Vintage Pilsen
Chicago Voz interviews Akito Tsuda, a Japanese photographer who just published a book of photos of Pilsen in the early 1990s.
Gapers Block has ceased publication.
Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions. ✶
TODAY
Sunday, April 11
Merge
Category
Photography
The City in Lights
Salon showcases the work of Satoki Nagata, on display through Jan. 3 at Rangefinder Gallery.
GB Gift Guide: New Old Photos
Photographer Jen Jansen works in the rare old medium of tintypes -- as well as digital tintypes and ambrotypes made from your digital images. There's just enough time to order for the holidays.
GB Gift Guide: Chicago History in Photos
Photos from the 1933 Century of Progress exposition tell the story of the events and people dramatized in Chicago's last world's fair. In this 144-page book, photos from the Tribune archives track all aspects of the fair from technology through entertainment.
Chicago's Top Squares
Chicagoist got Instagram to share the 20 most Instagrammed spots in Chicagoland. The Bean shows up twice, under both its true title and its nickname, but you might be surprised at what tops the list.
Congratulations, Dave Jordano
Chicago-based photographer Dave Jordano won the Aimia | AGO Photography Prize, a major award celebrating contemporary photography. See select photographs and hear him discuss the project on the award's website.
Chicago Eye on Paris
Photographer Jon Lowenstein happened to be in Paris during last week's terror attacks. He shared some of the photos he took over the next five days with Chicago magazine.
Every Morning
Mike Davis recorded a timelapse video of each sunrise from Oct. 1 to Oct. 30, from 4:30am to 8:30am. [via]
People of Chicago
Photographer Mike Gugliuzza took pictures of people from every community area in the city. The project took two months and helped him get to know neighborhoods he'd never been to.
Garage Rembrandt
Chicago photographer Freddy Fabris shoots auto mechanics in classic Renaissance poses.
The Latest in Corgan News
Billy Corgan just deleted his Twitter account, but not before pointing people to his latest project, People and Their Cars, a vernacular photography blog with a very specific focus.
Fine for Eyes in the Sky
Chicago-based aerial photography company SkyPan International may be fined $1.9 million by the FAA for flying drones in restricted airspace above Chicago and New York.
The Way We Were
Photogrammer is a project organizing and displaying more than 170,000 photos taken between 1935 and 1945 for the United States Farm Security Administration and Office of War Information. There are 2,407 photos of Chicago and Cook County. (Thanks, Bob!)
A Slice of Americana
Several Chicagoland businesses housed in former Pizza Huts will be in a new photography book about the phenomenon by Ho Hai Train, currently funding on Kickstarter.
Sun and Loop Align
Tomorrow at dawn and sunset, Chicagohenge will once again be upon us. Just don't get hit by a car while taking pictures in the middle of Loop streets.
Making the Familiar Unfamiliar
Photographer Reuben Wu captures surreal, colorful views of new and local places.
Ready for Runoff
Chicago's Deep Tunnel is finally complete and ready to hold 7.9 billion gallons of stormwater runoff.
RIP Charles Maier -- in 1977
The discovery that Vivian Maier's brother is dead may help clear up copyright ownership questions regarding the photographer's work. Then again, there still may be other heirs out there.
3D Slideshow at Comfort Station Gallery
As part of the Vernacular Photo Festival, Comfort Station Gallery in Logan Square presents a 3D slideshow featuring vintage works from the collection of Nicholas Osborn. A wonderful immersive experience. Totally free. Wednesday 8:30pm.
Dying the River Duck
Over 50,000 rubber ducks were dumped into the Chicago River for the 10th annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby.
Portraits of a Neighborhood
Photographer Andrew Miller captures the faces and places of his neighborhood of Wicker Park.
Head in the Clouds
Photographer Peter Tsai captures surreal images of Chicago's skyscrapers from above the clouds.
Scene of the Grime
Photographer Terry Evans captured compelling images of massive petcoke piles on the South Side and the community resistance leading to their removal by the end of the summer.
Opening the Shoebox
Artist Jason Lazarus collects photos too painful for their owners to look at and posts them on a blog. [via]
Tragedy On Tap
"The 844" beer commemorates the victims of the Eastland Disaster, available for the first time alongside photos of the tragedy taken by photojournalist Jun Fujita.
Trading Without the Traders
Photographs of dark displays at trading companies by Beate Geissler and Oliver Sann imagine a future where automated markets make human traders obsolete.
Signs of Past Times
Fading ghost signs painted on the sides of buildings are sometimes all that's left of long-shuttered businesses.
Documenting Grief
As family, friends, and neighbors of seven-year-old Amari Brown mourned his killing, Tribune photographers captured the emotional scene.
Historic Pride
On a Gay Pride weekend caught up in momentous civil rights news, let's also reflect on the past. Diane Alexander White shares photos of the 7th annual parade in 1976, while Time Out has photos from the 1985 parade.
I Just Wake Up This Way
Photographer Kyle La Mere looks past the edited version of the digital self to capture intimate images of people in their real lives.
Looking Up
Curbed profiles the skyline snapshots of photographer Michael Salisbury, a frequent contributor to Rearview.
Tilt Shift City
Photographer Joerg Daiber combines tilt shift and hyperlapse for a montage of the city in miniature.
Holography Hero
An anonymous benefactor stepped forward to save the Museum of Holography right before a new owner was set to take possession of the building.
CHI from the Sky
Get some great aerial views of the city's architecture from photographer Iwan Baan.
The City in Black and White
Unique perspectives of the city captured in black-and-white by photojournalists throughout the Chicago Reader's history are on display at the Gage Gallery.
What We See
From ultrasounds to guinea pigs, Chicagoans share the story behind the last photo on their phones.
Last Photo - Chicago from Ivan Cash on Vimeo.
Here Come the Selfies
A new "Greetings from Chicago" mural in Logan Square done in classic postcard style is sure to become a social media standby.
This is How We Work
Chicago magazine launched a new photo essay, At Work, documenting some of the city's most interesting workplaces and the people who work there.
Life in a Northern Town
Satellite magazine interviewed GB's own David Schalliol about his documentary photography in Northwest Indiana industrial towns.
Eyes in the Sky
A Chicago freelance photographer is one of the few cleared by the FAA to fly drones for news coverage.
Mayor 37 Cents
An Instagram photo of Mayor Emanuel by a health food store employee back in April is making the rounds this week. In These Times talked to the photographer, who said Emanuel is a notoriously bad tipper, and once tipped 37 cents on a $7 shake.
The Bean's Revenge
Photographer Patricia Jones captured the moment the Bean finally fought back and buried a tourist in snow. [via]
Midwestern Bowling Bastions
Chicago's Timber Lanes is included in David Williams's "Bowling in the Midwest 2014" photo series. [via]
Frozen Foster
Foster Beach looks like an alien planet in photos of the frozen landscape captured by frequent Rearview photographer Bill Guerriero.
Real Women Wear Wheels
A bunch of Windy City Rollers posed for the Rollergirl Project, a photography series documenting "the different body types of active skaters and the physical effects derby has on the players."
The Happy Couples
Photographer Marc Perlish is doing an ongoing project photographing just-married couples holding hands, with their families, kissing and having fun outside marriage court in the County Building.
Taking Vivian Maier Off the Streets
Deanna Isaacs delves deeper into the situation with Vivian Maier's photos now that Cook County has asserted copyright ownership. (Previously; more background here.)
Over My Dead Body
Chicago Magazine has a quiz to help you decide whether to use dibs to mark your parking spot, and if you do, why not use something creative, like a skeleton?
Dibs skeleton pic.twitter.com/ekzabwX2CS
— Mitch Dudek (@mitchdudek) February 3, 2015Unconventional
Photographer Yvette Marie Dostatni documented dozens of subcultures as they gathered at McCormick Place and other convention centers.
Finding Leon Lewandowski
GB contributor Ron Slattery, one of the discoverers of Vivian Maier, made another discovery a couple years ago: the archives of street photographer Leon Lewandowski, who studied under Harry Callahan and Aaron Siskind. (Previously.)
Looking Back
DNAinfo and the Sun-Times share their favorite photos of the year.
"And now they're just gone."
NPR traces the history and demolition of Chicago's public housing projects, drawing on the photos and memories of documentarian Patricia Evans.
I Can See My House from Here
NASA examines Chicago's geography from space and credits its natural features for the city's growth.
Get Your Shots In
Calumet Photo is back, having been purchased in bankruptcy by New Jersey-based C&A Marketing, and the newly opened Chicago store is located, appropriately enough, on Eastman Street.
Documenting the Wreckage
Rearview contributor Noah Vaughn shares views of Chicago's derelict buildings and its cameos in motion pictures.
Vintage Vantages
Mental Floss shares classic photos of the city including views of the Great Chicago Fire, the World's Fair, and hog butchers.
Picturing the City
University of Chicago hosts All Out in the Streets, a conference exploring the relationship between photography and the American city, this Thursday through Saturday. It's in connection with the Art Institute's exhibition, The City Lost and Found: Capturing New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, 1960-1980.
"How do you tell the story of death without a body?"
The Daily Beast profiles the anonymous--and controversial--crime photographer Spot News, who documents murders in some of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods.
Up Close City Creatures
Frequent Rearview contributor Bill Guerriero authored a piece for Center for Humans and Nature drawing from his striking "City Creatures" photographic series.
