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

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