Monday, October 30, 2006

Vine leaves in fall


Vine leaves in fall lo-res
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Fall has return again and I came across this as I was walking to the elevated station. This was on the wall of the train tracks. The original file is very sharp compared to this lo-res posting. Since I shot it on a very gray overcast afternoon, I tweaked it a bit in Photoshop, to the image's great improvement IMHO. Wish I could have done this back in the old C22 print days!

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Bobby Lewis at PianoForte

The mature warmth of trumpet and flugel horn player Bobby Lewis appearing in the intimate Salon environment of the PianoForte piano shop in the Fine Arts Bldg on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Among the pieces he played were Emily and the theme from Black Orpheus. The reflected hands on the keyboard belong to the ever ready and flexible Jim Ryan. The concert was on Saturday September 16, 2006.
Was shot with the magnificant new Canon sd700is pocket digcam.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Edgewater dental tooth brush neon sign

Part of my continuing documentation of strong graphic neon signs in the Edgewater area of Chicago. This one is on Broadway.

Notice reflections of the krate kid neon sign across the street. This is, a "happy accident", as I call it. So much fun, considering his placement.

I don't know if this is a standard neon sign, or is a custom design. In any event it is quite striking graphically.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Chicago Neon Statue of Liberty

This neon sign, on Bryn Mawr just west of the el stop in Edgewater, Chicago, flashes on and off making it difficult to shoot. It is for a tax prepairer.

It is across from "Flourish," a wonderful bakery where you can also enjoy a pastery with their custom blended coffee. They also serve daily special light meals featuring three daily specials.

Flourish has a bar along the window great for the observation and study of the parade of the eclectic blend of inhabitants of the community.

The perfect place to hang out if caught in the rain.

It is not far from a nice bookstore just south on the west side of Broadway.

Chicago Grafitti

This is along the west side of a viaduct wall south of the Berwyn el stop in Chicago. It is part of about seven others that were done about five years ago.

Edgwater Graffiti

This is along a viaduct wall south of the Berwyn el stop in Chicago. It was painted in 2001. Amazing how intense the eyes are considering this was done by teen agers.

spider in the city


spider hi res
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Just happened to be walking around my neighborhood in Chicago and found this spider. No idea its name, since I am not into spiders much, although I enjoy them as objects and love their webs. It has been very rainy and humid which seems to bring out spiders. Perhaps to snare mesquitos.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Lake Pt tower, Chicago, patriotic window washing machine

Chicago skyline no one sees from a patch of wild land just east of LSD at river

This was shot from a wild weedy patch of land just east of Lake Shore Drive north of the Chicago River where it meets Lake Michigan. It is basically unaccessable. I had to circumvent two fences and wend my way through chest high Queen Anne's Lace, wild brambles and tall bushes and trees. Behind me, across a slip of water, is Navy Pier. Little are the Pier visitors aware of this wild patch of prairie. I believe it belongs to the city, but am not sure at all.

Chicago fountain along river rear Columbus Dr & Chicago River in N Loop

This is a unusual water fountain in the Streeterville area just north of the loop downtown in Chicago. It faces the Chicago River just before it enters Lake Michigan.

Chicago - bean (Cloud Gate) Sculpture reflections

The official name of this sculpture is "Cloud Gate," but since that is such an obtuse name and since it looks like a giant kidney bean, everyone has nick named it "The Bean." It at the north end of Grant Park along Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is made of polished stainless pannels that were expertly welded together so that the seams are invisible. It is a delight to experience.

Hancock Bldg between Mies' 860 N LSD bldg.

The buildings on the right and left are the famous 860 LSD glass and steel buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe. The building in the center is the Hancock Building on Michigan Ave.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Chicago - bean & japanese tourists

These Japanese tourists and having so much fun playing with their reflections in a sculpture named "Cloud Gate," but since that is such an obtuse name and since it looks like a giant kidney bean, everyone has nick named it "The Bean." It at the north end of Grant Park along Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is made of polished stainless pannels that were expertly welded together so that the seams are invisible. It is a delight to experience, as you can see demonstrated by these Japanese tourists.

He is mimicing her suggested pose. Both are giggling.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Give Pandora a try to create your own radio stations to play your own programmed favorite music

duke ellington Radio

click on the above link it should take you to a station playing mostly Duke Ellington and his style of music.

