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

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Happy Hour

Happy Hour
Cancun, Quintana Roo, MX

Last photo of the year from a recent trip.  Loved rediscovering the underwater capability of the Olympus TG-4.  Captured a different perspective of the poolbar during happy hour.

Olympus TG-4 @ f2.8 1/500 4.5mm (25mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 12/5/23

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Towering Above

Towering Above
52 Assignments BW22 - Towering Above

Westin
Wheeling, IL

Tallest building with the shortest drive in the area for this assignment.  Also took my 52Frames shot for this week's challenge at the same location.

Sony A7IV @ f8 1/320 14mm ISO 100
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II

Photographed 12/25/23

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Knife To The Sky

Knife To The Sky
52Frames - Week 52 - Redo

Went out to shoot B&W for another photo project and decided to redo 52F Week 5-Black & White, thereby accomplishing two assignments in one outing.  I could have done a 2Fer using the same shot for two assignments but didn't stretch it that far!

Rather than a literal redo of the original Week 5 image, this photograph takes a completely different approach to subject matter in executing B&W technique.

Sony A7IV @ f8 1/640 14mm ISO 100
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II

Photographed 12/25/23

Sunday, December 24, 2023

December Fog

December Fog
Mundelein, IL

Leaving a restaurant after dinner with friends, wanted to capture the unusual enveloping fog on a December evening. I so wanted a person to enter the frame, however there was no way to convince my companions to do so or hang around in the damp weather.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.78 1/40 6.86mm (47mm equiv) ISO 800

Photographed 12/23/23

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Neural Networks

Primary and alternate shots for 52 Assignments - BW50 - Branch Out

Neural Network 1
Neural Network 1
52 Assignments BW50 - Branch Out

Independence Grove
Libertyville, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/2000 20mm  ISO 100
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Photographed 12/19/23


Neural Network 2
Neural Network 2
52 Assignments BW50 - Branch Out (Alternate)

Reed-Turner Woodland
Long Grove, IL

Technically cannot use this shot for the assignment since it is not of a single tree, hence an alternate.


Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.9  1/640  2.69mm (30mm equiv)  ISO 25
Photographed 12/14/23

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Waxing Gibbous

Waxing Gibbous
Moon phase at 65.4% according to the PhotoPills app.  First attempt with the new 400mm zoom lens. 20 images stacked and blended.

Sony A7 IV @ f11 1/800 400mm ISO 2000
Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067

Photographed 12/20/23

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Hanging On

Hanging On
52Frames - Week 51 - Unfinished
EC: Roll of 12 (used #7)

It's mid-December and this tree has not yet finished shedding its leaves for the season.

Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/800 23mm ISO 100
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 12/19/23

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Illusion of Confusion

Illusion of Confusion
Reed-Turner Woodland
Long Grove, IL

What is the scene? What's real, what's reflected? IRL abstract.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.78 1/120 6.86mm (41mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 12/14/23

Friday, December 15, 2023

Java Mountain

Java Mountain
52Frames - Week 50 - Choose A Color
EC: Chosen For You (Dark Lava #483c32)

Ancient mountain inhabited by one of my grandson's pet dinosaurs.

Sony A7 IV @ f16 8" 50mm (75mm equiv) ISO 1000
Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 12/13/23

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Swing

Swing
52 Assignments BW33 - Shot In The Dark

La Isla Shopping Center
Cancun, Quintana Roo, MX

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 1/40 6.86mm (24mm equiv) ISO 1000

Photographed 12/5/23

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Exhale

Exhale
52Frames - Week 49 - Just Breathe

A demonstration of the 2nd part of the breathing equation.

Olympus TG-4 @ f2.8 1/320 4.5mm (25mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 12/5/23

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Lost & Found

Lost & Found
52Frames - Week 48 - Hold A Light

A common occurrence when my grandkids spend a night at Mimi & Pops' house.

