Looking Around
Walking in the City
How Does This New Phone Work?
Whenever I get the chance to walk around in Chicago (or anywhere!), I like to take my camera along. You never know what you’ll find. Usually, nothing momentous. However, there’s always something interesting that can catch my eye. A quirky expression, an unusual graphic arrangement, something funny or sad, etc. So, I end up taking photos without a particular “theme” in mind, rather just making sketches, so to speak, of my surroundings.
Try it! It’s fun. And it actually compels you to notice more than normal….usually!
The woman above, outside the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue, clearly is having some fun with her phone. Don’t we all look like that at some point. In this scene, it seems that the “Apple Force” is looking over her shoulder for assistance.
Big Load in the Alley
When you’re in downtown Chicago, keep an eye open for alleys as you’re looking around! They can be interesting. They’re usually quieter than the streets themselves, and they frequently have lots of interesting character. I just liked the way this truck looked in the tunnel of surrounding buildings. A true urban landscape.
Who’s at the Corner Cafe?
I probably looked kind of silly crouching down on the ground to take this photo of the pigeon. Actually, I was taking the photo because the pigeon looked silly sitting there, too, and didn’t seem too concerned to have me so close. Then, this man came into the frame and I thought the two of them had matching shirts. I know, I know….that’s a stretch. But, it gave me a connection to justify the photo.
I was just entertaining myself with my camera, looking around the City of Chicago. Try it…you might like it.
And you may want to try looking around in black and white! I feel at times that “form” seems to jump out of the image without the distraction of color.
-Stephen M. Levin
“Life Scapes”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com
P.S. Thanks to all for the great online response to my blog post on Lucas, Kansas. Such a nice small town. Glad I stopped by there!
Stephen
Always have been a fan of cities. Cities are evidence that we’ve progressed beyond the cave man. Yes, they may be sullied at times, but never lose sight of the accomplshment they represent. B+W oddly makes them look cleaner. Love the pigeon perspective, too. Imagine how they see the city! Get a drone! Let’s hope that the city remains a source of inspiration for man and our photography!
Thanks, Richard! Your photo work is a great demonstration of what can be found in cities.
I appreciate your comment.
(Richard and I just met recently at the Filter Photo Festival in Chicago. I definitely recommend taking a look at his work…interesting views and perspectives of cities, for sure! http://www.troutlier.com/
nice work!
Thanks, Marlan! Appreciated.
Steve, again these are not just shots but insights. Y’know the big apple over the woman’s shoulder looks like a thought balloon. Would make a good ad.
B&W has an appropriate city-feel, but wondering: is it real B&W or B&W in color–there seems to be a subtle tint.
Good art, as always; thanks for sharing.
Thanks very much, Mike.
I frequently add a subtle sepia tone to my images. Sometimes a little blue or selenium. And, of course, frequently plain B&W. I suppose I should call the images “monochrome” which would be more accurate.
Yes…I felt the same about the Apple. Glad it came across that way to you, too!
Art vs reality, such as it is. I’m always impressed with your work but I’m still working out the differences between photographing something & witnessing something.
Maybe it was reality…and now it’s really a photograph! haha
Actually, I’m not quite sure of the distinction. Some people could say that there is no objective reality…just a subjective observation of reality. That is, don’t we all look at things differently? I know most photographers try to put a personal “spin” into their images. And, I doubt two photographers would come up with the same image/representation of a subject.
Thanks for your comments and observations, as usual, Dave!
Another nice set of photos. I think the B&W truly made these work. I don’t think matching shirts would have shown up in color.
Glad you noticed the shirts!
Thanks Judy…as usual!!
I have a burning question: Do you have to get the permission of the people you photograph in order to post online?
Keep up the great photography!
Thanks, Shelly!
The general interpretation is that one doesn’t need permission to take someone’s photo in a public place. On the other hand, one would definitely need permission of some sort in their house, for example.
There are also some restrictions with regard to the purpose of the photo. That is, I don’t think you’re allowed to take and use a photo for commercial purposes without permission. For example, if you photographed someone wearing a certain brand coat and wanted to use that in an ad for that brand, you’d need permission. In that case, you’d need the subject to sign a release.
I am not an attorney, of course, but those are the generally accepted guidelines I’ve learned and practice.
The more difficult part is taking the photo, I might add! Sometimes it’s hard to muster up the courage! But, it’s like any other personal interaction–you try to get a feel for the person’s personality. Frequently, but not always, I try to have some sort of interaction with the person before, during, or after the photo. And I offer the person the opportunity to look at the image on the camera or I give them a card to write to me for a copy. However, I did not do any of that with these photos in this particular blog post. (Maybe I should have asked the pigeon!! It is his house, after all.)
I will note that most people I have encountered are willing to be photographed. I rarely get turned down…surprisingly!
(I get asked this question a lot!)