If that is not to your taste, try Wilco Radio to listen to the band Wilco.

Then explore creating your own station.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Bryn Mawr nr Broadway:

A new bakery/pastry shop opened in June. S and I often visit it to enjoy, not only their fabulous pastry, but light meals. It is located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago at 1138 West Bryn Mawr at the El stop, just east of Broadway. I had the best pot pie I have ever eaten. The crust was the secret.

Friday, August 04, 2006

TallShips Visit Chicago


TallShips
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Every three years the Tall Ships tour the great lakes and make a week visit in Chicago, IL in August. You can get on board and tour the ships.

Docked just east of Michigan Ave bridge below Wacker Dr.

TallShips visit Chicago


TallShips
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Every three years the Tall Ships tour the great lakes and make a week visit in Chicago, IL in August. This was shot under horrid misty flat light. They have a parade of ships the first day. Too bad for the weather. Of course it cleared up and was sunny, as you can see in another shot I posted, after they had docked.

What a delight to see the wonder of wind power from the past.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Jimmy Rosenberg 1993

Jimmy Roseberg in 1993. Wow was he good even then!!

Biréli Lagrène, Gipsy Project & Friends

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Ah to have been at this "Arrêt spectacle" Concert au petit Trianon in Paris on March 2 of 2006! Biréli Lagrène, Gipsy Project & Friends (Didier Lockwood, (fiddle) Dorado Schmitt, Angelo Debarre)

Festival "l'esprit manouche"

Here is a great video from 12-13/07/2003 - at Moseley Park, UK. featuring gypsy stars Tchavolo Schmitt, Angelo Debarre, Fapy Lafertin & Tim Kliphuis, Note manouche (Mandino Reinhardt, Sony Reinhardt, Marcel Loeffler, Joselito Loeffler, Gauthier Laurent). it is 1hr 18 of joy.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Hawaiian shirt at the White Palace Grill, Roosevelt & Canal, Chicago, IL


R & I had an early morning breakfast at the venerated classic "White Palace Grill" at Canal and Roosevelt on the near south side of Chicago near the area where the Maxwell Street Market was forced to move when the U of IL bought up the vibrant nearby old Maxwell Street area at Halsted and Rosevelt Rd. I had scrambled eggs, 4 pancakes and two generous thick pieces of ham for $5.50. Coffee was an additional $1.00.

This fellow was sitting on this chrome stool when we sat down in the booth opposite. I grabbed a shot of him as soon as we settled in. In less than a minute he had finished his waffel delight, stood up and walked off.
Hawaiian shirt at the White Palace Grill, Roosevelt & Canal, Chicago, IL
Originally uploaded by finefoto.

Monday, May 15, 2006

500 blk of Oakdale Ave, Chicago


500 blk of Oakdale Ave, Chicago
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
We often walk along a street looking straight ahead, straight down at the sidewalk or right or left for traffic, but rarely up at the diverse architectural detailing and windows, much less the reflections in the windows. Here some of detailing is a simple arrangement of the laying of the brick to create a diamond design. Compare this brickwork to that in one of the photos posted on May 9, 2006. The locations are only two blocks from one another, but probably 70 years apart in construction dates.

500 blk of Oakdale Ave, Chicago


500 blk of Oakdale Ave, Chicago
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Simple pressed tin detail that at one time was very popular because it was inexpensive compared to having a trained artisian carve it out of solid stone.

500 blk of Oakdale Ave.


500 blk of Oakdale Ave.
Originally uploaded by finefoto.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

bleeding hearts 1 lo-res


bleeding hearts 1 lo-res
Originally uploaded by finefoto.

bleeding hearts 2


bleeding hearts 2 lo-res
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Each spring brings the delicate pink sculptures known as "Bleeding Hearts." These are just east of our apartment on Oakdale in a fenced in garden on the parkway.

Benches in water tower pk Chicago lo-res

I happened to be walking through the delightful park surrounding the old water tower when noticed this interesting rhymatic pattern of the chairs.

This photo is also a homage to Henri Cartier-Bresson for his decisive moment seeing and patterns. See, compose, and wait -- click! Hard to do with a point a shoot that has a shutter lag.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Spring at 431 Oakdale


Spring at 431 Oakdale
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Light! That's what its all about.

sun reflection on wall with walker


sun reflection on wall with walker
Originally uploaded by finefoto.