Pure Chicago Cityporn
Once again, photographer Eric Hines shows that the city is beautiful in time lapse.
Cityscape Chicago II from Eric Hines on Vimeo.
See a Meme Up Close
You know those photos of John Malkovich re-creating historic images (previously)? Catherine Edelman Gallery opens an exhibition of a selection of those photos, taken by photographer Sandro Miller, this Friday night. The show will be at the gallery through Jan. 31.
Capturing the City
Capture My Chicago is an online community built around photographing the city and suburbs. Some really beautiful shots in there.
Life in Wartime
Photographer John Vachon captured portraits of rich and poor Chicagoans on the streets during the early 1940's.
Slow Down and See the City
Eric Hines put together another gorgeous timelapse video of the city, with some great shots of the West Loop and downtown.
Cityscape Chicago II from Eric Hines on Vimeo.
Look at all the Tiny People
If you were a giant, the city might look like the version captured by the Tribune's Brian Cassella using a tilt-shift lens.
Hunters without Guns
The Adler Planetarium and Lincoln Park Zoo have launched Chicago Wildlife Watch, a project to crowdsource identifying animals in photos shot by motion-sensitive cameras. [via]
Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich
John Malkovich imitates the subjects of 35 iconic photographs, including Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, and Muhammad Ali, for a new project by photographer Sandro Miller.
Lapsing the City
Watch the sun rise at North Ave. beach and the clouds roll over the skyline in a timelapse video of photographer Joel Schat's ideal day in Chicago.
Finding Vivian Maier's Heirs
A year after Gapers Block reported on the ownership issues surrounding Vivian Maier's photographs, a lawsuit has been filed by a photographer turned attorney on behalf of a French relative.
Candid Club Shots
American Photo remembers photographer Michael Abramson and the unique moments he captured in South Side ballrooms, stripclubs, and blues clubs in the '70's, which are now on display at Columbia College Chicago.
Mystery on Film
The Daily Mail shares the story of how Chicago photographer Jeff Phillips uncovered the lives of Harry Grossmann and Edna Lehr, whose vacation slides he found in a thrift shop. An exhibition of the photos and story just closed at Intuit. (Thanks, Dee!) Meanwhile, the Reader tells of another photographic mystery.
Summer from Above
Photographer Gray Malin visited Chicago this summer, and took some great aerial photos of the Bean and Oak Street Beach. [via]
Timelapse for the People
With Instagram's release of Hyperlapse, be prepared for even more timelapse views of the city to flood your social media feeds.
3D Emergency
The Museum of Holography closed for good in 2009, but the collection and much of its equipment remained in the building. The building has been sold, though, and the museum's holdings is at risk of being sold off as the current tenant prepares to move out. MakeItFor.Us is trying to save it.
A View from Above
Astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted a picture of an illuminated Chicago he took while floating over the city on the International Space Station. [via]
The Struggle in Color
Rare color photos of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Chicago Freedom Movement protest provide a vivid glimpse of the Civil Rights movement's push for housing equality.
Extra-Alarming Shots
Photographer Anthony Souffle captured some pretty dramatic images of firefighters battling a blaze in Little Village.
The Olden Days
MentalFloss shares photos of notable moments in Chicago's history, from the 1890s to the 1930s.
Another Angle on Englewood
GB Managing Editor David Schalliol writes about his attempts to show multiple sides of the Englewood neighborhood depicted in "The Area" through his photography and film.
Getting the Shot on the South Side
Photographer Jon Lowenstein's work was recently featured on Instagram.
Triple Strike!
Frequent Rearview contributor Craig Shimala captured lightning simultaneously striking the Sears, Trump and Hancock towers during last night's storm.
Back in 2010, Shimala caught a triple strike on video.
The Best Camera is the One You Have With You
Cocu Liu is one of the winners of the 2014 iPhone Photography Awards, snagging first place in the Seasons category. He also came in second in the Trees and Others categories, and third in Architecture.[via]
Life in a Great City
LIFE magazine launched a new "Great Cities" series with a collection of historic photos from Chicago. Chicagoist's Chuck Sudo wrote the introduction.
Images of the West Side
The Morning News shares photos of Chicago's West Side, from We Shall, a new book by Columbia College professor Paul D'Amato.
Same Paul, Different Day
Photographer Paul Octavious is interviewed in The Great Discontent about his professional development and how he comes up with his great photo series. [via]
Documenting the West Side
Photographer Paul D'Amato speaks with Vice about his work documenting the everyday life and people of West Side neighborhoods like Garfield Park, Lawndale, and Humbolt Park.
Vivian Maier, Bag Lady
Before she was a posthumously celebrated street photographer, author and FoGB Ted McClelland knew Vivian Maier as a bag lady, part of the colorful, frayed fabric of Rogers Park.
Disco Demolition Documentation
Diane Alexander White brought her camera to Comiskey Park on July 12, 1979 for Disco Demolition Night, and captured the crowd on film. (Thanks, Dee!)
The Greening of the River
Chicago photographer and GB flickr group contributor Peter Tsai made a 30 second time-lapse video of the river's emerald transformation.
Shutter Closes on Calumet
Calumet Photo abruptly closed all its US stores today and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. A post of Facebook says they're "exploring opportunities to reopen select locations to keep serving our customers." Update: their U.S. Facebook account is now closed.
Lego-Eye View of the City
ChicagoNow blogger Rick Lobes did a photo field trip with a Lego minifig.
Chicago: The City of Progress
Chicago's millennial generation will see some additions and changes to the city's architecture and landscape, according to Huffington Post's collection of projects that are either already underway or currently in the planning process.
Where We're Instagramming
HereFeed shows what locales are getting the most Instagram traffic near you. [via]
You Look Great
Really, you don't look as bad in photos as you think.
"Designed in Chicago, Made in China"
China's urbanization process will be facilitated by Chicago architects, as the "boom country of the 21st century" will be home to nearly 1 billion people by 2030. In a series created by the Tribune's architecture critic Blair Kamin and photographer John H. Kim, the two reveal how remodeling China's cityscape impacts the most crucial pillars to urban life.
Under the Pink Line
Today's Rearview photograph is of the same building pictured by Noah Vaughn on May 29 of last year.
Forever Alone at Sochi
Photographer Christopher Hiltz did a little photoshoppery to see what it'd look like if Olympic figure skating pairs lost one of the partners.
One Moment in Time
Longtime Rearview contributor Andy Marfia was out photographing the lake on Feb. 9, and stumbled upon a lovely moment as a couple (he thinks) got engaged at Osterman/Hollywood Beach. He'd like to give them a copy of the photo. Anyone know these adorable huggers?
Losing the Area
The latest in GB Managing Editor David Schalliol's series for BagNews Notes about the Area on the South Side examines the destruction of the projects and its effects on the neighborhood and city.
"No You Cannot Use My Photo For Free"
Local photographer Seth Anderson has been cataloging the dozens of requests he gets for the unpaid use of his photographs.
Throwback Lifestyle
Chicago photographer Jennifer Greenberg's portraits of rockabilly devotees recently caught the attention of Wired in relation to the throwback Thursday phenomenon.
Captivating Airship Shots
Wired profiles the pioneering aerial photography of George R. Lawrence, who dangled cameras from balloons, kites, and ladders to catch some unique shots of Chicago back in the early 1900's.
Vintage Crime Reenactment
The "Police Reporter!" series that ran in the Chicago Herald-American in the 1940s led to photography that ranged from high art to high camp. [via]
Chicago Photographic Memoir
Political activist and Heartland Cafe co-founder Michael James is working on a draft of his memoir. It's filled with local political figures and historical Chicago scenery -- in the form of stunning black and white photos.
Photos of #ChiBeria
While Chicago reached record low temperatures, some passionate photographers braced the cold to capture these shots of the Polar Vortex over the city. Here are some phenomenal pictures and videos documenting the unbelievable cold from the Trib, Jessica Koscielniak, Shawn Reynolds, @GoogleEarthPics, RedEye, Huffington Post and, of course, our own flickr pool. We recommend you enjoy these from inside a heated space.
Up with Selfies
"Professional feminist" Veronica Arreola launched the #365FeministSelfie challenge on flickr, Facebook and Instagram to highlight the positive aspects of the selfie phenomenon. Join in on the social media platform of your choice.
As if the Freezing Cold Weren't Bad Enough
Photographer Nick Ulivieri spotted a waterspout steam devil on Lake Michigan last night.
A steam devil is a "small, weak whirlwind over water (or sometimes wet land) that has drawn fog into the vortex, thus rendering it visible."
Curated Photos for Your Wall
The newly launched CoEdit Collection produces limited edition prints by photographers around the globe, including Chicago-based co-founder Tim Klein. It's a little like 20x200, actually.
Empty Spaghetti Bowl
One cold night in 1968, the Circle Interchange was so busy it looked almost quiet in a long exposure. National Geographic was there. [via]
Behind the Lens
Photojournalist Alex Garcia shares how photographers capture big moments and unique views of newsworthy events, arguing it's nearly impossible for a reporter with an iPhone to do the same.
Documenting the Damage
The NYTimes covers Carlos Javier Ortiz's photography documenting how violence affects families. He's is kickstarting a book, which happens to be on our curated Kickstarter page.
