53 Years

Anniversary Card 7/1/26

Kings Barber Studio

Chicago, IL

Storefront reflections and action inside.

Leica M EV1 @ F2 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 80

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 6/20/26

Framing Puerto

Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine

Chicago, IL

Earlier this month, I was fortunate to attend the gallery opening of my photographer friend, Steve Peck.  The event was hosted by Chef Carlos, owner of Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine (https://www.istmochicago.com/).  Steve’s photographs documenting his recent travels to the Oaxaca region of Mexico, along with local food and drink from the region prepared by Chef Carlos, made for a great, celebratory afternoon.

Leica M EV1

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic


All Photographed 6/20/26

Where The Culinary Magic Happens

Reflection

52Frames - Week 26 - Wabi Sabi

EC: Use a Vintage Lens

Tucked away on a neighbor's patio, I spotted this statue which had a vintage & wabi-sabi feel to me. Having two Leica vintage lenses, I shot with both and then opted to use a photo from the 90mm F4 Elmar-C, circa 1973.

Leica M EV1 @ F4 | 90mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 640

Leitz Wetzlar 90mm F4 Elmar-C

Photographed 6/24/26

Today's Color is Yellow

Chicago, IL

The matching yellows caught my eye.

Leica M EV1 @ F2 | 40mm | 1/800 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 6/20/26

From The Back Seat

Alentejo Region, Portugal

On the drive from the Algarve to Lisbon, I was able to capture this landscape scene and rear window reflection in a single shot.  With Rafael sitting high above the landscape, this image represents his omnipresent knowledge which he generously shared with us over the 8 hour journey.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 40mm | 1/2000 sec | ISO 3200

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 5/26/26

Layers Of Shadow And Light

Coming home with my grandson and entering our building lobby, the light, reflections and shadows struck me as an interesting scene.  Now, after the fact, I even have a hard time figuring out the layers. 

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/60 | 6.76mm (24mm equiv) | ISO 160

Photographed 6/11/26

Perfect Advice

52Frames - Week 25 - Just Breathe

On vacation with the kids and grandkids, we approached Tower Hill, a 260' sand dune at Warren Dunes in Sawyer, Michigan. The sand was soft so every step only yielded about 25% progress of the distance and height of the actual step.  My 7 year old grandson was way out ahead and beat the three of us up the hill.  As I approached the summit (in last place) and stopped to catch my breath, my grandson yells down, "Just Breathe, Pops!"  Hence, this title!

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/12000 | 6.76mm (42mm equiv) | ISO 80

Photographed 6/15/26

Calm Before The Storm

52Frames - Week 24 - Blue Hour

With severe storms in the forecast, had to get this one in before they hit.  Another selective color photo so I could legitimately keep my personal b/w challenge streak alive.

Leica M EV1 @ F5.6 | 28mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 16000

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 6/10/26

Façades

Porto, Portugal

A small sampling of facades from around the city.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | SS varies | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron


All photographed 5/11-14/26

They Still Exist

52 Assignments Exposure 48 - Starburst

Porto, Portugal

I was shocked to see a working telephone booth in the central historic district of Porto and even more so to have a double starburst immediately adjacent.

Leica M EV1 @ F22 | 28mm | 1/80 sec | ISO 16000

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/12/26

Sniffing A Snack / No Fear

Libertyville Farmers Market

Libertyville, IL

Each looking at the situation from a different perspective.

Leica M EV1 @ F4 | 50mm | 1/800 sec | ISO 64

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron v3

Photographed 6/4/26

Literal Interpretation

52Frames - Week 23 - Triangular Composition

My intent this week (after finally reading the whole prompt) was to seek out a triangular composition that also included triangles.  Not having much success with the first part yet seeing lots of the second part, I happened to walk by a restaurant with light-colored umbrellas shading the outside tables.  The contrast of the struts formed the composition and depending on PoV, there were plenty of triangles.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 200

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

The second photo is just triangles without the triangular composition component.

All photographed 6/3/26

Cornucopia Of Food

Bolhāo Market
Porto, Portugal

Leica M EV1 @ F5.6 | 28mm

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron


All Photographed 5/11/26

Crenelations

Porto, Portugal

A section of the city wall dating back to the 14th century that still stands outside São Benito Station, adjacent to the Dom Luis I Bridge and along the Duoro River.  The tower crane visible in the scene is one of many present on the skyline and provides a stark contrast between old and new.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/200 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/12/26

São Bento Train Station

 52 Assignments Exposure 47 - Inside Out

Porto, Portugal

Exploring the azulejos (hand painted tile) scenes adorning the train station.  Remarkable work that tells the story of Porto.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/125 - 1/160 sec | ISO 1600-2000

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

All Photographed 5/12/26

Train Wall

Porto, Portugal

The top level of the Ponte Dom Luis I Bridge spanning the Duoro River is shared by both pedestrians and commuter trains.  As a train passes by the narrow pedestrian walkways along the edge, a reflective wall is created.