Sony A7IV @ f8 1/80 60mm ISO 12800
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 11/28/23

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Lake Cook Road

Lake Cook Road
52 Assignments BW48 - High Time

While on a DPR Trail bike ride, I shot this from the Lake Cook Road overpass. There are diagonals in this image everywhere.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 1/4600 6.86mm (24mm equiv) ISO 80

Photographed 11/16/23

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Watching Over Traffic

Watching Over Traffic
Vernon Hills, IL

While sitting at a light, saw this pole light dude watching over the traffic going by.  Reacted quickly and made a photo through the windshield before the light changed.

Sony A7IV @ f16 1/2500 85mm ISO 100
Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067

Photographed 11/22/23

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Nature With A New Lens

Half Day Preserve
First outing with a new Tamron 50-400mm lens.  Alternate shots for this week's challenge 52Frames - Week 47 - Nature.

Take-Off
Take-Off
Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/125  104mm  ISO 160
Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067


Cruising
Cruising
Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/160  400mm  ISO 100
Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067

All Photographed 11/22/23

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

In The Reeds

In The Reeds
52Frames - Week 47 - Nature
EC: Portrait

First outing with the new Tamron 50-400mm lens. Got several shots with ducks on the pond at a neighboring forest preserve.  Alternates to follow in a separate post.

Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/1250 400mm ISO 100
Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067

Photographed 11/22/23

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Smelly Bastard

Smelly Bastard
Palm Desert, CA

He wasn't an engaged seller and she wasn't a happy shopper.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5 1/800 40mm equiv ISO 100

Photographed 10/28/23

Friday, November 17, 2023

Pup Relief

Pup Relief
52Frames - Week 46 - Bathroom
EC: Public

My bathroom creativity maxed out with Week 26-Morning Routine. https://52frames.com/photographer/4174/photo/656738

Since I cannot re-use that shot, thought I’d take a different twist with this challenge.  The prompt did not specifically require bathrooms for humans although that was the impetus for the challenge.  I nonetheless took the liberty of shooting a bathroom for our K-9 companions.  And it’s public, so qualifies for the EC. 

Boomtown!!!…mic drop.

Sony A7 IV @ f5 1/100 40mm ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 11/14/23

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Over The River

Over The River
52 Assignments BW13 - Reinvent Your Selfie

Reflection shot from a bridge over the Des Plaines River. The spots in the photo are not from my sensor; rather debris floating on the water surface, as is the leaf.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 60mm ISO 800
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 11/15/23

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Cold Night Sky

Cold Night Sky
Vernon Hills, IL

No moon and clear skies tonight so I went to a nearby open area and aimed the camera north to capture full circle star trails. Unfortunately, cannot escape the light pollution in this suburban area. What struck me in this photo (in addition to the star trails) is the precision of flight paths with multiple aircraft flying the same route over the course of an hour.

This image is a blend of 120 shots at 30 seconds each with a 1 second interval in between. Total exposure of 1 hour. Recommend viewing at full screen.

Sony A7 IV @ f2.8 120x30" 14mm ISO 100
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II

Photographed 11/13/23

Monday, November 13, 2023

Ride Naked

Ride Naked
Palm Desert, CA

Definitely not following his own advice.  It was 80+ degrees outside and he was all leathered up.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f2.8 1/250 9mm (158mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 11/5/23

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Culvers

Culvers
52Frames - Week 45 - Bokeh
EC: F1.4

Running out of time this week, I took my camera and 85mm f1.4 to dinner with the grandkids on Saturday night. Was fortunate to catch a shot of my grandson entertaining his baby sister...with some bokeh emanating from the street in the background.

For the challenge, I'd put it in the streak-saver category.

Sony A7 IV @ f1.4 1/125 85mm ISO 1600
Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 11/11/23

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Cacti Enclave

Cacti Enclave
52 Assignments BW20 - Layer Cake

Seen along El Paseo in Palm Desert, CA.