Frontier Photographer
Miner-turned-photographer J.C.H. Grabill captured iconic images of the American frontier in the 1880's before settling in Chicago- and vanishing from the historical record.
GB Gift Guide: GlossyGram
Captured the perfect baby pic on Instagram? Or the quintessential selfie? Make it permanent with GlossyGram, which moves your square photos into real life, mounted between plywood and clear resin for a permanent bit of ephemera.
Cool Stuff Convergence
This book is the center of the Venn diagram of Vivian Maier and selfies. [via]
Wrigley in Sun & Shadow
The latest issue of Time magazine features a picture by photographer Stephen Wilkes that captures Wrigley Field both during the day and at night. [via]
Photojournalism = Google Maps?
The New Inquiry's Aaron Bady compares street shots of Austin taken by Chicago Tribune photojournalist Alex Garcia to pictures of those same locations in Google Maps streetview.
"Chicago, My Home Away from Home"
Yes, another time-lapse film of Chicago, but this one by UIC exchange student Ludovico Bertè takes you to some spots not usually seen in these things.
Oldies but Still Cuties
The Tribune shares some portraits of Chicago's oldest zoo animals, including an 80-year-old cockatoo that was part of the Lincoln Park Zoo's original 1934 collection.
Capturing an Absense
On BagNewsNotes, GB's own David Schalliol asks, how do you photograph the emergence of nothing? Related: The Area.
The City at Night
Max Wilson compiled more than 200,000 photographs to produce Windy City Nights, a six-minute timelapse film of our beautiful city.
Chicago Timelapse Project - Windy City Nights from Max Wilson on Vimeo.
24'x24' Black-and-Whites of America
The world's largest film camera is currently sitting at Two North Riverside Plaza, about halfway through its stay here before touring the country, taking monumental photographs of members of more than 50 distinct cultures across the country. Help it happen through the IndieGoGo campaign.
Little House on the Prairie
Chicago Patterns documents an abandoned worker's cottage, the lone holdout between expressway and Palmisano Park in its corner of Bridgeport. (Check out more abandoned buildings in GB's To Be Demolished project.)
A Day in Chicago
Over Labor Day weekend, Brandon Nicklaus shot a gorgeous time-lapse video of the city from Lake Point Tower. [via]
Mighty Tykes
Pictures of babies doing one-armed push-ups, karate kicks, and some impressive flexing are the uncanny product of an advertising campaign by local photographer Eric Sahrmann.
Photogs Trot Down the Street
The students who were locked out of the old Trotter's restaurant by the eponymous retired chef last week have a new location and date for their photography show. The exhibition will open Saturday at the Artists Frame Service in Lincoln Park.
Circling the Squares
Reelagram will turn seven of your Instagram photos into a ViewMaster slideshow. (2-D only, unfortunately.)
School's Out Forever
On the first day of school yesterday, Tribune photographer Brian Cassella visited every school closed by CPS and took photos.
More on Vivian Maier's Copyright
GB contributor Julia Gray was on "The Morning Shift" this morning, talking about her article covering the ambiguity surrounding the copyright on renowned street photographer Vivian Maier's work. Also, Northwestern professor Pamela Bannos has posted an excerpt from her book that includes a heartbreaking passage from Maier's probate papers about the photographer's last days in a hospital room.
Graphic Violence
The Tribune photography department put together a stunning feature chronicling violence in the city. Spend some time with this, and have a tissue handy.
Beauty in Blight
Photographer Joseph Kayne has been visiting blighted sites in Chicago and Gary.
Right On, Chicago!
As part of its "Documerica Week" series, The Atlantic presents "America in the 1970s: Chicago's African-American Community," featuring the photography of John H. White, the Pulitzer Prize-winning, former Sun-Times photojournalist, who documented Chicago's black community (mostly the South Side) in the '70s.
Beach Scenes
Photographer Lenny Gilmore has been hanging out at city beaches, taking pictures.
Really, Really Big Flowers
Chicago photographer Bill Guerriero recently got interested in macro photography, so he purchased a macro lens and wrote about learning how to use it for Encyclopaedia Britannica. The article has plenty of photographs, but you can see even more on flickr.
Banal Views Made Interesting by Time!
Check out the Illinois Department of Transportation Chicago Traffic Photographs collection for vintage photographs of all sorts of historic Chicago street scenes, including the intersections of Jackson and Market and Michigan and Washington, and -- for some reason -- Oak Street Beach. [via]
The Stanley Cup's Doppelgängers
Homemade Stanley Cups are popping up all over town, and we've started to collect photos of them. Have you photographed any? Consider adding them to our flickr pool!
Photographs of Photographers
The former Sun-Times photo staff, to be specific, commissioned by CNN and shot by one of their own, Brian Powers.
Your Digital Photo Shoebox
PictureLife is a place to back up and organize all your photos from your phone, computer, etc. It was founded by Charles Foreman, who previously founded videogame design firm OMGPOP.
Documenting Marginal Waters
In 1985, photographer Doug Ischar documented the gay scene at Belmont Harbor. [via]
Chicago 13 Years Ago
In 2000, more than 200 photographers documented the city in more than 500,000 photos. Chicago in the Year 2000 is now housed at UIC. (Thanks, Max!)
History in Wide Screen
Chicago mag shares historic panoramic photos of Chicago from the Library of Congress' collection.
A Freshly Dead Mall
Evergreen Plaza, one of the oldest malls in Chicagoland, closed last week. Katherine Hodges visited for one last collection of photos -- including one of a unique work of art.
Photojournalism via Instagram
Laid off Sun-Times photojournalist Rob Hart was "replaced with a reporter with an iPhone, so he is documenting his new life with an iPhone, but with the eye of a photojournalist trained in storytelling." Add it to your tumblr feed.
White's Black Chicago
John H. White, one of the photographers laid off from the Sun-Times yesterday, was one of the contributors to Documerica, a national photodocumentary project in the 1970s sponsored by the EPA. White documented the black community in Chicago.
The National Archives have put his and other photographers' work from the project up on flickr.
Noted Photographer Dies
Chicagoan and two-time Guggenheim fellow Wayne F. Miller, whose photo series "The Way of Life of the Northern Negro" earned acclaim in its depiction of wartime African-American communities, died yesterday at age 94.
Havin' Imaginary Fun on Navy Pier
WBEZ assembled a group of hilarious details from the Navy Pier redevelopment renderings.
Documenting the Damage
Photographer Jon Lowenstein has been documenting the South Side for the past 10 years. Most recently, he focused on the effects of gun violence on the community in a series called Chicago's Bloody Year.
Photos for Tamms
Laurie Jo Reynolds and Stephen F. Eisenman report on the impact of the Tamms Year Ten project (previously) and the campaign against the Tamms Supermax Prison, which closed in January. Tamms Year Ten produced many beautiful photographs based on requests from prisoners.
Decorating the Tree Lawn
GB flickr pool contributor Jonathan Lurie has been photographing Wilmette's post-flooding debris piles.
Lake Shore Drive to Lower Wacker to...
Zane Davis made a time-lapse video of driving around town this weekend -- and explained how he did it on Calumet Photo's blog.
Snappy Service
Some recent paint scraping on the former La Pasadita taqueria just south of Division and Ashland revealed some excellent classic hamburger signage. Forgotten Chicago has some additional details and Noah Vaughn has a wider shot.
Everyone is Chicago
I Am Chicago, which aims to photograph citizens from every corner of the city, has added a bunch of new portraits since we last checked in.
Ice in Motion
Carbonmade creative director Dave Gorum has been photographing and animated giffing the ice on Lake Michigan.
Bigger and Better
The Museum of Contemporary Photography may be getting a proper entrance and an improved space.
The View from Above
The CTA tweeted some pretty cool photographs of the track repairs that caused so much trouble.
"I am not a number, I am a free man"
GB flickr pool contributor John Crouch recently participated in a two part interview with Out of Chicago.
Bicycle Etiquette 101
There's a right way to secure a bike to a bicycle rack, and there's a wrong way to do it. This is the wrong way to do it.
A Downtown Raptor
GB flickr pool contributor Chicago Man snapped some prime photographs of a peregrine falcon at Clark & Jackson.
Wells in Progress
If you're curious about the bridge repair that's causing all the trouble, you need look no further than today's Rearview photo.
Punk Pilsen
Los Crudos singer Martin Sorrondegoy talks about punk, Pilsen and more with WBEZ. For more about Sorrondeguy, check out his new photography book, Get Shot!
As the World Turns
Social history photographer Camilo José Vergara is developing a personal website to share more of his repeat photography work. Included are four Chicago sites: 4434 W. Madison, 4337 W. Madison, 1117 N. Cleveland and 5134 W. Madison. Each series starts in the 1980s and continues to present day.
A Last Look at "Loop Tattoo"
GB flickr pool contributor Ann Fisher photographed "Loop Tattoo," a 2006 mural that will be hidden by a new high rise.
"X" Marks the Spot
GB flickr pool contributor Gabriel X. Michael is photographing Chicago buildings marked with Xs warning first responders of hidden dangers [PDF].
CITY RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING TO IMPROVE FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY by Gapers Block
Helix Camera Shutters
Helix Camera is closing after 49 years; owner Paul Schutt is retiring. The store's last day is Saturday.
Vivian Maier on Film
The first trailer for Finding Vivian Maier, a documentary coproduced by John Maloof, one of the people who discovered Maier's work at an auction in 2007, was just released.