Leica M EV1 @ F5.6 | 28mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 80

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

All Photographed 5/12/26

Manteigaria

Porto, Portugal

We ate a lot of Natas in Portugal and these were the best of the many we tried in different cities.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/125 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 640

Photographed 5/12/26

Crash & Splash

52Frames - Week 22 - On The Ground

Vila Vita Parc

Porches (Algarve), Portugal

At the ocean, I had some trepidation about getting this shot with the water rushing in towards my non-weatherproofed camera and lens.

Leica M EV1 @ F5.6 | 40mm | 1/250 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 5/25/26

Stairway to Heaven

Vila Vita Parc

Porches (Algarve), Portugal

From beach ground level, the title says it all.  See accompanying photo for an explanation.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 100

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

All Photographed 5/25/26

Heaven

This is what Heaven looks like.

Today's Color Is Red

Lisbon, Portugal

Spotted her from 1/2 block away and when passing, asked for a portrait.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 320

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/19/26

Ominous

52Frames - Week 21 - Water

Belém, Portugal

Approaching the Monastery of Jeronimos in Belém, the skies darkened and reflections in the pool became more prominent. While water is not the primary subject of this scene, it plays a significant role in the overall composition.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 640

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/19/26

Beer Time

Lisbon, Portugal

Having an afternoon rest following a walking tour up and down the hills of Lisbon.

1.  Ricoh GRIIIx @ f10 | 1/200 sec | 50mm equiv | ISO 200


2.  Ricoh GRIIIx @ f10 | 1/200 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 200

3.  Ricoh GRIIIx @ f10 | 1/125 sec | 71mm equiv | ISO 200

All Photographed 5/16/26

Beer Time

Shadow Play

Discord In The Reflection

Why?

52Frames - Week 20 - Meaningful Location

Porto, Portugal

With the rise of antisemitism worldwide, it is important for Jews to pay tribute to those who have been victims over the centuries.  A meaningful location on our Jewish tour of Porto.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 640

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/12/26

Did Not Succumb

Porto, Portugal

I had some great sardines in Duoro Valley, outside of Porto but did not partake in this well-marketed tourist trap in Porto's city center.

1.  Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/640 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 200


1.  Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/125 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 800


Photographed 5/12/26

New Chicago Landmark

Tail end of a great meet-up with Beers & Cameras-Chicago celebrating the grand opening of a Leica Store in Chicago.  A great addition for the photography community.

Leica M EV1 @ F4.8 | 21mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 4000

Voigtlander VM 21mm F4 Color-Skopar

Photographed 5/1/26

Bounce

52 Frames - Week 19 - Slow Shutter

Working off last week's Fast Shutter challenge, I wanted to create a similar scene using slow shutter. Tripod-mount kept the camera steady and a 6-stop ND filter allowed for the long exposure.  Wind gusts created the bounce.

All Photographed 5/5/26

Leica M EV1 @ F16 | 40mm | 4 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

BTS

DJI Mavic Mini camera

Bling

Chicago, IL

Walking around before the Beers & Cameras-Chicago Leica Store event trying to get some zone focus practice on the new camera.  Quick snap and a crop reveals some good phone bling and nails.  Can you guess what her other hand was holding?

Leica M EV1 @ F6.8 | 40mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 160

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 5/1/26

Introverts

Chicago, IL

Walking around before the Beers & Cameras-Chicago Leica Store event trying to get some zone focus practice on the new camera.  Caught the eye of another photographer...and neither of us stopped to chat. 

Leica M EV1 @ F4.8 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 5/1/26

Suspended

52 Frames - Week 18 - Fast Shutter

Flying the drone and experimenting with the new camera's fast electronic shutter was a no-brainer decision for this week's challenge.  Scroll down for the main photo and two behind-the-scenes shots.

All Photographed 4/28/26

Leica M EV1 @ F1.4 | 40mm | 1/4000 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

BTS 1

DJI Mavic Mini camera

BTS 2

DJI Mavic Mini camera