Stan

52Frames - Week 52 - Redo: Portrait Of A Stranger (w37)

I was out scouting locations for next week's 52Frames self-portrait.  I met Stan and asked if he would mind standing in one of the locations being considered so I can check the framing and background DoF. 

As I've mentioned before, I'll default to having people in my photos whenever possible.  As such, Week 37-Portrait of a Stranger was perfect for a "redo".

Sony A7IV @ f1.4 1/800 85mm ISO 100

Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 12/29/22

A Jewish Christmas Eve

2022_CLondon52w52:  Revisiting Goals

From the C.London website: "We’ve made it! 52 weeks later! Let’s revisit those initial goals. How did you fare? Are you feeling more confident in your own work? More focused on where you want to go from here? I hope it was a year of growth, new photography friends, and inspiration. 

For our final image, we’re going to recreate the image from either week one or week 26 (your choice!) I’d also love it if you accompanied that image with something you’ve gained from this experience. Congrats on making it through!"

I've chosen to recreate Week 26 which was focused on my goal of becoming a better visual storyteller.  However, with an 80 degree outdoor temperature swing, I have to tell a different story this week.

For many Jewish families, Chinese food on Christmas Eve has become a tradition.  Mine is no exception.  Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate.

And many thanks to Chelsea London for organizing this weekly challenge!

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4  1/160  40mm equiv  ISO 8000

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4  1/125  40mm equiv  ISO 12800

All Photographed 12/24/22

First Storm

2022_CLondon52w51: Lesson Learned

From the C.London website: "Explore something new you learned in the past year of weekly prompts and create an image with that new skill in mind."

I've worked on using Foreground Elements this past year as well as toying a bit with Long Exposure.  I was fortunate in this photo of our first winter storm to catch a gust of snow coming off the entrance overhang while shooting handheld with a slow shutter speed.

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/6 35mm ISO 1250

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 12/22/22

First Tracks

52Frames - Week 51 - Break the Rules

Start of the first winter storm.

Rules Broken:

- Aspect Ratio be damned

- No gloves at 7 degrees F

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/125 35mm ISO 3200

Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS

Photographed 12/22/22

Starship Hawthorn

Hawthorn Mall

Vernon Hills, IL

52Frames_Shoot From Below (Alternate)

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/125 10.5mm ISO 1250

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/11/22

3-1/2 Years

52Frames - Week 50 - Roll of 24

(#18 of 24)

2022_CLondon52w50: Growth

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

Another 2Fer this week for the C.London and 52Frames challenges.

The growth of my grandson has been phenomenal to experience.  Now at almost 3-1/2 years old, this image depicts him looking at a photo of himself at 6 weeks of age.

Sony A7 IV @ f7.1 1/125 113mm ISO 4000

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

Photographed 12/14/22

Distortion

Visual Notes 29

Another outing with the fisheye lens.

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/125 10.5mm ISO 4000

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/11/22

Selfie Study

Thinking ahead to 2023 Week 1 of 52Frames and checking out a few options for a new self-portrait.  Also, time to update the one on the website.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/6 200mm ISO 12800

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

Photographed 12/8/22

Where Is Everyone?

2022_CLondon52w49: ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Dealer's Choice

From the C.London website: "Who inspires you? It could be another photographer, a filmmaker, writer, musician, traditional artist, etc.  Share with us who inspires you."

I gain inspiration from many different sources and for different reasons. With limited opportunity to photograph this week, I selected Wes Anderson since we were headed to the movies and I enjoyed the Week 19 challenge.  Inspiration for this image was: 1) Quirky - the ability to incorporate the Nikon fisheye lens on my Sony mirrorless body, 2) Perspective - symmetry, emphasized by the wide crop and fisheye perspective, 3) Color - color grading with a Wes Anderson preset reinforced the theater vibe and 4) Setting - actually made in a live, virtually empty, movie theater; a part of the post-covid story.

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/50 10.5mm ISO 12800

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/6/22

Back to the Movies

52Frames - Week 49 - Shoot From Below

EC: Portrait of a Stranger

Just picked up an adapter to fit my old Nikon 10.5mm fisheye to my Sony full-frame mirrorless body. Took it to the theatre, just in case a photo op materialized.

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/50 10.5mm ISO 12800

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/6/22

Old Lens...Second Life

Just picked up an adapter to fit my old Nikon 10.5mm fisheye to my Sony full-frame mirrorless body. All manual, but who cares? This is gonna be fun!

Sony A7 IV @ f?? 1/160 10.5mm ISO 12800

Nikkor Fisheye 10.5mm F2.8 G ED (adapted)

Photographed 12/6/22

No Manches!

Reflections from inside this new Mexican restaurant in Vernon Hills, IL.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/50 40mm equiv ISO 12800

Photographed 12/3/22

Grip

52Frames - Week 48 - Animals

Wildlife Discovery Center

Lake Forest, IL

Bald eagle keeping that tenuous grip on democracy.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 200mm ISO 250

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

Photographed 11/29/22