Sony A7 IV @ f7.1 1/500 60mm ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 11/3/23

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Killing Time

Killing Time
52Frames - Week 44 - Inspired By A Famous Photographer

My location this week provided the opportunity for high contrast black & white. My streak-saver selection was Daido Moriyama. In the spirit of some of his work, this was shot without looking through the viewfinder.

One error was not setting the ISO higher to enhance the grain, so it was added in LrC.



Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/30 60mm ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 11/4/23

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Celestial North

Celestial North
Another star trails shot off my balcony; this time with a 28mm lens rather than 14mm.  I'm not a star trail purist, so the random lights across the frame enhance the image IMHO rather than detract from it.

This image is also a blend of 101 shots at 30 seconds each with a 1 second interval in between. Total exposure of 50 minutes.

Sony A7 IV @ f2.8 30" 28mm ISO 100
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 10/30/23

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Circle Surprise

Circle Surprise
52Frames - Week 43 - Use A Tripod

I had intended to shoot the Milky Way this week but with the moon being close to full, there is too much light and a short MW visibility window.  Changing gears, I went for a star trails shot.  Being my first ever, this circular result was a complete surprise.

I set camera on tripod and aimed out and up into the night sky. Although the moon had already set, it was still not pitch black out and stars were visible but not particularly bright.  Little did I know that the camera was aimed at celestial north.

This image is a blend of 101 shots at 30 seconds each with a 1 second interval in between.  Total exposure of 50 minutes.



Sony A7 IV @ f2.8 30" 14mm ISO 200
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II

Photographed 10/25/23

Monday, October 23, 2023

On The Way Out

On The Way Out
52 Assignments BW42 - Big Bokeh (alternate)

Fading flowers as an alternate for the Landscape bokeh assignment.

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 166mm ISO 160
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 10/7/23

Thursday, October 19, 2023

"Never Underestimate An Old Man With A Bicycle"


52Frames - Week 42 - Fashion

A streaksaver week for sure. Out on a bike ride, thought I'd stop to show what autumn cycling fashion looks like.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2.2 1/120 2.71mm (23mm equiv) ISO 80

Photographed 10/18/23

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

52 Assignments BW 42 - Big Bokeh

 A series of photographs for the 52 Assignments-Black & White Photography project (#42).

1.  Portrait
My buddy and I took simultaneous portraits of each other to satisfy the Portrait bokeh assignment.
Dueling Portrait
Dueling Portraits
Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/640 55mm  ISO 100
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071
Photographed 10/7/23


2.  Landscape
Bands of leaves & logs  for the Landscape bokeh assignment.

Leaves and Logs
Leaves and Logs
Sony A7 IV @ f1.4 1/2000 85mm  ISO 100
Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4
Photographed 10/7/23


3.  Nighttime Street
Through the windshield on a rainy evening for the Nighttime Street bokeh assignment.
Night Scope
Night Scope
Sony A7 IV @ f3.5 1/125 48mm  ISO 400
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071
Photographed 10/11/23


4.  Abstract
Through the windshield on a rainy evening for the Abstract bokeh assignment.
Rain and Lights
Rain and Lights
Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/125 65mm  ISO 3200
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071
Photographed 10/11/23

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Busted or Not?

Busted or Not?
52Frames - Week 41 - Street Photography

Lately, I've been surprised at times how empty Starbucks has been.  I had my camera sitting on the table and was taking some random shots...she was on her phone and must have glanced up.  We never made eye contact so don't know if I got busted or not.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5 1/160 40mm equiv ISO 500

Photographed 10/10/23

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Light On The Forest Floor

Light On The Forest Floor
52Frames - Week 40 - Dappled Light

Milwaukee, WI
Layers of leaves & colors typify a midwest autumn.

Sony A7 IV @ f16 1/200 85mm ISO 100
Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 10/7/23

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

In Flight

In Flight
Cooper Mountain at 
Tennessee Pass
Summit County, CO

I am not a bird photographer by any stretch of the definition.  After a hike up to the cookhouse at this ski resort, I captured this photo with my kit lens.  Every once in awhile, one gets lucky!

Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/320 60mm ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/30/23

Monday, October 2, 2023

Moonrise

Moonrise
Avon, CO

Went out to shoot some Milky Way photos before the moonrise, but cloud cover killed that effort. I turned the camera around to the other direction and captured the rising moon before it broke over the mountain horizon.

Sony A7 IV @ f2.8 15" 14mm ISO 800
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II

Photographed 9/30/23

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Saved By The Sweatshirt

Saved By The Sweatshirt
52Frames - Week 39 - Red

Traveling in Colorado this week where the autumn color change is magnificent.  The area we are in displays predominantly yellows and oranges with very few reds.  Starting out on a chilly morning hike, my buddy Irwin pulled out his sweatshirt and I knew at that moment my streak was saved.

Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/320 28mm ISO 100
Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 9/29/23

Friday, September 29, 2023

2023_CLondon52_September: Exploring Genres

From the C.London website: "This month, let's dive into exploring different photography genres. From landscapes to wildlife, documentary to sports, we're about to broaden our skills and capture amazing stories. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new passion. Or whatever the opposite of passion is."

1.  Landscape
Nature provides all sorts of visual illusions.  This rock face is no exception.
What Do You See?
What Do You See?
Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/400 112mm  ISO 100
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071
Photographed 9/27/23


2.  Documentary/Photojournalism
Former Allstate Insurance Corporate Campus
Northbrook, IL

I photographed this scene on 8/31/23, the day the September prompts were released to Patreon members.  Turns out it foreshadowed an article  published on September 3rd in the Chicago Tribune that discussed the replacement of corporate campuses with logistics and data centers.
Out With The Old...
Out With The Old...
Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/640  47mm  ISO 100
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071
Photographed 8/31/23


3.  Wildlife
I had to travel 1,000 miles for this photo.  Was hoping for something more exotic, but the deadline was approaching.
Nuts
Nuts
Sony A7 IV @ f8 1/125  200mm  ISO 100
Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071
Photographed 9/27/23


4.  Sports/Action
"Drive for show; putt for dough" is a common saying in golf.
The Drive
The Drive
Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 1/160  71mm equiv ISO 200
Photographed 9/8/23

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Edge

Edge
52Frames - Week 38 - Wabi-Sabi

Lonely picnic table in the rain.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 1/160 40mm equiv ISO 1250

Photographed 9/19/23

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Pop of Pink

Pop of Pink

Pop of Pink (BW)
52Frames - Week 37 - Backlit (Alternate)
EC: Rim Light

Shot some last minute alternates for this week's challenge.

Color and B/W; which do you prefer?

Sony A7 IV @ f3.5 1/125 85mm ISO 640
Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 9/17/23

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Ghost

Ghost
52 Assignments BW - #36 - All in a Blur

From a sidewalk bench.
Park Ridge, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f22 1/8 32mm  ISO 100
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 9/12/23

Thursday, September 14, 2023

That's Pops!

That's Pops!
52Frames - Week 37 - Backlit
EC: Rim Light

My 10-1/2 month old granddaughter on a wagon ride.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2 1/440 6mm (71mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 9/13/23

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Lindys

Lindys
52Frames - Week 36 - Triangular Composition (alternate)

Bang's Lake
Wauconda, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f11 1/125 14mm ISO 400
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II

Photographed 09/7/23

Friday, September 8, 2023

Wauconda

Wauconda
52Frames - Week 36 - Triangular Composition

Photowalk at the Wauconda Farmers Market.  The water tower peeking over the buildings and framed by the wires caught my attention for this week's challenge.  An accidental bonus was the guy walking his dog down the sidewalk being completely hidden by the power pole while his dog is not.

Sony A7 IV @ f11 1/125 14mm ISO 320
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II

Photographed 09/7/23