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, April 30, 2012

Marcus

Marcus Via Flickr:
He was sitting on a street corner smoking a cigarette, with a few possessions at his feet. He asked me for some change and I told him about the $2 Portrait project. He perked up, smiled (revealing a lot of missing teeth) and readily agreed. He chuckled and said his old joke is that his name is Two Dollar Bill and he always comes up a dollar short.

Marcus is 57 years old and is from Santa Rosa, CA. He's been in San Diego since 2004; the penal system brought him here. Said he got strung out on rock cocaine and spent 30 months in prison. He's now out on parole and is trying to stay clean. He said San Diego is a nice place to be so he hasn't left. I asked him what kind of work he used to do and he seemed very proud that he's a certified botanist and horticulturist with over 3000 hours of some type of training. When I then asked him if he's tried to find work in his field, he said "… can't start a new career at my age and besides who's going to hire me…I messed around with drugs too long…".

Really being out of $2 Portrait practice, I failed to ask him about family and other storylines I like to explore. I gave Marcus $2 and wished him good luck. He thanked me and said now he can get some breakfast.

Taken 4/29/12 in the San Diego Gaslamp area.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Gremlins Run Amuck

Gremlins Run Amuck
Via Flickr:
KaleidaCam combined with ColorEfxPro Detail Stylizer...the perfect combination for SliderSunday. HSS!

Taken from my office window down onto the Adams Street re-construction.
Chicago, IL

Passage

Passage Via Flickr:
Dismal as it is, it's worth traversing this passage between parking and office during inclement weather.

Union Station Garage
Chicago, IL

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Track 5

Track 5 Via Flickr:
Since going from Android to iPhone, I've not been able to shoot with the SymmetriCam app. Until my Flickr friend Crow told me about an iPhone app called KaleidaCam.

KaleidaCam has options for an image to be made with 4 to 10 sides. I have no idea how this shot was composed since the only recognizable form is the column with the track number painted on. Except for a little sharpening, this is SOOC.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

It's Back...!

It's Back...! Via Flickr:
Since going from Android to iPhone, I've not been able to shoot with the SymmetriCam app. Until yesterday, when my Flickr friend Crow told me about an iPhone app called KaleidaCam.  Not an exact "SymmetriCam" replacement, however it offers a wider range of options and more abstract outcomes. Definitely will be fun to play with.

Since the subject of this image (Fuji X100) and this app were gifts to myself (to be assisted by Lin for Father's Day and my birthday), I decided to add this to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #99 - Gift.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Metra Mirror

Metra Mirror
Via Flickr:
Keeping those train cars polished.

Union Station
Chicago, IL

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #10 - Silver(y)

Metaphorically Hell

Metaphorically Hell Via Flickr:
Seen on Franklin Street
Chicago, IL

Locked Up / Stripped Down

Locked Up / Stripped Down Via Flickr:
Only a few useable parts remain.

Wicker Park
Chicago, IL

Taken 3/10/12
Submitted for TrashTalkTuesday 4/24/12. HTTT!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

#1 Outlaw - Plate II

#1 Outlaw - Plate II Via Flickr:
Outside Union Station
Chicago, IL

I first posted a shot of him in early March. He's still there, on a daily basis during the morning commute, lodging his personal protest. I'm still curious about his story but haven't yet approached him.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Up or Down?

Up or Down? Via Flickr:
Captured at O'Hare between Concourses B & C.

A little M.C. Escher-like.
Submitted for ClicheSaturday-Optical Illusion. HCS!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Across From The Club

Across From The Club Via Flickr:
The composition of reflections at the United Club entry in O'Hare's C concourse caught my attention. This shot is SOOC except for crop and sharpening. I'm enjoying the x100.

Taken 4/16/12

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #93 - Reflection(s)

City Sandwich

City Sandwich Via Flickr:
Taken 4/16/12 leaving Chicago.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ominous

Ominous
Via Flickr:
Not the kind of sky one likes to fly into. Taken 4/16/12 from the plane on the way to Raleigh/Durham.

