Back in May, I needed to take a day to clear my head so I took the camera and went for a walk, snapping pics to help clear the head. Posted some pics in the Grey isolation. post. Was doing some Lightroom cleanup and found this one that I forgot to post. Better now than never.

Taken a few weeks back while leaving the local winery. Looks way more dramatic than what it actually turned out to be.

Continuing our mission to visit some other local wineries, we stumbled into the Violet Vintage Wine Company. Bigger than the previous two with a unique vibe and plenty of outdoor seating (weather was perfect for it). Food and wine were pretty damn good. Totally worth a revisit.

Meanwhile, Rachel is getting more comfortable with the Q3 in prep for visiting AZ at the end of the month.

Took a break from our go-to winery the other week, hit up a couple of smaller locals to see what we are missing in our backyard. Stumbled onto Deerfoot Vineyards and Winery, a small winery with a Chardonnay that I actually liked … didn’t see that coming.

There is something about Leica cameras that just make you want to use them. I felt it in the first few minutes when I rented a Q2 a couple of years back. So strong was the connection that I bought into the Leica family shortly after returning the Q. You just can’t help but pop the lens cap off and snap some shots whenever it’s in your hands … even if it’s just when shuttling the camera upstairs while also feeding Juno the cat.

Black and white preset straight from the M11 P.

Leaving Skogur, we headed further east to our next stop, Reynisfjara. Never been to a black-sand beach before and, truth be told, the waves were a little too dangerous (damn sneaker waves) to venture into the sand so it was more of a black-stone experience.

You can see a hint of the Hálsanefshellir Cave and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks on the edges of the last pic. Sadly, the conditions at the time made for a brief visit. Guess we’ll have to go back. What a shame ;)

Powered up the Q3 this morning to check the charge, been neglecting it a bit since the M11-P showed up. Flipped on the back screen and the focus was on two of the power cables under the desk. It was simple, minimal, with the velcro stranding out as the only real contrast … so, I snapped a shot cuz why not.

After spending some time at Skogafoss, we ventured next door to the Skogur Museum and had a fun little history lesson before wandering around the village right out back. While the homes were small with a very distinct earthy smell, the view was, like all views in Iceland, amazing.

Heading back uptown, waiting for the train.

Been going to NYC for quite a long while yet managed to never visit the Brooklyn Bridge, until now. All the people, the heat of the day and the cloudless conditions made the trek feel pretty long so we asked the AI nonsense on the phone how long the bridge actually was. Confidently did it proclaim “1,595 ft (.3 miles). Turns out that’s not entirely true. It’s actually 6,016 ft (1.1 miles). The smaller number is just the length of the largest span so yeah, context is important. Feels like there is an AI lesson there, too.

Found a lot of locks clipped onto things, had to look that one up, too. Apparently they are “love locks” and, in mass, add a significant amount of weight to the structure. So much so that they are illegal in NYC and come along with a $100 fine. Illegal or not, it was sort of a cool photo with the city in the background.

Ever since I started visiting NYC in the 90’s, Bryant Park has always been a momentary rest, a place to relax for a moment and observe the city as it moves around you. Now nostalgic, it’s become a staple to my visits, even just for a few moments.

I have no idea what the hell this is. I first stumbled across in back in 2015 after a work dinner at Tao Downtown in NYC (it’s right around the corner). Forgot all about it until this past weekend as we left the restaurant for the walk back uptown and there it was. I still have no idea what it is but I think I am now resolved to wonder down this tunnel when next I am there to see what it is first hand.

Wasn’t sure which version of the pic I liked the best … they both manage to capture an appropriate mood.

Our first “traditional” waterfall visit on our Iceland trip. Beautiful and a little damp but hey, it’s a waterfall. One of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, Skogafoss clocks in at 25 meters wide with a roughly 60 meter drop. While we didn’t climb the stairs to the observation deck, we did fill some water bottles for the road (we were told it was safe and it certainly seems to have been). Legend has it that a Viking treasure was secreted away in a cave behind the waterfall, leaving only a metal ring behind before vanishing once discovered. That same metal ring is on display in the adjacent museum.

Leading up to the falls …

Skogafoss …

The bench (I have a thing for bench photos) …

I had no idea that there was an unplugged version of Take On Me out there. The original was always an 80’s fave, full of energy … the unplugged is just … beautiful. A little sad. A little somber. Sort of hated myself for not knowing this existed seven years ago but, the more I think about it, had I heard it before today, I’m not sure I would have appreciated it as much.