Chicago 100 Ways
The Local Tourist's second annual 100 Days of Chicago photo contest is now open for submissions.
Ezra Stoller and the John Hancock Center
In other architecture news, a New York exhibition of Chicago-born photographer Ezra Stoller is a good reason to revisit some his iconic photographs of Chicago buildings, including these stunners of the John Hancock Center under construction. If you like those shots, you may be interested in his book documenting the building's construction. The NYTimes offers some context.
After the Warehouse Fire
GB Managing Editor David Schalliol went down to the site of last night's warehouse fire to check out the aftermath. What he found was an ice-coated beauty amid the wreckage.
See even more photos on Buzzfeed.
Clarity of Vision
Frequent Rearview photographer Noah Vaughn spotted auto-obscured faces of Martin Luther King, Jr., Barack Obama and others depicted in a mural at 407 S. Kedzie Ave. in Garfield Park.
Prowling Dead Malls
The Chicago Center for Literature & Photography has begun a weekly PDF feature, the first being Dead Malls, a photo essay by FoGB Katherine Hodges.
Art of the Dime Bag
Today's Rearview photo by Curtis Locke is from his series of photographs of dime bags found on the streets of Hyde Park.
Watch a Vivian Maier Special Online
If you're a Vivian Meier fan, you may want to watch the half-hour special about her by WTTW's Jay's Chicago.
The Grid: Shine On
The newest installment of our documentary film series The Grid features Rev. Henry Isaac, journeyman window washer and preacher to two Chicago congregations.
You Can See the Lake Effect from Here
Astronaut Chris Hadfield photographed Chicago from the International Space Station. [via]
The Best Shots
Michael Jordan (twice), Dick Butkus, Dennis Rodman and Julius Peppers (not as a Bear) feature in Sport Illustrated's 100 greatest sports photos.
Shot on Location
Movie Mimic revisits locations from films, including a couple here in Chicago and north suburban Shermer. [via]
To be Demolished in the New Year
To be Demolished concludes its documentation of 100 threatened buildings with the planned demolition of former President Ronald Reagan's Hyde Park home and the historic Saint Boniface Church.
Fire Damage and Dereliction in the South and West
City-sponsored emergency demolitions make up the bulk of our second-to-last update to To be Demolished, including two fine North Lawndale buildings. A notable exception is a modified Old Town frame residence.
It All Averages Out
FoGB Dubi Kaufmann created a fun tool: Average, which blends flickr photos by tag or photoset.
1,000 More Words
The Reader's annual photo issue is out.
That Famous Pout
Claire Zulkey offers tips on getting the perfect photo of your child on Santa's lap -- if your goal is to land in the Trib's "Scared of Santa" photo set.
Coming to America
Local photographer Jon Lowenstein's photographs of South Side immigrant families were the launching point for a new series about Latin American immigration featured today on the NY Times' photography blog.
Pictures to Prove It
The Reader's looking for your votes in this year's photo issue submissions.
Caution: This Vehicle Makes Wide Right Turns
Daniel X O'Neil has photographed more than 130 different signs warning motorists of a truck's wide right turns.
GB Gift Guide: More Chicago Photographs
Buildings, birds, bridges, fire escapes and graffiti art: Tim Jarosz's photography showcases the gritty and the sublime.
Typography in the City in a Book
Lidia Varesco Racoma has turned her blog, Typography in the City, into a book, focusing first on the West Loop.
GB Gift Guide: Chicago Photographs
Remind your favorite city-dweller exactly why they love this place. Photographer Will Byington's got some great pictures of Chicago that come unframed, framed, or wrapped on canvas.
A Second Iconic Railroad Tower to be Demolished
With the demolition of Chicago's Lake Street Interlocking Station approaching, railfans are lamenting another area loss. GB flickr pool contributor Duanne Rapp was on hand for the last photograph of the suburban Deval Tower. Its impending demolition was noted back in 2007.
Party Animals
As Chicago's coyote population grows (previously), the dogs are getting bolder -- and possibly becoming sports fans.
To be Demolished: Oddity Division
Among the buildings recently added to GB's To be Demolished project are a heliport, a meat packing building and a building whose owner seems to have been embroiled in a fast food feud.
RIP, Steve Starr
Celebrity photographer Steve Starr passed away yesterday after collapsing outside the Drake Hotel.
Chicago Through a Lens
Chicago Uncommon Pictures showcases some of the city's best features through its beautiful images. The photos are categorized by the subject and the neighborhood in which they were taken, giving the viewer a fairly accurate virtual tour of Chicagoland.
The Beautiful City
Eric Hines created his short timelapse film, Cityscape Chicago, out of more than 30,000 still photographs shot between July and October 2012.
Cityscape Chicago from Eric Hines on Vimeo.
Picturing the Open House
Plenty of photos from this year's Open House Chicago are popping up in the GB flickr pool. We'd love to see yours too!
Debating on Television
Just in time for debate season, Art Shay shares photos and recollections of the Kennedy-Nixon debates -- the first ever televised -- held at WBBM-TV studios in 1960.
Marathon Photos
Lots...and lots....of Chicago Marathon photos, and Time Out Chicago has them.
Church to be Demolished for Walgreens
The newest entry in our To be Demolished series is 834 W. Armitage Ave., the former Greater Little Rock The Lord's Church. Walgreens is currently planning to build a new store on the site.
100 Years of Architectural Study
The Burnham Plan Centennial has come and gone, but the Art Institute's Burnham Library of Architecture is just now reaching that point. To celebrate, the museum is exhibiting selections from its last 25 years of acquisitions.
Cameras, Start Clicking
Another sign of fall: the Reader's looking for submissions for its annual photo issue.
Building Night Life in Woodlawn
Flickr user WayOutWardell has collected extensive area photographs, including these Woodlawn images. By the way, his name is a reference to the jazz musician Wardell Gray, who spent a lot of time in Chicago. [Thanks, Jolyon!]
Polaroidizing Your World
There's now a Lomography store in Chicago; it's been open a little over a week, but the big grand opening party is next Thursday, Oct. 4.
Wandering the Alleys
The Alley Connoisseur takes a walk through the Loop via Bob Thall's City Spaces.
The People on the Train
Public Portraits photographs riders of Chicago's rails -- including the adorable Kangaroo Mom.
Capone on Trial
The Tribune recently unearthed glass-negative photos of Al Capone from his 1931 trial for tax evasion, found in its archives.
The Magic of a Morning Rain Shower
GB flickr pool contributor Chicago Joe photographed a remarkable view of one of yesterday's isolated showers.
Pictures of Old Chicago
Old Chicago is a Tumblr full of photos from years gone by. Follow it along with Calumet412, Chicago Past and the Chicago History Museum.
Binding Chicago's Pools
Chicago photographer Missy Weimer is selling three handmade books of her 2010 Chicago pools project. One is still available.
A Street Traveling Train
GB flickr pool contributor Zol87 spied a new CTA train car winding its way through the streets on a truck bed.
Catching the Lightning
Photographer Jessica Garrett caught lightning striking the Sears Tower on Wednesday night. Her boyfriend turned a couple frames into an animated gif.
Shooting the Storm
Everyone had their cameras at the ready for the storm that rolled through Chicago this morning.
by Moe Martinez
by Romeo Banias
by Jeffery C. Johnson
Well, it has been Hot Outside
GB flickr pool contributor Anne Fisher witnessed step three to bringing the temperature down.
The Annals of Odd Promotional Tie-Ins
Purina One dog food teams up with Pitchfork(!?) for a "pets rock" photo gallery.
Photos of the Eastland Disaster
On July 24, 1915, 844 people died when the SS Eastland capsized in the Chicago River. The Tribune has a gallery of photos of the tragedy and some of its victims. Lookingglass Theatre is currently staging Eastland, a new musical about it, through July 29.
Shermer Then & Now
Brian Orndorf took a tour of locations from several John Hughes movies, including The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Uncle Buck and Sixteen Candles. [via]
A City's Ruins
David Tribby takes a tour of Gary's ruins in the latest issue of Polar Inertia.
Our City, Ourselves
Humans of Chicago is "the photographic census of Chicago, one street portrait at a time." It's shot by Ed Harris.
My Kind of Protest Town
Few photos from the NATO Summit and protests will be as iconic (and ironic) as this one by GB contributing photographer Steve Stearns.
The Birds and the Bee
GB flickr pool contributor John Kerr captured a pretty amazing view of a chick being fed by its parent.
Tearing Down & Building Up
The Atlantic Cities blog talked with our own David Schalliol and Milwaukee-based urban historian Michael Carriere about their documentation of urban decay and revitalization.
The End of the Brand
After months of controversy, the orange-rated Brand Brewing Company complex is currently being demolished.
Getting the Lightning Right
Nick Ulivieri has great success photographing storms, and a key to it is his ability to capture lightning. Here he shares tips on how you can do it, too.
Here's one of his shots from last night's storm:
© 2012 Nick Ulivieri, used by permission.
Meet the City's Newest Harbor
The Public Building Commission posted a pretty comprehensive photograph set of the brand new 31st Street Harbor.
Win a Print
Photographer David Tribby is giving away a signed print of his beautiful photo of a snow-covered City Methodist Church in Gary; details on how to enter here.
