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