Planning a Trip to Chicago

[Lonnie1212]

Hi Folks,

Planning for a day trip to Chicago, Il this weekend. Will be taking the Amtrak to Union Station in the downtown area. The objective is to scout the layout of the city. Will ask about observation areas on sky scrapers to take pictures. In the future I would like to take city light pictures at night. Will be taking a Nikon D610, a 50 mm lens, a 16-35 mm, and a 24-120 mm. There are about 20 or 30 tour agencies that offer 2 to 3 hour tours of the city. Has anyone else ever been to the City of Chicago for photography?

Thank you,

Lonnie

 

[NGH]

I love Chicago, it's a great city for photography. Here a few shots I took...

Chicago by Nigel, on Flickr

Chicago and Northwestern Railway bridge by Nigel, on Flickr

CarrotRoom-88800001.jpg by Nigel, on Flickr

Lost in contemplation by Nigel, on Flickr

 

[NGH]

actually, I wrote a few words about that trip too....

Chicago with film

 

[Lonnie1212]

@NGH, thank you for sharing the pics. I really like the black and white one. Did you drive to Chicago?

 

[NGH]

That black and white one is a favourite of mine too; taken with my old Voigtländer Bessa folding rangefinder - a great camera. The first time we flew (from LA) and the second time we were driven and I was dropped off at a convenient place for me to take the train and go explore (I'm afraid my memory fails me as to where I got the train from).

 

[Lonnie1212]

That black and white one is a favourite of mine too; taken with my old Voigtländer Bessa folding rangefinder - a great camera. The first time we flew (from LA) and the second time we were driven and I was dropped off at a convenient place for me to take the train and go explore (I'm afraid my memory fails me as to where I got the train from).

Maybe Union Station.

 

[jcdeboever]

I lived downtown for a couple years. Unreal amount of photography subject matter. Decent police presence. Lots of pan handlers, pretty much every corner. Lots of modern and old architecture. Actually, the content can be overwhelming. I wasn't into photography when I lived there but did shoot a fair amount for painting reference and had no idea what I was doing with the camera. I have been back a couple of times since I got serious with photography. I will be going in a couple weeks and probably an extended stay in the spring. I like to street shoot and it's ideal for that genre. I normally drive there but have also taken the train for the extended stays. You literally do not need a car to get around. Bus, train, trolly, cab etc. South side, west side, tons of content. Expensive. I shoot film mostly so I don't worry to much about snatch and grab. Kids on bikes are the ones to be aware of. But its winter so not much in the way of that. It is my favorite spot for street shooting. I follow the light for my spots. I don't have anything handy or good enough to share as I am traveling. Just know, it is an overwhelming place to shoot. Pick your places and feel good about it, walk slow and wide eyed. Don't forget to look up and down.

 

[NGH]

That black and white one is a favourite of mine too; taken with my old Voigtländer Bessa folding rangefinder - a great camera. The first time we flew (from LA) and the second time we were driven and I was dropped off at a convenient place for me to take the train and go explore (I'm afraid my memory fails me as to where I got the train from).

Maybe Union Station.

probably

 

[JoeW]

Okay, Chicago...where to start?
1. Shoot the Art Institute. Just amazing stuff inside and out. Seriously--some cool abstract sculpture and 3 dimensional art forms that a photographer can shoot creative stuff with.
2. Pray that you get frigid weather. Then go to the lake and shoot frozen waves--just stunning pictures.
3. Tons of good architecture to shoot within the city. Bring a fisheye lens if you've got one. And then shoot up.
4. Make time to go to the NW suburbs to shoot all things Frank Lloyd Wright. Talesin East, the Unity Temple (I think that's the name--it was a few years ago so my memory may be off), and his home. Yes, it's worth taking the time to go there.
5. Yeah, the "Bean" (officially the Cloud Gate) is touristy but you'll still get some lovely shots with it. Plus it's next to Millennium Park.
6. There is an architecture tour by boat. It has a good rep. I haven't taken it--I'd think it would be frustrating as a photographer--you'd be taking snapshots instead of composing photos.
7. Also check out the Chicago Architecture Center. They charge a fee but it's cool.
8. Shoot the stairwell at the Rookery Building.
9. Navy Pier: mini-fair, art, crafts, indoor and outdoor, next to the water, people/street photography--lots of things to shoot here.

 

[JoeW]

Also, bring your appetite. You need to have Chicago "stuffed" pizza at least once (no, deep dish pizza is not "stuffed").

 

[Lonnie1212]

Thank you for the advice guys. I feel overwhelmed by the response and the things to do. Since I have taken up photography, I have never been in a place with inexhaustible photo opportunities. Now I am even more excited about the trip.

 

[JoeW]

When you get back, post some of your results.

 

[JoeW]

Also, I know you said that you're overwhelmed with suggestions. But before you leave for Chicago, watch a movie about Chicago: Ferris Bueller's Day Off is good. Or The Fugitive (though only the last half takes place in Chicago). Either movie will get you excited about Chicago, you'll start to visualize possibilities, and also start to connect places with names. Plus, either one is a very entertaining movie.

 

[Lonnie1212]

I was reading about the Chicago Art Institute and the Willis Tower in Chicago today. Both institutions will not allow tripods, mono-pods, or camera flashes on the tours. I can understand why they do not want camera flashes. But what harm can tripods or monopods do?

 

[MSnowy]

I was there for the first time this past Fall. I'm not much of a city person but I must say I really enjoyed my time there. I usually photograph wildlife (plenty of wild life there but not my usual stuff ) so I tried something different, night pictures.