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, March 28, 2021

SSSUUperDAWG!!

SSSUUperDAWG!!
Clondon52w13: Frenetic

From the C.London website: "Open For Interpretation"

While using intentional camera movement on the neon lights at a local restaurant for this week's 52Frames' challenge, I decided to use the same outing to capture this week's Clondon's 52W challenge.

I forgot to disable the in-camera image stabilization, and don't know if the lens stabilization can be turned off, so this image represents some pretty vigorous camera movement; frenetic, perhaps.

Sony A6600 @ f22 1/8 20mm (30mm equiv) ISO 1000
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/26/21

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Superdawg

Superdawg
52Frames - Week 13 - Slow Shutter

Taking a cue from @photofinish_sid and one of my IG friends, @fotoslasirena, thought I'd try some intentional camera movement on the neon lights at a local restaurant.

Sony A6600 @ f22 1/15 18mm (27mm equiv) ISO 2500
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/26/21

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Squirrel Island

Squirrel Island
Clondon52w12: Flat Light

From the C.London website: “Flat light creates images with very little contrast.  Often we are told to avoid flat lighting in our images, but there is a time and place for everything.  Forcing yourself to make an interesting photo with disinteresting light will be a challenge and a learning experience.  Focus on other elements like composition, subject, story, etc.”

Today was the day I planned to shoot “flat light” along with some street photography in the morning. And then came the call to duty to pick up our grandson for the day (not a hardship, btw).  Our kids live on a great block in the city with a wide median coined “Squirrel Island”.  I hadn’t brought my camera, however as I approached their block, the flatness of the light and peacefulness of the scene struck me.  I had not seen Squirrel Island in this way previously.  iPhone ultra wide lens to the rescue.

“The best camera is the one you have with you” holds true again. 

 Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.4 1/340 1.54mm (13mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 3/23/21

Friday, March 19, 2021

Under the Adirondack

Under the Adirondack
C.London52w11:  Harsh Shadows

From the C.London website:  "Strong shadows can create very graphic and strong images. For this week, I’d like you to find harsh shadows created by natural light, and compose an image around that. You may manipulate the scene in any way available to you to create the image you have in mind, but try and use found natural light if possible."

I was scrambling this week to get a challenge photo as there were very few opportunities where the sun was out.  Late in the afternoon yesterday, the sun broke through.  Although I was in the midst of a business meeting, I grabbed my camera and took a few shots out the sliding glass door to the balcony (thanks to the bluetooth AirPods).

My intent for this week was to shoot something graphic; a bridge, fence or something with strong geometry.  By pure chance, I was able to achieve that despite the “11th hour”.

Sony A6600 @ f8 1/125 55mm (82.5mm equiv) ISO 500
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/18/21

Thursday, March 18, 2021

My First Selfie

My First Selfie
52Frames - Week 12 - Window Light

My 20 month old grandson loves to push buttons, especially when they make a noise.  After I shot a few photos of him in front of the window, he was intent on getting his hands on the camera. I flipped up the LCD so he could see himself and let him fire away as I held the camera with no idea how the photos would turn out.

Technically they're far from perfect but certainly record a memorable moment.

Sony A6600 @ f6.7 1/125 33mm (49.5mm equiv) ISO 10000
Sony E 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/17/21

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Name Game

Name Game
In trying to further my 2021 photography goals of becoming a better visual storyteller, I'm receiving some coaching from Chelsea London.  Her sessions often end with an assignment.

This one was called the "Name Game", wherein you are to spell out your name using all or parts of objects you observe in your surroundings.  An additional constraint I placed on myself was that the "objects" had to be part of our personal art collection.

The purpose of this exercise was to help develop the skill of shooting with intent.  I was amazed at how differently I looked at our artwork and was able to "see" things not previously noticed.

Sony A6600 @ 50mm (75mm equiv) ISO (varies)
Sony FE 50mm f2.8 Macro

Photographed 2/16-17/21

Monday, March 15, 2021

It Ain't Over Yet

It Ain't Over Yet
Just when the weather was improving, Mother Nature reminded us not to get complacent.

Sony A6600 @ f4 1/125 18mm (27mm equiv) ISO500
Sony E 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/15/21

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Suds

Suds
Another image from the carwash testing out the new 18-55mm kit lens.  I'm pretty happy with the overall size & zoom range and am keeping it.

