Stan

52Frames - Week 52 - Redo: Portrait Of A Stranger (w37)

I was out scouting locations for next week's 52Frames self-portrait.  I met Stan and asked if he would mind standing in one of the locations being considered so I can check the framing and background DoF. 

As I've mentioned before, I'll default to having people in my photos whenever possible.  As such, Week 37-Portrait of a Stranger was perfect for a "redo".

Sony A7IV @ f1.4 1/800 85mm ISO 100

Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 12/29/22

A Jewish Christmas Eve

2022_CLondon52w52:  Revisiting Goals

From the C.London website: "We’ve made it! 52 weeks later! Let’s revisit those initial goals. How did you fare? Are you feeling more confident in your own work? More focused on where you want to go from here? I hope it was a year of growth, new photography friends, and inspiration. 

For our final image, we’re going to recreate the image from either week one or week 26 (your choice!) I’d also love it if you accompanied that image with something you’ve gained from this experience. Congrats on making it through!"

I've chosen to recreate Week 26 which was focused on my goal of becoming a better visual storyteller.  However, with an 80 degree outdoor temperature swing, I have to tell a different story this week.

For many Jewish families, Chinese food on Christmas Eve has become a tradition.  Mine is no exception.  Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate.

And many thanks to Chelsea London for organizing this weekly challenge!

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4  1/160  40mm equiv  ISO 8000

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4  1/125  40mm equiv  ISO 12800

All Photographed 12/24/22

First Storm

2022_CLondon52w51: Lesson Learned

From the C.London website: "Explore something new you learned in the past year of weekly prompts and create an image with that new skill in mind."

I've worked on using Foreground Elements this past year as well as toying a bit with Long Exposure.  I was fortunate in this photo of our first winter storm to catch a gust of snow coming off the entrance overhang while shooting handheld with a slow shutter speed.

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/6 35mm ISO 1250

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 12/22/22

First Tracks

52Frames - Week 51 - Break the Rules

Start of the first winter storm.

Rules Broken:

- Aspect Ratio be damned

- No gloves at 7 degrees F

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/125 35mm ISO 3200

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 12/22/22

Starship Hawthorn

Hawthorn Mall

Vernon Hills, IL

52Frames_Shoot From Below (Alternate)

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/125 10.5mm ISO 1250

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/11/22

3-1/2 Years

52Frames - Week 50 - Roll of 24

(#18 of 24)

2022_CLondon52w50: Growth

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

Another 2Fer this week for the C.London and 52Frames challenges.

The growth of my grandson has been phenomenal to experience.  Now at almost 3-1/2 years old, this image depicts him looking at a photo of himself at 6 weeks of age.

Sony A7 IV @ f7.1 1/125 113mm ISO 4000

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 12/14/22

Distortion

Visual Notes 29

Another outing with the fisheye lens.

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/125 10.5mm ISO 4000

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/11/22

Selfie Study

Thinking ahead to 2023 Week 1 of 52Frames and checking out a few options for a new self-portrait.  Also, time to update the one on the website.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/6 200mm ISO 12800

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 12/8/22

Where Is Everyone?

2022_CLondon52w49: ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Dealer's Choice

From the C.London website: "Who inspires you? It could be another photographer, a filmmaker, writer, musician, traditional artist, etc.  Share with us who inspires you."

I gain inspiration from many different sources and for different reasons. With limited opportunity to photograph this week, I selected Wes Anderson since we were headed to the movies and I enjoyed the Week 19 challenge.  Inspiration for this image was: 1) Quirky - the ability to incorporate the Nikon fisheye lens on my Sony mirrorless body, 2) Perspective - symmetry, emphasized by the wide crop and fisheye perspective, 3) Color - color grading with a Wes Anderson preset reinforced the theater vibe and 4) Setting - actually made in a live, virtually empty, movie theater; a part of the post-covid story.

