6 days of
shooting in
Chicago
by Niklas Lindskog
Chicago, the Second City … the Windy City … “My kind of town,” as Frank Sinatra so famously sang in 1964 … offers so much to the street photographer.
The beautiful elevated railway in The Loop, the elegance of the Magnificent Mile, many interesting neighborhoods like Chinatown, Chicago offers so much to the street photographer! Walking the streets, riding the trains, moments keep unfolding in front of my eyes and my camera. And the open air modern art installations like the Picasso sculpture and the Cloud Gate gave me the inspiration to create! In the autumn of 2015, I spent the last six days of a three week trip to the US streeting in Chicago. Traveling with my friends from work, Hans and Jan, we did see the sights and ate the signature Chicago hot dogs and the pizzas at Giordano's. But these moments, like when catching a Bulls game, always gives a chance to shoot some street as well.
This stay gave us a rainy Halloween, with costumed people hurrying through the wet streets and hiding in fast food restaurants and doorways. And then we went to the parade streets. While walking and shooting, many people were ready with a smile, a pose, a handshake and a hug when they saw my camera. But as I normally do in a carnival kind of situation, I tried to find the skeletons, the bloody and those in their funny dress, not walking the parade, but on the side, in the unexpected places.
The rain also drove me indoors, for one day I chose to go in the trains for my street work. The closeness, the wet clothes, the umbrellas, the damp wood of the elevated platforms.
On the following days, in great weather, I spent time chasing sunshine bouncing around skyscrapers in The Magnificent Mile, the Navy Pier and the Gold Coast. Always a favourite of mine, strong sun from several directions at once can give the photographs a studio flash feel, if you find the right spot.
Both daytime and at night, the marvelous elevated railway in The Loop, with its wood and cast iron structures was a wonderful place for streeting! The sunlight seeping through to the street level in geometric shapes during the day. And the deep shadows and electric lights of the city creating a dramatic stage for the theatre of life after dark. Giving me many ideas for compositions and many chances to catch quick moments passing by!
I hope you will enjoy my efforts!
