Stay Tuned .... sailing back into production in 2013!

The River At Night

Today's image is a night time view due west of the Chicago river.  That's Trump tower dead center.
That's it for today.

Night Street Photography

Today's image is just a little street music. That's it for today, short and sweet.

Dog Day Afternoon

Today's image was shot while just shooting some test shots.  I passed by a car in a parking lot and the back door was open with this little guy just standing there. I took a few shots trying to catch him looking right into the camera, but he wouldn't cooperate.  Kids and animals, sometimes you have to just take what you can get. That's it for today.

Not Today, Not Here, Not This Year

Today's image is what it has looked like some years on today's date.  Today it was actually 84 degrees according to the thermometer in my car.  It was a great day for a motorcycle ride, which I got to enjoy today.  That's it for today, check back tomorrow, you never know what you will see.

Mix and Match Shapes

Today's image is of a hospital addition that just recently opened.  As you can see the design is very interesting in that it mixes geometric shapes. The inside upper floors are designed to bring maximum efficiency and services to the patients.  Needless to say I hope I'm never in need of the services they offer. That's it for today, check back tomorrow, you never know what you will see.

Sundays Missing Post - Street Photography Part 2

Today's missing post from Sunday is just a another street photography image from just west of downtown Chicago. It was easy to just park and take a few shots this day.  Not much else to say.  That's it for this catch up post.

Saturdays Missing Post - Street Photography Part 1

Today's missing post from Saturday is just a little street photography from downtown Chicago.
It's was a beautiful day.  Not much else to say.  That's it for this post.

Planes Trains and Automobiles

Today's image was shot today. It made me stop and think about when I didn't own a car. It's amazing the things we take for granted.  I remember I traveled everywhere on the bus or train. If I had to do that today I'd be in a lot of trouble. So today I also had to stop and think just how blessed I am and have been for a number of years. What do you take for granted? That's it for today, check back tomorrow, you never know what you will see.

Cell Phone Signal Strength

Today's image reminds me of the signal strength indicator bars you see on your cell phone or ipad in reverse.  This image actually comes from a golf course and as I was looking for an image to post today it just caught my eye.  I often see things that  look like something else. What about you?  That's it for today, check back tomorrow you never know what you will see.

If You Only Get To Do It Once

Today's image was taken at Torry Pines golf course.  Ok, I didn't actually take this one but I directed the stranger on how to frame it with my G11.  I don't get to play golf much anymore but if I only get to play once a year, why not do it here?  That's it for today, check back tomorrow, you never know what you will see.

Staying Afloat

Today's image symbolizes what today was like for me. It was a long day and I did all I could do to stay afloat.  Happy this one is over. Time to relax for a few hours at the dock.  That's it for today, check back tomorrow, you never know what you will see.

Missed Some Early Riding Days

Today's image is another from winter.  At this point in the year in Chicago there is normally still about this  much (in the image above) snow on the ground.  Again this has been one of the mildest winters I can ever remember here. My thoughts are starting to turn to the motorcycle riding season.  Over the weekend it seemed like every biker in town was out riding.  I normally have my bike charged up and ready to for days such as those we had over the weekend. This year my charger decided to crap out, so
I've missed some rare chances this early in the year.  That's it for today, check back soon, you never know what you will see.

Sorry, No Snow Today

Today's image comes as a reminder of where we've been. Even though this was a nice warm winter, can't help but be happy with today's weather.  I actually worked in the yard today and broke a sweat.
Hello spring.  That's it for today, check back soon, you never know what you will see.

Quick Natural Light Portriat

Today's image was taken just a few hours ago.  It's just a quick natural light test shot. I had her seated about 2 feet from the window as the sun was going down. That's it for today, check back again soon, you never know what you you might see.

If This Sax Could Talk

Today's image is a well worn sax waiting for the next gig.  If you look closely at this sax you can see it's played a lot of notes. I wonder how many people have heard this sax during it's life time.  That's it for today, check back soon you never know what you will see.

Branching Out

Today's image is from a room with a view.  Now I'm guessing there is nothing to see from this room when there are leaves on this tree.  The lighting if from outside which made it look interesting to me.
That's it for today, check back again, you never know what you will see.

Just Blowing Out Some Notes

Today's image is just one of my favorites. Not much else to say about it.  Hope you like it.
That's it for today short and sweet.  Check back later, you never know what you might see.

