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

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.