Capturing life as it unfolds…
I went to the Chicago Cultural Center over lunch to take some architectural pics inside. Had heard that the place was really nice, ornate, with posh inlays, marble and woodwork. As soon as I walked into the lobby I heard a live piano play, so after checking in with a concierge and finding out that... Continue Reading →
#SeeingRedSeries Yes, I know, taking shots of people who are blowing smoke is such a cliché and grossly overused. Even though the composition is pretty bad, I'm mostly posting this because this shot was done in IR, this guy was vaping, and I actually did not see that smoke at all (I was too slow... Continue Reading →
#SeeingRedSeries My workplace under a different angle and in case you are wondering, this is not lens distortion. I use a 24mm prime, which has hardly any distortion at all, and my building truly has this odd-looking shape. Today called Chase Tower and the primary Midwest corporate center of my employer, J.P. Morgan, this 869-foot... Continue Reading →
As I was on my way to the Cultural Center I ducked into one of the back alleys (my favorite places to shoot pictures for their ample amount of character, patterns and grit). I think this one was N Garland Ct with Washington St. visible out in the distance. I ran into a guy who... Continue Reading →
New York City is not the only town where food trucks are all the rage. After Chicago amended it's city ordinances to regulate these trucks (they were partially illegal before), they sprouted like mushrooms. Food is apparently mostly good and lots of brick and mortar eateries use these as mobile advertising, selling affordable food, building... Continue Reading →
Now called Willis Tower and undergoing renovation of the entire bottom and a brand new main lobby, the skyscraper is clad in massive scaffolding all around as they are fixing the frame and red granite stonework all around it. can wait to see what they come up with once it is done later this year.
Went for a lunch walk the other day and got offered a job twice! Lucky me! Super nice guy spoke with me. A legit job for ComEd to do door to door sales trying to convert people to another utility company. Three hundred bucks a week. I literally took this shot without looking at the... Continue Reading →
Like any other city, parking in Chicago is sometimes hectic and banged up and scratched bumpers are a natural byproduct of that culture. Disclaimer: does not apply to the cars in this picture (they've dutifully paid), but as I walk around the city, sometimes I come across cars who have entire stacks of orange envelopes... Continue Reading →
Things sometimes get tense when there are demonstrations. Not this one. Since the crowd contained themselves to the sidewalk, no police presence was required. The bullhorns assured it was audible blocks away, but peaceful, while the camera crew looked on while the demonstrators walked in a circle. Not every country would tolerate such event, thankfully... Continue Reading →
I can't remember, if I wrote about this in the past or not (if yes, sorry for repeating this), but the story of Sears Tower's design (Chicago's tallest building and former tallest building in the world) is very fascinating. When Sears Roebuck & Co were deciding to build a new skyscraper for their HQ they... Continue Reading →
This guy was pedaling so hard he was huffing and puffing. He did make the green light, though. Absolutely no way to be able to focus on him and still compose. That's where GR's snap mode saved the day. You just mash the button and take a picture without waiting. My GR is set up... Continue Reading →
A B&W attempt at the Board of Trade building from the sidewalk. Classic art deco architecture from 1930's, the building is 600ft tall and the statue of Roman goddess of agriculture, Ceres, is 30ft tall. Too much traffic was going on for my taste that afternoon, to brave the cars and stand in the middle... Continue Reading →
