March 7th, 2010 by will
People that know me and many that follow my work on flickr can attest that I have an un-healthy obsession with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). I love that many of the trains are above ground giving off shrieks, shrills and the clanks of metal on metal echoes throughout the city at almost anytime of the day. Trains in the sky? Why yes, I think I will take a picture. However, my most recent pictures of the CTA have been focusing more on the bus systems and the passengers. Here are some pictures of the #74 Fullerton and #47 Western bus. The first one is from the #74 at the Western and Fullerton stop in Bucktown and the second shot is the same intersection but looking across Western Avenue and of the #47 passing by. The last shot is after the #74 bus system travels further west to Logan Square and a family boards at the Rockwell stop.
untitled. 2010 eight one seven photography
untitled. 2010 eight one seven photography
untitled. 2010 eight one seven photography
March 7th, 2010 by will
While the weather was perfect to be walking around in a long-sleeved shirt and no beanie for the first time in months – it wasn’t ideal for taking pictures during the middle of the day. With no clouds in the sky the light came down at vicious angles. While this may not be perfect for shooting a portrait – it definitely has a flair for the dramatic. It also gives me the super-contrasty look that I love in black-and-white photography. Here is my favorite one from the day. It’s at the six-way intersection where Bucktown and Wicker Park meet in Chicago.
double. 2010 eight one seven photography
February 27th, 2010 by will
Textures are always on my mind when I am out photographing. So I guess that makes me no different than nearly every professional and amateur photographer I have ever met. However, it amazes me how much variance there is in how each photog sees textures. Some love unique angles and some go for shallow depth of field. Some shoot the natural textures of the world and many love the beauty in a scene of a man made structure slowly withering away. Something I always look for is a super contrasty* scene and if there are lots of shadows to exaggerate this then even better! More recently, I have been shooting as much as I can with a straight forward approach and vantage point. I have been forcing myself to rely less on angles in hopes of honing my composition skills. Here are a few recent examples of textures from around Chicago this year.
*made up photography word
goodbye green. 2010 eight one seven photography
pause. 2010 eight one seven photography
four red stars. 2010 eight one seven photography
waiting. 2010 eight one seven photography
cash. 2010 eight one seven photography
February 27th, 2010 by will
I am not sure if I was cashing in some extra karma points or the photo gods were simply smiling down on me but something went right for me in Logan Square on February 23, 2010. About 5o meters in front of me were two guys juggling out their front door and into the yard. I know my steps quickened as I approached and I am pretty sure I yelled out ‘dibs’ before my friend and fellow photographer even knew what I was talking about. I mean come on – Jugglers! And he is smoking a cigarette! It’s just not fair this shit’s just too easy.
jugglers. 2010 eight one seven photography
February 26th, 2010 by will
I feel my street photography has been improving dramatically these days. I’ve been figuring out ways of taking pictures while making it look like I am not. My ‘from the hip’ shots have actually been working quite well. But even beyond that I am getting over the apprehension of taking a strangers photo. I feel like I have a better sense of when it’s ok and like most things confidence goes far. However, I still end up taking lots of pictures of people working outside like these two pictures.
delivery. 2010 eight one seven photography
corner. 2010 eight one seven photography
February 25th, 2010 by will
I take so many pictures when I am exploring Chicago that it takes me a while to get them all posted. I sometimes wonder that when I am gone someone will go through all my digital negatives. I wonder what they will think. If I could script it – I would make it happen about 50 years after I am gone. Anywho, My most recent trip through Logan Square was no different. Here was another of my point and hope shots as I walked. I must say I have gotten a lot better at these than when I first started. Perhaps I will never use the viewfinder again.
23 February 2010 eight one seven photography
February 24th, 2010 by admin
After the recent eruption of concerts and concert photography for me (3 in 5 days) I was really happy to get out and take pictures of something off the stage. I hadn’t hit the streets in more than a week and the itch was definitely there. Tuesday, I had a good excuse and some motivation to get out and spend much of the day making images and exploring in the Chicago neighborhoods of Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park. It was nice getting out with another photographer for a change. We discussed styles and technique and it gave me an opportunity to think a little more about mine. Sometimes I will be asked to describe my work and I always have a hard time putting it in to words. Perhaps its because I don’t really think it matters how I describe it because I feel photography is like any other art and the style is decided by the viewer. I can only choose the subject. However, I did enjoy exploring the subject and thinking about it a little more consciously. I definitely made fewer images than a normal outing and I am happier with fewer of them but, the ones I like I am really happy with. So perhaps it did me and my ’style’ some good. Yes I am pleased but there is no way I am as pumped as this guy……..
happy. eight one seven photography 2010
23 February 2010
February 20th, 2010 by will
Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB
19 February 2010
Riviera Theatre
Chicago, Ill.
Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB came to Chicago’s Riviera Theatre on Friday February 19, 2010. The guitarist and lead singer of the jam band Phish has been touring with one of his many side projects in between Phish tours. A seemingly timid Anastasio walked on the stage grinning as he looked up to the crowd from behind his round glasses and shaggy red hair, as he waved to the crowd he flashed a smile that may not have left his face all night. All signs of timidness left as he slung his signature Paul Languedoc guitar around his neck and led the septet through the first few jams of a night of music lasting more than 3 hours. The seven members progressed through different songs by Trey while including a heavy dose of classic phish songs, many that began as TAB creations before being adopted by Phish.
Trey Anastasio 2010 eight one seven photography
Trey spent much of the evening orchestrating the band and the crowd. He used a number of hand signals, head nods or even just a smile to conduct the band and relied on his guitar to keep the audience moving. During Alive Again as he belted out the lyrics, “The time has come for you to be alive again!” and the sold out Riviera came alive. The audience screamed as they sang along, cheering and dancing in every corner of the theatre. At the end of the first set the other six members of the band left the stage and Trey treated the crowd to a four song acoustic set. It quickly turned in to a giant sing along as he played the Phish songs, Brian & Robert, Driver, Sample in a Jar and ending with the entire theatre screaming back and forth ‘Wilson’ as Trey played the song with the same name as their chant. Read the rest of this entry »
February 19th, 2010 by will
St. Vincent
18 February 2010
Metro
Chicago, Ill.
Annie Clark, who performs under the moniker St. Vincent, played to a sold out Metro crowd Thursday February 18. St. Vincent was in town for the first time since being announced as one of the headliners for the Pitchfork Music Festival this summer in Union Park. She arrived after a year filled with a flurry of buzz among music critics and fans about her 2009 release of Actor.
St. Vincent 2010 eight one seven photography
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