Truth

Palm Desert, CA

On this trip, we learned of an art exhibition called DesertX 2025 (https://desertx.org/) consisting of several installations around Coachella Valley.  Unfortunately, I only made it to one of the exhibits this year...and plan to attend many more in future years.

Photos below are of an awesome sculpture in the desert entitled "Truth Arrives in Slanted Beams" by Sarah Meyohas.  For more information, check out https://desertx.org/dx/dx-25-coachella-valley/sarah-meyohas and https://sarahmeyohas.com/.  It was fun to photograph as the sun was setting behind the mountains.

All photographed on 3/20/25

Truth 1

Sony A7Cii @ f11 | 1/500 | 15mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Truth 2

Sony A7Cii @ f11 | 1/2500 | 15mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Truth 3

Sony A7Cii @ f11 | 1/500 | 15mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Truth 4

Sony A7Cii @ f11 | 1/500 | 15mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Night...

Highwood, IL

Train-related photos from a night photowalk on 2/26/25.  I'm loving the effects of the Pro-mist diffusion filter.


Night Train

Sony A7Cii @ f1.8 | 1/125 | 52mm (equiv) | ISO 640

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

 

Night Shift

Sony A7Cii @ f2 | 1/125 | 35mm | ISO 500

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Star of David

52Frames - Week 12 - Shallow Depth Of Field

As seen within a lounge chair at our resort in Palm Desert, CA.  In a little twist of the assignment, I used shallow DoF to frame the subject which lies in the background.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/250 | 71mm equiv | ISO 100

Photographed 3/17/25

Mystery Lab

Highwood, IL

An eerie sighting into this storefront. Was unable to discern what goes on inside.

Sony A7Cii @ f1.8 | 1/125 | 35mm | ISO 2000

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 2/26/25

Migration

Palm Desert, CA

Looking up from the pool deck, we were graced with this amazing scene of snow geese migration.



Migration 1

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/3800 | 6.76mm (42mm equiv) | ISO 80

Migration 2

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f2.8 | 1/540 | 9mm (108mm equiv) | ISO 25

All photographed 3/15/25

Perplexed

52Frames - Week 11 - Egg

EC: Humor

Palm Desert, CA

Driving by this desert sculpture with curving white walls, I knew it would be a great backdrop for an egg photo.

After heading back with an egg & marker, I was able to dodge the rain, draw a facial expression and get off a few shots.

Sony A7Cii @ f4 | 1/4000 | 28mm | ISO 160

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

Photographed 3/13/25

Over The Shoulder

Scottsdale, AZ

I saw this beautiful scene in the rearview mirror.  Unable to turn around and capture it, I used my phone's front facing camera and aimed it out the rear window.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.9 | 1/60 | 2.69mm (30mm equiv) | ISO 320

Photographed 3/2/25

Neural Network

52Frames - Week 10 - Black And White (Alternate)

Scottsdale, AZ

With a bright mid-afternoon light, the contrast in the branches of this early spring budding tree reminded me of what brain connections might look like.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f2.8 | 1/600 | 9mm (107mm equiv) | ISO 25

Photographed 3/4/25

Balconies In Bloom

52Frames - Week 10 - Black And White

Scottsdale, AZ

Under a beautiful late afternoon light, the plantings on the balconies against the striking patterns in the architecture caught my attention while sitting at a traffic light.  Captured this scene through my car windshield.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f2.8 | 1/850 | 9mm (155mm equiv) | ISO 25

Photographed 3/5/25

Rhythm Is Life

I heard the melodic sounds and thought there was a multi-piece group playing near the pool deck of our resort.  I was very surprised to find one guy playing a single steel drum that created such beautiful sound.  No multi-piece band, no synthesizer, only a microphone, amplifier and speaker.  The tablet shown held only sheet music.

I learned that these drums were handcrafted from old, abandoned oil drums in Trinidad & Tobago.  Each drum was pounded into shape and tuned to generate specific notes when struck on a specific part of the drum.  It was quite remarkable.

Many thanks to Cole for sharing his music and information.  You can check out Cole’s band at https://www.instagram.com/rhythmislifesteelband/ and https://m.youtube.com/@rhythmislifesteelband/videos.

