Coax

2022_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."

An excerpt from my website bio in part describes my voice: "...I uncover interesting narratives in places, faces, and interactions that are often overlooked, while also capturing truthful glimpses of life's most temporary and beautiful moments."

Didn't matter how much coaxing the dad was doing, his son was not climbing that hill.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5 1/1000 40mm equiv ISO 100

Photographed 11/26/22

Whirlwind

Mall of America

Minneapolis, MN

Less than a 2 hour run-thru of this enormous place.  Photo Ops everywhere...was like a kid in a candy store.

Inspiration:  IG: @ralphwalin

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f1.6 1/120 4.2mm (31mm equiv) ISO 50

Photographed 11/12/22

Remembrance

52Frames - Week 47 - Wabi Sabi

When my wife was setting the Thanksgiving table, I pulled out some old cut crystal wine goblets my 90 year old aunt gave us before she passed away last year.  We appreciated her, and these goblets are a reminder.

I made a series of macros and chose this photo because of the turkey decorations captured as part of the refractions.

Sony A7 IV @ f13 1/50 50mm ISO 12800

Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 11/23/22

Suspended

Chicago, IL

Wash before the winter.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 114mm ISO 200

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Do You See What I See?

Chicago River

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 60mm ISO 320

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Engrossed - Plate XIV

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 89mm ISO 160

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Wingman

52Frames - Week 46 - Food Photography

2022_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."

"Looks Better Than It Tastes" Chicken.  A streaksaver photo without a doubt.  TBH, I have a tough time getting into this genre.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5  1/30  40mm equiv  ISO 640

Photographed 11/19/22

Urban Reflections

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 89mm ISO 160

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

The Trader

Chicago, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 200mm ISO 640

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/10/22

Lincolnshire

2022_CLondon52w46: Community

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

When I think of community, it conjures up images of people. Having had a Covid exposure last weekend, it was not wise for me to engage with many people this week.  Instead, I focused on symbols in response to this challenge.

This is a composite of 4 photos from around my community. 

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/250 35mm ISO 100

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 11/17/22

Kinked

DPR Trail

Lincolnshire, IL

I've walked or cycled by this tree at least 100 times, but today, with camera in hand, noticed the weird kink in the growth of this tree trunk. Wonder what caused this?

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/800 40mm equiv ISO 640

Photographed 11/14/22

Candice

While visiting the Mall of America in Minneapolis for the first time, I spotted her as she walked in my direction. I slowly approached and complimented her on the awesome hairdo. She smiled and thanked me. In response to my inquiry about how long it took her to do this, she told me 3-4 hours at the salon. I asked to make a photo and she readily agreed.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/1000 40mm equiv ISO 640

Photographed 11/12/22

Deacon Robert

52Frames-Week 45-Street Photography and $2 Portraits

Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL

When I first walked by, he was hawking for change. I was running late for an appointment and didn't stop. Returning an hour later, he was still at it so I approached and asked if he'd heard of $2 Portraits. He hadn't and after I explained, he said that $5 for a story and photo would be better.

"I'm Deacon Robert, a man of G-d..." and then proceeded to recite New Testament scripture. I told him I'm an Old Testament guy to which he replied, "That's okay, G-d will tell you the right thing to do...". At that point, I agreed to $5 and we continued our chat.

Robert is 74 years old, was born in Chicago and grew up in Hyde Park. He now lives in Maywood and has been a Pastor there for nine years. When I commented he didn't look like 74, he said G-d made him look younger...he didn't look this good when he was 65. We talked for a few more minutes and said our farewells.

I have my doubts about Deacon Robert's story, but I don't feel bad about the $5 portrait, given inflation since the group began over 12 years ago.

Photographed 11/10/22

Submitted for 52Frames

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 55mm ISO 200

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Submitted for $2 Portraits

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 75mm ISO 250

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Branching Out

Chicago, IL

Another shadowplay photo of Eli & Pops at the neighborhood park.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/2000 40mm equiv ISO 200

Photographed 11/6/22

Best Boy

2022_CLondon52w45: A Peer of Your Choice

From the C.London website: "Whether it’s someone from one of our 52 Weeks community, a member of your local photography club, or a friend who also happens to be a photographer, choose a peer to draw inspiration from. Choose one of their images and recreate it within your own voice. It doesn’t have to be an exact replica, but an homage."

Sean Tucker (not truly a peer...he's a professional) came to mind when this scene occurred.  His strong use of light & shadow with warm tones was the influence in this image.

 

 
Chicago, IL

Eli & Pops at the neighborhood park, which led to a game of "step on Pops' head".

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.5 1/1000 40mm equiv ISO 200

Photographed 11/6/22

Explosion

52Frames - Week 44 - Chaos

Screensaver + long exposure + zoom rotation = Chaos

Sony A7 IV @ f16  2"  31-200mm ISO 640

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 11/2/22

Five Days Old

2022_CLondon52w44: Feedback to a Peer

From the C.London website: "Giving feedback helps the recipient, of course, but it also helps you to dissect photographs in a constructive way, which strengthens your critical eye. With consent from a peer, give them constructive feedback on an image of their choice. Take note of what you’ve noticed about their image and use those notes to create an image of your own. For example, if it’s a portrait with some distracting elements, you can make your own portrait being sure that there’s no distracting elements."

Constructive feedback provided to a friend, @photofinish_sid, included the use of a vignette to help isolate the main subject and direct the viewer's attention. I utilized that same technique on the hands of my new baby granddaughter.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.2 1/250 40mm equiv ISO 5000

Photographed 10/30/22