It is, seriously, one of the most beautiful songs that I have heard in a really long time. I’m talking tear worthy. Holy shit.

One of the more unexpected things we experienced during our visit to Iceland was the Friðheimar tomato farm. After spending all morning in the cold, the geothermal warmth of the greenhouse was very much welcome. While typically not a fan of tomato soup, this was game changing. Paired up with some fresh made bread and a tomato beer (sounds weirder than it tasted), it was the perfect lunch. We found it to be so profoundly good that we ordered four jars for Christmas. Shipping was a bitch but it was well worth it.

Ever since we started drinking wine, we have been amazed at how our tastes have changed over time. Our palette evolves with our experiences. The greater the exposure, the more refined things become, dialing in what you appreciate (and don’t). Earlier on in our wine journey, we tried a local winery that we were very “meh” about. Decided to try it again today, years after our initial visit, curious to see if our feelings were the same. Sadly, they were.

Had an early day at work, made our way to a cool part of town for some tacos, had a bit of a walk after. I’m not familiar with the Be Mine Boutique but their sign game is strong.

Back to some photos from our 2024 Iceland trip.

After visiting Thingvellir National Park, we moved to the Gullfoss Waterfall. While Thingvellir was crisp and cold, Gullfoss was next level cold with the introduction of the wind and moisture. Traveling further east, things were a little more neutral (there is a lot of this landscape) until we reached the Geysir Geothermal Park. Less windy, just as moist but parts of the ground were boiling. The natural range of Iceland is breathtaking.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Neutral Ground

Geysir Geothermal Park

Struggled with the exposure on this one but found a balance that I was pretty ok with. A little blown out but it reminded me of shooting 1600 film in daylight back in the day. Touch of nostalgia turns a more favorable eye.

Ever since shooting with the rented Leica Q2 in ‘23, I was hooked on the Leica shooting experience. Pre-ordered the Q3 which was my EDC for the trip to Iceland in ‘24. Figured I was set for cameras from here on out … until I was able to play with an M11-P while visiting NYC for an extended weekend. Think I managed to pick up the last one from B&H at pre-tariff pricing. Took it for a walk the day after delivery to get a feel for it. I’m sure it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but damn do I love the stripped down simplicity and pure experience of shooting with it … and that shutter snap … damn.

Just a few snaps from that walk.

First full day with the Leica M11-P, working from the back porch, looked up and say Jake staring back at me from my coffee mug. In that moment, it really felt like it was time for an adventure. Snapped this shot and took the afternoon off to get more familiar with the camera. Should have a few more shots from that walk in a bit.

Earlier this week, I was reminded of something I read in an issue of LensWork magazine, years ago at our local (now closed) Borders …

“Being a photographer teaches you to look at the world differently."

Always thought it was a cool idea, one that proved to be true as I continued taking photographs. You start paying attention to how light and shadow play. You notice how colors interact, when they are vibrating and when they are missing. You notice the geometry of shapes and how they guide the eye or create abstract beauty. You pick up the tiny details often overlooked.

The following day, Leica posted The impermanence of things - Cédric Roux with the Leica Q3 to YouTube. At one point early on, I paused and made note of this line …

“I photograph whenever I have free time, to show others what they don’t take the time to see."

I’m not sure that folks don’t necessarily take the time to see, they just may not have the luxury afforded to them.

While being a photographer, even casually, may be a way to see life, it isn’t the only way. To see beyond the surface of things or simply be fascinated with the superficial is a beautiful thing, something I hope all of us have the opportunity to do, at least once in a while.

Making our way downtown and stumbled upon of some solid Einsteinian vibes. Not wrong, Albert … not wrong at all.

Back in the 90’s, when I started traveling to NYC on bus trips hosted by my dad’s work, we always started off from the Port Authority making our way uptown through Central Park before training down to the East Village. Often times, we made our turn around in the park up by the Met, crossing under this particular bridge. Back then, it always seemed that there was a violinist playing, taking advantage of the amazing acoustics. Loving NYC, Central Park and the violin, I started tossing a few bucks in the open case when passing by … starting a tradition I tend to keep with each visit. This time round, we had a saxophonist.

Maybe it’s not that uncommon but I always find joy in those moments when I can stand in the middle of a street in NYC to snap a photo and not worry about getting hit or honked at. On this (rare?) occasion, I was able to do so twice in one day.