by Stephen | Nov 18, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Discussions/Opinions, Stephen M. Levin Photos
Back for Another Look
Couldn’t resist
Tunnel under LSD, Part 2
It turns out that Judy and I were back at the same spot as the week before to hear another author speak. This time, it was Colm Tóibín. Some of you may have heard of him.
So, since we were early, I asked Judy if she’d mind if I wandered back to the same tunnel I had photographed the week before….only this time from the other end of the tunnel. I just wanted to see how things looked! As usual, she was agreeable and thought it sounded like a fun idea, so she told me to go ahead.
So…here it is. Pretty much the same, only different. It was a little colder. And there was more “traffic,” so I had a field day shooting various permutations of people going through the tunnel, framed inside the white at the end.
I liked this couple. They looked kinda cute. And the tunnel has more character from this side, including a lot of sand on the ground from the beach which is up the stairs at that end. I also thought the clump of paper added a little interest and mystery.
Hmmm…might have to go back again.
by Stephen | Nov 7, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Discussions/Opinions, Stephen M. Levin Photos
Walking Around, Downtown
Got an hour?
Tunnel under LSD
Judy and I went downtown one day last week to hear Cheryl Strayed, author of “Wild” speak at part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. On the way, we stopped at the Catherine Edelman Gallery and saw some creative and innovate work by Gregory Scott (http://www.edelmangallery.net/exhibitions-and-projects/exhibition-pages/current-exhibitions/in-still-motion.html). I’d suggest you check it out, except the exhibit is no longer there…replaced by a new one: Sandro Miller–featuring John Malkovich recreating famous “roles” from iconic photos. Go check THAT out!! (http://edelmangallery.com/exhibitions-and-projects/exhibition-pages/2014/sandro-miller-malkovich,-malkovich,-malkovich-homage-to-photographic-masters.html).
Anyways, Judy and I got to the speaking event very early and, as usual, Judy had a book to read and I had my camera. So, she waited and read and I walked around the block for about an hour, looking at people and things to photograph. We were at the Northwestern Law School, so that means we were on Chicago Avenue, about a block west of Lake Shore Drive. Very active and fertile area for photographs! I had no problem keeping “busy” while just walking around!
Let’s not forget we had just seen Gregory Scott’s exhibit. So, when I showed Judy some of my photos from the back of my camera, I asked her, “What does this remind you of?” And the reply was, as I noticed, too…the Gregory Scott photos. Though NOT at all as creative and innovative…and certainly no painting and contained video (as he uses). Just the “small frame within a photo” concept.
Did I do that consciously or unconsciously? I dunno. Though I really just believe it just happened that way. I’d say it was similar to someone who goes to a concert and walks out humming a song afterward.
In any event, the tunnel is actually under LSD, going eastward. It looked dark and damp (as it was!) and there was a fair amount of foot traffic for that time of the day and that weather. I really liked the graphic nature of the whole scene. When I saw the cyclist walking toward the white “box” at the other end of the tunnel, I tripped the shutter.
The other image is actually the stairway up from the tunnel…about 5 minutes earlier. I just liked the graphic nature and the colors…last vestiges of fall. I did “tweak” things by making the walls as white as possible (rather than grey) for dramatic effect.
There were more photos….I took a bunch! Just walking around the block (it’s a huge block!).
Stairway to Street Level
We’re going back downtown this weekend…maybe some more photos. Chicago is a great place for taking pictures. Urban landscapes and people, of course.
Autumn Walk
by Stephen | Oct 17, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Discussions/Opinions, Stephen M. Levin Photos
Blazing Tree
Gillson Park-Wilmette
Blazing Tree
Evolution of a photo….
While driving home from Evanston yesterday afternoon, I realized it was a cool and damp day and that the sky was overcast, but that the colors on the ground (literally!) had strong shades of warm Autumn tones. So, as I passed the B’hai Temple on Sheridan Road, I turned off into Gillson Park which is a gorgeous area along Lake Michigan. http://www.wilmettepark.org/lakefront/gillson-park
I was just kinda trolling in my car through the park when this blazing tree captured my attention! Vibrant, irresistible colors!
So, I pulled over and set up my tripod to try to figure out how to capture this scene. I liked the reds, yellows, and greens, but I also liked the background which was kind of foggy and bright, and the light area of green grass in the middle part of the scene.
I tried a few different compositions and angles and waited for somebody or someone to walk or drive by to add a little interest and balance. However, no one came by (I couldn’t believe it), so I put myself in the scene and made a little “selfie” to see if a person would add to the image. (I’m including that below…a rare photo of me!) I thought it was “needed,” but I waited and still couldn’t find a willing person to pose.
Anyways, I switched views and set up the camera on a different angle/perspective when I saw these two people walking across the park. As I saw them nearing the scene, I changed to a slower shutter speed to try to diffuse their images and make them less a focus (again, literally!) of the scene.
Two frames. I liked this one better. And I also like the boulder in the foreground and garbage can on the far right….makes my eye move through the scene, I think. Nothing edited out or in the final image.
Fun! At least it is for me!
