Rooftop Deck has Opened! by taffy

Rooftop Deck has Opened!

Think about joining in for the Camera Setting Challenge on Night Photography. Here's the link describing it:
http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/25092/camera-settings-challenge-night-photography-i#comment-726300
Two major updates on life in the high rise: (1) the rooftop deck is now open and it's NOT scary, like our balcony is..plenty of room, lots of space for tripod, and much more solid feeling to be on the rooftop than on a balcony hanging over the building 33 floors up! and (2) I'll only have access to the rooftop through the end of May if everything stays on schedule -- contractor thinks we could be back in our house June 1. Nothing is certain, of course, but that's his target. Happy and sad...
The building that stands out is the United Center, home to the Bulls, Blackhawks, who won tonight, btw.
AND, last but not least...this was taken tonight at sunset -- ignore EXIF which shows that my camera was still on Poland time. Thanks, Frank, for pointing it out -- have just set correct time zone.
Oh Taffy... For your patience and perseverance, you've truly been given a gift! What a gorgeous view and vantage point! I'm afraid there's little that comes even a tiny bit close to this for night photography here! I'll possibly take a look...I would like to know for future reference!
March 18th, 2015  
Fantastic night picture.
March 18th, 2015  
Incredible photo!!!! The lights are perfect, the colours in teh setting sky are amazing, perfect pic :-)
March 18th, 2015  
Great evening sky! is your camera clock still on European time? :)
March 18th, 2015  
@frankhymus Oops! Yep! Need to change it back and will do it right now!
March 18th, 2015  
Fabulous and fav :)
March 18th, 2015  
Beautiful
March 18th, 2015  
The sky looks like an oil painting. Beautiful!
March 18th, 2015  
Wow, spectacular!
March 18th, 2015  
Wow. Wonderful.
March 18th, 2015  
Breathtaking sunset!!
March 18th, 2015  
Wow! Lovely lines, sky and colours. You are just so good at seeing the right composition!
March 18th, 2015  
Amazing colour
March 18th, 2015  
I agree with Eric, your compositions are always so powerful and the views from your high rise are fabulous.
March 18th, 2015  
Beautiful image.
March 18th, 2015  
Magnificent image.
March 18th, 2015  
Wonderful capture Taffy. Love how the building stands out.. I shall miss the views from on high when you move back home!
March 18th, 2015  
now, that's a sunset!
March 18th, 2015  
Love this scene, gorgeous oranges and purples.
March 18th, 2015  
Simply stunning Taffy! What a view! I am thrilled that you have been able to share all your high rise views with us! So unlike anything I have anywhere here where I live! I looked at the list of night time subjects in the challenge but came up blank on what to shoot. Fav for your glorious image!
March 18th, 2015  
Lovely shot. How high up is it? Everything seems farther away but know that could be how you shot it.
March 18th, 2015  
Spectacular and a fav. I hope you get to use this as much as possible through May.
March 18th, 2015  
Such a wonderful view, and I'm so pleased you are happy to take this on the rooftop. I suspect you are going to miss this view when you move back home.
March 18th, 2015  
This is spectacular - great view and amazing colours
March 18th, 2015  
Amazing shot and view. A real spectacle. Fav.
March 18th, 2015  
Gorgeous! I'm sure we'll all miss this view when you move back home.
March 18th, 2015  
I didn't see the beautiful light sitting at my desk with the blinds drawn so I could see my computer monitor. Seems that living in a high rise gives you different perspective on each day's cycle - if you remember to look out the window!
March 18th, 2015  
Spectacular!!
March 18th, 2015  
Fabulous rooftop shot. I have checked out some of your photos which I have missed over the last 2 weeks while we have been away. Loved your Poland shots, but no time to comment on them all at the moment. Trying to catch up tonight.
March 18th, 2015  
Stunning. Fav
March 18th, 2015  
Eye catcher for sure, amazing shot and how lucky you are to get access to the roof even if it'll be a short time.
March 18th, 2015  
What a great sky! Beautiful sweeping capture of the city at dusk!
March 18th, 2015  
Awesome sunset!
March 18th, 2015  
Couldn't even start to attempt night shots yet what a wonderful view of Chicago and great news about your home
March 18th, 2015  
@joansmor The rooftop deck is accessed on level 36. We are on 33. So 3 floors higher. I took this at 85mm to avoid some fencing.
March 18th, 2015  
Stunning! I really want to try out some night photography. I need to identify somewhere that will offer a decent view!
March 18th, 2015  
@salza Actually, the view won't matter all that much at night. I did one on Beaver Island that I ended up liking quite a bit -- it was of their tiny Main Street, with a few street lights that, with a tight aperture, turned into star bursts. I was photobombed by a car and its headlights ended up being the biggest light bursts in the scene. http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-07-30 The other thing that can look cool at night is light trails from a single car going by. You need about 5 to 10 seconds to capture it, at around 200 ISO. Good luck!
