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Sculpture at 1800 N. Clark, at Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Pk, Chicago, IL

1800 N. Clark, at Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Pk, Chicago, IL, originally uploaded by finefoto.

Foster rocks at approximately 5400 north.

Foster rocks at approximately 5400 north., originally uploaded by finefoto.

I have a new LG cell phone with a camera. It is the first one I've had with that feature. It also plays mp3 music along with a host of other features that can distract me for hours.
I took it on a recent morning stroll along the lake front and grabbed this shot of life as I tested it out.

Quinceanera at Millenium Park 8-2007 at "the Bean"

quinceanera at Millenium Park 8-2007 at "the Bean", originally uploaded by finefoto.

This is the original camera crop.

Quinceanera at Millenium Park 8-2007 at "the Bean"

quinceanera at Millenium Park 8-2007 at "the Bean", originally uploaded by finefoto.

Quinceanera at Millenium Park 8-2007 at "the Bean"

quinceanera at Millenium Park 8-2007 at "the Bean", originally uploaded by finefoto.

This was shot on an extremely hot & humid August Sunday under a large polished stainless steel sculpture named "Sky Gate," but know locally as "The Bean" due to its shape. It is located in a large park between downtown Chicago's "Loop" and lake Michigan. The park is approximately two long blocks by three blocks. It features a concert venue, other sculptures, a garden, a restaurant and other features. Weekends, the park features a multitude of cultural and other activities.

It is a favorite place for locals to celebrate weddings, birthdays and other important events.

This photo is of a group of friends participating in a "Quinceanera," in which a young Latinia female makes her debut before the church and society at the age of 15 in a rite of passage celebrating the girl's transition from childhood to adulthood. It is one of the most important and memorable events on her life.

To learn more look it up on Wikipedia or better yet, try www.epcc.edu/ftp/Homes/monicaw/borderlands/10_a_hispanic_...'s.htm

Shot with a Canon SD700is compact camera.

North Ave palance Extreme bike rider launched into sky and lake

2007-4-8 North Ave palance Extreme bike rider launched into sky and lake, originally uploaded by finefoto.

What can I say? These guys show up early most Saturdays on the concrete placade between Oak Street and North Avenue beaches just south of the chess pavilion in Chicago and take turns at this dare devil bike trick. All the while literally hundreds of joggers, bikers, roller bladers and walkers and parents pushing babies in strollers are going by.

shot with a Canon SD700is pocket camera.

North Ave palance Extreme bike rider launched into sky and lake

2007-4-8 North Ave palance Extreme bike rider launched into sky and lake, originally uploaded by finefoto.

What can I say? These guys show up early most Saturdays on the concrete placade between Oak Street and North Avenue beaches just south of the chess pavilion in Chicago and take turns at this dare devil bike trick. All the while literally hundreds of joggers, bikers, roller bladers and walkers and parents pushing babies in strollers are going by.

Tiffany dome of Chicago's cultural center (before restoration)

Tiffany dome of Chicago's cultural center, originally uploaded by finefoto.

This is the 38-foot dome in Preston Bradley Hall of Chicago's Cultural Arts Center. It is believed to be the world's largest Tiffany dome. Designs in the ornately decorated room are inspired from nature including fish scales in the dome and theTiffany lamp in this photo. Directly above the lamp are the symbols of the Zodiac. It is located at Michigan Ave., and Washington st. This was shot before the 2008 restoration that cleaned it up and got rid of the flourencent bulbs and now allows natural light. A visit now is truly one of visual delight. Not as mind blowing as St Chapel in Paris, but never the less, refreshing. This was shot with an ordinary point and shoot Canon sd700is digital camera at 200 asa. I laid on my back on the floor to compose this shot, and enable myself to hold the camera steady and align the two circles.

Chicago- Reliance Bldg 1st skyscaper with steel skeleton

Chicago- Reliance Bldg 1st skyscaper with steel skeleton, originally uploaded by finefoto.

