Forty-Seven

52 Frames - Week 44 - Your Worst Nightmare

Figuring out my worst nightmare wasn't a problem. Figur ing out how to represent it in a photo was a conundrum...until this morning when I received this email.  A photo of the email solved the problem and is especially relevant because I'm one of the subjects.

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 250

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 40mm F1.4 (adapted)

Photographed 10/29/25

Over The Shoulder

Scottsdale, AZ

I saw this beautiful scene in the rearview mirror.  Unable to turn around and capture it, I used my phone's front facing camera and aimed it out the rear window.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.9 | 1/60 | 2.69mm (30mm equiv) | ISO 320

Photographed 3/2/25

Daily Toil

Our African itinerary included a transfer from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Livingston Airport, Zambia to catch a flight back to South Africa.  I was stricken by the stark contrast of this border-crossing scene compared to my life in the US and made a few quick snaps as we made our way through the chaos.  A great reminder about gratitude.

All photos made on 9/13/24 with an Apple iPhone 15 Pro.

In Sync

Evanston, IL

Another shot from a walk in downtown Evanston.

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/500 | 90mm | ISO 1250

Leitz Elmar-C 90mm F4 (adapted)

Photographed 7/7/24

Brood 13 or 17?

52Frames - Week22 - Shoot With A Phone

On the cusp of the cicada emergence.  Two broods at one time expected; first such occurrence in 221 years.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/120 | 6.76mm (89mm equiv) | ISO 64

Photographed 5/27/24

Three From The "L"

Photographs taken during the CTA Red Line "L" rides to and from a photowalk in downtown Chicago on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Pissed Off

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/200 | 28mm | ISO 12800

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron (adapted)

Pirate

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/200 | 28mm | ISO 12800

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron (adapted)

Pets Allowed

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/250 | 28mm | ISO 8000

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron (adapted)

Weird Reflection

52Frames - Week 52 - Combine 3 Challenges

While multi-tasking at my desk, I observed this weird reflection coming off the end of my iPhone.  Sensing there was an image here that could solve this week's 52Frames challenge, I pulled out the list and identified:

Week 6 - Single Focal Point

Week 9 - Details

Week 10 - Negative Space

Week 25 - Macro

Week 42 - Low Key

And I still cannot explain the reflection.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f6.3 1/250 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 1600

Photographed 12/20/21

Swipe

52Frames - Week 47 - Fill the Frame

I had fully intended to pull out my A7C and 70-300mm lens for the Extra Challenge this week, but when I saw this scene, I grabbed the new GRIIIx which was close at hand and captured this sweet moment. [no crop]

At a couple of months shy of 2-1/2, my grandson has the photo swiping motion down cold, especially when he's the subject.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f4.0 1/30 26mm (40mm equiv) ISO 12800

Photographed 11/17/21

Baggage

52Frames - Week 45 - Face A Fear

Extra Credit: New Photography Technique

Even with the improved technology and handling systems adopted by the airlines, I cannot shake the fear of lost baggage.  Ever since my scuba gear was lost for 5 days of a 7 day dive trip, I stress every time I have to check a bag.  As such, incessant checking of the tracking app takes the edge off.

Taking the extra credit this week as I made this image on the first day with a new camera.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f5 1/125 40mm equiv ISO 12800

Photographed 11/2/21

Another 2fer

52Frames - Week 44 - Shot With A Phone

CLondon52w44: Show Motion

From the C.London website: “Light trails, blurred commuters, soft water.  Just a few ways to show motion.  How do we do it?  With a slow shutter speed.  You’ll need a steady hand, tripod, or just a solid surface to keep the camera still.  A tip: using the self-timer or a remote control for non-handheld shots will take out the risk of camera shake while pressing the shutter button.  Find a moving subject and show its motion with a slower shutter speed.  Can’t control your shutter speed?  No problem!  Take this opportunity to think creatively.  How else can you show motion?”

