At the Ready

Not an easy job in ocean waters.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5 1/1600 26mm (71mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 1/28/23

Taking Flight

I'm not a bird photographer; as such I consider this a super-lucky capture. Walking the beach, GRIIIx in hand in search of photo ops, these gulls came into view and I reacted quickly.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.5 1/1250 40mm equiv ISO 100

Photographed 1/23/23

Marisol

52Frames - Week 4 - Portrait of a Stranger

I don't know squat about posing people for portraits.  So when I approached Marisol and asked for a photo, I was not confident about getting anything that didn't look contrived.  Out of 20 shots, I deemed 3 worthy of consideration.  Of the 3, only 1 was posed.

This chosen photo was a lucky capture.  As I was departing, she leaned out of her lifeguard station and I instinctively raised my camera and shot.  This was the least contrived shot of any, and my favorite because it was genuine.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/1000 50mm equiv ISO 200

Photographed 1/24/23

I Drink To Dream

Interesting name for a bar.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 1/125 40mm equiv ISO 12800

Photographed 1/24/23

Peeks Within

Visual Notes 31

Night shot of a hotel facade.

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

Photographed 1/22/23

Night Lights

More night shots with the Ricoh GR IIIx.

Fly High

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f8.0 1/125 40mm equiv ISO 12800

Ethereal Fountain

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f8.0 1/80 40mm equiv ISO 12800

All Photographed 1/21/23

Disorientation

Visual Notes 30

Late afternoon shadows and reflections.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f8 1/320 40mm equiv ISO 100

Photographed 1/21/23

What's Around the Bend?

Night shot with Ricoh GRIIIx. Love this camera.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 1/125 40mm equiv ISO 12800

Photographed 1/20/23

Deerfield Parkway

Experiments with some f4.0 shooting between 28-70mm while considering a new 20mm-70mm lens.  Didn't learn too much from this shot, but liked it anyway.

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/125 50mm ISO 12800

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

Photographed 1/19/23

Drive for Show, Putt for Dough

52Frames - Week 3 - Your Hobby

Photography is my main hobby, however, once spring arrives, golf will supplant some of my photography time.

Sony A7 IV @ f2.8 1/125 28mm ISO 3200

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

Photographed 1/17/23

Coiffing

52 Assignments BW - #37 - Moth to a Flame (Alternate)

Libertyville, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f5.6 1/125 160mm ISO 12800

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

Photographed 1/10/23

Who Goes There?

52 Assignments BW - #37 - Moth to a Flame

Libertyville, IL

Sony A7 IV @ f2.8 1/30 28mm ISO 12800

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

Photographed 1/10/23

Milwalky Taco

Libertyville, IL

One of our favorite restaurants in Libertyville.  Images from a photowalk for a 52 Assignments - BW project.  Didn't fit the assignment, but I liked them anyway.

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/125 36mm  ISO 8000

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

Sony A7 IV @ f4 1/125 28mm  ISO 6400

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

All Photographed 1/10/23

Pace 272

52Frames - Week 2 - Blur the Action

EC: Panning

"Blur the Action" and "Panning" seem counter to one another.  However, I did take about 190 shots where both the subject and background were blurry...and delete-worthy!  I went with Panning for the extra challenge.

Sony A7 IV @ f16 1/50 60mm ISO 100

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 1/10/23

Donut Guy

Stopped in for an afternoon cup of coffee and met Krishna.  He saw my camera and we started chatting. Not only is he a donut guy, but also an accomplished photographer.  Check him out at @IamKrishna2001 on IG.

Sony A7 IV @ f5 1/125 29mm ISO 1250

Sony FE 28-60mm F4-5.6

Photographed 1/10/23

2023_CLondon52_January: Setting Goals

From the C.London website: "Each year we start out by considering why we’re participating in this project. Whether personal or professional, identifying goals makes the following year more meaningful and intentional. For this month, the prompts are all focused on helping you to identify how to make the most out of the project."

"1.  Past experiences with photography.  Every participant comes to this challenge at a different stage in their photographic journey. Show us where you are - in whatever manner you prefer." 

This is my 3rd year participating in this challenge.  I’ve grown a lot in the past year and have found a photographic direction as described on the “About” page of my website.  The direction is broad, but so are my interests.  I like making photos where the viewer can see things they might have missed the first time.

Take-Out

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8  1/160  71mm equiv  ISO 2500

Photographed 1/1/23

"2.  Another hobby or passion. One of the best ways to get good at photography is to join it with something else you’re passionate about. Use your other hobbies as inspiration for this photo."

Besides photography, my grandkids, golf and cycling are my three most active hobbies.  Since it’s winter in the USA midwest, golf and cycling are on hiatus.  These images reflect favorite times which are spent with my granddaughter and grandson.

Early Reader

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f1.6  1/30  4.2mm  (26mm equiv) ISO 640

Photographed 1/4/23

Like Grandfather, Like Grandson

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5  1/160  40mm equiv  ISO 1600

Photographed 1/4/23

"3.  Artistic fears.  A huge hurdle to get over is identifying what scares you about your art.  Take this as an opportunity to face one of those fears." 

Although more introvert than extrovert, I most enjoy making photos that include people.  Even though I’ve been engaged in street photography for almost 12 years, I am still nervous when approaching strangers or making candids with a shorter lens.  Over the years I have met many interesting people because of a camera in my hand, so I push through the discomfort and keep at it.  I met Joe & Ziggy while scouting out locations for a self-portrait to be used in another 52 week photo challenge.  Total strangers.  I asked; they obliged.

Man's Best Friend

Sony A7 IV @ f1.4 1/800 85mm  ISO 100

Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 12/29/22

"4.  A main photographic goal for the year.  What do you hope to get out of this challenge? Make a photo that illustrates what you hope to achieve photographically in 2023."

Getting better at visual storytelling and more comfortable photographing strangers are ongoing goals.  Allowing myself the freedom to be less “documentary” and more abstract in photographing are new goals for 2023.

Even though there was a glass barrier with floating bubbles between me and the restaurant seating area, I felt self-conscious as I made photos through the glass.  One guy actually did ask me if I took his photo; I hadn’t.  This image represents a more abstract approach than I normally take.

Beyond the Bubbles

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5  1/160  40mm equiv  ISO 2500

Photographed 1/8/23

Kefta Kabob

Sometimes you just have a hankering for some flavors...

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.5 1/160 40mm equiv ISO 1600

Photographed 1/7/23

Jeff

52Frames - Week 1 - Self-Portrait (alternate)

Alternate selection from the Week 1 self-portrait shoot for 52Frames.

Sony A7 IV @ f1.4 1/1000 85mm ISO 100

Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 1/2/23

Inspired by a Friend

52Frames - Week 1 - Self-Portrait

A photography friend, @aarondigruccio, recently posted a portrait on Instagram that resonated with me.  Aaron shoots Fuji and often uses a 50mm f1 lens for his portraits.  I was inspired to emulate that portrait with a selfie using my 85mm lens wide open at f1.4. Very pleased that Aaron approves of this interpretation.

Sony A7 IV @ f1.4 1/1000 85mm ISO 100

Rokinon AF 85mm F1.4

Photographed 1/2/23

Aaron's photo