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, December 31, 2012

Shattered

Shattered Via Flickr:
Powell Street
San Francisco, CA

As the year draws to a close, this shot is indicative of my 2012 photographic journey; shattered intentions for an intense year and looking ahead to 2013.

Happy New Year to my friends and followers!   I'll try to make 2013 another interesting photographic journey.

Submitted (early) for Bokeh Wednesday.  HBW!

Taken 12/11/12

Monday, December 24, 2012

Ubiquitous

Ubiquitous Via Flickr:
Not this one.

Stockton & Sutter
San Francisco, CA

Taken 12/11/12

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Anointed

Anointed Via Flickr:
Powell Street
San Francisco, CA

Taken 12/11/12

Submitted to ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Aaron

Aaron Via Flickr:
I was walking down Powell Street enjoying the holiday window displays when I saw from a distance the back of a person that looked vaguely familiar. My heart skipped a beat as I crossed the street to see if it was the person I hoped it wasn't. Thankfully, it was not. With long dark hair and slight build, he sat on the side walk with a sign that read, "Hungry & Broke". I told him about the $2 Portrait project and he agreed to tell me a little of his story.

Aaron is 41 years old and has been in San Francisco for 7 years. He was born in Korea (and is Korean) and came to the US when he was 3. His parents were in the US military so he moved around a lot. I asked how he came to be hungry and broke and he replied that he recently quit his job because it was getting really bad. Aaron didn't describe what kind of work he did, only saying he worked at the place where he got his meds. I figured that was a line of questioning not to pursue. Family was also a topic he didn't talk about only saying he didn't have any family around to help him.

Aaron was not too talkative, so I gave him two dollars, snapped a few shots and wished him luck.

Taken 12/11/12

Friday, December 14, 2012

Beautiful Day by the Bay

Beautiful Day by the Bay Via Flickr:
I'm not sure that I'll be able to complete the 112 Pictures in 2012 project. For sure that would be the case if I didn't get this shot done. At least now there is still a chance.

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #12 - 12-12-12 (Any shot to be taken on 12/12/12).

Taken with iPhone 4S and processed in Snapseed.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Hesitation Amongst Chaos

Hesitation Amongst Chaos Via Flickr:
Powell & Market
San Francisco, CA

SPNC - Year 3 - Instruction #3
"Find the one among the others." - Julien Legrand

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Larry

Larry Via Flickr:
About to depart from my evening in Union Square, I spotted him approaching several groups of people wheeling his travel suitcase and carrying a large plastic bag over his shoulder. As each group shunned him, I decided to plant myself "downstream" to his path and see if he would approach me.

"Excuse me sir, my name is Larry Daryl Jones. May I talk to you for a moment?" Upon my approval, Larry began to tell me his story of military and prison service. Larry, originally from Richmond, VA, was in the US Army and served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield, achieving the rank of corporal. After discharge he worked as a warehouseman. Larry talked about being in the Tenderloin and the target of an attempted robbery. With his military training as a martial arts specialist, he decided to teach his assailant a lesson and was subsequently charged and convicted of attempted murder. Larry served 8 years in prison and has been in San Francisco now for 2 years since his release. He then asked me if I could spare some money for something to eat. I told him about the $2 Portrait project and his face lit up. He immediately stepped in front of me and went into his military salute pose.

I took a few shots and we talked a bit longer. Larry was respectful and articulate. His demeanor and etiquette were totally disarming. Had I been in a more regular $2 Portrait mode, I probably could have talked with him for an hour. As it was, I was tongue-tied, not asking my usual questions about age, living arrangements and family. I gave him a few dollars, we shook hands, and I wished him good luck as he picked up his belongings and continued down Geary. In retrospect, it was a missed opportunity as I would have really liked to learn more about him.

Taken 12/11/12

Monday, December 3, 2012

Oil & Water

Oil & Water Via Flickr:
Out running errands after some rain on Sunday morning and these colors caught my eye.

Submitted for TrashTalkTuesday. HTTT!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Wake Up

Wake Up Via Flickr:
Downtown skyline at sunrise.
Denver, CO

Taken 11/30/12
Submitted for SliderSunday. HSS!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Commute

Commute
Via Flickr:
Another post for my Commute series on Instagram. Shot and processed using Snapseed.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Food Coma

Food Coma  
Via Flickr:
The classic Thanksgiving cliche.

