Exploring the Heart of Chicago: A Visual Journey

“Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world.”

— Frank Lloyd Wright

I have been struggling coming up with ideas to photograph/video. Late last year I came up with an idea of capturing lighthouses in Michigan but I haven’t been able to get back to due to getting a new job. I needed something a bit closer to home that I could document in the meantime. My job is at one of the Chicago airports which gave me the idea of capturing the city the way that I see it. I have lived around the Chicago area for about 2 decades and I haven’t truly explored the city. When I have gone down it is usually to the same couple of spots. I want to be able to capture it in the way that only I can.  I have loved the beauty and energy of the city but at the same time I don’t know spend enough time in to soak up any of it in.

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

— Frank Gehry

I’m hoping that I can make it more sustainable than having to make it feel like I need to spend my entire day in the city or need to get bangers on a 1st visit somewhere. I have felt that pressure with a couple new places I have visited. I keep reminding myself that it might take multiple visits to a place to get something I absolute love. I have already gotten a membership to the Shedd and I could see me ending up get other memberships as well as time goes on.

Where I plan on visiting

Chicago Cultural Center

Museum of Science and Industry with the garden beyond the building

Lincoln Park Zoo/Conservatory

Northernly Island

Chicago Theatre Sign

Buckingham Fountain(day & night)

Museums

Stairwell at the Rookery Building

Festivals

Navy Pier

L Train S Curve @ Wells Kinzie Parking Garage

HERO Coffee Bar

Millenium Park

Grant Park

If you have a place that you would like me to visit please comment below.

I asked a friend for ideas to get me started in this endeavor when I decided to take it one. I would love to add to this list which I’m sure as I start to visit more of the city.

So far I have visited…

Promontory Point

Garfield Park Conservatory

Shedd Aquarium

Montrose Beach

Chicago River Walk

A couple of places like the Shedd and Garfield Park I have been before. I usually only go do Garfield Park Conservatory during the winter, but I planning this year to visit it during every season. I’m planning on going to all these places again and spend a bit more time there.

There is so much I love about Chicago. It is a city that has a combination of new and old architecture. I love seeing the new and the old when I look up. I love seeing the L(the elevated trains) pop out of the buildings. As big city’s go I think its pretty clean. I love walking through a random part of and just seeing a random green area. The river adds to the city that makes it unique. Words are not my strong point so I’m struggling to tell you what I love but I hope to be able to show it in the photos and video I take.