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

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

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

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

Today's Color Is Red

Lisbon, Portugal

Spotted her from 1/2 block away and when passing, asked for a portrait.

Leica M EV1 @ F8 | 28mm | 1/160 sec | ISO 320

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 5/19/26

Santino

52Frames - Week 16 - Portrait Of A Stranger

Along Lake Michigan

Chicago, IL

A fortuitous encounter with a willing stranger; I asked and he agreed.  Turns out Santino is a model, photographer, cinematographer, dancer and a few other creative endeavors that I cannot recall.  Here, he's executing his Michael Jackson move.

Leica CL @ F2.8 | 50mm | Fujifilm 200 (converted to b/w) | ISO 200

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron

All Photographed 4/16/26

Today's Color Is Green

Chicago, IL

Walking along Michigan Avenue following the No Kings rally, I spotted a bright green color moving behind a storefront full of reflections.  As I got closer, I saw this stunning woman watching the crowd.  I got off a couple of film shots and then approached the glass. When she saw me, I pointed to my camera and her coat.  She caught the drift, put down her phone & drink and posed in the storefront.  I took a couple of digital photos not knowing how the  film photos would turn out.

#1:   Nikon 35Ti @ f? | 35mm | Fujifilm 200 | ISO 200

        Nikkor 35mm F2.8

#2:   Sony A7Cii @ f? | 1/100 | 40mm | ISO 64

        Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/28/26

Mario

Kitchen 86

Palm Desert, CA

Friday & Saturday nights feature "dueling pianos". Kris and Mario put on a great show.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro - Screen shot from a video clip

Photographed 3/20/26

Kris

Kitchen 86

Palm Desert, CA

Friday & Saturday nights feature "dueling pianos". Kris and Mario put on a great show.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/40 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 3200

Photographed 3/20/26

Rhythm Is Life - Redux

I heard the melodic sounds and wondered if it was the same steel drum guy that I had heard last year and featured in a blog post.  Sure enough, it was!  Cole was, once again, filling the air with his beautiful music.  He remembered our encounter and allowed me to shoot some additional photos.  While doing so, I noticed that his drum looked different.  Cole confirmed that it was the same drum, however it had just been cleaned and not all notes had been re-written on the surface.

Check out the link to last year's post to learn more about these amazing drums along with links to Cole's band.  https://jeffm211-p52.blogspot.com/2025/03/rhythm-is-life.html

Photographed 3/8/25

Rhythm Is Life 4

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/1600 | 40mm | ISO 50

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Rhythm Is Life 5

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/1000 | 40mm | ISO 50

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Irwin, Irwin & Irwin

52 Frames - Week 6 - Complementary Colors

I met my buddy Irwin for coffee this morning to celebrate his 84th birthday.  He drives a bright orange Dodge Challenger.  When he showed up with a dark blue hat, I thought there might be an opportunity for this week's challenge.  Irwin is always my most willing subject so we worked this scene in the parking lot.

While I'm typically not a fan of selective color, it was the only way I could keep some semblance of my B/W personal challenge this year.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f16 | 1/125 sec | 50mm equiv | ISO 2500

Photographed 2/2/26

Pasta Man

Cancun, MX

A favorite Cancun restaurant, Cenacolo, opened in a new location recently. Freshly made pasta is better than ever.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.8 | 1/60 | 6.76mm (24mm equiv) ISO 500

Photographed 1/14/26

Nutcracker

52 Assignments Exposure 40 - Hard Day's Light

Shadow play on the pier at Waukegan, IL beach.

Sony A7Cii @ f8 | 1/640 | 50mm | ISO 125

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron (adapted)

Photographed 1/7/26

An Influential Friend

Starting off the 2026 blog with recognition of a friend who has been influential in my expanding into new (and rekindling some old) photographic interests.  After meeting Steve about 2 years ago, I now shoot, develop & scan b/w and color film, have acquired three film cameras, shoot film & digital with several M-mount prime lenses and print photographs for zines, photobooks & display.

I captured (on film) this shot of Steve giving me an inquiring eye during our last photowalk of 2025 in Grayslake, IL.

Nikon 35Ti | 35mm | Fujifilm 400 | ISO 400

Nikkor 35mm F2.8

Photographed 12/23/25

Finished The Roll

I was itching to get out and finish a roll of film I had loaded in this camera, so on a cold day went to the historic town of Long Grove, IL for a photowalk.

Leica CL | 40mm | Ilford HP5+ | ISO 400

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

Mill Pond

8'-6"

All In A Row

 

Sleigh Ride

On The Verge Of Defeat

52 Frames - Week 47 - Sports Photography

I was explaining to a photography friend my dilemma about finding a photo opp for this week's challenge.  He immediately challenged me to an arm wrestling match and compelled me to photograph it.  Thanks, Mike, for the awesome idea and for not tearing my arm off!!

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f1.9 | 1/40 | 2.69mm (23mm equiv) | ISO 250

Photographed 11/22/25

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