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Porsche

Porsche
Via Flickr:
Taken 11/12/12

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #65 - Wheel(s)
Also submitted for SliderSunday - selective color.  HSS!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Smile...You're on Camera

Smile...You're on Camera Via Flickr:
Found on Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Rorschach on the Beach

Rorschach on the Beach

Via Flickr:
Another archive shot due to a period of very sporadic shooting.

B/W conversion and high key processing to turn an ordinary shot into something more abstract was the impetus for submission to SliderSunday. HSS!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Throwback to Simpler Times

Throwback to Simpler Times  
Via Flickr:
Shooting has been very sporadic lately so I went into the iPhone archive to find a post-worthy shot for this week. Friends Nikki & Wanshun liked this shot so it made my decision easy.

Taken on Stinson Beach 10/1/12.

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Camped Out Commute

Camped Out Commute  
Via Flickr:
Must have been a tough day for this guy since he's sacked out on the 3pm train out of Union Station.

Taken 10/19/12

Sunday, October 28, 2012

All That's Left

All That's Left Via Flickr:
Autumn is in full swing and the leaves have dropped on our crab apple tree.

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #95 - Berries

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Burmeister - New York

Burmeister - New York Via Flickr:
Nick's Cove
Marshall, CA

Submitted for SliderSunday. HSS!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Good Ol' Days

Good 'Ol Days  
Via Flickr:
Nick's Cove
Marshall, CA

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Working in the Window

Working in the Window Via Flickr:
On the way back into San Francisco from a weekend in Marin County, Lin & I stopped in Sausalito for dinner, where I snapped this shot from the main drag downtown.

Sausalito, CA
Taken 10/1/12

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Wispy

Wispy Via Flickr:
Bodega Bay, CA

I have no idea what kind of plant this is, but my Flickr friend Crow is sure to know.

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #20 - Wild Plant or Flower

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Moooo

Moooo Via Flickr:
Dairy Farm along Bodega Bay Road
Valley Ford, CA

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #103 - Farm Animal

Taken 10/1/12

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Beach Vows

Beach Vows Via Flickr:
Acting like two teenagers on the beach, Lin and I decided to leave our mark...at least until the tide comes in. Inspired by the spiritual wedding ceremony of Nikki & Wanshun.

Stinson Beach, CA
Taken 10/1/12

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Friday, October 5, 2012

That Would Hurt

That Would Hurt Via Flickr:
Dairy Farm along Bodega Bay Road
Valley Ford, CA

Submitted for FenceFriday.  HFF!
Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #89 - Field or Meadow

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Afro Duck

Afro Duck Via Flickr:
We spent the afternoon in downtown Sonoma walking through galleries, listening to live music on the square and tasting wine. Pretty good!!

Sonoma, CA
9/30/12

Good Wishes

Good Wishes Via Flickr:
Nikki & Wanshun's wedding.

San Geronimo, CA
9/29/12

Processed in b/w for SliderSunday. HSS!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Shunki Rehearsal

Shunki Rehearsal
Via Flickr:
Attending the wedding rehearsal dinner for our friends Nikki & Wanshun.

San Geronimo, CA

Sunday, September 23, 2012

BIG AL

BIG AL Via Flickr:
My father-in-law...not the gangster.

Shot with iPhone camera and processed in Snapseed. Submitted for SliderSunday. HSS!

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #27 - Male or Masculine.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Look Alikes? - Plate III

Look Alikes? - Plate III Via Flickr:
Downtown
Chicago, IL

SPNC - Year 2 - Instruction #26
"Photography should be fun and humour an important tool. Make me laugh-out-loud." - Peter Dench

Is she stalking him? Does she know him? Why is he running from her? Why do they look alike? So many questions...

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Raspberry Fingers

Raspberry Fingers  
Via Flickr:
Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #47 - Five

Submitted to ClicheSaturday for 9/22/12

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Beauty

Beauty  
Via Flickr:
Her beauty is surpassed only by her persona.

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #97 - Eye(s)

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Sunrise at the Office

Sunrise at the Office  
Via Flickr:
View out to the Bay before heading up to the office.

South San Francisco, CA
Taken 9/13/12 with Instagram

Submitted for ClicheSaturday - Sunrise

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Choked Up

Choked Up Via Flickr:
911 Memorial
New York, NY

The title of this shot describes my reaction when seeing this memorial for the first time. It was the same response I had when first visiting the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC.

