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

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Desert Bud


2/27/11 - Week 9
Shot last week in Scottsdale and processed today in SEP2.  It was a little early for the desert flowers to bloom, but I was able to catch one here.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Old Timer


2/26/11 - Week 9
Went to a local Scottsdale pizza place yesterday for lunch.  Little did I expect to see this old time radio in a pizza joint setting.  Since it had the names of cities across the top, perhaps it was also an old time shortwave?

Week 9 ☞ 02.26.11 - 03.04.11


Theme: Silver Efex Pro 2

Nik Software released their updated version of Silver Efex Pro this past week.  I've downloaded the upgrade and will install over the weekend.  Shots for this upcoming week will be processed using this software plugin.
 
Also, Please check out my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/
 

Skeleton


2/25/11 - Week 8
This looked like the skeleton of a dead saguaro along the Desert Park Trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.  Not sure if it was a saguaro but very cool nonetheless.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Three Mile Climb


2/25/11 - Week 8
Had to work for a few hours this morning and missed an easy stroll with Lin and our friends.  So instead, I went out later on my own and did a 6.6 mile hike.  This shot is from Inspiration Point, the highest spot on this particular trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Pinnacle Peak Map


2/24/11 - Week 8
Map of Pinnacle Peak Park and trail.

Path to Pinnacle Peak


2/24/11 - Week 8
Another shot at Pinnacle Peak which my buddy Norm and I hiked on Thursday.  Good news is this shot is from the backside and we had already come over the trail peak.  Bad news is we had to climb this to get back to the front side.

Troon


2/24/11 - Week 8
My buddy Norm and I hiked Pinnacle Peak this morning.  3.75 miles, all up and down, for a total of 1300' of climbing. This shot is of one of the golf courses tucked in between the several peaks.  SOOC because I'm too tired to process!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

1.5 Out of 5


2/23/11 - Week 8
Vista along our 5 mile hike in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Needles Redux


2/23/11 - Week 8
Another cactus species found along our hike through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

Lanterns of Palm


2/23/11 - Week 8
Not an indigenous species but a symbol of a warm climate nonetheless.  Taken with the SymmetriCam and processed with the Nik software suite.

Tall Guy


2/21/11 - Week 8
Symbol of the Arizona desert.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Needles

2/21/11 - Week 8
Lots of cool cacti along the road on my Scottsdale bike ride today.

Broken Neck


2/21/11 - Week 8
I had another shot all picked out for Trash Talk Tuesday, but came across this bottle on a 32 mile bike ride this morning in Scottsdale.  Actually, it was perfect timing since my lungs were blowing out from all the climbing and it was a good excuse for a rest!  Unfortunately, I could not dispose of the bottle since it was broken and I was on the bike.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Week 8 ☞ 02.19.11 - 02.25.11


Theme: Arizona

Heading out to Arizona for a week with good friends.  This week's photos are intended to have a southwestern flavor.  Cactus, rattlesnakes, scorpions...maybe a golf course.  Who knows?  Stay tuned.
 
Also, Please check out my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/
 

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Above the Soup


2/17/11 - Week 7
Dramatic clouds leaving SFO today.  Nice up here but awful down below.  Another shot from the plane for my buddy Irwin just because I know he loves them so much.

Spaghetti Bowl


2/17/11 - Week 7
We don't usually get this view taking off from SFO.  I wonder what this design process was like.

Searching for Trash


2/17/11 - Week 7
On the way back from a meeting today in SSF, I went down a road seldom traveled looking for a good trash shot I could use for next week's Trash Talk Tuesday.  It was raining like hell, and while unsuccessful on finding the TTT shot, I did see this old retired fire truck.  Shooting through the windshield (wipers off) was fitting for this dismal day.

Exes


2/16/11 - Week 7
Returning to SSF from a meeting in Oakland today, I was able to catch a couple of shots of the Bay Bridge from the car (as a passenger). The variable colors represents the variable weather today - sun, rain & hail.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

This Shot's for You


2/15/11 - Week 7
This shot was taken for my buddy Irwin who was just telling me how much he missed all the aerial shots I used to take. Hey Boy, guess the stadium, arena and the teams that play there!

Hold the Onions


2/13/11 - Week 7
Despite the appearance, I assure you this shot was not pre-meditated.  Here's why:
After almost 4 hours of exercise, I had a hankering for a giant burger.  I ordered it without onions and when it came with onions, I flipped them onto the table.  As Lin and I were getting ready to leave the restaurant, I remembered that TTT was coming up and I didn't have a shot yet. The idea was born and the shot executed (albeit amongst some rolling eyes).

Monday, February 14, 2011

Thaw - Plate 2


2/13/11 - Week 7
Snowshoeing in Half Day Preserve, the Des Plaines River was really starting to thaw in the upper 40's temps.  The ice floe in the upper right of the frame caught my attention and provided for an interesting composition of reflections.

