Urban View 1 of 6: Alleyways

The Minneapolis Photo Center is hosting an exhibit titled “Urban View/Rural Sight: Documenting a Sense of Place” with the work of both amateur and professional photographers.  As a lover of urban environments, I decided to choose several images that encompassed my urban view.  Living up to the definition of a true procrastinator, I wasn’t able to finish by the deadline.  Since the exhibit opens today I’ve decided to show the images that I would have submitted for the competition.  I was able to narrow my selection to 6 photos that depict urban views of Chicago from various perspectives.  But instead I'll include 12 photos, 2 for the next 6 days.  Here's the contest description...

“When artists think about place, whether it be rural or urban, they often think of it as a point of departure.  One path may lead deeper into the site and its character, a sense artists want to absorb and express.  Another path may lead away, beginning its course from connections that originated there.  Perhaps a third is more fantastical, one suggested by the unexpected, yet significant, connections that the imagination creates.  All of these ways are journeys and explorations that do not feel complete until they are shared.”

Loop Alley, Washington to Madison

Loop Alley, Dearborn to State

On a Bus

Model City

Given my fascination with great architecture it is only fitting that the Model City exhibit would be one of my favorite Chicago displays.  Located in the Atrium Gallery of the Chicago Architecture Foundation at 224 S. Michigan Avenue, I often find myself wondering inside.  Whenever I visit I’m always reminded of Alec Baldwin’s character Adam Maitland in the movie Bettlejuice.  No one could forget the scale model Adam crafted of the Connecticut town in which the movie was based.  One day, when I have enough disposable income, my plan is to purchase this model to put in my attic :)

My only disappointment is that the model ends at Oak Street.  It would have been nice if they had extended it to North Avenue to cover the entire Gold Coast.

Stacked

New York Suits, Chicago, IL

After Hours

Wabash and Lake, Loop

Milliennium Park

Northside Coastline

View from Montrose Harbor

Scenes from 2010

Why is it that every year people always say that the year just flew by?  Do the years ever go by slowly?  Perhaps, for me, 2010 flew by faster than other years, but not significantly faster than 2008 or 2009, at least from what I can remember.  Since this blog has taken off and photography has consumed my life, I thought I would post some images that represent the basis of my work from 2010.  Cityscape, night, and street photography is what I've been primarily doing.  There will be many changes and improvements coming to Your Daily Dose in 2011, so stay tuned.  Thanks for stopping by and supporting the blog, this would all be worthless without your interest!   

  

"Nightviews." This scene is overlooking portions of Streeterville and River North from the Hancock Center.  Michigan Avenue is lite up to the left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"3 White Hats."  At times street photography can be so challenging that even focusing properly is difficult.  This photo was taken through an indoor window at Union Station.  I had to take the shot rather quickly so the guy on his phone wouldn't notice me.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Working Late."  Street photography does not necessarily need the street in the scene in order to create a street photograph.  Since the sun has been setting at around 4:30 PM, I've been practicing most of my photography at night.  Many of my images involve "shadow people."  I've been trying to make the most of it.

 

 

"Hawks Bring It Home."  One of the many exciting things about photography is that it allows for opportunities in photojournalism.  On June 11, 2010 the Chicago Blackhawks rolled down Washington Street celebrating the return of the Stanley Cup to Chicago after a 49 years.  It was difficult getting quality shots with the crowd in front of me and the parade constantly on the move.  Pictured directly above is Jonathan Toews lifting the the Stanley Cup and Patrick Kane popping champagne.  In the third image down Toews is lifting his MVP trophy for the crowd.

More from Zoolights

The Zoolights were so nice I had to post them twice.  Scroll down to the post on Christmas Eve to see the original set.

The Picasso

Pablo Picasso donated this 50ft. sculpture to Chicago in 1967.  Located in Daley Plaza, the sculpture that was never given a name has been described as some kind of bird or a something that resembles a woman’s profile.  Chicago was not accustomed to public sculptural displays that lacked historical significance, so initial reviews of the Picasso were met with controversy.  These days the landmark can be used as a meeting place for loop goers as well as a climbing apparatus for children (or adults who act like children). 

An interesting note is that Picasso refused a $100,000 fee for his work because he wanted to provide the display as a gift to the people of Chicago.

 

Inspire

The Chicago Photography Center will be having their 2nd annual open house on January 4th - 7th from 6:30 to 9p.  As a current member, I will be there taking advantage of a few of the free workshops.  They will range from tutorials on street photography to Multi-image HDR processing.  The CPC is located in Lakeview at 3301 N. Lincoln Avenue in the building above.  This photograph was shot from the ground using a gorillapod on a cold night about a month ago. 

Approaching

A Chicago police officer slowly approaches the newsstand at Union Station.

Horns

Macy's holiday horns at 111 N State Street in the Loop

Daley Christmas Tree

There were more than 70 applicants this year for the official Daley Plaza Christmas Tree located in the Loop at Washington and Dearborn.  The winner is this 75 year old, 70ft. blue spruce from the Colomer family in northwest suburban McHenry County.  Situated behind the tree is the neo-gothic Chicago Temple Building home of the First United Methodist Church.

Highlights from ZooLights

Yesterday I needed to see for myself what Lincoln Park ZooLights were all about.  The images of this yearly event that I had seen of others were very pleasing to the eye.  The Lincoln Park Zoo is very Gorillapod friendly, pun intended.

Made in Bad Oeynhausen

Holiday Foodie

Joy

Working Bird

Brown Line Passing

The Brown Line passing over the Chicago River on the Wells Street Bridge. 

City Hall

City Hall looks incredible during Christmas.  I know, the person in the center is one legged and headless, but that's what happens during those long exposures.

North Bound

Waiting

Union Station

Smart Parking

Form

Grandiose

The Archbishop Quigley Center at 101 E. Chestnut Street is an architectural masterpiece. 

Lambos

If I can't buy a Lamborghini at least I can afford that lousy t-shirt.

Icy

A Wrigley Christmas

Lock It Up