Not Quite But A Happy Accident

Century Park

Vernon Hills, IL

Last minute effort to shoot the Northern Lights with photo buddy, Steve P.  Not quite successful but also not a wasted effort.  The previous night would have been spectacular.

On the second photo, Steve was fooling around with his flashlight while we were trying to capture the Northern Lights.  The bright colors against the night sky caught my attention.



Photographed with a Sony A7IV camera and Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Series II lens.

All Photographed 11/12/25

Not Quite

Happy Accident

Old Abe

52Frames - Week 46 - Black and White Minimalism

52 Assignments Exposure 37 - It's A Small World

It was reported this past week that Old Abe is being retired...no more minting of the US penny. But not to worry; the US Treasury estimates that ~114 billion are in active circulation.

A 2Fer where I'm able to use the same photograph for two challenges.

Sony A7IV @ f3.5 | 1/100 | 50mm | ISO 5000

Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro

Photographed 11/14/25

Desert Shores

Desert Shores, CA

Population:  ~1,100

Once a thriving resort town along the western coast of the Salton Sea, its heyday being in the 1950-1960s, Desert Shores has deteriorated over the decades largely due to the residual effects of Salton Sea contamination.

Currently, there are several restoration projects underway and planned by local and state agencies, including water restoration to the marina.



I spent an afternoon capturing photographs of the town and had some good encounters with locals as well.



B/W photos were captured on Kodak Tri-X 400 film with a Voigtlander Bessa R4M camera and a Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic
lens.  Color photos were captured digitally on a Sony A7Cii camera and a Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21mm F4 MC lens. 

All Photographed 11/9/25

Desert Shores

Once A Marina

Hope For The Future

Call For Help?

Palm & LaJolla

Sea & Sun

Art Revival

Lucia

Mi Amigos

Mountain Mike

Mountain Mike Custom Leather

Idyllwild, CA

If you're ever in need of a customized leather item, this is the place.  I wandered into this shop to inquire about a custom leather camera strap for my film cameras.  Mike presented a couple of options but unfortunately, did not have anything ready-made.  Next year, with some advance planning, I may have some new straps.

Check him out at: mountainmikecustomleather.com

Voigtlander Bessa R4M | 40mm | ISO 100 | Kentmere 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 11/1/25

Fog?

Palm Desert, CA

In the two weeks I was in Palm Desert, this is the only moisture I encountered in the air.



Sony A7Cii @ f?? | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 125

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm F1.4 (adapted)

Photographed 11/5/25

Limited Supply

52 Frames - Week 45 - Show Us Your Toys

EC: Flat Lay

On vacation this week so my only option for this challenge is the photography gear I brought on this two week trip. One film camera, one digital camera, three M-mount manual lenses (21, 40, 90mm), two rolls of film and some miscellaneous accessories make up the kit.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/60 | 6.76mm (24mm equiv) | ISO 400

Photographed 11/7/25

Unlimited Flavor Band

Idyllwild, CA

I encountered this Blues/R&B/Jazz band in the small mountain town of Idyllwild, CA.  Set-up in the corner of an Italian restaurant patio, they put out some wonderful tunes.  These photos are from digital capture; the film photos will be processed once I return home.

Sony A7Cii @ f?? | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 100-500

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm F1.4 (adapted)

All Photographed 11/1/25

The Band

Sugar Bear (Band Leader)

David

David

Ronnie B' Good

Expired Film Test

On 10/25/25, I took a drive up to Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, IL in order to shoot some landscape photos using a fairly new to me Leica CL film camera and Leica 50mm F2 Summicron lens.  I was fairly confident using these two pieces of gear.  What I was not confident about was how the 25-30 year old expired color film would perform.  I did convert some to black & white as it was more conducive to the subject matter.

In the end, I was reasonably pleased; but you be the judge.