Rhythm Is Life 1

Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/250 | 200mm | ISO 160

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

Rhythm Is Life 2

Sony A7Cii @ f4.5 | 1/250 | 108mm | ISO 160

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

Rhythm Is Life 3

Sony A7Cii @ f6.3 | 1/160 | 200mm | ISO 160

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

Night Shift

Highwood, IL

This darkened side street provided some good photo ops.

Sony A7Cii @ f1.8 | 1/400 | 35mm | ISO 200

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 2/26/25

Still Folding

52Frames - Week 9 - Unfinished

Highwood, IL

Unfinished load at the laundromat.

Sony A7Cii @ f1.8 | 1/400 | 35mm | ISO 200

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 2/26/25

Peek-a-Boo

Mr. Potatohead peeking out from under his hat.

Finding humor in unexpected places 🤣.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/160 | 40mm equiv | ISO 1600

Photographed 2/25/25

Wild Ride

WTF is going on in our country?  The US vote today in the UN is just more evidence of the rough ride ahead under this treasonous administration.  Hoping there is a recognizable platform when this roller coaster ride is over.

*Photo inspired by 52Framer, Deb Lyman.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/1000 | 40mm equiv | ISO 100

Photographed 2/24/25

Recovery

52Frames - Week 8 - Triangular Composition

Bitter temperatures this week so getting outside to photograph was not an option. Since my better half had knee surgery last week, I decided to do a literal interpretation of the prompt and photograph her post-op exercise.  Pretty good range of motion for 6 days in!

Sony A7Cii @ f2.8 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 2000

Voigtlander VM 40mm F2.8 Heliar (adapted)

Photographed 2/19/25


Color Coordinated

Glencoe Art Festival

Glencoe, IL

(from the archive)

Begs the question...which came first, her hair or the jumpsuit?

Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/500 | 40mm | ISO 640

Voigtlander VM 40mm F2.8 Heliar (adapted)

Photographed 7/21/24

Out Of The Cold

52Frames - Week 7 - Motion Blur

EC:  Multiple Stages of Motion

Tried a new technique this week. This is a 3 shot composite of 10 second exposures using a 10-stop ND filter.

Sony A7IV @ f13 | 10" | 44mm | ISO 200

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G w/ 10-stop ND

Photographed 2/12/25

Black & White In Cancun

When recently in Cancun, Mexico, I took my Nikon 35Ti camera loaded with some Ilford HP5+ black & white film.  Below is a collection of photos shot in late January & early February 2025.  Developed the film with my friend Steve and scanned the negatives at home.

Beach Day

Windy Day

Sunrise

Reserving pool chairs early in the morning.


Punch Pattern

Dusk Along The Lagoon

Chefs Extraordinaire

Cenacolo, one of our favorite restaurants in Cancun.

No Filter

Cancun, MX

Loved the t-shirt but learned it was the uniform for her clothing store and wasn't for sale.

Sony A7IV @ f2.8 | 1/250 | 35mm | ISO 1250

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 1/28/25

Psycho Bunny

My favorite hat store...but didn't buy one this trip.

Sony A7IV @ f4.5 | 1/250 | 35mm | ISO 3200

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 1/28/25

Let The Sunshine In

Cancun, MX

Taken late afternoon, about 35 minutes before sunset.

Sony A7IV @ f2.8 | 1/2000 | 35mm | ISO 100

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 1/28/25

Three Shades of Blue

52Frames - Week 5 - Blue

EC:  Contrasting Color (the beach)

Hard to miss the strong presence of the blues in the sky, ocean and pool.

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/640 | 60mm | ISO 100

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 1/27/25

Toes In The Sand

Cancun, MX

I never ever get tired of this scene.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 1/30 6.8mm (61mm equiv) ISO 640

Photographed 1/25/25

1200-1551 AD

52Frames - Week 4 - Something Old

Scorpion's Temple, a Mexican federally protected ruin from the Late Post-Classic period and located on the grounds of our resort in Cancun, is the oldest subject I was able to access this week.

This is the same subject of my Week 50 submission in 2024 and since I'm back again, took some new photos for this week's challenge.

