I have been posting to this blog for over 14 years, each year reporting on accomplishments over the prior year and goals for the new year.

In 2025 and beyond, this Blog will be my main photography communication vehicle. Content will be varied and in the spirit of my approach to photography as described on the "About" page of my website at www.jeffmarcowitz.photography 

The Project W pages on the website will be a curated collection of work representing the “Best Of” images posted here on the Blog. With a subscription, you'll continue to receive an email (with content) whenever I post to the Project W Blog.

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

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Again!!!

Again!!!
52 Frames - Week 26 - Fluid

Fluid motion in the air and in the water. My 2-3/4 year old granddaughter could not get enough.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 1/3000 6.76mm (24mm equiv) ISO 80

Photographed 6/24/25

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Interested / Not Interested

Interested / Not Interested
"L" Platform
Chicago, IL

Spent a couple of days this week shooting photos with photography friends in from out of town.

Sony A7IV @ f4.5 | 1/125 | 105mm equiv | ISO 200
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 6/20/25

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Getting Out & Wanting In

Getting Out & Wanting In
Millennium Park
Chicago, IL

Spent a couple of days this week shooting photos with photography friends in from out of town.  This shot is straight out of camera (SOOC) from the newly repaired GRIIIx. I love the color rendering of the embedded film recipe.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 | 1/500 | 50mm equiv | ISO 200

Photographed 6/19/25

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

It's All Worth It

It's All Worth It
52 Frames - Week 25 - Daily Ritual!

Pulling out all the tools necessary to complete this daily ritual.  No beans were destroyed in the making of this photograph (but they will be in what's next)!

Sony A7IV @ f4 | 1/125 | 105mm equiv | ISO 1000
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 6/17/25

Saturday, June 14, 2025

"Tis The Season

'Tis The Season
52 Frames - Week 24 - Street Details
EC: Black & White

Under the weather this week so did not have an opportunity to do a proper street photography outing. Hence, this streak-saver.

Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/160 | 28mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 6/14/25

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Cruising

Cruising
52 Assignments Exposure 27 - Panning For Gold

State & Washington
Chicago, IL

Sony A7Cii @ f20 | 1/15 | 35mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 6/7/25

Monday, June 9, 2025

Chicago Blues Festival

A few shots from a photowalk in downtown Chicago on 6/7/25 during the Chicago Blues Festival.  We covered parts of the loop, Grant Park and Millennium Park.

Capture The Light
Capture The Light
Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/160 | 44mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6


Agora
Magdalena Abakanowicz

Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/500 | 28mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6


Urban Oasis
Urban Oasis
Sony A7Cii @ f7.1 | 1/500 | 60mm | ISO 250
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6


Beer Hug
Beer Hug
Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/160 | 42mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6


Purple Mike
Purple Mike
Check him out at:
https://wslr.org/

Sony A7Cii @ f7.1 | 1/160 | 28mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6


Clearing The Path
Clearing The Path
Sony A7Cii @ f9 | 1/160 | 28mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6


Sunday, June 8, 2025

I Have You In My Sights

I Have You In My SightsRacine, WI

Storefront reflections.

Sony A7Cii @ f10 | 1/125 | 35mm | ISO 1000
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8

Photographed 6/4/25

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Illusion Confusion

Illusion ConfusionWhat's in front and what's behind?
Or is it all in front in a different space and time?
Peel the seam from left to right and the lens becomes a confusing sight.

Sony A7Cii @ f4.5 | 1/4000 | 22.5mm (equiv) | ISO 3200
Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Photographed 6/3/25

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Get A Grip

Get A Grip
52 Frames - Week 22 - Through The Looking Glass

The tenuous grip on this filigree glass bowl is a metaphor for hanging on during the F'd up political situation here in the US, hoping it doesn't come crashing down.

Sony A7Cii @ f6.3 | 1/2000 | 50mm | ISO 12800
Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 5/28/25

Monday, May 26, 2025

High ISO Alternates

In yesterday's post, I described how I had a hard time selecting which photo to use for the 52Frames submission, so I'm presenting these alternates as a separate post.  All Photographed on 5/21/25.

