Chicago Strings

52Frames - Week 38 - Music

My intent this week was to photograph a record store or music store.  Jeff Yang, owner of Chicago Strings in Evanston, IL was very accommodating and graced me with a short concert & photo ops. Check him out at Chicago Strings.

This is a composite of two photos; the musician and the storefront.

Leica M EV1 @ F2.4 | 40mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 500

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 9/16/26

Scenes At The Beach

Lake Forest, IL

A couple more alternates for this past week's 52Frames - Black & White challenge.

Leica M EV1 @ F (varies) | 40mm | 1/500 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

All Photographed 9/9/26

Rain Walk

Abandoned Fleet

Squash

52Frames - Week 37 - Black And White

Farmer's Market

Highland Park/Ravinia, IL

Went out on a gray, drizzly day to catch some B/W photos.  Of the 30+ photos I shot, this one stood out as most unique.  Is there such a variety called "sperm squash"?

Leica M EV1 @ F2.4 | 40mm | 1/180 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 9/9/26

Flashback!

Buffalo Grove, IL

Last time at Buffalo Grove Days was about 20+ years ago when my son's band played a set.  This time we're here with his kids!

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/12000 | 6.8mm (67mm equiv) | ISO 80

Photographed 9/6/25

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