Even though I did not lose anyone I knew personally in either the Vietnam War or 911, the power of these two memorials evoked a strong, involuntary emotional response. Kudos to the designers, for they captured "it" perfectly.

Taken 8/14/12
Added on 9/11/12 to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #63 - Simple

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Fishnet

Fishnet
Via Flickr:
Experimenting with Instagram upload to Flickr.

Submitted to ClicheSaturday - fashion statement

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Frank Chu...

Frank Chu...
Via Flickr:
...Haven't seen him for a while.

Taken 8/29/12 w/ x100. Processed & uploaded with Instagram. Experimenting with workflow.

And because of all this screwing around, submitted to SliderSundays - HSS!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Kewu

Kewu Via Flickr:
Walking down Lake Street under the "L" tracks I heard the familiar sound of a djembe. The high pitched raps along with the deep base were ear catching as he pounded out the African beats. I asked him if I could take some pictures; he nodded yes and continued to play. When he stopped, we talked for a bit and I told him about the $2 Portrait project.

He goes by Kewu, but his tag as a registered Chicago street performer had a different name. Kewu is 65 years old and has been playing percussion since he was 9. Born and raised in Chicago, he's worked odd jobs all his life. He said he went to school but had no formal musical training. He's picked up everything by just playing and listening to others. As I put $2 into his bucket and shook his hand, Kewu offered me his business card. Along with a phone number, it said "Percussionist Extraordinaire". Couldn't agree more.

Taken 8/24/12

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Svetlio

Svetlio Via Flickr:
I had planned on a decent dinner in downtown San Francisco but got distracted by some great street entertainment in Union Square. Then before going to eat, I decided to take one quick walk down Powell Street. It was there that I heard this amazing operatic voice. I stopped to listen and could hardly believe my ears. When he took a break, I walked up to him and we began to talk.

Svetlio (goes by Steve in the U.S.) is from Bulgaria and has been in San Francisco on and off for a couple of years. He's 35 years old and has been singing for about 15 years, but only opera for a year. I told him with his voice, he should be singing professionally. Steve said he is homeless in San Francisco but is going to New York next Tuesday for an audition with Disney, where they have an opening in Tokyo. He may decide to stay in New York for a while since he has some friends there. I suggested he check out Ellen's Stardust Diner where all the wait staff are aspiring Broadway performers. I told him he was as good as any of the performers we've heard there and many of them have successfully ended up on Broadway.

Steve told me he has sung quite a bit in Bulgaria and directed me to a YouTube video of him on X-Factor. Check this out. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKC-U2F3Wvk.  Also, check out this documentary on Svetlio - apparently he had some notariety in Bulgaria as reported in San Francisco.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYXugYeBSRo.

We continued to talk and I told him about the $2 Portrait project. He'd never heard about it; referred to it as must being some crazy American thing. Nonetheless he allowed me to take his picture as we bantered about a whole myriad of subjects ranging from energy prices to politics. After a while, I felt bad monopolizing his time and placed some money in his backpack, telling him I'll step back and listen for a while longer. He thanked me and we shook hands. As I backed away and he began to sing, a small crowd gathered. The looks on their faces mirrored my initial amazement and contributions began to slowly flow for Svetlio. He caught my eye and smiled.

Taken 8/29/12

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Inspired by Nikonsnapper

Inspired by Nikonsnapper  
Via Flickr:
Walking on Adams Street, I spotted this attractive young lady at the Canal Street stoplight. I thought of the beautiful woman shot posted by Ian Clark (Nikonsnapper www.flickr.com/photos/nikonsnapper/7834135256/). Using the X100 pre-focused with the "zone system", I took a couple shots from the hip and hoped for the best.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Amongst the Skyscrapers

Amongst the Skyscrapers Via Flickr:
Theatre District
New York, NY

Taken on one of the streets in the high 40's somewhere between 7th and 9th Avenues.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Tuned out - Tuned In

Tuned out - Tuned In Via Flickr:
New York Subway
New York, NY

The silent shutter of the x100 allowed me to capture this shot on our subway ride down to Chelsea.

I couldn't tell if this young lady was on her way to a party or on her way home from one.

Cropped and selective color for SliderSunday. HSS!