Chase Tower
Chase Tower
Sony A7Cii @ f4 | 1/125 | 35mm | ISO 12800
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 w/ 1/4 Pro-mist filter


LaSalle Street
LaSalle Street
Sony A7Cii @ f4 | 1/1250 | 35mm | ISO 12800
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 w/ 1/4 Pro-mist filter


Sears and the Lantern
Sears and the Lantern
Sony A7Cii @ f3.5 | 1/80 | 35mm | ISO 12800
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 w/ 1/4 Pro-mist filter

Sunday, May 25, 2025

A Shot In The Dark

A Shot In The Dark
52 Frames - Week 21 - High ISO
EC: 12800+

Heading to a late night train after a dinner in downtown Chicago. Virtually empty streets with a light drizzle made for some cool IRL photo opportunities. I truly had a hard time selecting which photo to use (as opposed to the all-to-often one shot streak-saver).

Sony A7Cii @ f3.5 | 1/640 | 35mm | ISO 12800
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 w/ 1/4 Pro-mist filter

Photographed 5/21/25

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Reflection

Reflection
Chicago, IL

Double entendre?
For the "From the Car" series, a 2025 project in the works.

Voigtlander Bessa R4m @ f8 | 21mm | Kentmere 100 | ISO 100
Voigtlander VM 21mm F4 Color-Skopar

Photographed 4/27/25

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

The Art of Colored Pencil

The Art of Colored Pencil
52 Assignments Exposure 23 - Face On

Phil Schorn is an artist who travels to many art fairs in the midwest.  The process he uses for creating his colored pencil scenes is fascinating.  Check him out at pschornstudio.com.

Voigtlander Bessa R4m @ f8 | 28mm | Kodak Ultramax | ISO 400
Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/3/25

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Expensive Drop

Expensive Drop
52 Frames - Week 20 - Water
EC: Water Droplet Photography

I love it when IRL situations provide opportunity for the weekly 52Frames challenge (and EC).  I hate it when it costs alot of $$$.  This week, a simple cartridge replacement is turning into a more complicated endeavor due to a leaky shower valve.

Sony A7IV @ f5 | 1/125 | 50mm | ISO 800
Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 5/18/25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Mystery Guy

Mystery Guy
Chicago, IL

Who is that mystery guy doing the Mystery Recording?

Voigtlander Bessa R4m @ f8 | 21mm | Kentmere 100 | ISO 100
Voigtlander VM 21mm F4 Color-Skopar

Photographed 4/27/25

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

"X" Marks the Spot


Deer Park, IL

Straight Out Of Camera (SOOC) with a film simulation applied in-camera.  Last shot taken with the GRIIIx before it broke.  It's in for repair and I'm awaiting the diagnosis.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5 | 1/400 | 40mm equiv | ISO 200

Photographed 5/3/25

Friday, May 9, 2025

Then & Now

Then & Now
52 Frames - Week 19 - Luxury

Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of having a canary yellow Corvette.  Never did get one, and now I'm probably too old to squeeze into this canary yellow Ferrari.

Sony A7Cii @ f11 | 1/320 | 15mm | ISO 100
Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 Aspherical III

Photographed 5/8/25

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Good News / Bad News

The good news is I really like the "Straight Out Of Camera" (SOOC) film recipe that I learned how to incorporate into the Ricoh GRIIIx. The bad news is my GRIIIx camera broke on 5/3 and now I have to figure out if & where I can get it repaired. Bummer!

Good News/Bad News
Des Plaines River
Lincolnshire, IL
Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.5 | 1/320 | 40mm equiv | ISO 200
Photographed 5/2/25


Sea Creature
Sea Creature
Deer Park, IL
Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 | 1/1000 | 40mm equiv | ISO 200
Photographed 5/3/25


Reflection Of Reflection
Reflection Of Reflection
Deer Park, IL
Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5 | 1/400 | 40mm equiv | ISO 200
Photographed 5/3/25

Friday, May 2, 2025

Meet You At The Corner

Meet You At The Corner
52 Frames - Week 18 - Negative Space

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 | 1/1000 | 40mm equiv | ISO 200

Photographed 5/2/25

Thursday, May 1, 2025

May Day

May Day
Buffalo Grove, IL

Lots of honking horns and thumbs up in support during this rush hour protest.

Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/160 | 28mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 5/1/25

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Intersection Observations

A few shots from a photowalk on a beautiful day in Chicago.

Collision Course
Collision Course
Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/800 | 60mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

In The Middle Of The Street
In The Middle Of The Street
Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/160 | 51mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6


Outside Inside
Outside Inside
Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/125 | 51mm | ISO 500
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

All Photographed 4/27/25


Sunday, April 27, 2025

Peek-A-Boo

Peek-A-Boo
52 Frames - Week 17 - Cramped
EC: Self Portrait

Getting some hiding practice in for when the grandkids sleep over.