Six Simultaneous Strikes
Reddit user larsonwhipsnade captured an incredible moment on Lake Michigan during a storm last year.
Horto in Urbs in Frame
Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee explores Chicago's nature for 100 Eyes.
Remembering Ricky Bradley
Todd Diederich (previously on GB) reports on the murder of Ricky Bradley in K-Town for Vice. More on his blog.
Chicago from Above
Last summer, photographer April Maciborka flew over the city with her camera. [via]
The End of the Former Anshe Kanesses Israel Synagogue
Demolition has begun on the Shepherd's Temple Baptist Church building, 3411 W. Douglas Blvd. Before the building was a church, it was the Anshe Kanesses Israel Synagogue, the largest Jewish congregation outside of New York. A photograph of the demolition is after the break.
View additional threatened and demolished buildings in To be Demolished.
Home Away from Home
Chicago based photographer Lisa Lindvay was one of four runners-up out of the 900+ submissions for the 2011 Aperture Portfolio Prize.
Shot by a Sky Ninja
Michael Kelly, aka "Sky Ninja" and "Chango Blanco," is a high-rise window washer who also has some amazing talent with a camera. [via]
Photos copyright Michael Kelly.
How Can We Rethink Ownership?
MAS Context's new issue (and redesign) is live, and the theme is "ownership."
A New Look at a New Deal Project
Local photographer Jason Reblando's "New Deal Utopias" project is featured on the NYTime's Lens blog today.
Battle of the Birds
A local photographer recently captured a lakefront duel between a snowy old and a Peregrine Falcon- a noisy, but surprisingly even few minutes of combat.
See (Some of) the Cushman Collection in Print
Historians and photo-lovers have long-browsed the extensive Charles W. Cushman Photograph Collection and its amazing Chicago entries, but now you can view some of them in book form. For some background, read Lee Bey's interview with the book's editor, Eric Sandweiss.
The Loop in Color
Photographer Alex Webb explores Chicago's Loop, exchanging the black and white street photography of one of his earliest influences — Ray Metzker's "My Camera and I in the Loop" — for color.
National Attention for Photographing Derelict Sites
Local photographer Eric Holubow was featured on CBS Evening News last night.
To be Demolished in South Chicago
Today's To be Demolished entries are derelict residences located in South Chicago. Both 8522 S. Burley Ave. and 8554 S. Burley Ave. date back to the time when steel mills were rapidly expanding in the area -- and are victims of the region's economy collapsing.
Photos of Chicago from Rooftops
There's a tumblr for that. [via]
Interpretation and Reinterpretation at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Today's Rearview photo is part of GB flickr pool contributor John Crouch's series of exploratory photographs of the nature boardwalk pavilion at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Each final image in the series is generated from the same initial 60 photographs.
Chicago Hearts Ink
Ink and skin are in at the Chicago Photography Center, which is hosting a special one-day workshop this Saturday. If you're a photographer and love the way ink penetrates skin or want to hone your skills, this could be for you. General Admission is $75, $50 for members. Not a photographer but want to get in on the action? Join them later that night for a free open exhibit.
Another Urban Coyote Takes to the Ice
GB flickr pool contributor Andrew Smith got close a coyote in the Montrose marina.
After the Waves
A photo exhibition documenting life in Japan post-tsunami is on view at UofC's Rockefeller Chapel tonight at 7:30pm.
Photography + Sociology = Sociolography
Our managing editor, David Schalliol, is on a roll. His To be Demolished project is grabbing attention, and he has an acclaimed photo exhibit up in Milwaukee right now. He's talked about the latter with Salon and on Huffington Post.
13 Tables of 13 in Room 13
LIFE magazine chronicled a Friday the 13th party held by Chicago's Anti-Superstition Society in 1940. Wait, what's today? [via]
Home-Grown Talent in The New York Times
Rashid Johnson, an esteemed photographer and graduate of both Columbia College Chicago and the School of the Art Institute, was featured in The New York Times' Art & Design section. The piece titled Fusing Identity: Dollops of Humor and Shea Butter, also includes information about his Message to Our Folks exhibit, which will be at the Museum of Contemporary Art in April.
Chicago in Polar Panorama
Streetview Stereographic turns Google maps into an extreme fisheye lens. This lends itself to some really interesting views of Chicago. [via]
Clip That Cap
Remember the cool camera lens cap holder we featured on our Kickstarter page? It's now available for sale from Photojojo.
More Vivian Maier
Britain's Daily Mail has a gallery of photos from the new book Vivian Maier: Street Photographer. (Previously; more.)
Bits of Naughty Parts
In 1989, Lisa Anne Auerbach found torn up pieces of porno magazines in an O'Hare parking garage. They're now works of art. [via]
52 Portraits
Not quite every week, photographer Jay Schroeder posts a portrait of a Chicagoan.
Around the World
Whet Moser explains how Marshall Field, a PR man and a Civil War veteran created a turn-of-the-century travelogue.
$9.99
CRO's latest political street art features a familiar pizza baron.
Photo by Gabriel X. Michael.
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 12
Photographer Paul Octavious created a bookbow for Swiss Miss' new store. (You can also buy other prints from him directly.)
Unique Holiday Gifts, Pt. 9
For the serious LEGO fan, the Brick Brothers will make you a 15"x15" greyscale mosaic of your favorite photo.
Lenses at the Ready
The Reader is accepting submissions for its annual photography issue. The theme is "money."
Tear-stained Red Velvet
Always good for a laugh, it's the Trib's annual Scared of Santa photo collection.
Farnsworth, Perfected
The photos of the Farnsworth House in this set are entirely computer generated. Just incredible. [via]
Good Eye
The Big Picture highlighted a shot from Chicago among its set of National Geographic Photo Contest submissions.
The Professor on a Bike
GB Flickr Pool member Viewminder has taken many portraits of his friend "Professor Bikenstein."
The City's '70s Soul
John H. White photographed Chicago in the 1970s for DOCUMERICA, a documentary project sponsored by the EPA. (Previously.)
The Galloping Ghost
A truly evocative photo of Red Grange, one of the first big stars in the early NFL, running for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Yellowjackets on Dec. 5, 1925. [via]
MoCP Print Auction Items Announced
The MoCP recently announced its annual print auction, which includes some pretty great images and one-of-a-kind portrait sessions.
Life in the Corn Cobs
Iker Gil and Andreas E.G. Larsson's Inside Marina City takes you inside some of the apartments in the iconic towers. It's part of an exhibition on Betrand Goldberg currently on view in the Art Institute's Modern Wing.
The Fashion Police, ca. 1922
No showing leg in your bathing suit.
Visions of Minnie
The creator of Minnie's Dream discovered his/her great grandmother's photo albums in his/her grandmother's Springfield attic. Consisting mostly of cabinet cards from the 1890s--many shot in Chicago photo studios--the site author speculates on the life Great Grandma Minnie might have lived back then.
Historic Chicago in Photos
Hiding in the bowels of SkyscraperPage.com's forums is a treasure trove of photos of Chicago from throughout the 20th century.
Shooting from the Top of the Hancock
Photographer Nick Ulivieri got to shoot from the roof of the Hancock Tower last night, capturing some stunning panoramas and conquering his fear of heights for a moment.
Hand Bras Fight Cancer
My Boobs Hate Cancer is a photo contest to benefit breast cancer. Take a photo of yourself in a "hand bra" (using your own hands or someone else's) and submit it for voting; each entry raises a dollar for Crickett's Answer for the Cure, and could earn you a mini photo session with three glamour photographers.
Photos of Old Chicago
...In among this Denver Post Library of Congress photo raid; stay sharp around #46.
500px of Chicago
We love flickr, but 500px has some pretty nice photos of Chicago, too.
Take Your Best Shot, of Nature
The Chicago Park District is holding "Nature in Chicago," a digital photography contest between Oct. 1 and Oct. 18. Show the city's natural beauty and win a prize!
Noah Vaughn, Photographer
Artist and author Dmitry Samarov is busy, but he made time to profile regular Rearview contributor Noah Vaughn for Chicago magazine. The interview on which the article is based can be found on Dmitry's tumblr.
Swirling Wind + Water = Awesome
GB flickr pool contributor SightSpecific photographed a waterspout over Lake Michigan this morning. Check it out below.
Big, Grungy Prints
Photographer Debbie Carlos has some beautiful prints made with a large format plotter printer for sale on Etsy -- including one that might help you hold onto the last rays of summer. [via]
Finding Your Speed
In case you missed MAS Context's newest issue launch: Speed is ready for viewing. The Chicago-based quarterly goes everywhere from the Town of Speedway, Indiana to the megalopolis of Mumbai, India.
Vintage Firehouses
Mike Legeros photographed every 19th century firehouse he could find in the city. [via]
Your Christmas Here or There
The MSI's 70th annual Christmas Around the World exhibit is coming up, and they'd like your own Christmas photographs.
Mapping History
History Pin places historic photos on a map; Chicago is full of shots. An app by the same name places the pics in Google Streetview. UPDATE: See also What Was There. (Thanks, Lynn!)
Celebrating An Unfinished Body
Chicago photographer Matthew Avignone earned second runner up in the student category of the Photography Book Now competition for his An Unfinished Body project.
White Men Floating Along Wacker Drive
GB flickr pool contributor MewDeep uploaded a somewhat creepy 1965 Life magazine photograph of balloon men over the Chicago River.