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #72 - Overhead.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Dudes

Dudes
Via Flickr:
Tabletop shot at Raleigh Durham airport. The x100 is so discreet, these guys never looked up.

Honey, I Just Did Some Damage!

Honey, I Just Did Some Damage!
Via Flickr:
Captured while waiting for a flight at Raleigh Durham airport. This time, I was not the "Honey".

Taken 4/17/12

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Grocery

Grocery
Via Flickr:
4/15/12
Not one of my favorite things to do, but when Lin suggested we check out the new grocery, Mariano's, I agreed to go if she would let me bring my camera. The last time I took a camera into a grocery store, I almost came to blows with management who told me it was against "company policy" for customers to shoot pictures in the store. At the time, I had my DSLR with a 90mm macro lens on it.

This time, I was a little smarter and took the discreet X100. I didn't get challenged, but didn't get too many useable shots either. Still learning the new camera.

Submitted for SliderSunday. HSS!

Purple

Purple
Via Flickr:
4/14/12

Maybe I'm color blind...after posting, this looks more pink than purple. Too late...I'm going with it!

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #90 - Purple

Saturday, April 14, 2012

I Got My Pillow...

I Got My Pillow...
Via Flickr:
A common scene around Union Station; young folks traveling with their pillows.

Union Station
Chicago, IL

Submitted for Cliche Saturday.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Shadow & Flare

Shadow & Flare
Via Flickr:
4/11/12
Caught this shot into the sun on the way to the train this afternoon. Glad I hadn't put the lens hood on yet.

No Loitering

No Loitering
Via Flickr:
4/10/12
For some unknown reason, these clips were strewn about a counter at work. As I walked by, I thought "wow, that would be a cool picture". I grabbed the new X100, put it in macro mode and took a few shots.

I'm likin' this camera!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Descent - Plate II

Descent - Plate II
Via Flickr:
4/9/12
Crop experiment with my new X100. Pretty impressive resolution as this represents an approximate 1:2 crop in Lightroom.

Descent - Plate I

Descent - Plate I
Via Flickr:
4/9/12
Hip shot experiment with my new X100.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love
Via Flickr:
4/8/12
Brunch at my aunt's today and some of my cousins were there. Caught mom and daughter in a tender moment.

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 as #71 - Emotion.

It's Never Empty

It's Never Empty
Via Flickr:
4/7/12
And this is before the weekly trip to the grocery!

Submitted for SliderSunday. HSS!

Also, first night with the new X100.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Mr. Fixit

Mr. Fixit
Via Flickr:
It is never just one trip to the hardware store. This time I tried to mitigate that by taking a picture of the problem so I'd be sure to buy the right parts.

It worked...all it needed was a new handle and lever arm.

Submitted for ClicheSaturday - Home Improvement. HCS!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Heading to the Gate

Heading to the Gate Via Flickr:
4/3/12

O'Hare Airport - Concourse C
Chicago, IL

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #32 - Action or Movement.

Sharpened in LR, otherwise SOOCP

Monday, April 2, 2012

Dark Bark

Dark Bark Via Flickr:
4/2/12

We found this recipe a week ago for home made dark chocolate bark with dried cranberries and sliced almonds. OMG! Had to take a shot of the second tin before it disappears. The first tin was gone in less than a week.

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #56 - Chocolate.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Slice of Light - Plate II

Slice of Light - Plate II Via Flickr:
4/1/12

Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #102 - Vanishing Point.

Taken 3/10/12
Near Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL

Statement of Style

Statement of Style Via Flickr:
4/1/12

Walking to my gate at SFO, this fashion statement couldn't help but catch my eye. Fumbling with the iPhone camera and trying to be discreet, I fired off a few shots. Was able to salvage this one through some sliding.

Submitted to SliderSundays. HSS!
Added to the 112 Pictures in 2012 group as #37 - Feet and/or Footwear.