Located at 32 N. State Street, the Reliance Building was built shortly after the Chicago fire, and is the first steel (not iron) skeleton structure building in the world and gave birth to the concept and engineering that enables the building of tall buildings with no masonry support what so ever, like in the Monadnock building a few block south east. Burnham and Root were the architects.
For more info, check out http://www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/R/RelianceBuilding.html

Rookery building, Chicago, IL

Rookery building, Chicago, IL, originally uploaded by finefoto.

Although the Rookery building was designed by Root, it is the Frank Lloyd Wright remodeled large skylit lobby done in 1905, which features elements of his Prairie School designs that bring fans from all over the planet. It is located at 209 South La Salle St., a few blocks south of Helmut Jahn's State of Illinois building.

My French guest, who I was giving an architecture tour pointed out that all the delicate cut out work in the iron beams would be economically impossible today, even if you could locate crafts people capable of the work.

The lamps are a delight to study also.

Unfortunately guests are limited to the first floor and are unable to explore the spectacular spiral staircase. Lucky for me, I was able to get fabulous photos of it back in the late 1960's that have been reproduced in various publications.

Chicago - Carson's Sullivan facade

Chicago - Carson's Sullivan facade, originally uploaded by finefoto.

One of the first buildings I showed a visiting French woman during our architecture tour was this structure on State Street.

"One of the most important structures in early modern architecture, famed for its influential modular construction and design. Visionary architect Louis Sullivan shaped this commercial building--originally built for the Schlesinger and Mayer department store--into a dramatically animated structure that inseparably merges beauty and function. The ornament of the lower two stories is frozen in cast iron, while at the same time giving the impression of being in fluid motion. It is an excellent example of Sullivan's genius for architectural ornament."
from www.ci.chi.il.us/Landmarks/C/Carsons.html

If you visit Chicago, you must not miss exploring its architecture, and this is number one on the list.

Chicago - Dubuffet & church

Chicago - Dubuffet & church, originally uploaded by finefoto.

Here is another more unique view/interpertation of Jean Dubuffet's "Monument With Standing Beast" installed in the State of Illinois Plaza at Clark and Randolph streets in Chicago's loop.The building is by Helmut Jahn and worth exploring its huge open atrium.

I shot this with a point and shoot Canon sd700is during a morning architectural walk of the Loop with a visitor from France. Just shows that it is not the camera, but the eye of the fotographer that creates a fine fotograph.

Chicago - Dubuffet & church

Chicago - Dubuffet & church, originally uploaded by finefoto.

"Monument With Standing Beast" by Jean Dubuffet in the State of Illinois Plaza. The building is by Helmut Jahn and worth exploring its huge open atrium.

I shot this with a point and shoot Canon sd700is during a morning architectural walk of the Loop with a visitor from France.

Map of a great walk along the lake up in Edgewater - Foster to Montrose

Check out the map. If it does not appear in this post cut and paste this url in your browser and click on enter or go.
http://tinyurl.com/yvggjp

Brown Out

Around 9am today, a Sunday in February, the electric in our area has gone out and we seem to have a brown out. No real power, but the bulbs have an extremely low orange glow, like an one watt night light. It was this way for over two hours until I ran out to the power company truck in the alley when I heard its familiar motor. No real info, but I could see another truck over two blocks north. They theroize that a transformer blew when a squirrel shorted out the wires when he jumped from one wire to another and his tail clipped the wire he jumped from. This is a frequent problem. When it happens, and the transformer blows, there is a loud bang that joints me out of my seat!

Since we have no idea when, or even they will be able to fix the problem, we have decided to camp out at friend's and so have gone to their place. That is where I am posting this from.

Corkscrew Audubon Swamp

Corkscrew Audubon Swamp: A Sanctuary birds & wildlife.
If you are in the Fort Meyer area be sure to drive south to this fabulous nature area. I'll post more info later.

Vintage Bill Evans to sit back, eyes closed and enjoy

Bill Evans Trio
Uploaded by alternativa

This classic Bill Evans video features Chuck Israels, bass and Larry Bunker, drums, perhaps in Paris at a recital given at the Orchestre de la Radio Televise Francaise (ORTF) in early 1965, or at a similar such event.

Finesse!

Fab Video of Hawk, Bird, Getz, Rich, Little Jazz, Ella and more

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Charlie Parker
Uploaded by alternativa

Enjoy!