Pinup Power
The pinup calendar Thought You Knew has launched a Kickstarter project to cover printing expenses. Now in its third year on the walls of bike shops and homes worldwide, TyK seeks to support a community of confident women who bike. Gapers Block's curated Kickstarter page features this project, along with other exciting local ventures.
What's 2011's Best Blurb Book?
Chicago-based photographer Jason Reblando's Blurb book, New Deal Utopias, is in the running for the Blurb people's choice award in the documentary and fine art categories. Do you know other nominated Chicago photographers? Let us know via dcs at gapersblock.com.
Fighting for Control of Lake Michigan
GB flickr pool contributor Undun was surprised to discover that hitting the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button in Picasa3 transformed his Chicago Air & Water Show photograph into a dogfight straight out of a WWII film.
Arranging One Photograph at a Time
In a world dominated by digital stitching, Justin Tortorice spends his time assembling photo collages of sporting events, the skyline and other scenes by hand.
Chicago from Space
Astronaut Ron Garan is up on the International Space Station right now, and took a couple pictures of Chicago last night. (Thanks, Sarah!)
And the Storm Rolls In
Flickr user cshimala set up his camera to video record three phases of the August 13 storm.
The Romance of the Leaning Tower of Niles
Minnesota-based photographer Beth Dow is interested in the creation of false ruins in the United States. Of course, the Leaning Tower of Niles makes an appearance. Here are some other photographs of the tower.
Pictures Remain as Memories Fade
Frances Archer introduces photographer Allan Zirlin, whose collection of photography and vintage ephemera can be found here.
Lolla Through the Instagram Lens
Lollagram pores through Instagram uploads for shots of Lollapalooza.
Photograph the Bustling 'Burbs
We know a few of our readers live in the suburbs; if that's you, the Center for Neighborhood Technology's new photo contest looking for shots of transit oriented development in Chicagoland.
Before Michael Jackson was King
The Renaissance Society's upcoming benefit auction includes this amazing portfolio of Michael Jackson photographs from Todd Gray's Before He Was King.
Picture The Hideout
Chicago music venue The Hideout wants your pictures of late nights and lazy afternoons spent at the venue to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Not only do these not have to be of the professional, band-on-stage type (they're eager for casual snapshots), they're also planning on putting the photos up for sale, and you get the bulk of the sale price!
Meet Todd's People
Photographer Todd Diederich has a knack for going places most people don't. Vice magazine is asking him to do it for them once a week; his first piece features Pam, a woman with a wig and a knife.
Garfield Park Conservatory Damage Firsthand
Plenty of photos of the hail damage at the Garfield Park Conservatory have been circulating, but this video shot by an employee appears to be footage from inside the greenhouses before cleanup even started.
By coincidence, the employee, Matthew Barrett, did a video interview with The Handshake magazine discussing the 100-plus-year-old facility shortly before the storm. The Conservatory is still taking donations to help pay for the repairs.
Flatlandia
GB flickr pool contributor floozefactor has been busy photographing water towers throughout the region.
Great Fogbanks
Yesterday's fog along the lakeshore, viewed from above. Explains the wide differences in neighborhood temperatures yesterday.
Half Monroe
The Tribune has a nice photo gallery of the lower half of Marilyn Monroe -- the statue of her that's currently rising in Pioneer Plaza, that is. (I kind of prefer our own Jasmine Davila's shot.)
Documenting Our Lives
Eric Fischer's "See Something or Say Something" project maps geotagged tweets and Flickr photos and shows where they overlap. Chicago lights up nicely.
Traffic Problems at North and Kedzie
Unfortunately, today's Rearview isn't the first time a car had an experience with that currency exchange.
City on Screens
Frequent Rearview contributor Noah Vaughn collects images of Chicago in films at Chicago Screenshots.
Wabash Then & Now
Pete Anderson spotted a photo of Wabash Avenue on Shorpy, and decided to recreate it today. He did a pretty good job, right down to the pedestrians. (Related in the GB archives: Chicago Then & Now.)
It's Been a While
GB flickr pool contributor Gabriel X. Michael found lingering ephemera from the Eugene Sawyer administration in a Goose Island alley.
Hail Everywhere!
Here and here and here and here and here and here and here and surely here soon...
Through Dad's Lens
Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist and Chicago native Todd Heisler shares some 50 year old photographs his father took on the NY Times Lens blog.
Be Odd, Die Rich
Photographer Todd Diederich, whose work covering the LGBT ball scene we've showcased in A/C, is profiled in this week's NewCity.
"Lost" & Found Cameras
The Disposable Memory Project releases disposable cameras into the wild with instructions to those who find them to snap a couple pictures and pass it on. Eventually, in theory, the cameras get returned and the photos are developed. One was released in Chicago last September. (A similar local project was part of WPBMakeBelieve last summer.)
Beauty & Braaaaains
If you haven't checked out Kristie Shanley's photos of the Zombie March Chicago in A/C, you're missing out. If you have, you might be interested in seeing more.
Photogenic Chicago
Jonathan Michael Johnson shoots some beautiful urban scenes here and in other cities.
Get in the Pool
Photographer Missy Weimer visited as many of the city's public pools as she could last summer. An exhibition of her photos opens tonight.
Urban Fox at Rest
GB flickr pool contributor Will Rice spied a fox relaxing under greenery in Bucktown.
Chicago in Fog
You probably know how downtown Chicago looked at street level (or a little higher) in the fog this week, but folks flying into the city got a much more interesting view.
Rapture Jetpack!
For when you absolutely, positively need to get to heaven on time. [via]
Maier's Photography Moving Beyond the Streets
In Mother Jones, Alex Kotlowitz provides an update on the Vivian Maier discovery saga. (Previously.)
Reworking Mounds of Trash
Urbanautica's newest feature is on Chicago photographer Peter Hoffmann's "Post-Landfill Landscapes."
Be Careful Out There!
GB flickr pool contributor John Iwanski got a nasty reminder about staying alert while walking down the street.
Flat Rainbow! Up in the Sky!
A rare phenomenon was spotted over Tinley Park last week, leading to some pretty awesome photos.
The City at Night
Night views from Chicago's tallest buildings make a striking appearance in Dominic Boudreault's latest time-lapse video.
Timelapse - The City Limits from Dominic on Vimeo.
Trainspotting
Photographer Nick Ulivieri's condo balcony hangs out over the neighboring BNSF railroad tracks. He's made the most of it.
Chicago Defined in Pictures
The Chicago... flickr group is sharing their defining Chicago shot.
Kubrick's Chicago Redux
More photos of Chicago in 1949 by Stanley Kubrick have surfaced (Previously). [via]
A Storied Gun or Just a Gun Story?
GB flickr pool contributor Clark Maxwell took some fine photographs of a gun he says was found in a hotel wall last year. For what it's worth, "AC" is carved in the handle, and Al Capone supposedly stayed in the hotel.
Totally Smurfed Up
One of the reasons why the Internet was invented: images of Papa Smurf graffiti from around town. You know. Just because.
More Views from Above
This has been a good week for aerial photos of Chicago over time: Blair Kamin reviews a new book, Chicago From the Sky: A Region Transformed.
Chicago in the Late '70s
Photos on Flickr by westvillagebob.
Our Unsavory Past
1952: "White Families Protesting Black Family, Cicero, Illinois." Part of the
Expanding on yesterday's link, HistoricAerials.com offers several views of Chicago from 1938 to 2002. (Thanks, Brian!)Pre-Google Maps Redux
Eye on the Street
Christopher Jobson interviews street photographer Oak Thitayarak.
Pre-Google Maps
Illinois Historical Aerial Photos offers a look at Cook County from above in 1938-1941.
View from Above
Chicago from the International Space Station. [via]
Update: This photo was part of a larger set on The Atlantic's In Focus photoblog.
Above the Clouds
An amazing view of the skyline like you've never seen it before.
Photo by Payton Chung
Scenes from Closing Borders
Local Borders bookstores are in their final days. Here are photos of the carnage over the last couple months.
Hyde Park:
by katherine of chicago
Michigan Avenue:
by Erin Nekervis
Lincoln Village:
by katherine of chicago
Evanston:
© Andy Marfia
RIP Michael Abramson
Michael Abramson, a photographer who chronicled nightlife on the South Side in the 1970s, passed away over the weekend.
And that Means You!
GB flickr pool contributor Jeremy Farmer found one creative way to repurpose a "no trespassing" sign with another kind of warning message.
The Photographic Vernacular
Square America's unfinished opus: "This Is My Country: An Epic Survey, Rendered In Photographs, Home Movies, Audio Recordings, and Other Assorted Ephemera, of Everyday Life in These United States and of the Ways and Customs of the American People c.1900-c.1976 (A Work In Progress)."
Spring Sunset
Gorgeous shot of the city from above Navy Pier. [via]
Capturing Hizzoner
Photographer Art Shay shared more photos from his archives over on Chicagoist today -- this time the lens is trained on the Honorable Richard J. Daley.
Streets of Old
Peruse UIC's collection of IDOT Chicago Traffic Photographs from the 1930s and you'll find shots of Lake Shore Drive under construction, Sheridan and Irving Park and a very snowy South Shore and 67th.