Sony A7Cii @ f5 | 1/250 | 24mm | ISO 5000
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 4/26/25

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Portrait Masterclass

Posting the last few shots from April 19th's Beers & Cameras meet-up at South Facing Windows Studio in Chicago.  A great time was had by all.  Plenty of opportunity to acquire some much needed portrait experience & knowledge and to hang with cool people.  Thanks to @Grifftur and others who put it all together.


Two-Fisted
Two-Fisted Grifftur
Our fearless leader in action!
Nikon 35Ti w/ Kentmere 400 film | 35mm | ISO 400

E.JauneceE.Jaunece
She has a presence!

Nikon 35Ti w/ Kentmere 400 film | 35mm | ISO 400


E.Jaunece
E.Jaunece
Sony A7IV @ f5.6 | 1/125 | 90mm | ISO 250
Leitz Elmar-C 90mm F4 (adapted)


Andy
Andy
@andy_the_witch, who isn't a witch at all!
Sony A7IV @ f5.6 | 1/200 | 40mm | ISO 800
Voigtlander VM 40mm F2.8 Heliar (adapted)


Andy
Andy
Sony A7IV @ f5.6 | 1/200 | 40mm | ISO 1000
Voigtlander VM 40mm F2.8 Heliar (adapted)


Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Get The Shot

Get The Shot
Beers & Cameras - Chicago Meetup
South Facing Windows Studio
Chicago, IL

His contortions and her expression cracked me up.

Sony A7IV @ f5.6 | 1/200 | 90mm | ISO 1600
Leitz Elmar-C 90mm F4 (adapted)

Photographed 4/19/25

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Kadrea

52 Frames - Week 16 - Under/Over Exposed

Beers & Cameras - Chicago Meetup
South Facing Windows Studio
Chicago, IL

I knew this meetup location would provide for a great overexposure opportunity.  Little did I expect to be over and under exposed in the same image.  Kadrea was great in helping me achieve these images.

Kadrea
Kadrea
Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 400
Voigtlander VM 40mm F2.8 Heliar (adapted)


20250419_B&C Chicago meetup-A7402709
Kadrea (Alternate)
Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/25 | 40mm | ISO 100
Voigtlander VM 40mm F2.8 Heliar (adapted)

All Photographed 4/19/25

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Hands Off!

Attended the Hands Off! rally and march in downtown Chicago, at Daley Center Plaza, on April 5th. The crowd ultimately swelled to 30,000 densely filling the plaza and surrounding streets.  I had not experienced a similar event since 1969-1970 during protests of the Vietnam War.

The march and rally were peaceful...but people are angry.  Many scenes and signs were observed expressing this anger and disgust for the present state of affairs in this country and for the people in power.  I'm creating a zine with 16 of my most representative photos of this event, some of which are too off-color for posting in this blog.

All In On Hands Off!
All In On Hands Off
Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/125 | 70mm | ISO 200
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G


The Crowd GrowsThe Crowd Grows
Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/530 | 6.76mm (24mm equiv) | ISO 80


Thursday, April 10, 2025

Unleavened Lands

Unleavened Lands
52Frames - Week 15 - Details
EC: Use A Macro Lens

Happy Passover to those who celebrate.

Sony A7IV @ f11 | 1/125 | 50mm | ISO 12800
Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 4/9/25

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

In Full Swing

Photographed for 52 Assignments-Exposure 20
Physiogram experiments.

Rings
Cosmic Rings
Sony A7IV @ 22 | 30" to 1" (5 photo composite) | 70mm | ISO 12800
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G


Black Hole
Black Hole
Sony A7IV @ 22 | 30" | 70mm | ISO 12800
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

All photographed on 4/8/25




Monday, April 7, 2025

Breakfast Bust

Breakfast Bust
Chicago, IL

Busted as the shutter clicked.

Sony A7IV @ f4 | 1/200 | 43mm | ISO 100
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 4/5/25

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Which Came First?

Which Came First?
Chicago, IL

I spotted her from across the street and was compelled to ask the question. She confirmed that the coat came long before the hair, but the shoes were a more recent addition.

It was ironic because I was downtown on the way to a rally protesting the "Orange One".

Sony A7IV @ f4 | 1/125 | 20mm | ISO 200
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 4/5/25

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Mid-Air Mobile

Mid-Air Mobile
52Frames - Week 14 - Levitation

Practice makes perfect.

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/125 | 26mm | ISO 4000
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 4/2/25