Another in my series of the neighborhood. Our building is the brown one on the right, and our unit is outside the frame at the end, looking west. An important bit of info missing so far in my series is WHY this area is gentrifying. Looking east, you can see how close we are to 'downtown' - the main commercial area of Chicago, making this a very convenient residential spot. A few blocks walk, over bridges across the highway and river, and you're at the center of the city. The Fulton Street Market neon sign that I posted yesterday can be seen (from the back, this time). Thank you for your kind words on this series. It's inspiring me to look closely at this neighborhood and be grateful to live on this block during this transition.
There is a lensbaby theme this month so here is one attempt - this is a hard and frustrating lens, I find. Major discovery today - duh - f-stop is fixed in my version so using shutter speed priority or manual makes the most sense.
Alternate version, slightly different view: http://365project.org/taffy/the-also-ran-ph/2017-01-15
I'm enjoying your documentation of the transition taking place here. I know the area reasonably well from days past. I always thought that if I were to live in a major city, and I mean IN the city, like you, Chicago would be the one. Fascinating.
I'm loving this series around your temporary accommodation in Chicago. It'll be really cool for you to have it to look back on too. This is another lovely capture with that lens baby.
Wow I love this image Taffy!! I don't have a lens baby and have never really seen any shots that have made me want one. You image however makes me think there is a use for it after all. I love the clarity at the far end of the street with the leading lines down both side in soft focus. Makes for a great image. How far away from this area is Skybridge? Fav by the way!!
I am really enjoying the journey through your transition . You live in such interesting places. I bet you cant wait for the butterfly stage at the end of the journey.
@pamknowler@onewing
Thanks of course for visiting and commenting. I can't wait to get to Skybridge (the butterfly stage, Babs). Pam, we are about 3 blocks from Skybridge -- about a block to the east (where the sign is), and then 3 short blocks south. It's a different world on that street though, as they didn't have the wonderful architecture to begin with so it's the area I've described as more steel and glass. I'll do a walk in that direction and see if I can capture the difference. So close, and so different.
Isn't it amazing when we look a little at closer surroundings or taking a step back to see our world as a stranger might gives us a whole new perspective! This is great... wonderful color tones... sets a mood!
So interesting, reading your comment to Pam as I can picture the big 3-dimensional map from our architecture walk, and have a good idea now where you are! Interesting, too, that it's the Skybridge area you referenced as the steel and glass neighborhood!
Great series and I have been so very bad at commenting this week, so daren't back track too much. Thanks for consistently taking the time to pop in to my project and encourage. So much appreciated.
What a magic place for a photographer. I really like this shot, it shows the transition from the old low-rise brick buildings to the high-rise central city towers. Looks like a fascinating area.
I liked the sign from yesterday's shot, but I really like this one, with the zoomy lensbaby effect and the authentic feel of this neighborhood. Your composition gives the sense of movement and change, especially from this POV, with the modern city so visible.
@casablanca I think it's called 'spark'. It's the least expensive one and operates manually and I would not recommend it. It's too frustrating as I can't be consistent with the focus holding the lens and the the shutter click without hand shake.
I did not know there was a lensbaby theme this month! I just got another lensbaby and defo need to practice/play with it more. There is for sure a learning curve with this one! great shot!
I don't know much about lensbaby's
Thanks of course for visiting and commenting. I can't wait to get to Skybridge (the butterfly stage, Babs). Pam, we are about 3 blocks from Skybridge -- about a block to the east (where the sign is), and then 3 short blocks south. It's a different world on that street though, as they didn't have the wonderful architecture to begin with so it's the area I've described as more steel and glass. I'll do a walk in that direction and see if I can capture the difference. So close, and so different.