American Butter Owl

Opened up what I thought was a new tub of soft butter only to find this creature inside.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/250 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 3200

Photographed 12/29/21

Plow Through + The Day After

52Frames - Week 53 - Break The Rules! (Alternate)

What rule was broken here?  Hint: Same as the original photo submitted for the challenge.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/250 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 250

Photographed 12/28/21

What a difference a day makes.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/1000 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 12/29/21

First Day of Snow

52Frames - Week 53 - Break The Rules!

What rule was broken here?  Comment or email me with response.  My friend @photofinish_sid got it right on first guess.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/250 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 320

Photographed 12/28/21

Tools of the Trade: Redux

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 in 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 create 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!"

My primary photography goal in 2021 was to become a better visual storyteller.  “Every picture has a story. It may be factual. It may be fictional. It may be intentional.  It may be accidental.  It may be superficial or it may be deep.  But it’s there, somewhere.”  Looking back over my 2021 photos, definite progress has been made and it’s still a work in progress moving into 2022.

In re-creating the Week 1 image, my intent was to simplify, and represent that simplification from the software I use, to the paring back of the kit I shoot with, to visual treatment of the image.  This weekly challenge has truly been a huge learning experience, supported by the additional Chelsea coaching and comments, critiques & inspiration from the many new photography friends I’ve been fortunate to “meet”.  Looking forward to 2022!

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.0 1/120 6mm (52mm equiv) ISO 250

Photographed 12/27/21

Askew

Visual Notes 11

[a page out of the @aarondigruccio playbook]

Lincolnshire, IL

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/250 40mm equiv ISO 100

Photographed 12/25/21

Weird Reflection

52Frames - Week 52 - Combine 3 Challenges

While multi-tasking at my desk, I observed this weird reflection coming off the end of my iPhone.  Sensing there was an image here that could solve this week's 52Frames challenge, I pulled out the list and identified:

Week 6 - Single Focal Point

Week 9 - Details

Week 10 - Negative Space

Week 25 - Macro

Week 42 - Low Key

And I still cannot explain the reflection.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/250 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 1600

Photographed 12/20/21

Monument

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."

My son's girlfriend is an amazing environmental artist and art professor (www.reganrosburg.com).  She was invited to show some of her work at a prominent gallery in Chicago.  I took the opportunity to photograph a glimpse of one piece during the uncrating.  Intentionally using a foreground element by framing a piece of the sculpture through a hole in the plastic enclosure is one of the many lessons learned this year.

Sony A7C f8 @ 1/25 28mm ISO 6400

Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 12/21/21

Diagonals

Visual Notes 10A

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 1/1000 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 100

Visual Notes 10B

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 1/2000 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 200

All Photographed 12/19/21

Entwined

Visual Notes 9

[a page out of the @aarondigruccio playbook]

Lincolnshire, IL

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/250 40mm equiv ISO 500

Photographed 12/19/21

Circles

Visual Notes 8

[a page out of the @aarondigruccio playbook]

Lincolnshire, IL

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/250 40mm equiv ISO 320

Photographed 12/19/21

Ascent

Union Station

Chicago, IL

Happy not to be doing this on a regular basis anymore.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.5 1/80 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 12800

Photographed 12/16/21

Away

CLondon52w50: PHOTOGRAPHER HIGHLIGHT: Dealer's Choice

From the C.London website: "Instead of me choosing a photographer for you to work off of, I’d like you to explore the work of another photographer. It doesn’t need to be someone of fame or import - it could even be another participant you met during this year. Create an image that is inspired by their work - and don’t forget to share who it is who inspired you!"

I have been following Detroit photographer Brian Day (https://www.brianday.org) for about 10 years. I'm not sure how to describe his work, but words like ethereal, evocative and dramatic come to mind. His self-portraits are particularly emotive.

One of my favorite series of Brian's is "Time Traveler".  I don't have the clothing & props nor the photographic acumen to replicate a photo from Brian's series.  Nonetheless, this image is an attempt to pay homage to the work of someone whom I admire.

Sony A7C f6.3 @ 1/125 50mm ISO 125

Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 12/17/21

"You Should Do It"

52Frames - Week 51 - In The Middle

Extra Challenge: Street Photography

Wabash Avenue

Chicago, IL

Courtney’s advice to me when I approached & said how cool her hair looked and asked if I could make a photo.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 1/250 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 400

Photographed 12/16/21

What Is It?

Raging fire or brilliant sunset?

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f11 1/160 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 4000

Photographed 12/13/21

Repurposed

Isla Mujeres

Mexico

Going through some unposted photos from earlier this year to see if they are post-worthy.

This one is of a seashell/driftwood mobile we purchased at an art gallery on a day trip to Isla Mujeres in January 2020. Finally got around to photographing it.

Sony A6600 @ f6.7 1/60 50mm (75mm equiv) ISO 250

Sony FE 50mm f2.8 Macro

Photographed 2/16/21

Open?

