Category Archives: Chicago

Beautiful Photography of Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Stock Exchange Building

Posted on September 12th, 2016 by

Troves of Treasure

It not an inexpensive prospect to visit The Art Institute of Chicago. One of the best options is Bank of America’s Museums on Us program (assuming you are an account holder and the museum is participating). This arch from the Chicago Stock Exchange Building is but one exquisite piece of history contained inside. If you do go plan on at LEAST a half day for a quick breeze through. If you love art and history, be prepared to spend as much time as you can!

Chicago Stock Exchange Building
Chicago Stock Exchange Building

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 12 October, 2012
  • Focal length: 25mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Chicago Stock Exchange Building

Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago

Posted on August 29th, 2016 by

Nautical Skies

I say it time and time again, look up! I was wondering Michigan Avenue in Chicago with Pamela on one of our first visits to Downtown Chicago together and we walked by Neiman Marcus and I thought…oooh swanky department store! I didnt really need anything, but I did as I often suggest and was rewarded by a quick look around. What a wonderful skylight!

Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago
Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/13
  • Camera: Canon EOS 20D
  • Taken: 6 August, 2008
  • Focal length: 35mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/320s
  • Title: Neiman Marcus Skylight in Chicago

Welcome to The Sears Tower

Posted on August 15th, 2016 by

DA BEARS

When I was in High School we (the band) took a trip to The Windy City. SNL was one of my favorite things back then so Chicago held a particular fascination simply for the accent people sometimes have in the home of da bears. I was to my disappointment that MOST people I encountered had not one iota of the accent…until I went to the Sears Tower. The lady who hosted the film on the building’s construction sounded like she WAS the original Super Fan! “Welcome to Da Sears Tower. Please watch your step,” she intoned. It stopped me dead in my tracks in the door of the theater. I looked at her opened mouthed and finally asked if she could please say “DA BEARS” for me. She didn’t skip a beat and in the same wonderful accent said, “No…Move along sir! Welcome to Da Sears Tower.” Somehow that was even better than I could have anticipated and something I will never forget.

P.S. To me, it will always be The Sears Tower!

Welcome to The Sears Tower
Welcome to The Sears Tower

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 28 October, 2011
  • Focal length: 50mm
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: 1/200s
  • Title: Welcome to The Sears Tower

The Most Impressive Room in the Chicago Cultural Center

Posted on March 24th, 2016 by

On Seeing

An interesting thing happened the last two weeks that I didn’t entirely intend. Perhaps you can see it too, but the last two Monday’s photos were my more modern post processing technique. The last two Thursday’s were a mismatch of old and new. Today’s photo and In the Garden of St Elizabeth’s were photos I had processed long ago and felt were unfinished, something was missing. I found these years later like little gifts in a Lightroom folder marked Needs More Work. Combining the old and the new made for something that felt more complete. Maybe that is what I am always doing here. Exploring, learning, testing my limits.

The Most Impressive Room in the Chicago Cultural Center
The Most Impressive Room in the Chicago Cultural Center

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 12 October, 2012
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/160s
  • Title: The Most Impressive Room in the Chicago Cultural Center

A Lock on a Dock by a Lake

Posted on September 4th, 2014 by

Security on a Dock

A quick photo for today. I found this random chain and pad lock on the shoreline of Lake Michigan in Chicago. Nothing was attached and nothing was around so I have no idea why it was there. Maybe someone regularly locked up their bike to this pillar and just left their lock there all the time. I cant imagine that chain is light. Consequently, today’s title made me feel a bit like Dr. Seuss!

A Lock on a Dock by a Lake
A Lock on a Dock by a Lake

Photo Technical Info

Tiny Lighthouse on Lake Michigan

Posted on August 21st, 2014 by

Where’s the Sunrise!

There is something to be said for trying. I took this photo the same day I took my Sunrise at Navy Pier photo one cold morning in Chicago. I had got up at 4am to take the train into the city to get this and it was clouds, clouds, clouds. I kept moving toward my destination…I was always headed for Navy Pier, and just as I reached the end of the pier, the sun finally broke though the clouds. I caught the whole thing for today’s photo. I sat and stared at what appeared to me to be a tiny lighthouse (it wasn’t really tiny) off in the distance. Despite the bitter Chicago cold, it was a good morning.

Tiny Lighthouse on Lake Michigan
Tiny Lighthouse on Lake Michigan

Photo Technical Info

Chicago O’Hare Skylight Concorse G

Posted on March 13th, 2014 by

Amazing Skylight Art in Plain View

Being an mid-west based American Airlines flyer, I fly through one of two airports on every trip I make. DFW or ORD. Dallas is my preferred airport for both its ease of navigation (skylink) and the American Express Centurion Lounge (possibly the best lounge in the United States). That said, I can’t tell you the number of times I have flown through Chicago’s O’Hare airport via Concorse G and it wasnt until recently that I noticed this wonderful and artful skylight in the central hub.

Today’s Photo

It’s wonderful to me when I discover art in strange places. Lots of people know about the light tunnel at Chicago O’Hare, but somehow I almost prefer art that is there for everyone. Randomly placed things of beauty that perhaps many don’t even pay attention to, but occasionally someone stops and says, “Huh! Look at that!”

Chicago O'Hare Skylight Concorse G
Chicago O’Hare Skylight Concorse G by W. Brian Duncan

Photo Technical Info

The Rookery Elevators

Posted on August 22nd, 2013 by

Chicago Landmarks

Today’s photo comes from the Rookery Building in the heart of downtown Chicago. I was a bit surprised that they invited me in to photograph, I think from the general attitude they are used to patrons gawking. How can you not with all that marble and gold leaf. I was originally drawn to the site because it was refurbished at one point by Frank Lloyd Wright. The style isn’t prairie, but it sure it spectacular. My only regret was that so much of the building was off limits. Maybe one day I can coordinate some special access.

Sharing

Today Ken Kaminensky shared a posted called The Exact Dimensions for All Your Social Media Photos and Graphics. It was so useful that I felt it best to give him a tip of my hat! Enjoy.

HDR Photography
The Rookery Elevators by W. Brian Duncan

The Chicago River

Posted on August 1st, 2013 by

Walking Downtown

One of my favorite things about Chicago, which I often fly through, is how easy it is to get downtown from O’Hare. Just hop on the train, ride for a bit…BAM you are in downtown Chicago. There is a lot to see and do, but I just love wandering the streets around Millennium Park. I was on one of these walks when I caught this photo of Trump International Hotel & Tower and the Wrigley Building with the Chicago River in the foreground.

HDR Photography
The Chicago River by W. Brian Duncan

Rorschach’s Moving Sidewalk

Posted on February 14th, 2013 by

Missing Institutions

I admit it…it’s easy to miss really cool things, that are seemingly under your feet. I am not talking about stopping to smell the roses kind of stuff here. Rather, I am talking about dozens of trips through an airport and not knowing an art installation that is apparently a Chicago institution is literally right under your feet. This tunnel connects Terminal B and C at O’Hare. To my defense, this is the United Terminal and I am an American Airlines guy. I can’t remember ever actually flying United. Regardless, this is a wonderful visual experience called Sky’s the Limit created by artist Michael Hayden in 1987.

What do YOU see?

I have asked several people what they see when they look at this photo and I get different things. It completely makes me think of a Rorschach ink blot (or a butterfly).

HDR Photography
Rorschach’s Moving Sidewalk by W. Brian Duncan