In the City of Chicago
With a Camera, of course!
I promise you….if you walk around in the City of Chicago long enough and keep looking around, you’ll certainly find interesting scenes and sights to photograph! This was kind of a gloomy day, screaming to be a black and white photograph. Trains are a large part of the history of the city and this is a commuter line that runs along Michigan Ave., just south of the Art Institute. I took a few different photos of the buildings and the foreground, trying to capture the foggy atmosphere that hung over the entire area.
Here’s a happy Uber driver in the City of Chicago! It was fun listening to her talk about her family. The oldest of 11 kids and grandmother of 19…great grandchild on the way! Whew. That called for a picture, for sure! And she obliged.
Another potentially gloomy scene. But, as I framed a shot of the stairway in the parks, this “red” guy walked into the scene. I tried to wait until he was in a “strategic” position in the composition and clicked the shutter. I knew that I’d do something in post-processing to dramatize his color (and compensate for his small size in the frame). I made a black and white AND color photo, merged them together, and brushed away part of the black and white layer to reveal the red. I like that my eye seems to go up the stairs and find him because of the emphasis of the color.
Dignity…that’s what I saw and felt. Couldn’t resist taking this man’s photo when he stepped between the lines on the sidewalk along Michigan Avenue and, at the same time, everyone else seemed to move away. Gotta be ready for something like that!
It’s a crazy world we live in! I was standing by this sculpture in front of the Thompson Center by Jean Dubuffet, Monument With Standing Beast, trying to frame an image. All of a sudden, this guy runs up and does a flip off of it! I said, “You HAVE to do that again!!” And he did…three more times. This was my favorite. I sent him an e-mail of the photograph.
Judy and I joined the throng for the Women’s March in Chicago. I’m sure you’ve all seen lots of photos on social media and the news. Glad to be there, in the moment.
And always grateful to be living in the Great United States.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stephen M. Levin
www.SML-Photos.com
Facebook – @stephenmlevinphotography
Twitter – @stephen_levin
Instagram – sml_photo
stephen@sml-photos.com
Hi Steven, I miss Chicago and love your pics, they are so alive!!!! Thanks man and be well!!
Thanks, Brad! I absolutely appreciate your comment…and hope to see you when you pass through again!
Keep up your good work!
Hi Stephen,
Train tracks and Dignity stand out as classics, though we all are honing our protest shots!
Thanks so much, Richard! Glad to hear your feedback and observations always.
Wonderful pictures and commentaries. I always enjoy viewing your blog.
Merle–I always appreciate your comments here! Glad you like the photos.
Now, let’s see some of your gorgeous work online and in person, too.
Always love to see what you choose from your walks around the city with me and on your own. We have wonderful adventures right here close to home!
Sometimes, I wonder what you’re thinking while I’m scouring the scene through my camera lens. We’ve been doing this a looong time and in lots of places!! Couldn’t do it without your patience and support.
So love and very much enjoy your great photos!
That’s so nice of you, Nancy! Glad you like them.
Nice stuff as always. Makes you realize there’s always a difference between just being someplace and really seeing someplace. The red coat shot recalls a scene in the movie Schindler’s list. A similar technique was used there to make a memorable point. Worth Googling the background story. Thanks again, Steve, for sharing your vision(s).
Yes, there is a difference! I can “feel it” more clearly when I have my camera with me.
Yes, I remember that technique being used in film and print. It can be quite effective, I believe. I felt this circumstance was a good fit for it.
Love the photos! Chicago is amazing. Makes me homesick
Yes…it is amazing.
And, though we miss you, we’ll see you soon!
The 3D effect is perfect. So are your comments.
I think the 3D effect you are referring to may be the result of using wide angle lenses with these scenes. I think that does give a spatial feel to some images. Glad you like it…so do I!
(No image in this post was made with a focal length longer than 35mm, for example.)
Thanks, Leonard!
You captured a lot – I like that you used the train pic as your lead. There’s something very grounding about that view. Every time I go to the (is it still called the ‘tute?) I seek that view.
I don’t remember the Art Institute being called the ‘tute! But I do remember going to this exact location in the early 70’s on a late snowy night to take pictures of the myriad of tracks that existed back then. I bet I have those prints in a box somewhere! Hard to believe how things change over time. One of the attractions of photography, in my opinion, is that it can and does serve as a record of time gone by.
Next time you’re there, you’ll easily find my vantage point…on one of the bridges just south of the Art Institute of Chicago. Lots of interesting views from there…I “picked” this one.
Appreciate your comments, Dave!
Stephen your pictures always amaze me. I’m playing with my IPhone as a point and shoot. Wish I could get the stories you get. Trying to give you and Judy the taste of New Zealand we’re getting.
That’s so sweet! So glad you like my photos!
And, we’re certainly enjoying your posted photos of your trip. Nice…and it doesn’t matter what kind of camera you are using!
Hi Stephen,
I really like the gloomy (black and white + red in one) ones. i noticed in the first photo that the (T)Rump building is in more fog than any of the others. i take that as a statment – from you or form above, doesn’t matter. a statement it is.
I like when yo provide information like about the Uber driver . And also about the man who kept standing between the two lines.
Yep…gloomy is good sometimes! That is, with respect to photography! haha
I agree that the Uber driver was very interesting. That’s half the fun of talking to people…the other half is taking their photo! Too bad I didn’t get a chance to speak with the man on the street…he took off as soon as I took the photo, when the light changed, and was instantly commingled in the crowd on the street.
With respect to that building you mentioned…I actually try to avoid it. Really! But sometimes I can’t…it’s smack dab in the scene frequently. And, I’ll tell you a secret: Sometimes I remove the letters!
Thanks for stopping by, Berit! I appreciate your comments very much.