Start Them Young

Kayla shooting me

Today's images again, feature my 8 year old daughter, who loves to take pictures.  Thanks to digital  in this day and age it's easy to start kids down this path.  In the old days with film it was a hassle and less  likely  that a child her age or younger would be allowed and/or encouraged to play with a camera.  Not to mention buying film and paying to have it developed.    The instant feedback and delete ability allows for lots of no cost learning and playing.

She's using my G11 for these shots but yesterdays post,  was  shot by her using my full size DSLR.  I actually started teaching her how to hold and shoot with it when she was only six years old.  We will continue down this path and see what develops (pun intended) as long as she is interested.  I may post more of her shots in the future so keep checking in, you never know what you will see.  That's it for today.

It's Been 100 Days

Me at radio station WHPK

Today's image marks the 100th day and posting of this blog.  I've missed 3 days of getting the post out on time in the past 100 days.  This has been habit changing and I'm still working on the regular routine to get this published each day.  Today's image is also special because this image was not taken by me. It was taken by my 8 year old daughter Kayla. She loves to take pictures with my camera.  It's a little heavy for her but she does a pretty good job right?  Hope you've enjoyed the first 100 days of images.
That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow, you never know what you will see.

Today's images are one of the beautiful buildings on the campus of the University of Chicago.  This is also where radio station WHPK is located.  I grew up in this area and played chess, 16 inch softball, touch football, rode bikes and had tons of other fun in the area.

 Until this visit I had forgotten all about it.  Needless to say this calls for future visits back to area just for a photos.  So stay with me and keep watching the blog.  You never know what will see (I'm kind of stealing that line from my cousin).  That's it for the day.

Eavesdroppiing - Can You Hear Them Now?

Today's images comes from today's visit to radio station WHPK located on the campus of the University of Chicago. After shooting the concert last week I was invited to stop by the station.  I sat in with  DJ Marcus Burks, the founder of Urban Aspirations, and talented chef Mrs. Kocoa Scott during a 2 hour jazz session.  The music was fantastic!

 My 8 year old daughter Kayla was also with me.  While in the music room filled with vinyl  from floor to ceiling, she asked are those old news papers?  Then it hit me she had never seen an album before.  I have 2 crates of them stored in the garage but no turn table in the house to play them on.

Sharing more then one image again today.  Hope this doesn't catch up with me in the future and  I have a day with no image.  That's it for today.

This Is Who They Are

 

Today I'm showing more then one image. I've been promising all week to tell you who these guys are so today's the day.  This is Ken Chaney and the "Awakening".  They were playing a special concert in honor of Black History Month sponsored by WHPK radio station at the International House. As you can see in the image below, they packed house.

Meet each member of the "Awakening"  after the jump

Two Sticks And Some Skin

Today's image is the final member of the band.  Saved him for last because he's the hardest one to photograph.  In most bands the drummer is constantly in motion and sometimes hidden. He laid down some serious beats. The next post will finally reveal who these guys are. Stay tuned and that's it for today.

Saturday Night Sax Never Hurts

Today's image is the Sax man from Saturday night's show.  You know the rest, more coming on who they are so just stay tuned to the blog. That's it for today.

Just Pulling Some Strings

Today's image is of the base player, yes, from Saturday night's show. Stay tuned, I'll share who they are  before it's all said and done.  That's it for today.

Can You Hear The Notes?

Today's image is the man with the horn, part of the band from Saturday night's show. Can you hear it?
Stay tuned to the blog this week for more info.  That's it for today.

It's All In The Hands

Today's image is from last nights jazz concert.  Keep watching the blog this week to fine out more about who these hands belong to and what they've done. That's it for today.

Saturday's Image 6 mins. Late - Before The Start Of Something Jazzy

Today's image comes from the start of a serious jazz concert I shot earlier tonight (Saturday).  Just getting home. Stay tuned all week for more images from it and also a little history about the leader. That's it for today.

House of Championship Banners

Today's image is a packed house to watch the Chicago Bulls basketball team.  I used to be a season ticket holder. We attended a game for the first time this year but had the misfortune of it being one of the games Derrick Rose was out with a bad back.  It was still a good time and the Bulls won.  That's it for the day.

On The Road Again

Today's image was actually taken just about an hour ago.  It's the 3 time defending state champions of Bolingbrook high school after winning the sectionals title. They are well on their way on the road to hopefully a record breaking 4th straight state title.  But first they must get past the team they beat for the title last year in the super sectionals on Monday.  That's it for today.

Pitchers And Catchers

Today's image if from one a studio shoot with a Cubs fan. Given pitchers and catchers reported to spring training this week, thought this was a good choice today.  That's it for today.