SML Selfie and the Blazing Tree
-Stephen M. Levin
“My Mind’s Eye”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
by Stephen | Oct 2, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Discussions/Opinions, Stephen M. Levin Photos
Fall Photography
Follow the atmosphere and colors!
It is so special to be in the Chicago area during Fall. Practically makes Winter tolerable! It’s a good time to go for a walk, be outside, and take along your camera. Some years are “better” than others, photographically speaking, and sometimes the color show doesn’t last long. So, if you see something that looks appealing…don’t wait! Take the picture.
I’m gonna go out soon this year. The colors are getting ready to burst. And the air is crisp. I think that may give us a good opportunity for photos. Try it! And share ’em!
From the last year or two:
I really like this shot from the Ryerson Conservation Area…about 2 miles from our house. I was giving up on getting a shot I liked when I literally turned my head and saw this.
Ryerson Conservation Area
This photo was taken at the Chicago Botanic Garden during a pre-dawn shoot. I believe we got there about 5:50 and this shot was a bit before 6:30AM, that is! Can’t make it there when it’s offered this year…bummer. Here’s a secret—bring your tripod!! You’ll have to make looong exposures with such little light. But you’d be amazed at the nuances of color that appear.
Sunrise at the Garden
This shot was taken on the same day as the previous pre-dawn Garden photo. The other photographers (about 30) all started to leave. However, I saw this solitary woman sitting on the shore, musing. So I waited behind and got the shot.
More Sunrise at the Garden
A shot of the Japanese Garden also photographed at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Different time/day. Different feeling, too.
I love the story of this one: I was driving in my car with the sunroof open and these two leaves blew in and landed on the passenger seat. Out loud, I said to them, “You’re gonna be in a picture!” After dinner, I posed them in this still life in our dining room. Voilà!
Random Leaves
Here are some more…
Waterfall at the Garden
Grasses-Still Life
Daniel Wright Woods
At Gillson Park, Wilmette
-Stephen M. Levin
“My Mind’s Eye”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
by Stephen | Sep 21, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Discussions/Opinions, Stephen M. Levin Photos
Last Chance for Summer, 2014
At the Fort Sheridan Beach
Isaac
Lucky us! Last Monday, Judy and I got the chance to watch Isaac for a couple of hours in the AM. We had enough time to walk around with him at the quiet and relatively remote Fort Sheridan Beach. It was a great way to take advantage of one of the final days of this summer.
Needless to say, Isaac is adorable and fun. And we all had a good time throwing stones, dipping our toes in the water, and just walking along the sandy beach.
Just like our kids and his older brothers, he’s getting used to me! I don’t know how many times he said, “One more” to me as I was taking photos of him. But he’s very agreeable and photogenic…and full of curiosity and energy.
Isaac
And, of course, I love getting Judy into the scenes, too. So touching for me to see them both in these shots!
Isaac and Judy
Isaac and Judy
I am not claiming to be an expert on child photography, but I learned a long time ago that is might improve your images if you get down a little lower when shooting pictures. The perspective of being “at their level” seems to be a bit more pleasing and flattering for them, at times. I try to remember that.
Isaac
Sorry to see this summer end….it was a good one! I suppose I’ll have some fall shots here sometime soon!
Isaac
Isaac and Judy
-Stephen M. Levin
“My Mind’s Eye”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
by Stephen | Sep 6, 2014 | Stephen M. Levin Photos, Stephen M. Levin Travel
The Jackson Hole Rodeo
I Wanna Be A Cowboy!
Yippee?!
When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a cowboy. Eh….not “just” a cowboy. Rather, I wanted to be the Lone Ranger. Or perhaps one of the Magnificent Seven (Steve McQueen or James Coburn, in particular). I liked my cowboy hats and boots, badges, etc. and my toy Colt 45 (before it was politically incorrect).
Well times have changed–not that much, though. I still wear my hats from time to time and I like dippin’ into my boot collection frequently. But, I don’t have a six gun any longer.
Or course, I did not grow up to be a cowboy!! And, after going to the rodeo in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I realize that more clearly than ever. Wow….can you believe what these men and women and horses go through?
Who liked this less??
I’m still interested in Western lore and culture….been going through or to the West since the early sixties. We have had many friends and family who’ve lived in Texas (including our son, Jordan, who went to the University of Texas and worked and lived in Dallas for a year after graduating). I can’t even count how many times we’ve been there! And our daughter, Audrey, and her family now live in Colorado, which also has a Western flavor.
However, I am proud and content to say I’m a city guy. It’s great living in the Chicago area…best city in the world. But, I still like to wear my cowboy hats and boots, etc. when I can.
In fact, while we were in Jackson Hole, I ordered a new hat. I asked the woman, “What about a kerchief?” She replied, “Around here, we call ‘em dust bandits.” Who knew?
Hiyo Silver!!
-Stephen M. Levin
“My Mind’s Eye”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
(A special shout out to Adrienne LaMilza at JR Customization for redesigning my blog!)
Classic Cowboy
In Style
What about my hat?!?
“Don’t worry…I got yer hat!”
Ride ’em, Cowboy!
Thirsty Cowboy
Really Wild Animals!
At the Rodeo
