Hog Butcher for the World/Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat/Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler,/Stormy, Husky, Brawling, City of the Big Shoulders.

Chicago view from Willis tower /Sears tower

View of Chicago from the Willis Tower/ Sears Tower

 

Those words, written by Carl Sandburg almost a hundred years ago, capture the gritty spirit and firm atmosphere, the character of Chicago better in just a few words, than I could with thousands upon thousands. Is there anything else to say? But as Chicago itself has not stopped, has not dwelt on the past, I’ll push to create something new too.

Architecture tour - trump tower,  wrigley building

Chicago Architecture Tour – Great views of Trump Tower, Wrigley building and many more

 

Chicago may not specialize in the industries described in those few lines anymore, but look at the grids of the streets, the skyscrapers, the parks, the canals, the museums, the streets flush with traffic, and you will see that same city, vibrant and modern. Muscle of steal, and backbone of concrete. A city with character.

chicago the bean cloud gate millenium park

The Bean – Cloud Gate Millennium Park Chicago

 

Today, Chicago, like most American cities, traffics in industries of information. The image of the Chicago Public Library illustrates modern Chicago, and modern life in general perhaps. See the institutional foundation, the firm bedrock of society, wreathed by light and technology. The physical buildings of brick and mortar; boulders shouldering the brunt of digital deluge.

chicago cityscape view from chicago shedd aquarium

Chicago Cityscape view from the Shedd Aquarium

 

Step out into streets then, into the current, and as you walk down the streets look up past the flow of current, past the flashing lights, past the sirens and smells, past the city in motion, the city alive, look up to the silent giants pushing into the sky. Some gleam like mirrors, others thick and solid as stonework, each a monument.

Buckingham Fountain

Chicago Buckingham Fountain

 

So then what is Chicago? Some say corruption and crime. Others just call it home. The photographers have it easy; the motion of the streets and the beauty of the architecture speak for themselves. The atmosphere is in the image. But with what words can you capture history, color, smell, breath, light, sound, building, all in one?

Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago

Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago

 

A 21st century American city.

Stormy, Husky, Brawling

All Saints Chicago

 

All Saints – Miracle Mile Michigan Avenue Chicago

 

chicago theater district

Chicago Theater District

 

What to Photograph in Chicago

Written by:
John VanOverbeke

The best of Chicago Photography: All images have been captured by Wayne Moran and are available for purchase At The Online Gallery starting at just $37.96. Watch for great discounts!

 

Written by Wayne Moran - Visit Website
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