A "First"

As I've noted in previous posts, my grandson (now 26 months) loves to push the buttons on my camera when he sees me shooting photos.  He also loves to look at them on the LCD (especially when he shoots selfies).

At AppleFest in Long Grove, IL this past Sunday, I indulged him by getting down to his level and letting him push the shutter button while I randomly moved the camera around.  This was truly his first candid photo shoot.  Can't wait to buy him his first camera!

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/750 43mm ISO 100

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/26/21

The Observers

Clondon52w39: PHOTOGRAPHER HIGHLIGHT: William Eggleston

From the C.London website: " William Eggleston highlights what many would see as ordinary subjects, making them more complex in his imagery.  His work is what some may say as uniquely Americana. 

For this week, go one step beyond last week’s prompt. Aim to show a piece of your life that you consider to be ordinary in a way which elevates it to show a slice of life."

The AppleFest in Long Grove, IL typifies an Americana fall festival with live music, food, carnival rides and lots of interesting people providing candid photo opportunities.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/250 60mm ISO 250

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/26/21

All Lit Up

Scottsdale Square

Scottsdale, AZ

After dinner stroll through the Quad, enjoying the weather and the lights.  As I was shooting photos, my wife reminded me that strolling with a photographer isn't much different than walking a male dog...always stopping along the way!

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.4 1/40 1.54mm (14mm equiv) ISO 1250

Photographed 9/20/21

Harvest Moon

Another version of this past week's harvest moon.

Sony A7C @ f32 1/2000 300mm ISO 12800

Tamron E 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 A047

Photographed 9/21/21

Harvest Moon

A beautiful sight in the Scottsdale, AZ sky.  Best I could capture with the 70-300mm handheld.

Sony A7C @ f32 1/2000 300mm ISO 12800

Tamron E 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 A047

Photographed 9/21/21

Good Week

52Frames - Week 39 - My Daily Routine

Not an award-winning photo, but this is truly my daily routine this week.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.4 1/1050 1.54mm (14mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 9/21/21

Ruthie Foster at the MIM

Clondon52w37: Somewhere New

From the C.London website: “So we’ve seen where your most comfortable (your home), let’s now explore a new space for you. It could be an area of your city where you’ve never ventured, or maybe you’re lucky enough to be going some place entirely new this week. As you’re seeing this place with entirely fresh eyes, think about what it is that compels you about that scene and try and create an image which highlights that.”

Admittedly, I had never heard of blues singer, Ruthie Foster.  However, her bio is impressive and we were fortunate to score some tickets to a sold out concert at the Scottsdale MIM Music Theater.  The venue is exquisite with outstanding acoustics and proof of vaccination was required for admittance.  This turned out to be one of the best musical performances I’ve ever attended.

I was surprised that non-flash photography was permitted, so was able to capture a few images during the performance.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2 1/60 6mm (83mm equiv) ISO 500

Photographed 9/18/21

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2 1/55  6mm (141mm equiv) ISO 500

Photographed 9/18/21

Streak Saver

52Frames - Week 38 - Curves

I wanted to get back downtown and reshoot an image for this week's challenge.  But alas, the week shaped up as too busy for that to happen.  I was at a loss as to what to shoot.  Then while driving, an unexpected rain-shower occurred and the drops hitting the windshield created random circular shapes.  By the time I was able to pull over and make photos, the drops were less pronounced...but still have curves, and therefore qualify for this week's challenge.

To add additional interest. I created a composite with the initial image I intended to reshoot.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f1.6 1/6900 4.2mm ISO 32

Photographed 9/14/21

Lazy Dog

Vernon Hills, IL

Dining at crowded indoor restaurants is not part of our current program.  We are trying to dine outdoors while the weather cooperates.  Had to capture this sunset before it disappeared.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.0 1/150 6mm (73mm equiv)  ISO 25

Photographed 9/11/21

Easy Street

CLondon52w38: Your Neighborhood

From the C.London website: “Whether it be a crowded city street, or a quaint neighborhood diner’s sign, there’s something unique about where you live. Find that element of interest and highlight it with either context or isolation.”