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/50 10.5mm ISO 12800

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/6/22

Back to the Movies

52Frames - Week 49 - Shoot From Below

EC: Portrait of a Stranger

Just picked up an adapter to fit my old Nikon 10.5mm fisheye to my Sony full-frame mirrorless body. Took it to the theatre, just in case a photo op materialized.

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/50 10.5mm ISO 12800

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/6/22

Old Lens...Second Life

Just picked up an adapter to fit my old Nikon 10.5mm fisheye to my Sony full-frame mirrorless body. All manual, but who cares? This is gonna be fun!

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/160 10.5mm ISO 12800

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/6/22

No Manches!

Reflections from inside this new Mexican restaurant in Vernon Hills, IL.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/50 40mm equiv ISO 12800

Photographed 12/3/22

Grip

52Frames - Week 48 - Animals

Wildlife Discovery Center

Lake Forest, IL

Bald eagle keeping that tenuous grip on democracy.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 200mm ISO 250

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/29/22

Coax

2022_CLondon52w48: Your Voice

From the C.London website: "You may feel that you don’t have a distinct voice just yet, and that’s entirely okay! It takes years to truly nail down your voice, and most artists find that their voice is constantly changing. What do you think is integral to your voice at this moment? Is it how you use color, or the subjects you choose? Whatever it is, show it with this week’s image."

An excerpt from my website bio in part describes my voice: "...I uncover interesting narratives in places, faces, and interactions that are often overlooked, while also capturing truthful glimpses of life's most temporary and beautiful moments."

Didn't matter how much coaxing the dad was doing, his son was not climbing that hill.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5 1/1000 40mm equiv ISO 100

Photographed 11/26/22

Whirlwind

Mall of America

Minneapolis, MN

Less than a 2 hour run-thru of this enormous place.  Photo Ops everywhere...was like a kid in a candy store.

Inspiration:  IG: @ralphwalin

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f1.6 1/120 4.2mm (31mm equiv) ISO 50

Photographed 11/12/22

Remembrance

52Frames - Week 47 - Wabi Sabi

When my wife was setting the Thanksgiving table, I pulled out some old cut crystal wine goblets my 90 year old aunt gave us before she passed away last year.  We appreciated her, and these goblets are a reminder.

I made a series of macros and chose this photo because of the turkey decorations captured as part of the refractions.

Sony A7 IV @ f13 1/50 50mm ISO 12800

Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 11/23/22

Suspended

Chicago, IL

Wash before the winter.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 114mm ISO 200

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Do You See What I See?

Chicago River

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 60mm ISO 320

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Engrossed - Plate XIV

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 89mm ISO 160

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Wingman

52Frames - Week 46 - Food Photography

2022_CLondon52w47: Out of Your Element

From the C.London website: "We’ve been at this for almost an entire year. I’m sure you’ve been put in situations which are out of your element already. For this week, I want that to be very intentional. Photograph a genre you aren’t comfortable with or in a style entirely different than what you’re used to. Just push yourself to get out of your comfort zone this week."

"Looks Better Than It Tastes" Chicken.  A streaksaver photo without a doubt.  TBH, I have a tough time getting into this genre.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5  1/30  40mm equiv  ISO 640

Photographed 11/19/22

Urban Reflections

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 89mm ISO 160

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

The Trader

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 200mm ISO 640

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Lincolnshire

2022_CLondon52w46: Community

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

When I think of community, it conjures up images of people. Having had a Covid exposure last weekend, it was not wise for me to engage with many people this week.  Instead, I focused on symbols in response to this challenge.

This is a composite of 4 photos from around my community. 

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/250 35mm ISO 100

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 11/17/22

Kinked

DPR Trail

Lincolnshire, IL

I've walked or cycled by this tree at least 100 times, but today, with camera in hand, noticed the weird kink in the growth of this tree trunk. Wonder what caused this?

