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

Today's Color Is Red

Old Town Scottsdale

Not a lot of time for manual focus, but I got the shot.  Fortunately the light was red also!



Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/200 | 90mm | ISO 100

Leitz Wetzlar 90mm F4 Elmar-C (adapted)

Photographed 3/9/26

Since 1958

Sugar Bowl

Old Town Scottsdale, AZ

The best Coffee Cafe  Float around (coffee ice cream doused with iced coffee in a large glass, topped with whipped cream).



#1: Sony A7Cii @ f5.6 | 1/160 | 90mm | ISO 100 w/ Leitz Wetzlar 90mm F4 Elmar-C (adapted)

#2: Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4 | 1/125 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 640

All Photographed 3/9/26

Rhythm Is Life - Redux

I heard the melodic sounds and wondered if it was the same steel drum guy that I had heard last year and featured in a blog post.  Sure enough, it was!  Cole was, once again, filling the air with his beautiful music.  He remembered our encounter and allowed me to shoot some additional photos.  While doing so, I noticed that his drum looked different.  Cole confirmed that it was the same drum, however it had just been cleaned and not all notes had been re-written on the surface.

Check out the link to last year's post to learn more about these amazing drums along with links to Cole's band.  https://jeffm211-p52.blogspot.com/2025/03/rhythm-is-life.html

Photographed 3/8/25

Rhythm Is Life 4

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/1600 | 40mm | ISO 50

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Rhythm Is Life 5

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/1000 | 40mm | ISO 50

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Cooks In The Kitchen

52 Frames - Week 10 - Chaos

EC:  Composite

Vacationing in a very "chill" location this week making it difficult to find chaos.  I felt forced to create my own sense of chaos via photographic technique.  Then we went to Culinary Dropout in Scottsdale Quarter where I saw actual organized chaos (and had a great dinner).

Image is a composite of 3 photos.  How many people can you pick out?

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 1600

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic  (adapted)

Photographed 3/5/26

Alternate shots are below.

Visual Chaos 1

Visual Chaos 2

Passé x 3

Kierland Commons

Scottsdale, AZ

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/400 | 40mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/5/26

La La Land

Kierland Commons

Scottsdale, AZ

State of the Union.

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/4/26

Preserved Peculiarities

McHenry, IL

On a photowalk, we wandered into this shop and was struck by the variety of weird stuff.  The sign doesn't lie!  The 2nd shot was the weirdest scene of them all.  Encased in a glass box, it was for sale.  If you're in the area, check it out.

#1: Sony A7IV @ f5 | 1/125 | 126mm | ISO 100

#2: #1: Sony A7IV @ f22 | 1/40 | 86mm | ISO 12800

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

All Photographed 2/4/26

The Owner

Surgery