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

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

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

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

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

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

Did Not Succumb

Porto, Portugal

I had some great sardines in Duoro Valley, outside of Porto but did not partake in this well-marketed tourist trap in Porto's city center.

1.  Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/640 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 200


1.  Ricoh GRIIIx @ f2.8 | 1/125 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 800


Photographed 5/12/26

"M"

Libertyville, IL

How did they know what my new camera was?

Leica M EV1 @ F2.4 | 28mm | 1/2500 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander VM 28mm F2 Ultron

Photographed 4/21/26

Complementary Comfort

Chicago, IL

The colors & reflections through the storefront jumped out at me. When Steve moved into the frame, it was a "must take" scene.

Leica CL @ f5.6 | 1/?? sec | 50mm | ISO 160

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron

Photographed 4/9/26

Triplets

Chicago, IL

Leica CL @ f5.6 | 1/??? sec | 50mm | ISO 160

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron

Photographed 4/9/26

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

Out Of Place

El Paseo

Palm Desert, CA



El Paseo is a mile long stretch of high-end shops, galleries and restaurants.  At night, storefronts are stunning.  Galleries highlight their spectacular art.  Dining areas and live music spill out onto the sidewalks.

As I walked from my parking space to the restaurant, I could not help but notice the contrast between this scene and the entire street environment.

Ricoh GRIIIx @ f3.2 | 1/160 sec | 40mm equiv | ISO 200

Photographed 3/22/26

Out Of Place

El Paseo - Shop

El Paseo - Gallery

El Paseo - Dining

El Paseo - Music

Passé x 3

Kierland Commons

Scottsdale, AZ

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/400 | 40mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/5/26

La La Land

Kierland Commons

Scottsdale, AZ

State of the Union.

Sony A7Cii @ f1.4 | 1/125 | 40mm | ISO 100

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic (adapted)

Photographed 3/4/26

Preserved Peculiarities

McHenry, IL

On a photowalk, we wandered into this shop and was struck by the variety of weird stuff.  The sign doesn't lie!  The 2nd shot was the weirdest scene of them all.  Encased in a glass box, it was for sale.  If you're in the area, check it out.

#1: Sony A7IV @ f5 | 1/125 | 126mm | ISO 100

#2: #1: Sony A7IV @ f22 | 1/40 | 86mm | ISO 12800

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

All Photographed 2/4/26

The Owner

Surgery

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

Closed For The Season - Part 2

The Waukegan, IL Harbor & Marina may be closed for the season, but the photo opportunities in and around the area are not.

Sony A7Cii @ f2 & f8 | 50mm

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summicron

All Photographed 1/7/26

Closed For The Season-Part 2

Dockside Ice Cream

Live Bait & Tackle

Behind The Chainlink

Rail King

Layers Upon Layers

52 Frames - Week 52 - Redo

I love shooting storefront reflections.  They often contain multiple stories and create a puzzle of layers for the viewer.

To diverge from my original 52F-Week 35 Reflections photo taken with an iPhone, I set out to capture a storefront reflection on film, not knowing if it was successful until I processed and scanned the roll.

Photographed in downtown Grayslake, IL, this scene is through the windows of a men's barbershop with reflections of the adjacent street.

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

Nikkor 35mm F2.8

Photographed 12/23/25

Bronzeville

On 9/27/25, Beers & Cameras_Chicago and local photographer Malik Zambezi (@malikshotyou) organized a fabulous photowalk through the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago.  It was well attended by both B&C_Chi members and local community photographers, models and content creators.

The photograph of the model, Zy, below is my favorite of the day.  Taking a poll of my viewers - color or B/W?  Please let me know your preference.

 

The Walk

Message Of The Day

Golden

Zy

Zy

How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?

Third Ward

Milwaukee, WI

Not a great quality photo but it was more important to capture the scene than fiddle with settings. Taken through a storefront...Lightroom reflection removal works.

Sony A7Cii @ f2.8 | 1/3200 | 75mm (equiv) | ISO 8000

Leitz Wetzlar 50mm F2 Summitar (adapted)

Photographed 7/28/25