January 27, 2009

Lonely playground revisited.

January 25, 2009

Snow covered benches along a path near the Lincoln Park Con-
servatory and Lincoln Park Zoo.

January 10, 2009

A grated platform at the park. I have to remind myself, sometimes, that looking around also includes looking up and looking down. This was right under my feet and I almost stomped right through it, ruining the little piles of snow before I stopped, looked down, and captured it. I have to take time to take it all in and not plow through things willy-nilly at times.

January 9, 2009

This is a playground that we frequent during good weather. I drive by it several times a day and I was struck by the snow piling up on the lonely swings. What a contrast from January to June.

December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas to all! If that is your choice of celebrations. Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Festivus, or simply enjoy a day off work. I do wish all that chose to view this blog a very happy and prosperous New Year.

More Zoo Lights where I captured a comrade trying to capture the lights. He was without kids and with tripod, so I'm guessing his were a bit more professional looking than my captures!

December 22, 2008

It barely made it above zero here in Chicago today. It was a warm up from yesterday, however, I'm not going out in this to capture photos. Well, at least not in the mood I'm in today.

So, in lieu of that, this image was captured in my home. These are apothecary jars of ornaments I have gracing the entertainment cabinet. It was a relatively long exposure at a relatively wide open aperture. There was no lighting outside of the Christmas lights used. You can see my tree reflected in the jar on the left hand side of the image.

December 21, 2008

Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The view from the main gate on the east side of the zoo. We braved the snow last night to see the sights, enjoy the animals, and play in the snow.

The picture is, intentionally, grainy as I shot it at IS0 1600.

I'm continually amazed at how quiet the city is when it snows. It seems to muffle all of the usual background noise that is Chicago. No longer are there sirens wailing, cabs honking, the El grinding and squeaking. The blanket of white seems to embrace all and make it all soft and downy.

November 5, 2008

I'm amazed at the serenity that the lake provides me. I don't think that I am alone in this thought process. Every time I head to the lakeshore, there are people absorbing it all. They might be solo like me. Or,they come in pairs like the bicyclists in this photo. Perhaps, they come in groups to exercise, find friendship/camaraderie, or a voice. So many voids the lake fills.

It sits on the edge of the city, like a lover on the fringe. It taunts and torments. Promises to love, but makes no true commitments. Flirts and flaunts with frothy caps and warm waters, but turns dark and cold at a whim. It really is the muse of the city. This urban mecca that is tamed, season over and over again, by Mother Nature. And, that lake...

October 31, 2008

Cough, cough. Hack, hack. I'm sick. Boo. And, we are going to leave for a long weekend tomorrow, so it might be a few days before I post again. I was slinking around trying to take photos of unsuspecting people when I stumbled upon this tree. At first, I didn't even see the heart carving as I was looking beyond and it blended a bit with the markings on the birch. Then, as I quit being so focused on capturing a specific image and started to look around, then I saw it. And, I wondered who carved it. And when they carved it, who were they thinking about?

October 29, 2008

This is another photo from my day at the lily pond. I do so love that place. I was there in the late afternoon so I had a gorgeous waning fall sun to photograph with. I've pretty much gotten into a black and white groove with this blog, but the color shot of this photo is also pretty cool. Still fairly monotone, but with the warmth of the golden setting sun.

Another seed pod and a huge contrast to the lacy, dried pod I posted earlier this month. For those interested in the actual mechanics of capturing this image, this is a double exposure done in camera. The first exposure being sharp focus on the dark portion of the seed pod. There was a pretty good wind, so despite the amount of incoming light with the sun behind the subject, I used a shallow depth of field to bump up the shutter speed all in hopes of eliminating wind movement. The second exposure is taken with the same aperture/shutter speed combo but with the lens defocused to give a halo effect. My D200 has the ability to process this in camera and give me a single image output, which is what you see here.

October 28, 2008

These are a pair of scooters (or whatever!) that I see parked on my way to and from our athletic club. They intrigue me, for some reason. Matching bikes chained to a street sign. Always there. Always in tandem. Or, at least they are when I travel that route.

I'm not done with these boys. I will revisit because they intrigue me, chained to their street sign.

October 26, 2008

This is the courtyard of a church on the north end of the Magnificent Mile. Fourth Presbyterian Church, to be exact. It is quite the contrast to the skyscrapers that have sprouted up around it. It is old and quaint and absolutely gorgeous inside. Arches, ivy, leaded windows. Outside its walls, glass, concrete, steel beams. It's one of those little gems that I see all the time, yet forget it is there.

October 25, 2008

I never get tired of capturing this waterfall. So much you can do with a waterfall. This type of photo has been done over and over again. Nothing new, nothing original, but it is something that I really love. For some reason, to me, waterfalls always look so mystical when captured like this. This, in real time, is very much more of a slow trickle than the misty ribbons shown here. It is located in the Alfred Caldwall Lily Pool in Lincoln Park.