El Paseo

Palm Desert, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/160 40mm equiv ISO 5000

Photographed 11/11/21

Hugs

52Frames - Week 50 - Black And White Minimalism

Extra Challenge: Portrait

My grandson and his polar bear...quite a pair.  Caught them in a candid moment.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/200 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 6400

Photographed 12/8/21

8th Night

CLondon52w49: Inspired By

From the C.London website: "Inspiration comes from countless places. I often pull inspiration from films, for example. Some may find inspiration in nature or music. Think about what’s inspired you lately and create an image that is an homage to that. Share with us what that inspiration was and how you interpreted it."

This year, I have been most inspired photographically by this weekly challenge and the additional coaching received from Chelsea.  To pay homage to this inspiration, I chose our candles lit for the last night of Hanukkah 2021.  I prefer to see light & color emerging from the darkness rather than being enveloped by darkness.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f7.1 1/200 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 5000

Photographed 12/5/21

Bunny

Chicago, IL

Great costume, great hair, great smile. This young woman allowed me to make her portrait during trick-or-treating.

Sony A7C f4.0 @ 1/250 64mm ISO 1250

Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 10/31/21

Play On

52Frames - Week 49 - Common Object

Extra Challenge: Product Photography

The original Play:One has been around awhile, yet a pair of these put me to sleep every night.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.0 1/80 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 12800

Photographed 12/3/21

20 → 60

I-94 East

I am a GPS fanatic, turning it on in the car whenever a highway trip is involved, even if I know exactly where I'm going.  I love and rely on the live traffic updates.  On rare occasion, I forget to turn it on (like this afternoon) and as a result turned a normal 20 minute drive into 60 minutes.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5 1/1600 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 200

Photographed 12/2/21

Peek-A-Boo Pops!

Spending some quality time with my grandson at the park on a chilly & windy day.  Didn't stop him!

Really liking the GRIIIx as it allows me the freedom to capture shots not otherwise possible with just a phone or big camera.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 1/200 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 11/28/21

New Normal?

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."

Photographed at Portillo's, our favorite italian beef restaurant.  This image depicts several elements that I'm trying to make part of my "voice":

1. Including people (candid or not) and capturing moments in time in public places.

2. More cognizant of foreground elements, layers and using reflections where possible/appropriate.

3. Processing with cinematic color grading and slight lifting of the shadows.

4. Story - I made this image because it is a stark contrast to the scene on a Sunday evening pre-pandemic and pre-IPO.  And it depicts disregard for proper mask use.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5 1/200 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 5000

Photographed 11/28/21

R-Rated Turkey

I've grilled our turkey the traditional way for as long as I can remember however this year was encouraged to change it up.  So that's what we did with both recipe and grill method.  I had never heard of "spatchcocking" a turkey and the name itself made me curious.  Internet descriptions on how to do it included instructions on "placing the parts in a vulgar position".  In addition to shorter grilling time and simpler to baste, it also yielded more meat due to the carving method.  While we may change up the recipe year to year, spatchcocking is here to stay!

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/125 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 12800

Photographed 11/25/21

Once A Year

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."

Group portraits are not my forte, nor in my comfort zone, even with family who I know is going to give me shit about how long it takes to make a portrait.  I approached this with intent, getting up early to pre-plan the camera & tripod set-up, camera settings and flash strength, all of which included test shots.  In the end, I'm happy with the result but I did take shit for taking too long!

Sony A7C f5.6 @ 1/60 55mm ISO 1600

Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 11/25/21

American Kitchen

52Frames - Week 48 - Inspired By A Photographer

Extra Challenge: Use Our Generator

Using the 52Frames generator, I pulled the name Eugenia Maximova (https://www.emaxphotography.com/about).  Born in Bulgaria, she now lives in Vienna, Austria.  Her photo essay "Kitchen Stories from the Balkans" (https://www.lensculture.com/articles/eugenia-maximova-kitchen-stories-from-the-balkans) inspired my photo this week.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f8.0 1/50 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 10000

Photographed 11/22/21

The Chef

Racine, WI

I had the great pleasure of reconnecting with the owner and chef of my all-time favorite restaurant, Olde Madrid (http://oldemadrid.com/).  Manny is a warm & wonderful guy and always greets me with a bear-hug even though we've only known each other for a few years since we started frequenting Olde Madrid.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.5 1/100 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 3200

Photographed 11/20/21

Louie V

El Paseo

Palm Desert, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/160 40mm equiv ISO 2500

Photographed 11/11/21

Swipe

52Frames - Week 47 - Fill the Frame

I had fully intended to pull out my A7C and 70-300mm lens for the Extra Challenge this week, but when I saw this scene, I grabbed the new GRIIIx which was close at hand and captured this sweet moment. [no crop]

At a couple of months shy of 2-1/2, my grandson has the photo swiping motion down cold, especially when he's the subject.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.0 1/30 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 12800

Photographed 11/17/21

Hokulia Shaved Ice

El Paseo

Palm Desert, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/160 40mm equiv ISO 1250

Photographed 11/11/21

Not An Ocean Below

CLondon52w46: Different

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

Not an ocean below; rather, at 20,000+ feet,  our plane is the middle of a cloud sandwich.  Dense cloud cover below  and puffy clouds above is a different sight.  I have flown millions of miles and rarely experienced this view.