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/800 40mm equiv ISO 640

Photographed 11/14/22

Candice

While visiting the Mall of America in Minneapolis for the first time, I spotted her as she walked in my direction. I slowly approached and complimented her on the awesome hairdo. She smiled and thanked me. In response to my inquiry about how long it took her to do this, she told me 3-4 hours at the salon. I asked to make a photo and she readily agreed.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/1000 40mm equiv ISO 640

Photographed 11/12/22

Deacon Robert

52Frames-Week 45-Street Photography and $2 Portraits

Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL

When I first walked by, he was hawking for change. I was running late for an appointment and didn't stop. Returning an hour later, he was still at it so I approached and asked if he'd heard of $2 Portraits. He hadn't and after I explained, he said that $5 for a story and photo would be better.

"I'm Deacon Robert, a man of G-d..." and then proceeded to recite New Testament scripture. I told him I'm an Old Testament guy to which he replied, "That's okay, G-d will tell you the right thing to do...". At that point, I agreed to $5 and we continued our chat.

Robert is 74 years old, was born in Chicago and grew up in Hyde Park. He now lives in Maywood and has been a Pastor there for nine years. When I commented he didn't look like 74, he said G-d made him look younger...he didn't look this good when he was 65. We talked for a few more minutes and said our farewells.

I have my doubts about Deacon Robert's story, but I don't feel bad about the $5 portrait, given inflation since the group began over 12 years ago.

Photographed 11/10/22

Submitted for 52Frames

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 55mm ISO 200

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Submitted for $2 Portraits

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 75mm ISO 250

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Branching Out

Chicago, IL

Another shadowplay photo of Eli & Pops at the neighborhood park.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/2000 40mm equiv ISO 200

Photographed 11/6/22

Best Boy

2022_CLondon52w45: A Peer of Your Choice

From the C.London website: "Whether it’s someone from one of our 52 Weeks community, a member of your local photography club, or a friend who also happens to be a photographer, choose a peer to draw inspiration from. Choose one of their images and recreate it within your own voice. It doesn’t have to be an exact replica, but an homage."

Sean Tucker (not truly a peer...he's a professional) came to mind when this scene occurred.  His strong use of light & shadow with warm tones was the influence in this image.

 

 
Chicago, IL

Eli & Pops at the neighborhood park, which led to a game of "step on Pops' head".

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.5 1/1000 40mm equiv ISO 200

Photographed 11/6/22

Explosion

52Frames - Week 44 - Chaos

Screensaver + long exposure + zoom rotation = Chaos

Sony A7 IV @ f16  2"  31-200mm ISO 640

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/2/22

Five Days Old

2022_CLondon52w44: Feedback to a Peer

From the C.London website: "Giving feedback helps the recipient, of course, but it also helps you to dissect photographs in a constructive way, which strengthens your critical eye. With consent from a peer, give them constructive feedback on an image of their choice. Take note of what you’ve noticed about their image and use those notes to create an image of your own. For example, if it’s a portrait with some distracting elements, you can make your own portrait being sure that there’s no distracting elements."

Constructive feedback provided to a friend, @photofinish_sid, included the use of a vignette to help isolate the main subject and direct the viewer's attention. I utilized that same technique on the hands of my new baby granddaughter.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.2 1/250 40mm equiv ISO 5000

Photographed 10/30/22

Withered

Des Plaines River Trail

Lincolnshire, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f6.3 1/160 35mm ISO 100

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 10/29/22

Favorite Snack

52Frames - Week 43 - Details

Kemps Caribou Coffee Java Chunk ice cream topped with frozen Nestle semi-sweet chocolate morsels.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/100 50mm ISO 12800

Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 10/28/22

Pops of Pink

2022_CLondon52w43: Feedback from a Peer

From the C.London website: "One of the most daunting parts of anyone's photography journey is getting quality feedback from peers. It’s daunting, yes, but also integral to our growth as photographers. Reach out to a peer (can I recommend the discord for this?) and ask for specific and constructive feedback on any of your images. Take that feedback and reimagine that image with their feedback in mind."

