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

Foggy Thursday

Chicago, IL

When you're out photographing in the city and a fog rolls in, that is fortuitous.  One of my last shots with this camera before I sold it to help fund the unplanned purchase of a new camera a few hours later.

Sony A7Cii @ f2 | 1/125 | 50mm | ISO 100

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron (adapted)

Photographed 4/16/26

Inspired By...

52 Frames - Week 17 - Inspired By A Photographer

EC:  Chosen For You
(Daido Moriyama)

Scroll down for the main photo and two alternates

All Photographed 4/21/26

I'll Scratch Your Back...

Scene peeking into an old time barber shop in Libertyville, IL.

Leica M EV1 @ F4 | 28mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 320

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Got Junk?

Libertyville, IL

Leica M EV1 @ F1.4 | 28mm | 1/800 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Fuzzy Reflection

Libertyville, IL

Leica M EV1 @ F2.4 | 28mm | 1/500 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

"M"

Libertyville, IL

How did they know what my new camera was?

Leica M EV1 @ F2.4 | 28mm | 1/2500 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 4/21/26

Santino

52Frames - Week 16 - Portrait Of A Stranger

Along Lake Michigan

Chicago, IL

A fortuitous encounter with a willing stranger; I asked and he agreed.  Turns out Santino is a model, photographer, cinematographer, dancer and a few other creative endeavors that I cannot recall.  Here, he's executing his Michael Jackson move.

Leica CL @ F2.8 | 50mm | Fujifilm 200 (converted to b/w) | ISO 200

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron

All Photographed 4/16/26

Complementary Comfort

Chicago, IL

The colors & reflections through the storefront jumped out at me. When Steve moved into the frame, it was a "must take" scene.

Leica CL @ f5.6 | 1/?? sec | 50mm | ISO 160

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron

Photographed 4/9/26

Triplets (Redux)

52 Assignments Exposure 46 - Done In A Flash

Playing around with off-camera flash.  Composite of 3 photos.

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/250 | 65mm | ISO 6400

Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G

Photographed 4/11/26

Triplets

Chicago, IL

Leica CL @ f5.6 | 1/??? sec | 50mm | ISO 160

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron

Photographed 4/9/26

Today's Color is Red...Again

52Frames - Week 15 - Red

Had to use selective color again in order to keep my personal 52Frames challenge streak this year of B/W.  Below is the main submission and a couple of alternates.  All photographed 4/9/26.

Dorothy & Toto

Oz Park

Chicago, IL

When I saw Dorothy's red shoes, I knew I found a strong option for the main submission.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 | 1/800 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 200

Emerald City

Oz Park

Chicago, IL

Oddly enough this playground area is called Emerald City even though equipment and roofs are mostly red!

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.5 | 1/800 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 200

No-Tell Motel

Chicago, IL

Imagine the possible stories...

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 | 1/400 sec | 71mm equiv | ISO 200

Cruisin'

Chicago, IL

Beautiful day to be out cruisin' with the windows down.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5.6 | 1/320 sec | 71mm equiv | ISO 200

Photographed 4/9/26

Departure/Arrival

52 Assignments - Exposure 43 - On The Road

Catching up on some 52 Assignments posting.  Using the rail"road" since I didn't want to drive and photograph at the same time!

Departure

Chicago, IL

Late night departure from Union Station after an Elite Eight March Madness game at United Center.  Have been riding this train route for over 40 years and have never seen the platform this devoid of trains.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/40 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 400

Photographed 3/27/26

Arrival

Chicago, IL

Approaching Union Station for the No Kings rally.

Sony A7Cii @ f4 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 640

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/28/26

Enough Is Enough

No Kings 3

Chicago, IL

52 Assignments - Exposure 42 - Create A Mood

Catching up on some 52 Assignments posting.  The mood...Peaceful Discontent.

#1:   Sony A7Cii @ f2 | 1/1250 | 40mm | ISO 100

        Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

#2:   Nikon 35Ti @ f? | 35mm | Fujifilm 200 | ISO 200

        Nikkor 35mm F2.8

Photographed 3/28/26

What Is It or Who Is It?

52 Frames - Week 14 - What Is It?

Not too inspired this week but chose not to shoot a standard macro...although this photo was taken with a close focus adapter.

Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 12800

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/30/26

Today's Color Is Green

Chicago, IL

Walking along Michigan Avenue following the No Kings rally, I spotted a bright green color moving behind a storefront full of reflections.  As I got closer, I saw this stunning woman watching the crowd.  I got off a couple of film shots and then approached the glass. When she saw me, I pointed to my camera and her coat.  She caught the drift, put down her phone & drink and posed in the storefront.  I took a couple of digital photos not knowing how the  film photos would turn out.

#1:   Nikon 35Ti @ f? | 35mm | Fujifilm 200 | ISO 200

        Nikkor 35mm F2.8

#2:   Sony A7Cii @ f? | 1/100 | 40mm | ISO 64

        Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/28/26

Shame

Chicago, IL

Sitting in Federal Plaza, even our infamous Flamingo is holding her head in shame. I've seen this sculpture hundreds of times, but never before in this context. Could Calder actually forsee this future? 


Sony A7Cii @ f4 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 125

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/28/26

F**k War...

52 Frames - Week 13 - High Key

...8 stories up.  As seen from the Chicago, IL No Kings Rally & March.

Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/1000 | 40mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/28/26

Out Of Place

El Paseo

Palm Desert, CA



El Paseo is a mile long stretch of high-end shops, galleries and restaurants.  At night, storefronts are stunning.  Galleries highlight their spectacular art.  Dining areas and live music spill out onto the sidewalks.

As I walked from my parking space to the restaurant, I could not help but notice the contrast between this scene and the entire street environment.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.2 | 1/160 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 200

Photographed 3/22/26

Out Of Place

El Paseo - Shop

El Paseo - Gallery

El Paseo - Dining

El Paseo - Music

Mario

Kitchen 86

Palm Desert, CA

Friday & Saturday nights feature "dueling pianos". Kris and Mario put on a great show.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro - Screen shot from a video clip

Photographed 3/20/26

Kris

Kitchen 86

Palm Desert, CA

Friday & Saturday nights feature "dueling pianos". Kris and Mario put on a great show.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/40 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 3200

Photographed 3/20/26

Dedication Or Smarts?

Palm Desert, CA

Not sure if it is dedication or smarts that caused these gents to play sports at night with daytime temps of 100 and nights dipping into the 80s.  Either way they presented good IRL moments to capture this week's challenge photo.

1:  Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/200 | 40mm | ISO 12800 [52 Frames - Week 12 - Low Key]

2:  Sony A7Cii @ f4 | 1/500 | 40mm | ISO 12800  [52 Frames - Week 12 - Low Key Alternate]

1 & 2:  Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

All photographed 3/16/26

Eye Of The Lion

52 Frames - Week 11 - Roll of 24

Venturing into Old Town Scottsdale, I committed that the first 24 shots would be my 52Frames "roll".  I made it a bit more challenging by using a manual 90mm lens that doesn't get out often enough.

This lion's eye/self-portrait represents my 16th shot. There is no crop here; all full frame resolution utilizing the close-focus capability of my Leica M to Sony E lens adapter coupled with the 90mm focal length.

Sony A7Cii @ f4 | 1/400 | 90mm | ISO 100

Leitz Wetzlar 90mm F4 Elmar-C (adapted)

Photographed 3/9/26