Sony A6600 @ f5.6 1/60 18mm (27mm equiv) ISO 320
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/6/21

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Breakwater

Breakwater
Wilmette, IL

Another image from my sunrise outing.  I captured several images of waves breaking against the rock outcropping and selected the one with the most interesting splatter.

Processing this image was a real learning experience.  I did my first pass entirely in LR.  Then took it into Luminar AI and did additional processing there.  When reviewing the next day, I decided it was entirely over-cooked in L-AI.  Finally, with some excellent mentoring from Chelsea London, I dialed back some LR settings and tweaked others to arrive at this final image.

Sony A6600 @ f8 1/350 105mm (157.5mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS

Photographed 3/5/21

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Bus

Bus
52Frames - Week 11 - Color Relationship

I had not intended to use this for 52Frames, however since it features complementary colors and the week got away from me, decided to use it and keep the streak alive.

My grandson loves to stand and watch traffic.  Great for counting, colors and vehicle types.  He knows "bus" so I wanted to capture him pointing...got lucky because he points at everything.

Shot from the hip.

Sony A6600 @ f4.5 1/350 18mm (27mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/9/21

Monday, March 8, 2021

Roll on By

Roll on By
Testing out the new 18-55mm kit lens as I'm being rolled through the carwash.  So far, pretty happy with the overall size and zoom range.

Sony A6600 @ f5.6 1/60 18mm (27mm equiv) ISO 125
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/6/21

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Morning Stroll

Morning Stroll
C.London52w10: Natural Light

From the C.London website: "Controlling natural light can be daunting as it is at first thought, well, uncontrollable. But, spoilers! You can control natural light. Find open shade, use a reflector/poster board, create shadows with your own hand. The possibilities are as boundless as your creativity."

I used my sunrise outing last Friday to kill two birds with one stone - 52Frames & C.London week 10 challenges.

This challenge for me was managing the natural light to create the image I had in mind rather than exercising control over that light.  Or maybe they are the same…you be the judge.  There were three primary considerations for capturing this image:
1.  Position myself where people could walk between me and the rising sun
2.  Shoot into the sun without the lens hood to create lens flare
3.  Close down the aperture enough to result in a sun star

Sony A6600 @ f13 1/200 44mm (66mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS 

Photographed 3/5/21

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Three Photos from Long Grove

I made several images today in Long Grove, IL trying out a new 18-55mm kit lens.


One at a TimeOne at a TimeRecently restored covered bridge.

Sony A6600 @ f4 1/750 28mm (42mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 OSS


Another Brick in the Road
Another Brick in the Road
Old pavers in one of the courtyards.

Sony A6600 @ f5.6 1/1500 45mm (77.5mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 OSS


Q-Tip Tree
Q-Tip Tree
The silhouette of this tree reminded me of Q-Tips.  Since when do they grow on trees?

Sony A6600 @ f5.6 1/750 48mm (72mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 OSS

Friday, March 5, 2021

Capture the Capture

Capture the Capture
52Frames - Week 10 - Negative Space

Despite the cold, I wanted to catch a sunrise along Lake Michigan since I was confident I'd find negative space photo opportunities for this week's challenge.  Several folks had the same idea.

Sony A6600 @ f13 1/60 22mm (33mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E PZ 18-105mm f4 F OSS

Photographed 3/5/21

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Ultimate Stillness

Ultimate Stillness
Lincolnshire, IL

An alternate shot to my #clondon52w9 submission.  Does it get any more still than this?

Sony A6600 @ f22 1/125 24mm (36mm equiv) ISO 100
Sony E 24mm F1.8 ZA

Photographed 3/2/21

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Metaphor

Metaphor
C.London52w9 - Stillness

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

Stillness can be physical, mental and/or emotional.  This plant is a metaphor in my life.  It’s continued thriving and spawning of new growth brings me a sense of peace and emotional stillness.

Sony A6600 @ f16 1/60 50mm (75mm equiv) ISO 5000
Sony FE 50mm f2.8 Macro

Photographed 2/27/21

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Grind

Power
52Frames - Week 9 - Details [Alternate]

Another alternate shot for 52Frames_Detail.

Sony A6600 @ f8 1/60 50mm (75mm equiv) ISO 6400
Sony FE 50mm f2.8 Macro

Photographed 2/26/21