Another Beach in Chicago
NOT what I had planned…
You may recall that I accompanied Judy when she went to Nookie’s (Edgewater) to lead a book discussion and I ended up meeting a few interesting people and seeing some colorful buildings. So, when I heard that Judy was going back this past Monday, I jumped at the chance to tag along again, thinking I’d find more visual goodies along Bryn Mawr Avenue. Well, I did find some interesting subjects, but not what I had imagined and not where I expected to go! It was rather warm, and the lake looked interesting from a few blocks away, so I decided to walk down there and check it out. I’ve lived in the Chicago area my whole life and I don’t think I ever saw this beach before….Hollywood Beach (or, Kathy Osterman Beach). It’s beautiful there! The pier, above, is not altered. Lucky mix of light and clouds…and the color on the pier is quite dramatic.
And, I think you’ll see from the images below that it’s quite serene and peaceful there, contrary to the crowded and hectic beaches just to the south and north. I saw very few people and most of them were in the same place and pose for the entire hour or so I walked around with my camera and a 50mm lens. For example, this guy (below): He didn’t move from that seat.
This woman (below) was sitting about 50 yards away from the man. And she didn’t move, either. Deep in thought, it seems.
Walking northward along the beach, I saw this scene (below) and it reminded me of going to Miami Beach as a kid, with all the large hotels along Collins Boulevard. The three people added the right spice to the frame, and I touched it up with a little nostalgic coloring and a vintage looking frame….looks like an old postcard??
So, I turned around and look what I saw! The grand, pink colored Edgewater Beach Apartments (I’ve learned that the hotel part was actually razed in 1968 since Lake Shore Drive separated it from access to Lake Michigan). Note the gracious guy spreading out the towel for the woman. I actually waited for that before I pressed the shutter button! Anybody notice it?
Finally, starting to walk back south toward Bryn Mawr Avenue, I saw the freshly made lines in the sand left by the cleanup crew and I liked the pattern. I just waited for the appropriate couple to walk on the lines….and there wasn’t a lot of traffic, so I had to wait a while.
So much to see in Chicago. You’ve gotta love it here! And sometimes, one finds things where and when they least expected! Just keep your eyes open and your camera ready.
-Stephen M. Levin
“Life Scapes”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
Always love to see what YOU see on your adventures. Beauty and interest everywhere if we only allow our eyes to focus on it.
It’s interesting to me that people notice or see things differently. I try to do that when taking pictures. And you’ve seen me doing that a lot over the years.
It’s all an adventure.
The composition of these is outstanding. The three people in the water with the three tall bldgs behind…the loners framed by trees…the red shirt below the old pink hotel…a solitary, surprising sense of quiet in a big city…thanks for sharing an artist’s eye….
Appreciated, Mike!
I know that you’re seeing those things. You have the spirit, so to speak. Always glad to read your comments and observations.
I love the black and white shot! That little nook in the tree above the man sitting there compliments his position so well.
Thanks, Angie! I like that one, too.
That was the first “scene” I noticed as I approached the beach. I felt that the graphic affect of the trees screamed for “black and white.”
YES! I too have been remarking on the Miami/Chicago. We should talk about South Beach & South Blvd Beach here in Evanston. Much in common. I too am appreciating your artist’ eye – your pictures show veryr different ways of presenting beach colors far beyond the sweet blues of the sky and the water.
Yes…I want to come to your area one of these days. I have some ideas for that area, and the lake scene across from the Calvary Cemetery on Sheridan Road.
Great photographs Steve. With all the present focus on Oak Street Beach and North Avenue Beach, it is gratifying to see that a part of Chicago that used to get a lot of the attention can still be as appealing to the eye of a good photographer as it ever was.
Thanks so much, Larry.
One of the first things I commented on about this beach is that it’s so serene, peaceful, and isolated. Yet it’s so close to the noise and high activity level of the other beaches. Hard to believe that they share the same shoreline. That Bryn Mawr area is actually quite interesting…especially to those who know of its former grandeur. Same goes for many of the old neighborhoods, of course.
Growing up in Chicago, always used the drive. I loved seeing the Pink Hotel!!
Great photos. We are lucky to live near this
Beautiful Lake.
Thanks, Ronna!
Yes, the lake is an unbelievable asset to our community. And so are the buildings, new and old!
Growing up in Chicago visited the old pink hotel. Drove by so many times to get to Lake Shore Drive to get downtown and back home. The pictures are beautiful.
Glad you like the photos!
Yes…that hotel is an icon from a former era. I’ll bet that beach was crowded back in the hotel’s heyday!
Can’t help but think of Francis McCall whenever I see the old pink hotel! I guess our embedded memories shape what our eyes can see.
Glad to trigger memories with my photos.
It is an interesting area with a literally colorful past!
Thanks.