March 18th, 2015  
@pamknowler I just left this note for Sally -- see if this helps! I did one on Beaver Island that I ended up liking quite a bit -- it was of their tiny Main Street, with a few street lights that, with a tight aperture, turned into star bursts. I was photobombed by a car and its headlights ended up being the biggest light bursts in the scene. http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-07-30 The other thing that can look cool at night is light trails from a single car going by. You need about 5 to 10 seconds to capture it, at around 200 ISO. Good luck!
March 18th, 2015  
@taffy one of my major problems is actually getting out at night. I have an eye condition that necessitates the wearing of hard contact lenses. My night vision is not great and I battle to drive at night. Without my lenses in my vision is below the legal limit to drive.
March 18th, 2015  
Congratulations on making the Trending Page. Well deserved.
March 18th, 2015  
@salza Oh, that's totally frustrating! That means needing a driver at best (or a model who will drive you???). I totally understand why this may not be possible. If you can't post, maybe you wouldn't mind commenting in the thread on some of the folks who are giving it a try?
March 18th, 2015  
@taffy my driver will definitely not model! He is not adverse to taking me into the village, I just have to say when and where! I will definitely keep an eye on the thread but I'm not sure I can offer anything useful as I have almost no experience with night shots. My plan was to try some of the challenges in the thread!
March 18th, 2015  
@salza Then my suggestions to you are to (a) get driver on board and (b) look for a street light. Then, create your 'atmospheric' shot by playing with the settings that will allow you to have a light focusing on the way it spreads over the street. It doesn't need much -- I'd recommend going darker, actually. Let me know if you decide to go for it and I can look up additional setting information from my EXIF info on my shots.
March 18th, 2015  
Stunning view of the city lights and vibrant sunset!
March 18th, 2015  
@taffy I think I might play in my own street tonight, maybe I can make use of the streetlamp across the road.Or I may try capturing some stars as long as the clouds stay away!
March 18th, 2015  
@salza Good luck!
March 18th, 2015  
Fantastic shot, fabulous skyscape and great depth in this shot
March 18th, 2015  
Fantastic colours.
March 18th, 2015  
Amazing! Instant fav for me!
March 18th, 2015  
Gorgeous sunset and I like the night lights!
March 18th, 2015  
That is all sorts of amazing. Fave.
March 18th, 2015  
Awesome colors!
March 18th, 2015  
Spectacular
March 18th, 2015  
awesome! wow
fav
March 18th, 2015  
Beautiful shot.
March 18th, 2015  
Fabulous capture. Fav!! 😃
March 18th, 2015  
wow such a stunning sky!! love it against the city lights! and such good news that you could be in your house by June :) And woehoe for the rooftop opening, now we can see so many more of these pretty shots, without you having to risk your life ;)
March 18th, 2015  
Love the fire in the sky, fabulous shot - fav
March 18th, 2015  
Yay for solid rooftops! :) Fantastic image.
March 18th, 2015  
I've loved your sky rise photos of Chicago- this one is a beauty! Fav!
March 18th, 2015  
oh wow, I am so envious of your roof terrace............I can understand why you will be happy and sad to leave.............I guess if there was nothing else positive about the fire, it has given you (and by default, us) a different view of the wonderful Chicago
March 18th, 2015  
Beautiful!
March 18th, 2015  
Oh what a stunning sunset sky................so lucky that you can use the roof top terrace Taffy!
FAV
March 19th, 2015  
Absolutely gorgeous!! I am hoping to read through your night photography lesson and put it to use. I don't know if I'll get it done this week, but I hope so!
March 19th, 2015  
Tom
Lovely nightscape, rows of city lights leading one's eye deep into the photograph and the wonderful sunset sky
March 19th, 2015  
With my niece going to Loyola starting next year, chances are good I'll be heading your way sometime!! When. Who knows. And while i hope you get home soon, your temporary home is spectacular.
March 19th, 2015  
Just wow!! What a view. I can't wait to see what else you come up with from there. I'm glad it's not as scary as the balcony.
March 19th, 2015  
Love the combination of lights and sunset
March 19th, 2015  
@darylo Photo walks are in our future! And even at our other place, we can go up on the room -- but 4 stories, not 33, so I'm bound to find it disappointing! That's exciting that your niece will be here.
March 19th, 2015  
@olivetreeann I hope you get to do at least one shot for the night theme. It's so fun, and there's so much to choose among.
March 19th, 2015  
This is stunning, Taffy! Fav. So happy you'll be back in your house soon.
March 19th, 2015  
Wow! brilliant color!
March 19th, 2015  
Stunning sunset and perfect! Fav =)
March 19th, 2015  
What a fabulous shot, Taffy. I love that sunset and the city all lit up. Your photos are awesome. So glad to hear you will be back in your house soon. FAV
March 19th, 2015  
WOW! Absolutely beautiful! You will miss this view when you have to leave.
March 19th, 2015  
Fabulous sky... What a FANTASTIC view !
March 19th, 2015  
Not only an incredible sunset, vibrant sunset but outstanding city lights!!!
March 20th, 2015  
Wow! stunning and a fav! :)
March 20th, 2015  
Whoa, what an amazing sky, and that combined with that lit up urban view below is just simply FAVulous!!
March 22nd, 2015  
Awesome sky!!!
April 1st, 2015  
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