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

Friday, April 30, 2021

Evil Eye

Evil Eye
No signage and no clue as to what was going on inside this street level storefront.  I made the image from across the street, and only after loading into LR and zooming in, did I realize the evil eye of being busted.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/125 75mm (112.5mm equiv) ISO 160
Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 4/19/21

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Shapes & Angles

Shapes & Angles
Libertyville, IL

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/125 32mm (48mm equiv) ISO 125
Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 4/19/21

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

No Parking

No Parking
What's that table all about?

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/200 35mm ISO 100
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8

Photographed 4/25/21

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Wine

Wine
Prominently displayed but closed on Sundays.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/125 35mm ISO 1250
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8

Photographed 4/25/21

Monday, April 26, 2021

Sign Of The Times #1

Sign Of The Times
CLondon52w17: Monochrome (alternate)

When walking around the neighborhood with the intent of making a photograph for the CLondon 52 Week Monochrome challenge, I saw this yellow sign in the window of a rundown strip shopping center. The yellowish brick triggered the monochromatic thought.

It was a coin toss between using this photo & the b/w one submitted as my primary choice. This image better aligns with my favorite genre, however the b/w photo chosen won the toss.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/200 35mm ISO 100
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8

Photographed 4/25/21

Sunday, April 25, 2021

No Entry

A7C00129
CLondon52w17: Monochrome

From the C.London website: "While you may be familiar with monochrome referring to black and white, it actually refers to anything which uses solely one color value. Those images you see where there is overwhelmingly one color present are monochrome, for all intents and purposes. We see this technique often in those hazy sunrise/set shots, but it is also a very impactful technique for street shots."

Went walking around the neighborhood today with the intent of making a photograph for this week's CLondon 52 Week challenge using a new lens for the first time.  Problem is I came away with several images that can qualify (some with more processing than others) and not sure which one to use.

This street photo only required a simple b/w conversion and some tweaking in LR.  I'll post a monochrome color image as well later this week.

Sony A7C @ f5.6 1/500 35mm ISO 100
Samyang AF 35mm F1.8

Photographed 4/25/21

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Layer Upon Layer Upon Layer...

Layer Upon Layer Upon Layer...
It has been over a year since I've purposefully gone on a self-planned photowalk.  In the past, storefronts and reflections with people are subjects that I loved to look for.  More recently, @daveshorty from the C.London 52 Week challenge (IG: @shorty.shots) has posted some great street reflections that inspired me to get out there and shake off the rust.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/125 75mm (112.5mm equiv) ISO 800
Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 4/19/21

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

April 21st

April 21st
52Frames - Week 17 - Nature

Today's weather...but it isn't sticking.

Sony A7C @ f2.8 1/125 75mm ISO 1000
Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 4/21/21

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Black Cat Yoga

Black Cat Yoga
I'm not a big cat fan...highly allergic.  Notwithstanding, I loved this urban art mural promoting a yoga studio.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/200 42mm ISO 100
Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 4/19/21

Monday, April 19, 2021

Mondrianesque

Mondrianesque
CLondon52w16 (alternate): Complementary Colors

Went out to make photographs of a nearby apartment development with the new full frame kit. After a little bit of processing, decided to submit one as an alternate image for this week's C.London 52 Week challenge.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/125 51mm ISO 250
Tamron E 28-75mm F2.8

Photographed 4/19/21

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Vinyl Flashback

Vinyl Flashback
CLondon52w16: Complementary Colors

From the C.London website: "Contrary to analogous colors, complementary site opposite each other on the color wheel.  These pairings are often seen in logos for sports teams, as they just look good together (or - er - complement each other).  Some examples would be Christmas colors (red & green), the NY Mets (orange & blue).  Complementary colors often help create balance in an image.  This week, you should find or create a scene which utilizes complementary colors as its dominate colors."