Horses & Other Bodies in Motion
Eadweard Muybridge debuted the first motion picture device, the zoopraxiscope, at the 1893 Colombian Exposition. Read more about Muybridge, including his now lesser-known, racier stuff. [via]
A Pain in the Glass
Sun-Times photographer Tom Cruze got a little too involved in the action on the ice at the Blackhawks' game on February 20th, and his fellow photographer Nuccio DiNuzzo caught the moment in a snap. Like a true pro, he was back at work after some quick medical attention.
A City So Beautiful
Photographer Jeff Trost took some stunning sunset panoramas of the skyline from near the Adler Planetarium.
Then & Now
The flickr pool Looking Into the Past is full of photos of vintage prints placed into their modern day settings -- including a bunch in Chicago. (Related.)
On Shooting Chicago's Boxers
In Tailgate, Jim Reedy interviews Jason Reblando about his photography documenting the city's amateur boxing clubs. See the photos up close at Harold Washington College through Friday. UPDATE: If you miss the show this week, Jason says it also will be at the Canale Art Lounge April 1.
Sights & Sounds of Urban Nature
Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee pairs photos and music to create the webzine Urban Nature. Plug in your headphones and enjoy.
A Higher Power of Protection
GB flickr pool contributor noordpunt happened upon what is quite possibly the best dibs placeholder.
Another Vanished Neighborhood
In 1971, Lou Fourcher, father of Center Square Journal founder Mike Fourcher, shot some great photos of the neighborhood that once existed where UIC and the medical campus are now.
The Blizzard in Pictures
The Tribune and Sun-Times have some amazing photos of the storm, and there are many more on Flickr: snowpocalypse2011, snomg, Chicago blizzard, thundersnow and of course, Lake Shore Drive. Oh, and don't forget Twitpic.
Snow, Surreal and Serene
A local artist captures the otherworldly drifts off Loyola Beach.
Picturing Rockford
Minnesotan Alec Soth and Chicagoan Michael Catano headed to Rockford for a NYTimes project entitled "Portraits of a Job Starved City."
Big Bird, is that You?
A Chicago Sojourn tours some of the city's folk art depictions of famous cartoon characters. [via]
Mixed Messages
Well-edited graffiti spotted by photographer Michael Patrick Perry.
Blue Chicago
A postcard-perfect picture of Chicago, by Andy Marfia.
So Look Out for Those Beauties, Oh Yeah
I want to ride my bicycle/I want to ride my bike. Bike Fancy presents photos of people "looking good on bikes." What more do you need?
One Way to React to Getting Fired
Noah Vaughn recently discovered a novel expression of post-job discontent. (Without giving too much away, I should mention the linked photograph contains some NSFW language.)
Vivian Maier: Another Angle
Chicagoist speaks with Jeff Goldstein, another of the collectors championing Vivian Maier's work.
The Real Story of Vivian Maier
The discovery of street photographer Vivian Maier has gotten mounds of press, but is the story all it seems?
UA 727 Flying, then Driving to its New Home
GB flickr pool contributor cmraseye posted some photographs of the Museum of Science and Industry's 727 en route to the museum in 1992. Here's a news clip from the day for video of the landing and some additional background.
Descent into Fog
John Schroeder shot the fog from above as he arrived home from the holidays.
Rubbish Goes There
Chicago Photobloggers did a two part interview with photographer Noah Vaughn.
A Picture's Worth
The Reader's annual 1,000 Words issue is out.
For Multiple Reasons
At Pratt Beach in Rogers Park, Sarah-Ji found some really good advice for this time of year.
Publishing Nine Photographs from 30,000
Chicagoist is featuring more "whimsical" photographs from the archive of Art Shay.
Winter Zen
Burbling creeks are soothing even under ice.
City Submerged
Craig Shimala turns Chicago into a water wonderland with a digital camera strapped to his windshield (and a nice ambient soundtrack).
77 Sets
Eliezer Appleton photographed every one of Chicago's official community areas this year and last -- all from his bike.
Your Year in Pictures
The deadline is fast approaching for the Reader's 1,000 Words photo contest. Get your best shots in by midnight on Dec. 15 for a chance to be in the Reader's photography special and possibly win a camera.
Satromizer Gives You Glitches on the Go
Video/installation artist Jon Satrom and designer/programmer/photographer Ben Syverson have created a way to make glitch photo art via iPhone.
Christmas on Tatooine
If your Secret Santa pick is a Star Wars fan, photographer Michael Ramova has the perfect gift for you.
The Y in City
Ever notice the Y motif on Chicago's buildings, bridges and other places? It's known as "the municipal device," and symbolizes the three branches of the Chicago River.
Documenting Our Dead
"Beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day, I will track the homicides in the city. Once the crime scenes are processed and the yellow tape is taken down, I will visit and photograph the location of each murder." Krista Wortendyke's Killing Season: Chicago 2010.
Lakeview in the Viewfinder
Get out your camera and hit the streets of West Lakeview. The chamber of commerce is holding a photo contest to promote its master plan.
When People Were Pixels
Check out these great WWI-era photographs where people were organized to make giant patriotic mosaics on display at the Carl Hammer Gallery. (via)
You are the Average of the 319 People You Spend the Most Time With
Curious about just how many people an individual meets in a given year, Chicago-based photographer Kyle LaMere documented every person who visited his Pilsen studio from June 8, 2009 to June 8, 2010. The resulting VISITORS photo project is on its way to self-published coffee table stardom, starting with a big party/fundraiser in Logan Square.
Look on the Shiny Side
Photographer Ian Merritt has launched Shiny Side, a site devoted to automotive photojournalism. Car porn, basically.
From the Future or Just Really Late?
It seems the CTA is having some trouble scheduling its trains.
Pinhole Pictures
Local photographers and camera tinkerers Justin Lundquist and Ben Syverson have created Pinwide, a wide-angle pinhole cap for Micro 4/3 cameras. They want to produce it and bring it to the picture-taking masses, but they need your help.
Nightmare Alleys
Web Urbanist provides hellishly creepalicious pictures of abandoned bowling alleys, including two from Gary. Some nights you can still hear the Phantom Bowler howling as he fails to break 300. [via]
The War Effort at Home
Historic photoblog Shorpy finds a photo of a Melrose Park aircraft plant in 1942. As noted in the comments, the plant is still there, just south of O'Hare, now producing engines for International Harvester.
The World in the Towers
Our own David Schalliol contributed photos and interviews of Cabrini-Green residents to HIGHRISE, a "360° documentary" of life within the world's tall buildings.
A Moment Captured
Frequent Rearview contributor Ian Only-Connect won the Art Institute's Henri Cartier-Bresson Photo Contest with a shot that captures the famous photographer's style perfectly.
After the Accident
Patrick McDonough captures the horror of a serious accident near 6300 W. Belmont this weekend. His crew from the Department of Water Management were first responders.
Trevi Fountain Next to the Picasso
"Throw a coin in and you'll return to Daley Plaza."
You are Chicago
Adam Novak, Sara Collins and Andrew Zoechbauer are taking portraits of Chicagoans on street corners all over the city in a portable photography studio.
A Memory from the Mustache Era
The Sun-Times must be hurting for photo illustrations, given their decision to use this 1982 photograph of one of Mayor Daley's pals for a story about water billing problems.
Buildings Alone
Our own David Schalliol's "Isolated Building Studies" series is featured in the latest edition of Polar Inertia. If you want to see the photos (and others) in person, you can visit his show at the EveryBlock office during the Ravenswood ArtsWalk this weekend.
Black Chicago, 1973
As part of the EPA's DOCUMERICA project, photojournalist John H. White created a Portrait of Black Chicago in the mid-1970s.
The Old Morning Commute
"Arriving from the suburbs," circa 1907. [via]
Gulls on the Wing
Two Mercedes gullwings: total car porn beautifully shot by Ian Merritt. (He's got a couple other drool-worthy vintage rides on his blog.)
History in Black and White
One of Chicagoist's readers shares some great photos from decades worth of Chicago history.
Little Richard
The Trib provides many, many photos of the mayor that never made the paper, including a frighteningly young one of him as a page at the 1960 Democrat Convention.
Faster Than the Speed of Image Capturing!
GB flickr group contributor J.Knecht found a plane with some interesting image capturing artifacts in Jackson Park on google maps.
This Post is Not About Mayor Daley
There are two results on flickr for the query "Chicago Catzilla."
Jesus is Calling
Photographer Bill Vaccaro refers to himself as a "recovering Catholic." In his series "Jesus is on the Mainline" Part I and Part II, he explores the ways Christian faith manifests in everyday life.
Your View From Above
In advance of a new documentary, the Canadian National Film Board is asking for high-rise dwellers around the world to submit photographs of their views and some related thoughts to a flickr group for a chance to be included in an interactive web feature.
O'Hare Is the Essence of Wetness
Brian Doben, photographer, snapped a few fashion pix at O'Hare. That's exactly how I dress whenever I fly.
Your Band in the Best Light
In A/C, concert photographer Kirstie Shanley shares thoughts on why bands shouldn't play in the dark.
Two Stops Past a Mole
This guy will never get lost on the CTA.
Rural Illinois Ascendant
Chicago-based photographer Dave Jordano's Prairieland series was recently featured in the NY Times' Lens section.
SoFoBoMo ChicaGo
The sole local entry in this year's Solo Photo Book Month is by Kelly Stachura, who created a book based around the idea of a treasure hunt.