Tuesday Is Missing - The Price I Pay

Today's image is the price I have to pay for the beautiful images I get to send in the family Christmas card each year.  This means in order to get them to behave for a few serious shots I have to allow them to take at least one like this.  Normally we do this type of shot at the end but sometimes depending on how it's going or not going.  We have to do it in the middle of the session.  That's it for the Tuesday's missing image.

Familly Sessions

Today's image is a family shot from a fall session.  I've posted a few times on the different challenges of group shots to get everyone in sync.  This was one of the in sync shots form the session. That's it for today.

Something Went Wrong Part 2 - Sundays Missing Image

Today's missing Sunday image is the Wrigley building in Chicago on an early summer morning.  This is one of the oldest building in downtown Chicago on Michigan avenue. That's it for today.

Something Went Wrong - Saturdays Missing Image

Today's image is Saturdays missing image. It's an interior shot from Vegas.  Thought this was just something different then the everyday visitor's shot of the glitz and glamor. That's it for this post.

The Hard Part Is Done

Today's image is another wedding photo.  This is right after they have become the new Mr. and Mrs. X moment.  It's funny because the grooms at this point will finally relax after sweating through the service.  I see it all the time, most are uptight before it starts and up until this part.  Watch for this at the next wedding you attend.  That's it for today.

You Can Dress Them Up

Today's image is from a wedding. This is a beautiful image other then  the pose of the one young man. A common challenge when shooting groups is getting everyone in sync. You never know what you are going to  get when kids are involved. You have to be patient but at some point you may have to just go with it.  I've found when you bring attention to kids, it often gets worst rather then better.  That's it for today.

You Might Be Surprised What You Can See And Do Here

Today's image is another from the airport. It's the Blues Brothers, popular characters from Saturday Night Live, made famous from the movie of the same name filmed in Chicago. At some point airports changed from just a place you go to catch a plane. Now days you can shop, shower (yes shower), eat, sleep, discover art, play games, gamble, etc. etc..  As I mentioned in a previous post, a lot of it goes unnoticed by a lot of travelers.  So next time you travel by air, take a moment and look around, see what you discover. That's it for today.

Peaceful Thoughts

Today's image has all the elements I like photographing, beautiful sky, sand, water and rocks. Today is valentines day, so here's hoping you are thankful and at peace with your mate.  That's it for today.

Anybody Seen A WWII Dive Bomber Hanging Around?

Today's image is of a World War II dive bomber hanging in Midway airport in Chicago. What was more amazing to me then the plane hanging there was the thousands of people that pass under it everyday most of which, don't notice it.  I stood and watched for a while before I took the picture as people just went on their merry way.

This is the  the Douglas SBD Dauntless, a WW2 naval dive bomber made by Northrop BT.  It saw it's first action during the Pearl Harbor attack. There were 5,936 planes built and were the main bomber used by the U.S. Navy from mid-1940 until late 1943. Some of these planes were also supplied to Mexico. They were in operational use there until retirement in 1959. You can learn more here: 
http://www.military-aircraft.org.uk/bombers/douglas-sdb-dauntless.htm
That's it for today.

Don't Wear Out Your Welcome

Today's image was taken a few weeks ago when were were finally hit with a big snow storm. I'm happy
it didn't wear out it's welcome.  The snow on the ground melted pretty quickly due to the unusually warm winter we've been having.  I'm not complaining, I figure it's the make up for the cool summer we had two years ago.  That's it for today.

Not Just A Hotel Room - Part 2

Today's image is another of the hotel room form my business trip. As you can see it's from a different view point and some camera settings have been changed.  The lighting is the exact same as the post from yesterday, yet the room looks brighter.  The reason is the ISO setting was increased to 400 from 160, all other settings are the same (f2.8 and shutter speed is still 1/30th of a sec., no flash).  That's it for today.

Not Just A Hotel Room

Today's image is from a recent business trip. This is not just a hotel room to me, but I realize it is to most people.  When I walked into the room I saw an opportunity to experiment with the ambient light.  I saw light patterns, shadows, shapes, texture and 3D. The only lights on in the room are the two table lamps.  This image was shot with my G11.  Settings were ISO 160, f2.8, 1/30th sec. shutter speed. I'll be sharing a few more of these over the next few days so stay tuned. That's it for today

A Man And His Toy

Today's image is of a friend of mine and his spring, summer and fall toy. Because of the area we live in we have to skip this current season.  That's the price we pay for living here. That's it for today.