Days 278 - 280

More Chicago street photography - Thanks for walking through this with me. I just have so many fun photos to share! And, when thinking about my 365 for the year, Chicago is where I am, so Chicago photos I shall have!

Day 278

The bridge over the Chicago River - lunch hour.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1600, 60 mm

 Day 279

 By the bridge - I loved the lines.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/600, 18 mm

 Day 280

Chicago Theater! An icon for State Street.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1250, 50 mm

Day 277

On our photo walk, I couldn't get over the fire escapes. They are so vintage looking, so primal, but something you'd desperately need in an emergency. I wonder how often they are actually used? Maybe only in movies? I've never seen anyone on one, but I just think, "what would you do without them?" 

Something just drew me in on this. The lighting? The emptiness? In a city that's so bustling with excitement, no movement to be seen here. 

Okay, enough deep thinking...

Day 277

ISO 400, f/5, 1/60, 18 mm

Day 27

I love my days downtown! That's where I have pretty much an open canvas to work with. The textures, the buildings, the lake..so much to choose from! This is why I will have to open a "Honorable Mentions" category. The days I have photos, some of them are really fun and I don't want to waste them. With that said, this is what made the cut today. I was loving everyone's black and white with a color pop, so this is mine for today.

It's "the Bean" from Grant Park downtown Chicago. Why it's a bean? Nobody knows, but it cost a fortune! Not only to buy, but maintenance. It's a big kidney bean shaped piece of mirrored metal? That's the best way I can describe it, but people come from all over to look at it! Go figure.. I love seeing the buildings reflected. There's also snow laying on it like whipped cream on top, and swiss cheese slapped on the side. :)

 Day 27

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5.6, ss 1/160, 75 mm, no flash

Day 25

Today was a Blue Chicago! It was very overcast and foggy, but it made for a beautiful picture of the skyline by the Shedd Aquarium. The water was a little bit glassy, so it caught the reflection of the buildings just right.

Day 25

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5.6, ss 1/640, 45 mm, no flash

Day 5

Okay, I've got nothin'! I tried to take some more night time shots, I was going for the panning thing, but then realized I can't do that at night, I needed to focus on the subject moving, so.. I focus on the still signs below and got the train moving along the rails on top.

Day 5

Settings I used were:

ISO 400, f/4.5, ss 1/3, 75mm 

Day 4

I love the movie "Fireproof" so when I saw this sign, I knew I needed to take a few photos. I loved the lettering, the stone, and the maintenance deprived lights. Here's the kicker, as I drove by this building with these words, I was talking to a friend who was just recently separated from her husband. I could really only listen, but was reminded of this great movie and had to stop. 

I had a great day, all in all, but my lunch totaled $6.66 and soon after, I fell on some ice. I'm fine! So here's my day 4 of 365!

Day 4

My settings were:

ISO 100, f/1.8, shutter speed 1/640, 50 mm lens, no flash

Day 2

A great start to a new year is always spending it with my awesome man. Today we celebrated being married for 18 years! We have gone through so much together. We've laughed, cried, celebrated life, mourned loved ones, locked arms trying to raise three kids, supported each other, and taught each other what it is to be partners. It's not easy at times, but if you can let things roll and trust that God will help you all through, you can make it! I say this after 18 years of marriage, 19 years of being together. After all this, I love this man, I'm thankful for this man, and I support him.

There. Enough mushy stuff, here's to my 2nd day! We went downtown to an amazing dinner, it was so lovely I forgot to take out my camera. Plus I thought, that's a little tacky, to grab my camera and take a picture of the cute dessert they brought us "on the house" complete with candle! After we had several bites, I thought. THAT should have been my 365 photo! Oh well, live and learn. 

I do love clocks. I could take a tour of old clocks around the city and put them all together. In fact, I may do that! So don't be surprised to see several clocks show up in the next year. 

Okay, I read about night time shots in my manual today. I realized that I didn't need a flash at night. Let the lights take on their own tone. So here is the old Marshall Fields clock (before it became..ahem..Macy's) on the corner of State and Washington. I used to work across the street and just came to love seeing it every day.

365 Day 2 

Night time.

My settings were:
ISO - 800, Aperture f/5, Shutter speed 1/15, 110 focal length, no flash, tungsten (accidental since my settings were on it from last night, but I liked it!)

My thoughts: I love it. I love the old feel of the stone, the coloring, and the old lamp posts. It probably still looks a lot like it did so many years ago. I'm sure I'm not the only one that loves and appreciates that old clock.