For the detail-oriented viewer, the haziness in the lower right corner is frost that formed on the plane window.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.0  1/200  26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 200

Photographed 11/13/21

Descent

Palm Desert, CA

Another photo from the Cross Trail.  I like this image because the people form a horizontal line across the center of the photo and at the same time appear to be moving deeper into the frame in a three dimensional way.  Does anyone else see this same effect?

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f9 1/100 40mm equiv ISO 160

Photographed 11/11/21

Cross Trail

Palm Desert, CA

Short hike of 1.2 miles out and 1.2 miles back; 613' of climb (averaging a 10% grade).  Coming down was more difficult than going up since I had left the poles at home.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f9 1/100 40mm equiv ISO 320

Photographed 11/11/21

La Quinta Liquor

La Quinta, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 2000

Photographed 11/9/21

Imperfect Ambiance

52Frames - Week 46 - Wabi Sabi

Imperfections in formality of this fountain/balcony scene spoke of Wabi-Sabi to me.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 1250

Photographed 11/9/21

Engrossed - Plate XIII

La Quinta, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 6400

Photographed 11/9/21

Outrigger

Visual Notes 7

[a page out of the @aarondigruccio playbook]

La Quinta, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f8 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 2500

Photographed 11/9/21

Unusual Sighting

Visual Notes 6

[a page out of the @aarondigruccio playbook]

Rancho Mirage, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f16 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 250

Photographed 11/7/21

Good Life

CLondon52w45: Still, Life

From the C.London website: "I’m going to give you little guidance on this one because I want you to interpret it as you will.  Do you read this as still life, the artistic genre?  Maybe as life being still.  Maybe life still going on.  However you read this, you do you."

My intent for this week was to make an image that depicted both "stillness" and a slice of "life".  I will admit that this image was not specifically set up to respond to this challenge, however when reviewing my photos of the day, thought this image best expressed those qualities.  I am grateful for this beautiful day.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f1.6 1/3500 4.2mm (26mm equiv) ISO 32

Photographed 11/6/21

Easy Lunch

Rancho Mirage, CA

Early days with the GR IIIx.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f10 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 8000

Photographed 11/3/21

Twist

Visual Notes 5

[a page out of the @aarondigruccio playbook]

Palm Desert, CA

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f11 1/200 40mm equiv ISO 1600

Photographed 11/5/21

Palms Springs

Posted for my friend MDL who questions the name Palm (singular) in Palm Springs.  Perhaps it should be plural since they're everywhere?

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f16 1/500 40mm equiv ISO 200

Photographed 11/3/21

Baggage

52Frames - Week 45 - Face A Fear

Extra Credit: New Photography Technique

Even with the improved technology and handling systems adopted by the airlines, I cannot shake the fear of lost baggage.  Ever since my scuba gear was lost for 5 days of a 7 day dive trip, I stress every time I have to check a bag.  As such, incessant checking of the tracking app takes the edge off.

Taking the extra credit this week as I made this image on the first day with a new camera.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5 1/125 40mm equiv ISO 12800

Photographed 11/2/21

Irwin

My good friend Irwin is always a willing subject for which I'm grateful.  This image is from a shoot in July 2021 [see previous post for story] that allowed me to try out some new editing techniques learned at this past week's AdobeMax virtual conference.

Sony A7C @ f2.8 1/250 75mm ISO 800

Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 7/18/21

Another 2fer

52Frames - Week 44 - Shot With A Phone

CLondon52w44: Show Motion

From the C.London website: “Light trails, blurred commuters, soft water.  Just a few ways to show motion.  How do we do it?  With a slow shutter speed.  You’ll need a steady hand, tripod, or just a solid surface to keep the camera still.  A tip: using the self-timer or a remote control for non-handheld shots will take out the risk of camera shake while pressing the shutter button.  Find a moving subject and show its motion with a slower shutter speed.  Can’t control your shutter speed?  No problem!  Take this opportunity to think creatively.  How else can you show motion?”

With the 52Frames deadline approaching, and a new CLondon52 week just beginning, I was sitting at my desk, staring at my clock, wondering what photos I could make for each.  The clock motion was mesmerizing and I suddenly realized another 2fer was staring back at me!

"Grandfather" clock + iPhone + Halide Camera app + LR Mobile = Show Motion With A Phone.  And after attending several Adobe Max sessions this week, the image was processed 100% on the phone as well.

Apple 12 Pro @ f2 1 sec 6mm (52mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 10/29/21

Childhood Dream Car

CLondon52w43: Stop Movement (Alternate)

Out shooting photos with my friend photofinish_sid, we agreed he'd take precedence at using the covered bridge images for the challenge.  Therefore, I'm only posting this as an Alternate, largely because this car was my childhood dream car...a canary yellow vette.

Sony A7C f5.6 @ 1/1000 32mm ISO 800

Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 10/23/21

The Moon and The Circle

Lincolnshire, IL

Moon Over Treetops

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/1000 4.49mm (24mm equiv) ISO 100

Circle

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/500 4.49mm (24mm equiv) ISO 100

Nice day to fly the drone.  

All Photographed 10/27/21