I have been to Chicago dozens of times. I often fly into Midway and get a car to drive to Grand Rapids for work. I’ve been to meetings downtown occasionally. What I had never done was explore this city without a work agenda. Recently I got the chance to do just that.
Chicago is a city of “broad shoulders” – it’s very angular, but every now and then it throws you a curve. With its sweeping heights and narrow vistas, it was the perfect opportunity to play with my fisheye and to do some night shooting with my fast 50.
Looking down LaSalle canyon at the Chicago Board of Trade Building – a 1930’s icon.
A fisheye view from under the canopy of the L.
One Way up LaSalle canyon.
The Rookery Building – Chicago’s oldest standing high rise, complete with a Frank Lloyd Wright designed lobby.
Sky
Bronze doors on the Northern Trust Building – circa 1905
A southern view of the city from the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower. Sorry, I just cannot call it by any other name than the Sears Tower.
A look down LaSalle
The W on Adams – a wonderful hotel with fresh caramel brownies in the lobby.
The Loop was undergoing renovations so this is the spot they dumped us to catch a shuttle. Still, an interesting vista.
Hamsters in the sky on the side of the Sears Tower.
The 112 Ladder and Truck in North Center
A classic Italian restaurant in the theater district.
A curve on the L
I couldn’t manage a visit to the city without finding something wild. A bird against the skyline for good measure.
the eff stop 
Interesting use of lenses. Again, great composition. You are really a talented photographer. 🙂
Thanks so much. Living in a rural area there are not a lot of uses for a fisheye. I shoot a couple of sunsets and vistas with it in a season – but in the city it is a lot of fun. The fast 50 is perfect for night shots.
I don’t even know what a fast 50 is, but I didn’t want to sound too dumb to ask, but here you are bringing it up again! 🙂
LOL – a fast 50 is a 50mm f1.4 or faster. The 50mm focal length is perfect for taking portraits. Before autofocus and digital most cameras came with a 50mm f1.8 kit lens – that’s fast enough to isolate subjects and blur backgrounds with ease. A fast 50 is even better in low light.
OH, that is great information! I have so much trouble taking pictures of people – especially in a low light! 🙂
I find my fast 50 is the perfect lens for taking shots indoors with no flash – it’s also superb for sunsets.
OK, I’m going to get one ASAP!!!!!!! Your pictures are superb! 🙂
Thanks – I love that lens – and not having zoom makes you think more about composition – I take it everywhere with me.
I’m so glad I know you!!! 🙂
The feeling is mutual 😊
All this excitement of city life. I live in a rural area. You are making me quite jealous. 🙂
I live in a rural area too and although I don’t think that I would care to live in a city like that all the time – it’s a great city to visit.
I was born n ripened near Chicago. You made it look great and inviting. If you wanted some wildlife, you should have gone down to Rush Street.. Ha! Thanks for showing me what a visitor sees in this vast, crazy city!
LOL – it was good to see something beyond the airport for a change.
Fabulous shots, Lorri. You make good use of that fisheye lens – you should use it more often.
And I absolutely love your night shots with the nifty 50. I’ll have to make a trip to the city at night and experiment some more with shooting tall buildings. You’ve inspired me.
This post is a reminder that I should make more effort to use my 50mm. (don’t know whether it’s laziness on my part or the fact that I depend on my telephoto lens to be an extension of my eyes).
You know, I find using the 50 makes me be the tele – I used it quite a bit on this trip, shooting after dark or blurring moving water. I find it’s one of the three lenses I must always have with me. I can get closer, but you can’t work around speed.
My hometown! Great shots!
What a great city! Thanks.
Great, as always. I especially like the curved El. So cool!
Thanks Elyse. The L was fun to shoot, so many amazing angles.
One day I plan to visit Chicago and take in the Blues! 🙂 Love the photos!
You should go – take in the Blues and pizza, nothing better than a Chicago pie 🙂
Even in Canada, pizza is better in the east!
I have only “skirted” Chicago in route to MI. Fab photos! (Sears tower forever!) So glad you threw in the bird at the end! It wouldn’t have been right without it! So sorry you had to come back home… ;( but glad you did.
It’s good to be home, but I’m still on Pacific time and have an art sale in 4 days – nothing like jumping back in with both feet 🙂 but it was wonderful.
Never a pause button, is there?!?!
I’ve only been to Chicago for a Cubs game, but we’re going to the Jazz Festival this year. Thanks for the great preview shots!
I really enjoyed the city, we went to see a Broadway play, rode the L and explored downtown. There must have been a game that day because we saw swarms of Cub fans.
Wonderful photos, Lorrie. I really like the first 3.
Thanks Allan, I loved the city.