Junko - @jyokota - and I went on a very complicated meet-up tonight that involved braving 20 degree weather to get through the downtown area with its lighting the trees festival attended by about a million (literally) visitors to the city, to get to Navy Pier by 6:30 for what was supposed to be a lighting ceremony. It turns out that (a) the organizers didn't know that it wasn't starting until 8:00 and (b) it was not a big deal as it was only in one area, no fireworks or anything, and barely anyone around (because it was freezing!) And, by having to meet at 6:30, we missed the 7:00 fireworks over the river at the end of the parade route. After waiting over an hour to find out we had about another hour to wait, Junko and I headed down the pier to take photos of the skyline. I liked this view where the skyline is sandwiched between the lake and the clouds. It's almost midnight and my fingers are finally thawing out!
The parade with a float of the Water Tower (yesterday's post) is in my extras album -- http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2013-11-23 -- shows what a wild night it was here and all the folks who came out despite the cold.
You guys are brave souls to attempt taking photos by the lake in late November in Chicago. After spending 3 years there in graduate school I vowed to never go back in the winter! Great city shot, though, and beautiful lighting....glad you survived it!
Taffy, your night/city shots are always so superb!!! This one is brilliant!! Love the colors, lights, and reflections. You were brave to go out in that weather!! FAV
I was too tired to write the story so I just linked my photo to your image. As always, you do such a beautiful job of portraying the skyline. My mother said yours was more beautiful but I told her that we're not competing -- that these are companion pieces. :)
@jyokota Ah...mothers...isn't that fairly typical? Together, I think we've captured the evening well. Freezing cold, broken tripods, no light show, but fun despite it all!
@panthora Ah, experienced Chicagoans know how tough the winters can be -- but they are beautiful (until the snow turns so grimy). Where were you in grad school?
@taffy We could never give up Oregon totally. It is too lovely in the summer and we really don't have extremes (well not often). Just wet, dark, and dreary all winter... It would be way too hot (in the summer) to live in the SW full time, so that is why we have our second home on wheels.
@eyesmile No problem! We have friends who do what you have done re a second home on wheels. They say the same thing -- they love the freedom, but also having a base. It is appealing!
@taffy U of I, Champaign-Urbana....and, yes, it was COLD! Got a lot of work done in the wintertime, though....Frankly, I spent all of it in the architecture studio...days and nights!
@panthora That's where I went as well! Spent a few years there -- to me the winters there were worse than Chicago. I remember one where the wheels of my car froze to the parking lot!!
Fav - this is spectacular, Taffy - love the golden tones and the lights and as you say the city sandwiched between the clouds and the lake. Wow - what a night! You did at least get this lovely photo.
Love it. So sorry about the weather. Hope you both have thawed out! I had a dream last night that I was in Chicago; it was a last minute business trip my husband was on (which is weird because he does not travel for work), and I went along. On day two, I realized, "wait, I'm in CHICAGO! I have to contact Taffy and Junko @jyokota to see if I can go on a photography walk with them!" Isn't that funny? It must be because I am planning on a night shoot downtown hopefully this week to 1) capture light trails and 2) capture the skyline. If you have any advice, and if you have the time, I'd love some pointers. I WILL take the tripod. It's my big bucket list item for the year as I have not really taken night photos and I have not taken an effective light trail shot! Just hope that someday, my dream of being in Chicago will NOT be a dream. :)
@darylo -- I wish it hadn't been a dream! Taffy's and mine have very different settings, and that accounts for much of why ours are different. I wanted the "twinkle light" effect so I opted for the f/22 and 30 seconds because I was too cold to wait longer. I only took ONE Photo on a tripod as it was very very cold and my tripod was broken so I borrowed Taffy's for mine.
What a magical capture. I also enjoyed reading your bio about how you got involved with 365. So sad about your beloved dog, but how fortunate she had/has(?) such caring owners.
Hi Taffy. I'm you get pushed challenge partner for this week. You've got a stunning collection of images and have a real eye for a photo and seem to have the knowledge of techniques and processing too. So, for a challenge, how about either a food image such as may be used as an advert or a colour popped monochrome image - your choice.
@julieco Thanks for the choices Julie. I'll choose one that works for me this week. I believe we were partnered this summer -- I remember your life in two different places and your doing some amazing diptychs to capture them. I'll have a challenge for you shortly.
@darylo That is quite a funny dream!!! I'm honored to have appeared in it. I would love to do a photo walk here sometime with you so perhaps your husband would be: (a) willing to change fields and (b) begin to travel so (c) you could come here and do a photo walk? Or, just visit us!!
@darsphotos Thanks for the fav, Darlene! And the follow! @fishy Thanks Andrew. It was REALLY cold!! And very windy making it even worse. @homeschoolmom Thanks so much Lisa!
An amazing cityscape shot, especially when I read what you had to go through to get it, I am in the process of redesigning a pair of gloves to try and cope with the inevitable finger freeze!
Another Wow shot Taffy!! It sounds like an evening packed full of difficulties but you managed to get this fabulous shot at the end. Hope your fingers have defrosted!! I have heard Chicago described as the "windy city" but hadn't realised you get such cold winters!! I learn so much from 365!! LOL!! A huge Fav!!
Thanks so much Vicki and Vijay, for the fav. Lisa thanks for the view and comment. I so appreciate it!
@fishy Thanks Andrew. It was REALLY cold!! And very windy making it even worse.
@homeschoolmom Thanks so much Lisa!
Thank you all so much for the favs and kind comments. The response to this photo has made the frozen fingers totally worth it!