We spent the first Saturday night in 13 months visiting indoors with friends (all vaccinated + 2 weeks). Exploring their vinyl collection brought back concert memories. And the red/green of Hair and purple/yellow of The 5th Dimension solved this challenge.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f1.6 1/120 4.2mm ISO 125

Photographed 4/17/21

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Gear Test

Gear Test
52Frames - Week 16 - Edited By Someone Else
Extra Credit: Shoot in RAW

Went to a physical store to check out a full frame camera and some lenses I've been considering.  I love the form factor of my Sony a6600 and wanted to hold and shoot with the a7C which is slightly thicker. Also checked out some full frame Tamron lenses on both the a6600 and a7C.

While I could not save any of the shots from the a7C (no SD card), I was able to save those made with the a6600.  I sent 4 of them off to a 52Frames & C.London 52 Weeks photographer friend, Phil Olson, for selection and editing.

Phil describes his editing as follows: "On the camera shot, I did a 16 x 9 crop and really just brightened up the background to make the camera pop.  Gave it a touch of color grading and tone curve."  Since, Phil shoots Sony also and has the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 lens I'm considering, I picked this image as the most appropriate for this week's challenge.  Great job...thanks Phil!

Sony A6600 @ f2.8 1/125 171mm (256.5mm equiv) ISO 1600
Tamron E 70-180mm f2.8 A056 

Photographed 4/14/21

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Not As Intended

Not As Intended
CLondon52w15: Analogous Colors

From the C.London website: "Colors which sit next to each other on the color wheel and share similar colors are known as analogous colors: reds with oranges, purples with blues, greens with yellows, and so on. For this week, I’d like you to make a photo where the most dominate colors are analogous to one another."

My intent for this week was to create an analogous color wheel using red, orange and yellow peppers from the grocery store.  When shopping for these items, I came across a display of peppers where all three colors were embodied within a single pepper.  So much for intent...instead, solved the challenge right there!

Sony A6600 @ f3.5 1/125 18mm (27mm equiv) ISO 800
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 4/14/21

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Wishing Pool

Wishing Pool
Wondering why I was scoping out a new camera when able to capture this abstract with existing gear. Hope I don't have GAS (gear acquisition syndrome).  I did not make the plunge.

Sony A6600 @ f8 1/125 25mm (37.5mm equiv) ISO 800
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS 

Photographed 4/10/21

Friday, April 9, 2021

Photo Bombed

Photo Bombed
Clondon52w14: PHOTOGRAPHER HIGHLIGHT: Maria Svarbova

From the C.London website: "Maria Svarbova’s images are uniquely her own with her clever usage of color and setting.  She often uses the Soviet-era architecture which can be found in and around her home country of Slovakia.  Her thoughtful use of color is what really makes her images stand out from other somewhat surrealist portraiture.  For this week, I’d like you to user Maria’s work as an inspiration point for your own image. Whether you feel inspired by her use of color, subject, or setting is up to you." 

Thinking ahead, I had this image totally planned out in my mind. Weather and subject availability pushed me to the 11th hour when I changed gears and re-enlisted my buddy Irwin to again step in and be my subject. In the midst of shooting, we got photo bombed...which I was compelled to incorporate into the final image! 

Sony A6600 @ f8 1/125 23mm (34.5mm equiv) ISO 160
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 4/9/21

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Getting In or Getting Out?

Getting In or Getting Out?
52Frames - Week 15 - Trapped

This was a totally unplanned, reactionary, spur of the moment photo opportunity.  Saw this great light coming in and grabbed it.

Sony A6600 @ f4.5 1/125 52mm (78mm equiv) ISO 1000
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 4/5/21

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Pace Line

Pace Line
52Frames - Week 14 - Fast Shutter

I've wanted to try photo stacking so this week's challenge was a perfect opportunity to do so.  Climbing this road is reminiscent of the pace line cycling I used to do with my buddy Irwin, so his agreeing to lead the line is appreciated.

Sony A6600 @ f8 1/4000 55mm (82.5mm equiv) ISO 3200
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 4/3/21

Friday, April 2, 2021

Don't Drive Thru!

Don't Drive Thru!
Another image in the Superdawg series.

Sony A6600 @ f4.5 1/60 18mm (27mm equiv) ISO 800
Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Photographed 3/26/21