With the 52Frames deadline approaching, and a new CLondon52 week just beginning, I was sitting at my desk, staring at my clock, wondering what photos I could make for each.  The clock motion was mesmerizing and I suddenly realized another 2fer was staring back at me!

"Grandfather" clock + iPhone + Halide Camera app + LR Mobile = Show Motion With A Phone.  And after attending several Adobe Max sessions this week, the image was processed 100% on the phone as well.

Apple 12 Pro @ f2 1 sec 6mm (52mm equiv) ISO 25

Photographed 10/29/21

Sneak Attack

CLondon52w22: Unfocused

From the C.London website: Open For Interpretation

The animals on our balcony are a rambunctious group.  I think Piggy has something in store for Hoo Hoo.

Apple iPhone 12 Pro @ f2 1/120 6mm (52mm equiv) ISO 125

Photographed 5/30/21

The Year: 2020

52 Frames - Week 20 - Not What You See

I admit, coming up with an idea for this week's challenge was a struggle.  However, in the end, it gave me the opportunity to use a workflow different from normal.

Instead of my usual Lightroom workflow, I also used Photoshop, Color Efex Pro 2 and Sharpening Pro 3.  And after all that, it's still the worst photo technically that I've submitted thus far.  But after 3 hours, and not having the patience level of my 52F friends, I decided to follow Yosef's mantra that completing the challenge is more important than making the shot perfect.  Hence, this result.

Taken 5/14/20

Hologram

52Frames - Week 6 - Rule of Thirds (Extra Credit:  Street Photography)

While riding the Metra train home, I noticed this reflection in the window next to me.  With just the right lighting conditions, I could place the subject right at a RoT intersection point and have it emerge from the background.  After several attempts with both my iphone and new Sony A6600, I was able to capture a strong reflection along with the "street photography" context as background.  Post was mainly straightening and b/w conversion.

Taken 2/7/20

Isla Mujeres

52Frames - Week 5 - Shoot From Above (Extra Credit: 30 Stories High)

Climbing out, this conveys the 11 days of perfect weather we had in Cancun this year.

Taken 1/29/20

Fito

Jamming out amongst the diners at Taboo, a new restaurant in Cancun, it was unclear to me why Fito Raygoza wasn't more well known.  The guy was amazing.

Taken 1/26/20

John

52Frames - Week 4 - Fill the Frame

I admired this guy's great beard as we were walking along the beach in Cancun and asked if I could take a couple of photos.  John is from Liverpool and claims not to have shaved since 1971.

Taken 1/24/20

Bruno

While having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Cancun, Porfirios, we were watching the big screen and didn't recognize the name of the song being performed on the video.

Out came my iphone with Shazam.  Sure enough it came up with the same Bruno Mars video.

[Photo credit to Ione M.  Post-processing by yours truly.]

Taken 1/21/20

B-C Link - Plate 2

My alternate shot for 52Frames - Week 2 - Leading Lines.

Taken 1/7/20

B-C Link

52Frames - Week 2 - Leading Lines

I've been through this terminal at O'Hare a thousand times and never thought about it in the context of leading lines until this week.  And with my penchant for street photography, was compelled to include a person in the frame.

Taken 1/7/20

Launch of a New Challenge

52 Frames - Week 1 - Self-Portrait

Since my photography has been sporadic the last few years, I was looking for some structure to jump start shooting regularly in 2020.  I found what looks to be a great challenge site, 52Frames.  Posting one shot a week, each with a different theme/subject.

Since street photography is my genre of choice, taking a self-portrait in the street environment made the most sense to me.  This shot was taken at the stairs leading to the “L” platform in downtown Chicago.

On cameras, I haven’t used my DSLR for about 5 years or my mirrorless M4/3 for about 2 years.  The iPhone camera has gotten so good, I rely entirely on that.  My intent is to shoot all 52 weeks with the 11 Pro (or its successor).

Thanks for viewing and taking this journey with me.

Taken 1/2/20