I got the OK from Chelsea to switch timing for w37 & w38 prompts.

Not having flown my drone for quite awhile, I thought it would be a good opportunity for this prompt to photograph my neighborhood context from above. Easy access to shops, restaurants and the forest preserve makes for some pretty convenient living.

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

Photographed 9/12/21

Three Generations

52Frames - Week 37 - Man

Father, Son, Grandson - 3 generations of men in my family.  We did a "guys" outing to Shedd Aquarium and stopped for lunch at an old time Jewish deli that I remember eating at as a kid.  Good times!

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.2 1/60 2.71mm ISO 160

Photographed 9/8/21

Seventy-Five Inches

CLondon52w36: At Home

From the C.London website: “Show your home - your immaculate interior decorating skills, your fat cat, a collection you’ve carefully curated, etc. We’re looking for an image here that tells us a little bit about yourself via a piece of your home. Like we did early in the year, try and show the ordinary in a new way, either with angles, lighting, or staging.”

We've not been to a movie theater in over 18 months and don't have plans to return anytime soon. So when it came time to re-do the spare bedroom, leather recliners and a 75" screen were no-brainers.

Sony A7C @ f4 1/250 16mm ISO 10000

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 9/7/21

Ears Up

Chicago, IL

I spotted them walking down the street and raised my camera.  She said, "Cool, he wants to take our picture!"  He wasn't quite as excited.  She won in the end.  They must have been on their way to either a costume party or House of Blues.

Sony A7C @ f9.5 1/250 35mm ISO 1250

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/4/21

Anti-Icon Mulan

52Frames - Week 36 - Woman (Alternate)

Last one in this series.  I spent some time in downtown Chicago last week on jury duty and looked for additional instances of the rolling ads that I used to satisfy this challenge.

Many of the corner bus-stops have these rolling ads that flash an image of a woman created by Martine Gutierrez under the Anti-Icon banner.  I finally researched Martine Gutierrez and you can find an artist profile on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martine_Gutierrez.

Sony A7C @ f8 1/250 33mm ISO 3200

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/1/21

Anti-Icon Godiva

52Frames - Week 36 - Woman (Alternate)

I spent some time in downtown Chicago this weekend for a wedding and looked for additional instances of the rolling ads that I used to satisfy this challenge.

Many of the corner bus-stops have these rolling ads that flash an image of a woman created by Martine Gutierrez under the Anti-Icon banner. I don't know who Martine Gutierrez is but she has a public art fund named after her.

Sony A7C @ f8 1/250 37mm ISO 2500

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/4/21

Anti-Icon Helena

52Frames - Week 36 - Woman (Alternate)

I spent some time in downtown Chicago this week on jury duty and looked for opportunities to fulfill this challenge.

Many of the corner bus-stops have these rolling ads that flash an image of a woman created by Martine Gutierrez under the Anti-Icon banner. I don't know who Martine Gutierrez is but she has a public art fund named after her.

Sony A7C @ f8 1/250 41mm ISO 2000

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/1/21

Anti-Icon Elizabeth

52Frames - Week 36 - Woman

I spent some time in downtown Chicago this week on jury duty and looked for opportunities to fulfill this challenge.

Many of the corner bus-stops have these rolling ads that flash an image of a woman created by Martine Gutierrez under the Anti-Icon banner.  I don't know who Martine Gutierrez is but she has a public art fund named after her.

I was hoping for a woman to move into this frame and was fortunate to capture someone wearing a like colored dress.

Sony A7C @ f6.7 1/90 41mm ISO 1600

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/1/21

Articulation

CLondon52w35: Vast

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

An obvious subject for this challenge would be a wide open, pastoral landscape.  However, this week I spent most of my time in downtown Chicago on Federal jury duty.  Arriving early before court call, I was able to take advantage of morning light and display the vast richness of Chicago architecture.

Sony A7C @ f5.6 1/250 49mm ISO 800

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 8/31/21