This is at Pinegrove at Oakdale in the Lakeview area of the northside of Chicago. The sun is reflected from a few window panes in the late afternoon. What a delight to discover! Particularly when most people are looking straight ahead or worst yet straight down at the concret in front of them. Of course, you can find some very nice abstract images on the sidewalk, even graffiti. Shortly after shooting this I met an economist visting Chicago as I crossed the street. We had a delightful half hour conversation. I showed him the image to demonstrate his question of what a good photo was. I compared this one to others of the same situation that did not work as well, or at all.

2900 N Broadway, Chicago graffiti

I decided to walk an alley for about four blocks instead of a street on my way to a doctor appointment. This led to discovering these two stencil graffiti images. Have no idea who did them or what they are about. They are around 2950 N. Broadway in the Lakeview area of Chicago.

alley diagonal bricks & person at sunset

Was I delighted to walk past this one day! I spent about 15 minutes grabbing shots of people as they used this short cut to Clark St from Broadway. The light is perfect to reveal the brick design. Compare this brickwork to that in a photo posted on May 15, 2006.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Art Citroën 2CV - 1970


Art Citroën 2CV - 1970
Originally uploaded by Citroën Guy.
Found this on flickr.com as well. Photographer said "Took this shot in Munich in December, 1970. I didn't know that I'd own one 35 years later."
The poster's handle is Citroën Guy
Note: click on the photo be be taken the the image on flickr.

Citroen in USA


tin box
Originally uploaded by ericm.
Found posted on flickr.com

Friday, March 24, 2006

Citroen in Chicago - fun paint job

You rarely come across a vintage French Citroen mini auto on the streets of midwest Chicago, IL, USA. There was one was in Lincoln Park on Pinegrove near Diversey. It is in excellent shape, perhaps restored, but I don't know. I waited around for a while, but the owner did not appear. If you look carefully you will realize there is absolutely no space between the Citeron's front bumper and the rear bumper of the car in front. There was only the thickness of my leg between the rear bumper and the car behind! I have lived in this area for 40 years and parking has not only always been at a premium but is usually tight since it is a high density area near the park along Lake Michigan and near the Loop, our downtown. Even with a tiny car, it is of little help, people will come after you have parked and lock you in! Perhaps he will remain here for days until someone moves. Of course the next car could lock him again in the wink of an eye lash since that is the amount of time a parking spot remains available. Parking at night is impossible. I usually walk, bike or take public transportation.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Diversey & Halsted 1 B&W version


Diversey & Halsted 1 B&W version
Originally uploaded by finefoto.
Seems stronger on content without the distraction of what little color there was in the original color version.

Homeless at Diversey & Halsted Saving & Loan

Somehow the sign indicating the current interest rates for a home mortage loan are a contrast and a comment on a homeless person resting beneath the sign in the very expensive neighborhood of Lincoln Park in Chicago. This corner is a popular gathering spot for these folks, perhaps because of the ATM machine and a Walgreens and the KFC, offering low cost meals and a dumpster.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Goethe statue & homeless man in sleeping bag

On my way from a early Saturday morning walk in a drizzle I came upon the same fellow I had two weeks ago, this time at Diversey and Sheridan Rd. next to the Goethe statue in Lincoln Park.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

da Bears lost!

Just for the record: da Bears lost! It was a horrible game from the first few seconds when the Panthers ran a touch down on the second play. So much for hopes for a return to the Super Bowl, exactly twenty years later.


A Memory

A test that didn't work!

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Palazzo brides dress boutique, Chicago, IL

On my return from my usual Saturday morning walk through the zoo with D. we returned on Clark st and came upon this juxiposition and contrast of society. The remains of the person's meal is still there next to him, as though he fell asleep eating. French fries and a glass of some liquid.

Palazzo is a very chic custom brides gown boutique.* The work they do is usually very simple sophiticated and elegant, that is why the juxiposition is so striking. I also think the posture of the mannequin is appropriate. With her hand on her hips she seems to be about to utter, "Well!"

Can't wait for tomorrow. The Bears play their playoff game.

When we began our ramble the sky was very wintery with heavy grey overcast dark clouds with a chill in the air from the wind. I wondered why I had decided to take my camera since the light was so dreary.

* Personally, I would prefer to shop at one of the boutiques in the Marais in Pari!