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Dinner at the Office

Dinner at the Office Via Flickr:
Mid-town Manhattan
New York, NY

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Gerald

Gerald
Via Flickr:
SPNC - Year 2 - Instruction #24
"Surprise Yourself!" - Damien Chrobak
This image selection for the theme is not obvious, so please read on.

Near the corner of State and Lake in Chicago's Loop, he stood in the middle of the sidewalk, cup and sign in hand, asking every passerby for help. As he approached me, I told him about the $2 Portrait project. "Oh man, can't you do more than two?", he asked. We settled on $3 and began what turned out to be a lengthy conversation (surprise #1). When I gave him the money during the early part of our conversation, he counted it - making sure I was living up to our deal. We both laughed when I asked if he really thought I was going to rip him off (surprise #2).

Gerald was born in Mississippi but came to Chicago as a young child and has lived here ever since. He's 58 years old and was diagnosed with the AIDS virus about 4 years ago. On his wrist was what appeared to be a hospital wristband, but I couldn't read it and tell for sure.

Gerald lives on the streets and sometimes sleeps on the "L" trains. He used to work as a packer many years ago at a warehouse in Franklin Park. He was very proud of this job and continued to describe in great detail how he packed the boxes, taped them up and stacked them 5 or 7 high, depending on what was in them. Gerald wishes he could get that old job back, but when things slowed down many years ago, he was laid off.

I asked him if he had any family that could help him. He shook his head no and began to tell me about some of his family. He has a child who lives in Detroit who is 25 or 30 years old who he hasn't seen in several years. He also has a grandbaby who suffers from sickle cell. Gerald talked about his younger brother who died from sickle cell at the age of 23. And he talked about his father who was an "upstanding man" who at the age of 10 could name every car on the street.

Gerald asked me why I take photos of the people I talk to (surprise #3). I told him that it is a way to tell a story about people who are often forgotten and that I've met a lot of interesting folks. He wondered if some of the people I've met like being homeless because he doesn't, even though he's been so for a long time. I told him that some do and some don't…everyone's story is a little different.

We talked for about 15 minutes. Our conversation started on a more downtrodden note, but by the time it was over, Gerald seemed in better spirits. We shook hands and walked our separate ways.

For the surprises noted above, I decided to submit this for SPNC-Year 2-Instruction #24.

Taken 8/24/12

Thursday, August 23, 2012

"C" Selfie

"C" Selfie Via Flickr:
Times Square
New York, NY

It was a blast trying to capture a selfie on the big screen billboard.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Next Car

Next Car Via Flickr:
New York Subway
New York, NY

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

New Yor ice Dept

New Yor ice Dept Via Flickr:
Times Square
New York, NY

Monday, August 20, 2012

The Glance

The Glance  
Via Flickr:
Times Square
New York, NY

Sunday, August 19, 2012

It's Time...But For What?

It's Time...But For What? Via Flickr:
Harlem
New York, NY

Some areas are a snapshot of the 60's frozen in time and other areas gentrified to house $1M+ brownstones. Where is the middle ground?

Cropped and converted to b/w for SliderSunday. HSS!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Inspired by Brian Day - Plate II

Inspired by Brian Day - Plate II
Via Flickr:
New York Subway
50th & Broadway
New York, NY

When taking the subway from Times Square to 14th Street, I saw this scene and immediately thought of Brian Day's "The Time Traveler" series (www.flickr.com/photos/brianday/sets/72157623677176793/).

For those of you who don't know Brian's work, he's a brilliant photographer who's work never ceases to amaze me. His Flickr stream can be viewed at www.flickr.com/photos/brianday/.

Submitted for ClicheSaturday - emulating a master. See www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/7791244326/ for the first shot in this series.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Oooh!

Oooh! Via Flickr:
High Line
New York, NY

High Line Park is a creative transformation of unused urban space. Old elevated railroad tracks were re-purposed as an elevated park running from 12th Street to 30th Street at approximately 10th Avenue. Urban art is found all along the pathway.

What a concept!!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Inspired by Brian Day - Plate I

Inspired by Brian Day
Via Flickr:
New York Subway
50th & Broadway
New York, NY

When taking the subway from Times Square to 14th Street, I saw this scene and immediately thought of Brian Day's "The Time Traveler" series.  No way did I bring a business suit on vacation, so it's definitely not a self-portrait.

For those of you who don't know Brian's work, he's a brilliant photographer who's work never ceases to amaze me. His Flickr stream can be viewed at www.flickr.com/photos/brianday/.