Monday, June 21, 2010 first day of summer and my dad’s birthday

This afternoon Susan and I visited with the Lill's. I biked down. On the return trip I passed many young teenagers on skateboards going along the bike path. I discovered they were headed to the rink in Lincoln Park just north of Lawrence Ave. in celebration of National Skateboard day. There was a mob of the dedicated groupies there along with some participants in a competition that I grabbed some shots. Very difficult since although the Canon S90 is a fabulous camera it is not intended for this sort of thing. It has a shutter lag that makes it impossible to shoot a decisive moment. Even many DSLRs have shutter lags. In addition, although I have a 8GB class 6 SDHC card, it is not very fast at buffering, so when I shot multiple sequence shots, they all missed. I finally pushed the shutter ahead of the peak moment and managed to capture a few frames that hit the action right on. All the time avoiding having the skater land on me, which happened almost three times anyway – and that doesn’t count the skateboard!

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 - 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 - bean & japanese tourists

2006-09-06 Chicago - bean & japanese tourists 1001
Originally uploaded by finefoto.

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.

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.