I have been posting to this blog for over 14 years, each year reporting on accomplishments over the prior year and goals for the new year.

In 2025 and beyond, this Blog will be my main photography communication vehicle. Content will be varied and in the spirit of my approach to photography as described on the "About" page of my website at www.jeffmarcowitz.photography 

The Project W pages on the website will be a curated collection of work representing the “Best Of” images posted here on the Blog. With a subscription, you'll continue to receive an email (with content) whenever I post to the Project W Blog.

Thanks to all of you who have followed this photo blog for many years and welcome to any newcomers. My hope is that the images and stories are interesting and thought-provoking as I continue this creative journey. As always, comments, critiques and suggestions (here and the website) are welcome and appreciated as they often lead to new ideas and inspiration.

Thank You.
Jeff

Friday, June 12, 2026

Calm Before The Storm

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

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

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

Façade 1

Façade 2

Façade 3

Façade 4

Façade 5

Façade 6

Façade 7

Sunday, June 7, 2026

They Still Exist

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

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Sniffing A Snack / No Fear

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

Friday, June 5, 2026

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
Literal Interpretation

Literal Interpretation

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Cornucopia Of Food

Bolhāo Market
Porto, Portugal

Leica M EV1 @ F5.6 | 28mm
Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron


All Photographed 5/11/26
Cornucopia Of Food

Cornucopia Of Food

Cornucopia Of Food

Cornucopia Of Food

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Crenelations

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

Monday, June 1, 2026

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

São Bento Train Station 1

São Bento Train Station 2

São Bento Train Station 3

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Train Wall

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

Bridge

All Photographed 5/12/26

Friday, May 29, 2026

Manteigaria

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

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Crash & Splash

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

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Stairway to Heaven

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
Heaven
This is what Heaven looks like.

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Today's Color Is Red

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

Friday, May 22, 2026

Ominous

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

Sunday, May 17, 2026

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
Beer Time

Shadow PlayShadow Play

Discord In The Reflection
Discord In The Reflection

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Why?

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

Thursday, May 14, 2026

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

Did Not Succumb


Did Not Succumb


Friday, May 8, 2026

New Chicago Landmark

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

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

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

Bouncing
Leica M EV1 @ F16 | 40mm | 4 sec | ISO 64
Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic


BTS
BTS
DJI Mavic Mini camera

Monday, May 4, 2026

Bling

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

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Introverts

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

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

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

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


BTS 1
BTS 1
DJI Mavic Mini camera

BTS 2
BTS 2
DJI Mavic Mini camera

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Foggy Thursday

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

Thursday, April 23, 2026

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...
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?
Got Junk?
Libertyville, IL
Leica M EV1 @ F1.4 | 28mm | 1/800 sec | ISO 64
Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron


Fuzzy Reflection
Fuzzy Reflection
Libertyville, IL
Leica M EV1 @ F2.4 | 28mm | 1/500 sec | ISO 64
Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

"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

Sunday, April 19, 2026

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

Santino


Santino


Santino