimenting him on his raspy, bluesy sound.  It is truly a small world.  Marco originally hails from San Francisco but spent 15 years in Chicago, my home town, and last lived around 76th and Halsted on the south side, within blocks of where my father-in-law had a dry cleaning and tailoring store for over 40 years.  He's been in San Francisco for over 8 years since his divorce, mostly living on disability, social security and money he picks up playing music on the streets around town.  Marco, who is 54 years old, used to be a fab maintenance operator, working in computer wafer/chip manufacturing until the hydrofluoric (?) acid he worked with took a toll on his bones.  From his time in Chicago, he recounted the times he played at Buddy Guy's Legends on Wabash.  To play there, you are the real deal.

I told Marco about my photo project and he gladly allowed me to take his picture.  He is really an animated character.  I hung around, shooting, listening and watching him chat up his mini-audiences.  I contributed to his cause, spurring some of those waiting in the cable car line to do the same.  We bantered back and forth about Chicago, about our respective ages, about why I'm in SF, about where he plays in town and about the respective strength of our grips when we shook hands.  Laughing, joking, smiling; we connected.

I hope to bump into Marco again; for his music and his personality.  Check out another shot of Marco here.

Check out my other $2 Portraits here.

Taken 4/26/11
Posted 5/6/11 - Week 18

Thursday, May 5, 2011

JR + 2 Weeks


Walking down Powell Street, I saw JR again in his regular spot in front of the Chagall Gallery. I walked over and as soon as he saw me with my camera, recognition set in. We talked for a while and he told me he'd just talked to his mother in Chicago. He also told me that his lawyer was still working on his SSI and making progress but he still needed some help on the "rent" where he tries to stay. I helped him out and in exchange asked if I could take a few more pictures, including one of those fancy Gucci shoes he told me about last time. He proudly agreed as he bent over to roll up his cuffs for full effect. We talked a short while longer and shook hands, agreeing we'd see each other again.

Taken 4/26/11
Posted 5/5/11 - Week 18

Monday, May 2, 2011

Halo


5/2/11 - Week 18
After having brunch on Sunday, this bright blue object on top of a bollard caught my attention.  Since I hadn't yet taken this week's TrashTalkTuesday submission, thought this would be better than going to the archives.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

It Used To Be Black


5/1/11 - Week 18
Looked at the MacroMonday theme for this week and then looked in the mirror.  Easy answer!
Shot for MacroMondays theme: Aging