Clean Before the Storm

Vernon Hills, IL

Snow and ice storm coming in tonight so getting a wash with underbelly protection.

A new local car wash was giving away free memberships in November for 2 months of unlimited washes. Weather has been so good; this is only my 3rd one.

Taken 12/29/20

Engrossed - Plate XII

Buffalo Grove, IL

While waiting in the car for my wife to finish her grocery shopping, this car parked next to me and the woman talked and texted for 15 minutes before heading in to shop. I daringly got off a couple of shots without being noticed.

Taken 12/26/20

Not Magic

Chicago, IL

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall there is ALWAYS a line down the street to get Garrett's popcorn.  It's not  magic that you could get right in.  Unfortunate sign of the times.

Taken 12/17/20

The Boy

52Frames - Week 52 - 2020 in a Photo

Despite all the challenges of 2020, this little guy kept me smiling.

Yes, he gave himself an applesauce facial.

Claiming 52Frames extra credit for this week: 1) using a new LR preset from the Contrastly Desaturated Cinematic collection, and 2) using new software Luminar AI.

This is my 52nd consecutive week - feels good to complete a full year.  While my technical processing skills have grown some, the creative side has remained stagnant.  Will have to figure out how to change that in 2021.

Taken 12/22/20

Stairwell to Hell

Chicago, IL

Riding the elevator in a parking structure during Covid was not a viable choice so I opted to hoof it.

Taken 12/17/20

Coach

Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL

The coaches at Coach had no one to coach.  Sign of the times.

Taken 12/17/20

Escape

Chicago, IL

Fire escapes such as this are a common sight on older buildings in Chicago.  I cannot imagine the emergency emptying of a building in this manner.  Fire safety in buildings has come a long way since this era.

Taken 12/17/20

Anger

52Frames - Week 51 - Black and White Minimalism

Covid, Inequity, Violence, Hate, Trump...plenty of things to be angry about this year.

Now with two vaccines approved and some leadership entering the White House, I'm confident we can turn a new page on January 20th.

Taken 12/15/20

Willie

I haven’t made a $2 Portrait in a long time…largely due to Covid.  While in downtown Chicago today for a doctor appointment, I met Willie along Michigan Avenue.  He was hunkered down, trying to stay warm in the falling temperatures and light snow showers.  He agreed to let me take his picture for $2 Portraits.  Willie’s sign said “PLEASE HELP. I NEED CLOTHES THANK YOU ALSO MONEY FOR A ROOM THANK YOU MAY GOD BLESS”.  It must have worked because he was sporting a fairly new Ralph Lauren (Polo) parka.

Being out of $2 Portrait practice, I didn’t get Willie’s whole story.  I did learn he is 69 years old, was born in Mississippi and has been in Chicago for 50 years.  It sounded as if he doesn’t have a permanent place to live and was hoping to collect enough in order to get a room for the night.  I gave Willie $2; he smiled and reached out to bump elbows.

Taken 12/17/20

Needle River

52Frames - Week 50 - Alternate (Texture)

I saw these clumps of pine needles for this week's Texture challenge.  Fortunately, had a sunny day to catch good color and bokeh, and got to use the new macro lens.

However, this shot dropped to second place when I found the previously posted shot of the cigarette butt.

Taken 12/9/20

Avoiding This

Libertyville, IL

Miserable day out but we needed groceries for our Hanukkah celebration on Sunday.  So, I drove my wife to the store and waited in the car, camera in hand hoping to get some rain shots.  Here's what we avoided by my staying in the car and being able to drive up right to the door to load up.

Taken 12/12/20

Marlboro

52Frames - Week 50 - Texture

On a walk last week, I saw clumps of pine needles that would be a good subject for this week's Texture challenge. When scoping out shots, this butt became a convenient subject for the new macro lens (extra credit).

Processed with LR and Luminar AI.

Taken 12/9/20

Name This Plant...Please!

Another macro shot.  This one was a challenge due to the wind.   Processed in LR and Luminar AI.

Taken 12/9/20

Barren

Lost its leaves...winter's coming.

Out on a walk in pursuit of a photo for this week's 52Frames challenge, I had great opportunity to shoot with the new macro lens.   Upon return home, I discovered a new software I program pre-ordered in September was available for download.

This image was taken in broad daylight and hot off the digital press, processed in Luminar AI.

Taken 12/9/20

He Bee Dead

Spotted during a walk in our underground garage.   Another opportunity to try out the new macro lens.  Since he be dead, I was able to shoot it handheld.

Taken 12/5/20

First Attempt

I haven't photographed with a macro lens in many years.  I finally ordered one for my Sony mirrorless (50mm f2.8) and it came on Friday.

This image is my first attempt at a handheld macro...which was lucky because subsequent ones weren't nearly as sharp.  Next purchase...a small tripod. 

 Taken 12/4/20

Another World

52Frames - Week 49 - Choose a Color

I had a plan to shoot this week's challenge with backlighting from my iPhone using a new macro lens scheduled for delivery today (12/4).

Fortunately, the lens showed up as planned.   Unfortunately, getting used to it, I was unable to pull off the extra credit of One Click.

Taken 12/4/20