Desert Shores

Desert Shores, CA

Population:  ~1,100

Once a thriving resort town along the western coast of the Salton Sea, its heyday being in the 1950-1960s, Desert Shores has deteriorated over the decades largely due to the residual effects of Salton Sea contamination.

Currently, there are several restoration projects underway and planned by local and state agencies, including water restoration to the marina.



I spent an afternoon capturing photographs of the town and had some good encounters with locals as well.



B/W photos were captured on Kodak Tri-X 400 film with a Voigtlander Bessa R4M camera and a Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic
lens.  Color photos were captured digitally on a Sony A7Cii camera and a Voigtlander Color-Skopar 21mm F4 MC lens. 

All Photographed 11/9/25

Desert Shores

Once A Marina

Hope For The Future

Call For Help?

Palm & LaJolla

Sea & Sun

Art Revival

Lucia

Mi Amigos

Mountain Mike

Mountain Mike Custom Leather

Idyllwild, CA

If you're ever in need of a customized leather item, this is the place.  I wandered into this shop to inquire about a custom leather camera strap for my film cameras.  Mike presented a couple of options but unfortunately, did not have anything ready-made.  Next year, with some advance planning, I may have some new straps.

Check him out at: mountainmikecustomleather.com

Voigtlander Bessa R4M | 40mm | ISO 100 | Kentmere 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Photographed 11/1/25

No Kings - Chicago

On 10/18/25, over 200,000 people attended the downtown Chicago "No Kings" rally and march.  It was a surprisingly peaceful protest, and at the same time, a palpable anger could be felt.  Many thanks are due the organizers for the superb job in orchestrating this massive event.

With digital and film cameras in hand, here are a few photos from the day.  Thanks to my friend Steve P. who offered an objective selection of the 180+ photos taken.

 

Scenes From the Public Market

These photos were taken July 28, 2025 at the Public Market in Milwaukee, WI and represent experimentation with camera/lens combinations not previously used. The first two shots are digital with a Sony camera and Leica 50mm lens. The next two shots are on film with a Voigtlander Bessa camera and 50mm Leica lens. The last two shots are also on film with the same camera and a Voigtlander 21mm lens.

Say Cheese

Three Twenty

Me Want Cookies

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

Hangin' Out

Above The Market

Bridges, Trains & Towers

These photos were taken July 10, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, CA with my Voigtlander Bessa R4M on Cinestill 400D 35mm film. While most of my photography remains digital, I am very much enjoying a reintroduction to film photography.

Bridges, Trains & Towers 1

Voigtlander Bessa R4M | 28mm | Cinestill 400D

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Bridges, Trains & Towers 2

Voigtlander Bessa R4M | 28mm | Cinestill 400D

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Bridges, Trains & Towers 3

Voigtlander Bessa R4M | 28mm | Cinestill 400D

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Reflection

Chicago, IL

Double entendre?

For the "From the Car" series, a 2025 project in the works.

Voigtlander Bessa R4m @ f8 | 21mm | Kentmere 100 | ISO 100

Voigtlander VM 21mm F4 Color-Skopar

Photographed 4/27/25

The Art of Colored Pencil

52 Assignments Exposure 23 - Face On

Phil Schorn is an artist who travels to many art fairs in the midwest.  The process he uses for creating his colored pencil scenes is fascinating.  Check him out at pschornstudio.com.

Voigtlander Bessa R4m @ f8 | 28mm | Kodak Ultramax | ISO 400

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/3/25

Mystery Guy

Chicago, IL

Who is that mystery guy doing the Mystery Recording?

Voigtlander Bessa R4m @ f8 | 21mm | Kentmere 100 | ISO 100

Voigtlander VM 21mm F4 Color-Skopar

Photographed 4/27/25