October 24, 2008

As I was leaving the angry lake yesterday, I was struck by the waves in the sand made by the rather strong wind. They were so much calmer and more peaceful than the water waves bashing the shore. Yet, I know that it is the same strong waves that form something so much more subtle on land.

I spotted a lone stone and his subtle heart shaped echoes in the sand tracks. I found the harshness of his shadow contrasting the somewhat dainty arcs in the sand to be quite intriguing.

October 23, 2008

This was captured at Oak Street Beach. The lake looked particularly angry today. I'm sure, signs of time to come. There was a wind blowing in from the east making the area around the lake extremely frigid despite the 50 degree weather. My fingers were numb and I was a little chilled, but I still find the waves hypnotic. Even when they are angry and seething.

And, to see a mom/grandma/nanny playing and probably lunching (based on the seagull hovering) with the backdrop of the crashing waves was a real juxtaposition of emotions.

October 22, 2008

It's official. It is fall here. With that, I returned to what I feel is my best talent in the photog world and that is distilling very small scenes from the larger. I wandered around one of my favorite places in Chicago today, the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. Located at the very north end of Lincoln Park Zoo, adjacent to the Lincoln Park Conservatory, it actually returns me to a bit of my rural roots. Yes, I can still hear, clearly, the huge traffic volume on Lake Shore Drive. If I strain, I can hear the El. However, if I apply the same effort, I can tune that out and hear the birds, insects, frogs, and nature.

I love Autumn. So many wonderful and glorious things have happened to me in the Autumn months. Even before that, it was my favorite season. Some see it as death. The end of summer. The beginning of a long and gloomy tenure into winter. I see it as a rebirth. From death, there comes life. And, I think this image is the perfect example. The lacy seed pod encasing the rebirth of the plant.

October 18, 2008

This is another picture from the Montrose Harbor area. There is a natural planting section on the point, along with a bird/nature sanctuary. I wonder what this looked like many, many years ago with the native plants didn't have to be planted and fenced off from society.

October 17, 2008

Same harbor, different view. Actually, this picture was from Valentine's Day, 2007 when we were slammed with snow and then followed with outrageous subzero temps. My camera fogged up. My fingers numb with the cold just moments out of the comfort of the car, so cold it was tough to operate the controls.

The thing is, I know this is coming again for me.

October 16, 2008

Well, I'm back to give it another try. This daily photo thing.

This was taken at Montrose Harbor. I go to the lake to find some peace and serenity and I was stunned at how it so engulfed me today that the sounds of the waves breaking and the gulls swirling around totally blocked out the city noise. I needed that today. Desperately.

April 11, 2008

I'm taking a photography course concentrating on fine art flower photography right now. That found me heading to one of my favorite places in the city, The Lincoln Park Conservatory. It is an absolute oasis. A gem hidden amongst the concrete, steel, and brick. And, it beats the hell out of a Chicago winter.

After what I felt was an "okay" shoot for my class, I loaded up the gear and made pace for my car. As I shoved open the door, a great feat with the winds blowing so hard that it took all my effort to pop open the door, I was faced with what you see here. The front rolling in through the city. The clouds were racing across the sky. The light was fleeting. And we Chicagoans found ourselves bracing for more snow. In April.

April 7, 2008

Solitude. That's what I felt when I saw this. I had a toddler with me, so solitude was not within my reach. At that point.

Tomorrow is another story, though...

(taken at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, http://www.chias.org/)

April 6, 2008

Next year is here! Or some of us hope.

Today was a beautiful day. The perfect day for a walk near the ballpark. If you look closely, you can see that the trees are starting to bud. THANK GOD.

Unfortunately, my first game of the season was not bright and sunny. Cold and windy was more like it. So goes baseball in the spring in Chicago.

The Cubs pulled this game out, ending the opening homestand at 3-3.

April 5, 2008

Thanks to those whom have sent well wishes! I do really appreciate it. It's also great to know that someone besides my mom is checking this out! (No offense Mom!)

I'm feeling TONS better. I've actually been able to get back to some running. Not a whole lot, but a little and that's a lot more than the doc said I'd be doing at this point.

So, very shortly, back out into Chicago, with camera in hand, I go. I promise.

bg_94

March 24, 2008

So far, my track record on a daily shot sucks. And, well, life did get in the way this week, even more so. I slipped on my wooden stairs on Thursday night and fell and cracked a rib. There are a multitude of things right now that are extremely difficult and lifting a camera to my eye is but one of them. Also, the dizziness from the pain meds has impacted my ability to focus!

I'm feeling better each and every day and hope to be back in the saddle here shortly.

~bg_94

March 20, 2008

The Cubs, Old Style, and a cash station... all behind bars. I'm sure there is some deep meaning as to why I was drawn to this. However, right now, all I can come up with is 12 days to Opening Day!

This is a liquor store, early this morn, that I pass several times daily during my usual travels.

March 19, 2008

Yet again... taken on March 20th.

