Macro Reflected

52Frames - Week 36 - Reflection

EC: Use A Mirror

Breaking from the norm, I did not go with an IRL shot this week.  Rather, I used macro mode on the D-Lux 8, a small mirror & two flashlights on my desk.  Had thought about using my scanning stand to hold the camera but decided that handheld would provide for a more interesting photo.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f2.3 | 41mm (equiv) | 1/8 | ISO 100

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 9/2/26

Port Clinton Art Fair - Film

Highland Park, IL

I had not shot color film for awhile, nor the Leica CL film camera.  A visit to the Port Clinton Art Fair  provided a good opportunity to do so.  Since neither the camera or lens is weather-proof, I had to duck under cover when the rain set in.  This is a small collection of photos from the day.  I'm not terribly happy with some slow shutter speed (out of) focus but am very happy with the film scans & colors.

Leica CL | 50mm | Candido Brightlight 200 | ISO 200

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron v3

All Photographed 8/30/26

Rappel

Light As A Feather

Musical Vibes

Refuge From The Rain

Rain Break

Downtown Digital

A few digital photos from the downtown Chicago event a couple of weeks ago.  The previously posted photos from the same outing were film scans.

1.  Leica M EV1 @ f1.4 | 40mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 2000

2.  Leica M EV1 @ f2 | 40mm | 1/350 sec | ISO 64

3.  Leica M EV1 @ f1.4 | 40mm | 1/180 sec | ISO 100

Lens for all photos:  Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

All Photographed 8/15/26

Play Me!

Ogilvie Transportation Center - An open invitation for anyone passing through.

Looking Down To See Up

Downtown puddle reflection.

Man On A Mission

Batman Stare Down!

52Frames - Week 35 - Shape With Light

While shaping a self-portrait with off-camera flash, a fortunate consequence was the shadow of my glasses emulating a Batman mask.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f2.8 | 40mm (equiv) | 1/60 | ISO 200

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 8/25/26

Hi There!

Evanston, IL

Walking by this storefront, I saw her standing behind the bar.  I waved my camera as an ask for permission for a photo. She obliged.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f8 | 51mm (equiv) | 1/1250 | ISO 4000

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 8/23/26

Oh Sh*t!!!

52Frames - Week 34 - Humor

Inspired by the smiley face I put on every one of my golf balls.  This time, I decided to think about it from the golf ball's perspective.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f4 | 24mm (equiv) | 1/1250 | ISO 200

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 8/19/26

Downtown Film

Chicago, IL

I had not shot BW film for awhile, nor the Minolta X-700.  Figured a trip to the Leica store would be a good opportunity to do so.  This is a small collection of photos from the day.

Minolta X-700 | 28mm | Ilford HP5+ | ISO 400

MD Minolta Celtic 28mm  F2.8

All Photographed 8/15/26

Downtown Film

Kenn Cook Jr.

Painted Camera

Top Of The Tower

Where Are All The People?

Westside Passion

Leica Store

Chicago, IL

On Saturday 8/15/26, I had the privilege of attending a discussion and book signing of local photographer Kenn Cook Jr.  I will not attempt to describe Kenn's passion; rather am providing a link where his work is best described and book can be purchased.  From The Westside, With Love

Needless to say, it was an awesome & inspiring afternoon.

Minolta X-700 @ f4 | 28mm | Ilford HP5+ | ISO 400

MD Minolta Celtic 28mm F2.8

Photographed 8/15/26

Non-Verbal Communication

Michigan Avenue

Chicago, IL

Making a statement. Couldn't agree more.

Leica M EV1 @ f4 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 250

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 8/15/26

After Hours

Highwood, IL

Leica M EV1 @ f4 | 28mm | 1/125 sec | ISO 1600

Voigtlander 28mm F2 Ultron w/ 1/4 Pro-mist filter

Photographed 8/15/26

Laugh-In

52Frames - Week 33 - Night

No astro this week in the Chicago area!

Went out looking for a good night scene to complete this week's challenge.  Highwood, IL never disappoints.  It was a hot, humid, misty night so I thought a photo op around the train station might surface.  This scene immediately reminded me of the 1968-1973 TV show, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

All Photos:    Leica M EV1 @ 2.8 | 28mm | SS varies | ISO varies

                        Voigtlander 28mm F2 Ultron w/ 1/4 Pro-mist filter


All Photographed 8/15/26

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

ALTERNATES

Just Hanging

Kenosha-bound

Windows To The World Of Frunchroom Collective

Libertyville, IL

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of spending time at Frunchroom Collective to see Due Dolci make some beautiful music.  I was introduced to Frunchroom by my cousin and have been a frequent visitor since.  Great coffee & delectables and a comfortable, inviting atmosphere...everything you could want in a local coffee house.

Leica M EV1 @ f2 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 80

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 8/8/26

Happy To Oblige

Mundelein, IL

Standing on the sidewalk and adjusting some camera settings before going to the Farmers Market, this little guy & his dad walked by.  "Can you take my picture?", asked the little guy.  Dad was on board. 