Thaw - Plate 1


2/12/11 - Week 7
Crossed over this creek while snowshoeing and with temps in the 30's, it was starting to flow again.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Light at the End of the Tunnel


2/13/11 - Week 7
Shot in April 2009, this shot was resurrected for a Flickr group I participate in called MacroMondays.  This week's theme is "Metaphor".  The challenge therefore is to represent a metaphor using a macro image.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Trudge Fun


2/12/11 - Week 7
Went snowshoeing today for the very first time.  It was great fun.  Had the opportunity to head off from the trail and came upon this field of ?????.  Not wanting to trample them, I took the long way around.  Am definitely feeling it tonight!

Hey Mister...Will You Take My Picture?


2/12/11 - Week 7
Usually when shooting in public places, you don't get this request.  I was a little taken aback in Istanbul when it came in one of the street markets.  He was a cute precocious kid and I obliged.  He loved the image in the camera LCD and thanked me.  I loved the experience.

Week 7 ☞ 02.12.11 - 02.18.11


Theme: Anything Goes...Again
  
One single factor influenced my decision to not have structure in this week's theme.  It is going to be a killer work week and I'll be hard pressed to keep up my Trash Talk Tuesday participation.  With this flexibility, I might just get something shot and posted.  Hope you enjoy...whatever it is.


Also, Please check out my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/

Friday, February 11, 2011

Dessert(ed)


2/10/11 - Week 6
Late partner's meeting Thursday so I decided to stay downtown.  Taken along Wacker Drive on the way to my hotel.

Four Tops


2/10/11 - Week 6
Late partner's meeting Thursday so I decided to stay downtown.  Taken at the corner of Wacker & Adams.

Ice Pimple


2/11/11 - Week 6
Shot for FenceFriday

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Frozen While Shooting


2/10/11 - Week 6
Late partner's meeting tonight so I decided to stay downtown.  I was taking pictures while walking to the hotel and after hanging around this light sculpture for a few minutes, realized my hands were totally numb. Didn't even know how the shutter was getting pressed.  That's what single digit temps will do!

SOOC, except for the border.  Also posted for Daily Shoot #452: "Change your point of view. Make a photograph from an unusual point of view today."

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Cold Enough For You?


2/8/11 - Week 6
It is for me!

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Debate Continues...


2/7/11 - Week 6
...bottles or cans?  Neither, I prefer draft.

Submitted for Trash Talk Tuesday at http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Window in the Wall


2/6/11 - Week 6
Another shot in the series from Goose Island.  I didn't post it in Week 5 because it's better in color than in b/w.  In addition to subject matter for the Flickr group Trash Talk Tuesday www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/ , there are lots of old industrial buildings which also make good subjects.  This week I'll post newly shot photos and some more from the 1/29/11 Goose Island shoot.

Say Ahhh


2/6/11 - Week 6
Yikes!
Shot for MacroMondays - Theme: Unexpected

Broken Bricks in the Wall


2/6/11 - Week 6
Another shot in the series from Goose Island.  I didn't post it in Week 5 because it's better in color than in b/w.  In addition to subject matter for the Flickr group Trash Talk Tuesday (http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/) , there are lots of old industrial buildings which also make good subjects.  This week I'll post newly shot photos and some more from the 1/29/11 Goose Island shoot.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Week 6 ☞ 02.05.11 - 02.11.11


Theme: Anything Goes
  
Two factors influenced the decision to not have structure in this week's theme.  First, I took several shots last week that I'd like to post in Project52 but don't lend themselves to b/w conversion.  I will post some this week.  Second, participation in several Flickr groups  offer variety across several "themes" which I can post.  For example, I posted a shot to the group "Fence Friday" which would not work in the b/w conversion Project52 theme; see http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/5415432511/.


Also, Please check out my Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffm211/

Friday, February 4, 2011

Travesty


1/29/11 - Week 5
I thought this stuff is best served warm!  Found this shot while wandering around Goose Island with Frank before taking a black & white conversion class at Calumet Photo.

This image is serving a couple of purposes.  1) last post for this week's Project52 theme of B/W Conversion, and 2) inaugural submission for the Flickr group Frank and I are starting called TrashTalkTuesday (http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashtalktuesday/)

Snow Dunes


2/1/11 - Week 5
Another shot from the Chicago blizzard of 2011.  The wind was howling and swirling, filling in footsteps to look like moon craters.  With more photoshop skills, I could have had some fun with this since there is no scale reference. Converted to b/w using Silver Efex Pro.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Wings of Power


1/29/11 - Week 5
Took this SymmetriCam shot during my photo shoot on Goose Island with Frank.  Converted to b/w in Lightroom.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

After the Plow


2/2/11 - Week 5
Part of the ~5' snow drift on my driveway.  I converted the image to b/w in Lightroom but decided to keep the blue bokeh created by a passing car.  Looks like some snow animals are coming to life in the shapes of the chunks.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Another Nutcase


2/1/11 - Week 5
Potentially the biggest snow storm Chicago's seen in over 40 years (coming down at 1.5" per hour with 40mph winds) and I'm out taking pictures after getting off the train.  Apparently, I'm not alone.  Didn't notice this guy until I put the image in the computer.  I was shooting with a 35mm f1.8 so this is a big crop; then converted with Silver Efex Pro.