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/200 | 20mm | ISO 100

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 1/24/25

Barely Breaking Through

Cancun, MX

Not the most desirable weather so it was nice to see the sun actually breaking through.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f2.8 1/400 9mm (94mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 1/22/25

Empty Spaces

52 Frames - Week 3 - Leading Lines

Sony A7IV @ f9 | 1/125 | 20mm | ISO 400

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 1/16/25

Rust Protection...

Palatine, IL

...It's not working.

Sony A7IV @ f9 | 1/125 | 42mm | ISO 400

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 1/16/25

Frozen Out

52 Assignments Exposure 19 - Cold Snap

With a light dusting of snow and a bit of wind, no one was around when I arrived.  Not surprised, it was damn cold!!

Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/4000 | 15mm | ISO 200

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Photographed 1/9/25

Delayed Departure?

Lincolnshire, IL

Saw this guy hanging out in our dense trees today in a light snow shower and wondered why he/she was still hanging around.  Photographed quickly through a screen and window.

Sony A7IV @ f5.6 | 1/125 | 300mm equiv | ISO 5000

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

Photographed 1/11/25

Overload

One of the neon sign shots I did not use in the 52 Assignments composite a couple of days ago.

Sony A7IV @ f1.8 | 1/1000 | 35mm | ISO 100

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 1/5/25

26 - 26

52 Frames - Week 2 - What I Eat

Food photography is not my genre of choice, however, in keeping with a theme from Week 1, decided to draw from my morning coffee process.

Have the formula set with these beans...26 grams at a course grind setting of 26.  Five minute brew in the French Press.

Sony A7IV @ f2.8 | 1/125 | 50mm | ISO 1250

Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 1/7/25

Variety

52 Assignments Exposure 18 - Glow Sign

A small sampling of neon along Milwaukee Avenue.

Sony A7IV @ f1.8 | varies | 35mm | ISO 100-200

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 (w/ Pro-mist 1/4 diffusion filter)

Photographed 1/5/25

Stranded

52 Assignments Exposure 17 - Movie Maker

A road less traveled.  Bad things can happen here.

Sony A7Cii @ f4.5 | 1/4000 | 15mm | ISO 200

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Photographed 12/28/24

Before The Morning Coffee

52 Frames - Week 1 - Self-Portrait

Similar to last year, I wanted to do a self-portrait using a reflection. My original intent was to shoot storefront reflections, which I often do and really enjoy. With a temperature in the teens and wind chill in single digits, I instead opted for this microwave reflection while boiling water for my morning cup of Joe.

Here we go...on to Year 6; a year of intent and also being nimble.

Sony A7IV @ f1.8 | 1/4 | 35mm | ISO 800

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8

Photographed 1/3/25

White Scarves

Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL

Shot this image during the Beers & Cameras-Chicago meet-up.  These white scarves were just screaming to be photographed.  Photographing strangers is one of my favorite genres so it's fitting I end the year with one.

Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/320 | 15mm | ISO 1600

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Photographed 12/22/24

Fire In The Sky

52 Assignments Exposure 16 - Catch Some Rays

Cancun, Mexico

Title says it all.

Sony A7Cii @ f4.5 | 1/400 | 105mm | ISO 200

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

Photographed 12/13/24

Bokehlicious

52Frames - Week 52 - Redo

I chose to do completely different takes on a combination of Week 24 - Abstract and Week 32 - Night Photography.

After recently watching a Sean Tucker video, I became inspired by the bokeh in his night street photography.  In this image I leaned entirely into creating bokeh utilizing holiday decoration lighting across the street from my residence.  With the lens wide open and camera on manual focus, I experimented with out-of-focus settings to get these transparent and colorful forms.

Sony A7IV @ f1.8 | 1/400 | 35mm | ISO 800

Samyang AF 35mm F1.8

Photographed 12/26/24

Vintage 1977

Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL

This is the last shot for the 2024 Beard Series.  Cannot believe I don't remember his name.  I do recall he's had this beard since 1977 and it's recently been trimmed, hence longer than this is the norm.

Now onto figuring out how to do a Zine.

Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/320 | 15mm | ISO 2000

Voigtlander VM 15mm F4.5 (adapted)

Photographed 12/22/24