While sitting at a traffic light in a taxi, the pink & magenta jumped out at me in the adjacent car. I originally considered processing this in b/w with selective color but after conferring with @photofinish_sid, decided to go with the color version and providing focus to the colors that attracted me in the first place. Thank you, Sid.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2 1/100 6mm (91mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 10/22/22

Looking Up or Looking Out?

2022_CLondon52w42: Harmony

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

Joshua Tree National Park

Split Rock Trail

Joshua Tree, CA

Walking and standing amongst these giant rock formations, one wonders how they came to be. They are clustered and seemingly growing out of the desert floor. Perhaps disharmonious events in a previous age? Today the formations exist in what appears to be a balanced harmony, each part supporting another. 

The massive scale of these formations paints a beautiful abstract canvas and makes us mortal humans feel quite small.

Sony A7 IV @ f10 1/320 28mm ISO 100

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 10/18/22

Traverse

52Frames - Week 42 - Black and White Minimalism

Joshua Tree National Park

Split Rock Trail

Joshua Tree, CA

Sony A7 IV @ f10 1/125 200mm ISO 200

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 10/18/22

Clear & Dry to Ugly & Wet

Rancho Mirage, CA

Photographed on October 15, 2022

The day started with typical bright blue skies.  In the afternoon, clouds formed over the mountains.  The wind picked up.  And finally, the skies dumped.

"Rolling In"

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f1.6  1/9100  4.2mm (35mm equiv)  ISO 32

"Restless Wind"

Sony A7 IV @ f20 .5" 157mm  ISO 100

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

"Splash"

Sony A7 IV @ f13  1/100 200mm  ISO 12800

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Amid the Mist

52Frames - Week 41 - Shoot Through Something (Alternate)

La Quinta, CA

I Iined up the shot to catch the misting hoses through the archway (it was 96 degrees at 5pm with a setting sun) and waited for people to walk through the frame.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/3200 40mm equiv ISO 125

Photographed 10/13/22

On Approach

52Frames - Week 41 - Shoot Through Something

EC: Nature

Palms Springs, CA

She was totally engrossed in her phone, so I was unobtrusively able to capture a photo of the mountains (hence, the EC) surrounding the Palm Springs airport while on approach.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2 1/1250 6mm (52mm equiv) ISO 32

Photographed 10/11/22

Full Moon

Lincolnshire, IL

Didn't realize it was a full moon tonight until I was reading some posts on the 52Frames discord server. I pulled my a$$ out of the chair and went outside with my longest lens to attempt a few shots. Fortunately, some thin, moving cloud cover provided additional interest.

Sony A7 IV @ f11 1/250 150mm ISO 12800

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 10/9/22

String Cheese Incident

2022_CLondon52w41:  ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:  Musician of Your Choice

From the C.London website:  "Music is so divisive, and trying to elicit inspiration from music that doesn’t jell with you would not necessarily be constructive. So, for this artist spotlight, I’m letting you choose any musician that you want to focus on. Be sure to share with us who it is!"

My older son introduced me to String Cheese Incident and we went to see them at Red Rocks Amphitheater on July 23, 2010.  These images are reminiscent of songs in the set list from both the 7/23/10 & 7/24/10 shows.  SCI has been a favorite band ever since.

"Restless Wind"

Spectre + Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.0  3"  6mm (52mm equiv)  ISO 25

Photographed 10/8/22

"Blackberry Blossom" (Alternate)

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 125 Macro

Photographed 10/7/22

Emergence of Autumn

Photos from a walk at Wright Woods Forest Preserve in Lincolnshire, IL.  Pockets of color are beginning to emerge in the crisp autumn air.  Get outside and enjoy!

"Across the Pond"

"Burst"

"Flame"

"Quack Quack"

"Impression Reflection"

All photographed with Sony A7 IV

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

All Photographed 10/7/22