I haven’t been to the U.S.A. But if I’d be given a chance, I’d like to capture images in Chicago.
Image source: Gusilu
Chicago is one of the most interesting cities on the planet. It occupies a unique position, both historically and geographically, and to the attentive photographer it radiates great picture opportunities from every angle.
Chicago is a sprawling, flat city by a large, calm lake. It is cloudy and cold in the winter and broiling hot in the summer. By virtue of its tremendous architectural history and the low, muddy terrain Chicago is one of the most purely “city” of the world’s great cities. Nature gives it no hills to distract or broad horizons to grant perspective. Everything visible in Chicago is there because mankind put it there. The architecture is stark, stunning, and devoted to the beauty of infinite line. Skyscraper photography has a jagged, forceful quality, as if the buildings emulated the rough crags of a man-made mountain range. Areas like Streeterville and the Miracle Mile are especially good for capturing the magnificent stony surface of Chicago, and the University of Chicago down in Hyde Park also has some truly remarkable architecture. If you want to show more of the recreational and historical side of the city, then Grant Park and Lincoln Park have what you need. If you’re looking for budget accommodation close to these locations then check out HostelBookers.com.
Image source Nathan Hale Statue: –mike–
Consider the time of day carefully when photographing the Windy City. Terrain as flat as this loans itself to some truly spectacular sunsets, and the canyons of downtown catch the light in such a variety of unexpected ways. The low western light of an autumn evening bathes the town in a rich golden glow. The hour immediately before sunset and the one right after sunrise are called the “magic hours” for good reason, and Chicago sunsets tend to be a little bit more magical than usual.
The time of year can be nearly as important as the time of day. The city reveals itself to the camera’s eye in different ways in different seasons. In the winter the light is pearly and translucent. Any photographer who can brave the Chicago winter will be rewarded with evocative scenes of austerity and desolation. The summer is barely better than the winter, because the heat and the humidity are only slightly less punishing than the frigid cold. Spring and fall are the perfect times for people watching. If you want to take pictures of Chicago citizens out and about, then the late summer and early autumn are the right time. The moment when the plants are budding and the city begins to emerge from its hibernation is the best time to capture the vibrancy and resilience of Chicago life.
Image source: Cooperweb
It should be noted that modern, computer savvy photographers have different needs from those who use traditional methods to fill the frame. If you are the sort of photographer who considers taking the shot to be the beginning of the picture instead of the end, then winter in Chicago holds some special delights for you. The directionless light of the end of the year combines with the skeletal foliage and cold, empty streets to create a particularly ideal opportunity for those who enjoy using image editing software to create digital masterpieces.
No matter what your particular shooting style might be, Chicago will give you plenty to work with. America’s “Second City” is notable for its architecture and thriving culture, and the serious photographer will find an endless supply of interesting subjects for the camera’s eye. Come to Chicago and take a photographic journey today.
Disclosure Policy: This is a sponsored post.
What’s paradise like? Is it a garden of tulips surrounding a serene river with trees giving shade? Where honeybees hop from one flower to another? Where butterflies dance? Where birds sing? Where you can just lie down on a green grass and stare at the clouds forming different characters in the blue sky?