Leica M EV1 @ f2 | 40mm | 1/500 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 8/8/26

Turn The Corner

52Frames - Week 32 - Leading Lines

EC: 4+ Lines

Strong reflections and the architecture of this building created leading lines for this challenge.  Just waited for a subject to turn the corner.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f5.6 | 35mm (equiv) | 1/250 | ISO 6400

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 8/6/26

Day Into Night

Walking around searching for this week's 52Frames' Leading Lines shot, I noticed this reflection on the pavement leading to the setting sun. Thought it was a cool photo although not strong enough for the weekly challenge submission.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f16 | 35mm (equiv) | 1/1250 | ISO 500

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 8/6/26

Family Reflection

Downtown Chicago

Celebrating Linda's and my 75th birthdays with the family.  As tradition has it, getting my family to stop for a photo is a major feat for which I take lots of crap.  Notwithstanding, I am grateful for their rare indulgence 🤣.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f2.1 | 30mm (equiv) | 1/1250 | ISO 200

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 7/31/26

Sun Star To Embryo

Someone asked about how the last blogpost photo was created.  This photo was generally the scene the camera was pointed at to create "Embryo".  Perhaps it was aimed a bit upward to capture more tree and less building.  The last photo caption explained the technical factors involved.  The difference between the two photos is due to those factors and lots of trial & error on intentional camera movement during the exposure.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f16 | 75mm (equiv) | 1 sec | ISO 2500

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 7/28/26

Embryo

52Frames - Week 31 - Abstract

EC: ICM

After suffering from another severe case of GAS & coming home with yet another new camera, I was committed to use it on this challenge. I tried various combinations of focal length with the zoom lens, long exposures and multiple stop ND filters.  I chose this shot since it had the most defined subject within an abstract scene.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f16 | 55mm (equiv) | 1 sec | ISO 100

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) ASPH

Photographed 7/28/26

Not Me / Me

Libertyville, IL

Saw this hat in a storefront and then my reflection in the window while taking the photo.  I'm not the "hat guy" but am the photographer.

Leica D-Lux 8 @ f2.5 | 40mm (equiv) | 1/250 sec | ISO 250

Leica DC Vario-Summilux F1.7-2.8 24-75mm (equiv) - ASPH

Photographed 7/26/26

Silent Power

52Frames - Week 30 - Negative Space

Near Wolcott, IN

Miles of wind turbines & farmland presented wonderful photographic opportunities.

Leica M EV1 @ f5.6 | 90mm | 1/1000 sec | ISO 64

Leitz Wetzlar 90mm F4 Elmar-C

Photographed 7/24/26

Fortuitous Rain

Chicago, IL

Of course during an organized photowalk in Chicago, the rain would intervene...which actually created some good photo ops.

1.  Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 800;
Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron


2.  Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/500 sec | ISO 1000;
Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

All Photographed 7/17/26

Remember The Fins?

52Frames - Week 29 - Distortion

North Shore Classics

Mundelein, IL

When I put the 15mm lens on, I'm always looking for interesting and extreme angles.  The classic cars offered up some excellent material.

All Photos:  Leica M EV1 @ f8-f11 | 15mm | SS varies | ISO varies

                    Voigtlander 15mm F4.5 Super Wide - Heliar Aspherical III


All Photographed 7/17/26

1976 Cadillac Sedan Deville

ALTERNATES

1964 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible

Underbelly Of The Beast

Future Photographer

Chicago, IL

Lincoln Park Zoo

Our grandson spending a day at Camp MimiPops.

Nikon 35Ti @ f? | 35mm | Fujifilm 200 | ISO 125

Nikkor 35mm F2.8

All Photographed 6/9/26

McLaughlin & Hayes Hat Co.

Milwaukee, WI

Following a visit to the McLaughlin & Hayes Hat Co. store on the south side of Milwaukee, WI, I photographed a few scenes that are paradoxical to the gentrification of this neighborhood. 

All Photographed 7/8/26

 

A great store in the midst of a gentrifying neighborhood.

Leica M EV1 @ f2.8 | 40mm | 1/1000 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic


Would love to have heard the zoning hearings that allowed this land use configuration to be approved.

Leica M EV1 @ f2.8 | 15mm | 1/250 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander 15mm F 4.5 Super Wide - Heliar Aspherical III


A neighborhood in the midst of some gentrification; this being an exception.

Leica M EV1 @ f5.6 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 80

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic


Lunch stop...next time.

Leica M EV1 @ f2 | 40mm | 1/12000 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Looking Up

52Frames - Week 28 - In The Center

EC: 16mm Or Wider

When I put the 15mm lens on, I'm always looking up for interesting and extreme angles.  While on the hunt for this week's photo with a fellow Framer, I liked the position of these vertical elements and was fortunate that the sun was low enough in the sky to hit the center of the frame.  Cranked the aperture to f22 to produce the sun star.

Leica M EV1 @ 22 | 15mm | 1/320 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander 15mm F 4.5 Super Wide - Heliar Aspherical III


Alternate shot for this week's challenge that I also really liked.

Leica M EV1 @ f11 | 15mm | 1/500 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander 15mm F 4.5 Super Wide - Heliar Aspherical III


All Photographed 7/8/26

Attack?

Union Pier, Michigan

This bench conjured up multiple stories of scenes taking place depending on how much of it you focused on.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f2.2 | 1/110 | 2.22mm (21mm equiv) | ISO 40

Photographed 6/15/26

Pets

52Frames - Week 27 - A New Technique

EC: Shoot In Manual Mode

Subject for a new technique is our pets…a rooster, a pig and a roadrunner. Great pets because they don’t eat or poop. They’re metal sculptures that live on our balcony.

The new technique was inspired by a young guy in one of my photography groups who shoots exclusively with a GRIII and a flash. His approach is a bit Bruce Gilden-ish, which is out of my comfort zone so decided I would try it out on an inanimate object before moving to live subjects.  This photo was taken mid-day during a rainstorm with full manual on the GRIIIx and manual flash.  A favorable byproduct of full manual was being able to simulate a shot taken after dark.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f16 | 1/125 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 100

Photographed 7/3/26

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