I love the lakefront here in Chicago. There is something striking any day, any time of year. This scene, in just a few weeks, won't be so bleak and stark. Instead, the trees will be budding, flowers will be popping, and most likely there will be people strolling through.

I like this though. The arc of the trees, the repetition leading down the path to the horizon.

What I didn't like was the creepy dude that kept trying to find his way into my photos. Makes you think a bit, honestly. In a city of millions and millions of people, I manage to capture a scene with no one in it. And, only if you zoom in, then can you see the cars in the background.

Yes, millions of people and it was just me and the creepy dude today.

March 18, 2008

Once more... taken on March 20th.

I thought this a bit ironic that pieces of my former, much more rural life found their way into my new, urban life.

If I were to hazard a guess, I would imagine that this is a remnant of a native plant or prairie display from last summer. The city does numerous displays in this area of Grant Park of that nature.

To me, though, it looks as if the skyscrapers have sprung up from the prairie. That's really not too far off, I guess.

March 17, 2008

Again, taken on March 20th. Sorry.

I don't know why, but I've always been fascinated with the multiple levels that exist here in Chicago. This is taken from street level looking south and, obviously, down on a train station. This is the commuter train, the Metra, not the El that Chicago is famous for.

I guess I sorta think of this whole underground world as yet an extention of The Second City moniker, though I can't find any proof of anyone else thinking that way!

If anyone has seen the movie Derailed, the Metra is featured somewhat prominently in that film.

March 16, 2008

Well...time got away from me again. So, I played catch up today. This picture was actually taken on March 20th. So far, I'm really sucking at this every day thing!

This is, what the locals call "The Bean", but what the artist calls Cloudgate. I was fortunate to be there when there weren't too many out and about. Perhaps the 34 degree weather had a bit to do with that? Normally, the plaza is swarming with people on a bright sunny day!

Reflected in The Bean is some of the skyline and the morning sun coming up over Lake Michigan.

March 15, 2008

So, I drive by this scene rather frequently. Today, the stars aligned and when I went to snap the photo, another, unsuspecting car (the license plate, I blurred on purpose) came rolling to a stop. It was a great oops for me as it certainly looks as if the unscathed car is either waiting for its own upcoming death or mourning the passing of those in the ever growing pile. This site is actually labeled a "recycling site." Who knew squashed cars were recyclables? This is also one of the locations that the trash pickers take all their salvaged goods from dumpsters and trash cans to get cash. And, with St. Paddy's Day weekend in town, 'twas a lucrative venture for the dumpster divers. I'm telling you people, I risked life and limb, okay...maybe just life...to shoot this one. There were some, uh, "odd folk" hanging around this area.

March 14, 2008

I snagged a few moments today and started to head downtown. I had a few ideas in mind, but the winter sun hanging low in the southeastern sky drew me to the lake. After some creative driving (crazy Chicago drivers!), I made my way off of Lakeshore Drive and into Lincoln Park where I could use my zoo membership for free parking (always a bonus!) The ice has pretty much all melted save for where the waves come ashore. Not really overcast, but still murky, the clouds seemed to mimic the shoreline. The pylons dotting the coast looked barren and lonely. Come summer, this beach will be absolutely packed. A far, far cry from this picture.

March 13, 2008

I didn't make it out this day. This is an arsty farsty picture that I acutally snapped on the 14th. It is a ranunculus at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. I should have headed over there some time ago as the spring flower show is in full bloom. (giggle!) It was a breath of fresh air with all the wonderful flowers. I must remember this next year when I'm ready to off myself in the middle of winter. Of course, it's been relatively pleasant the past few days, so I really should not complain.

March 12, 2008

I first saw this potential picture last winter. It struck me as salvation at the end of an alley. When I recalled that thought in the spring, thinking that it might look great with things greened up a bit, well, the crosses weren't visible due to the trees! And, honestly, I think the bleakness of winter adds a bit to it.

This is the shot I was trying to get yesterday. I had to circle the block several times this morning. Someone was very irritated that I was blocking the alley and then multiple times while waiting for a van at the end of the alley to move on. Even I'm not morbid enough to shoot away while they are loading a body for transport. There is a funeral home at the end of the alley. Though, it would have probably added a bit of irony to the shot.

March 11, 2008

Okay, I'm cheating already. The light is waning. There is no chance I'm getting out tonight and my three attempts to shoot something today that I already had in mind were foiled by various service trucks. Buggers. Perhaps, it would be wise to shoot several things a day in case I get in a bind or things just simply aren't working for me.

This is a typical "backyard" for where I live. I shot this yesterday around the same time I took the man cycling under the El tracks. So many things are vertical around here. Most people maximize even the smallest space, though the owners of these porches don't seem to have them tricked out...yet. They looked pretty new.

March 10, 2008

I pass this section of El more times that I can count. I've always liked the repetition of the steel uprights and the contrast between those and the wooden beams. And, I got lucky when I went to shoot this! The little old man peddling along adds a bit of human interest to a rather stark and bleak urban scene.