The Hill, Over Time
Photographer and web designer Paul Octavious has been visiting "the hill" for two years, photographing it through its many seasons.
Photos of Back in the Day from Back in the Day
The Denver Post's Photo Blog recently complied a "photographic journey through American Cities, pre-1950." Of course, Chicago and its environs pop up regularly throughout the post. [Thanks, Bob!]
Jack Jaffe, 82
Chicago photographer, arts philanthropist and former car repair business owner Jack Jaffe passed away on Thursday at 82.
Pitchfork in Pictures
Our intrepid photographer George Aye took some amazing shots over the weekend at Pitchfork, and we've put together his spectacular artist mosaics in an online gallery. If you haven't already listened to our artist interviews, or read our fest recap, what are you waiting for?
Try to Set the Night on Fire
Neat. Mew7 took some pyrotechnical shots of a building catching fiery reflections from another building's glass.
Pin Down These Old Photos
HistoryPin is a photomapping site that puts photos on a map and links them to their era.
Swimming in Oil
Evanston photographer Jane Fulton Alt's latest series, Crude Awakening, comments on the Gulf oil spill by depicting "oil-soaked" swimmers on the shores of Lake Michigan. (She also just got back from touring Mexico City with Rick Bayless and his restaurant staff.) [via]
Forget the Stars
Let it be known that the Adler Planetarium offers the best view of the skyline you can get without a boat. (It's also a great spot to watch the July 4 fireworks.)
Our Gonfalon Bubble
"Tinker to Evers to Chance." Baseball's Sad Lexicon in pictures.
Food Porn for Your Morn
Behind the scenes at Kith and Kin, and a recent grand tour at Alinea.
Buying Art to Make Art
Local photographer Daniel Shea is holding a print sale in order to fund the second half of Plume, "a photographic exploration of Southeast Ohio and its unusually dense concentration of coal-fired power plants." If you're interested in full exhibition prints, those are available too.
Where Chicago Ends
Photographer Serhii Chrucky explores the edges of the city.
The Red Menace of Tourism
A follow-up on this post: photos by locals vs. tourists, mapped on the city grid. More cities here.
Glacier Envy
So apparently the Tribune wants to start up a photographic, chest-thumping competition between Illinois residents and those who live in Montana. Isn't that like getting involved in a land war in Asia?
Natural Light Effects
Our own Dan Kelly found himself in the shadow of the Aon Building this morning.
Trying to Break Your Heart
If you missed our 7th Anniversary Party at the Metro last Friday, Time Out Chicago has a nice photo gallery of what you missed. (As do we.)
Contest: Show Us Your Neighborhood Landmarks!
In A/C, we're holding a photo contest with ExploreChicago: Show us your personal neighborhood landmark and you could win a Southwest travel voucher to bring a friend into town! Enter by May 21!
Framin' Palin
Nuccio DiNuzzo explains the challenges of photographing nudes for a family paper. The man is a true professional.
As Seen in the Trib
You can now buy shots from the Chicago Tribune photo archives on the cleverly named TribunePhotos.com.
Found Photography
Photographer Howard Simmons recently recovered a lost archive of his work, thanks to musician and DJ Dave Mata.
The Trib's Big Picture
Following in the Boston Globe's footsteps, the Tribune has launched Photo Nation, a giant photo blog.
Chicago 1958-1961
Yasuhiro Ishimoto was born in San Francisco, moved to Japan with his parents a few years later, then returned to the states in 1939 to study architecture at Northwestern. After internment at Camp Amache, he returned to Chicago and joined the Photography Department at the Chicago Institute of Design. Between 1958 and 1961, he shot a number of haunting street and beach scenes.
To be Young and Midwestern
GB flickr pool contributor Genial23 wants to remind you about Chicago in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Rest in Peace
Bedrooms of the Fallen is a photography project examining the bedrooms of soldiers killed in Iraq, including one from Downers Grove. [via]
Dandelion Parking Only
Damon Taylor found a "parking lot that's been reclaimed by the earth" near Kedzie and Devon avenues.
They Thought We Wouldn't Notice
Chicago stands in for New York once again.
A Hundred Strangers
Photographer Treasure just started a new project: 100 Strangers. Her first subject may be surprisingly familiar if you're a Cubs fan.
Ever Feel Like You're Being... Watched?
Chicago is, apparently, one of the most closely watched cities in the world. Estimates put the number of cameras watching us at about 10,000. So, relax. You're not paranoid after all.
Sunrise at Navy Pier
WBEZ reporter Tony Arnold has been taking photographs of the sunrise off of Navy Pier for most of the month. There are some lovely sunrises and some that are less so.
Berwyn's Wealthy are in Trouble
At least, that's what GB flickr pool contributor Jeffery C. Johnson discovered while passing by a Dollar Tree.
A New Tradition?
If you didn't get a chance to see the Chicago River dyed green last weekend, you may still be able to relive the glory of a (not so) lovely green pool in Pilsen.
Impermanent Markers
Hope whichever utility or city service works fast -- this particular spraypainted direction in the Loop isn't going to last much longer.
Going, Going, Gone
Ryan Flynn took full advantage of living across the street from one of the last Cabrini Green high-rises by creating a stop-motion video of its demolition.
Chicago Gang Tags Explained
Not sure which gang is tagging your neighborhood? This flickr group should help.
Gasp! That's the First Step Toward Heavy Petting!
Colonel Tribune points out this nostalgic assortment of people kissing. As the Colonel points out, #8 is especially hilarious.
Advertise Here?
Oops, McDonald's already is. [via]
Costa's Not Open for Business
Alvin Shubert, GB flickr pool contributor (and today's Rearview photographer), looked out his window last night to see Greektown restaurant Costa's in flames. Another contributor, Michelle Wotkun, headed down to get a closer view.
Window Peeping
Leo Rosen finds a contradiction between marketing and reality in an Albany Park store window.
Logan Square Lookout
Yesterday Apartment Therapy's House Tours section featured FofGB George and Sara Aye's beautiful Logan Square home. You might remember George shot amazing photos from Pitchfork in Transmission in years past, and the couple run the company Hubwear, among other projects.
Sun-Times Photos on eBay
The Sun-Times Photo Archive is auctioning original photographs from the Sun-Times and Daily News on eBay. [indirectly via]
Mapping MLK
A day late, but interesting nonetheless: MLK BLVD is a flickr pool and blog examining the many streets named after the man. Here are posts about Chicago's Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. [via]
Going Gaga
GB flickr pool contributor only-connect took some pretty excellent photographs of Lady Gaga during her recent sold out show at the Rosemont.
Shooting from the Hip
Tribune photographer Scott Strazzante's blog is a mix work for the paper and personal shots. Definitely worth checking out.
Ghost Signs
Nicole Donohoe takes photos of Chicago's "ghost signs" -- faded painted advertisements on the sides of buildings. [via]
Maybe One is Yours
Photographer Merrick Brown says, "Last winter in Chicago I photographed lost gloves, hats, etc." See all 528 here.
"Ghosts of Shopping Past"
GB fave Brian Ulrich presents a collection of shuttered shopping malls over at The Morning News.
The Photographic Bean
The Bean, a 5MP carabiner camera made by suburban-based Argus, fits the adage "the best camera is the one that's with you." Its little cousin, the BeanSprout, is just $14.99 on Target.com in either yellow or red.
Corncobs in Pictures
Interesting collection: Marina City's year in photos, 2009. [via]
A Great Big Sky
The Adler Planetarium unveiled today a 4-foot by 180-foot mosaic made up of more than 800,000 images of the Milky Way. It's the world's most detailed picture of our galaxy, and it's now on permanent view at the museum and online. [via]
Documenting Consumer Chaos
If you're going to be out and about with a camera tomorrow, perhaps you should consider contributing to the Picture Black Friday project.
Chicagoland in the Viewfinder
Get your camera out! Just one week left to enter CMAP's Images of Northeastern Illinois photo contest, of which GB is a sponsor.
Yellow and Blue
Chicago-area photographer Richard Susanto's vibrant close-up of a flower is one of the submissions to National Geographic's annual International Photography Contest highlighted on Boston.com's Big Picture blog.
Eye in the Sky
Robert Cameron, photographer, known for his aerial shots of Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other places, has passed away at age 98.
TV's Hot News
Michigan Avenue magazine's semi-controversial photoshoot of some of Chicago's hottest TV news personalities in last month's issue is finally online. You can get a closer look at Packer Schopf Gallery starting this Friday.
There's Just so Many Buttons... So... So Many Buttons!
"Bunky's Pickle" has a nifty photo of three Chicago recording studios from a 1976 issue of the Billboard Recording Guide, all staffed, unsurprisingly, by total dudes.
More Then and Now
Inspired by our recent post about vintage photos of Chicago, Berg with Fries went out and reshot most of the images from the same spot for a little then-and-now action. (Thanks, Amanda!)
A "Good-bye" to Washburne Trade School
In other demolition news, the water tower at the Washburne Trade School has been demolished.
Building History
If last week's historical Chicago photos whet your appetite for others, here's a great shot of the Hancock Building under construction from a compilation set of relatively historical photographs.
Picturing Historic Chicago
Noah Vaughn points us to two historical caches of Chicago photographs from Zeus Of HollYWOoD and Joe+Jeanette Archie. If you have your own, we'd love it if you'd add images to the GB flickr pool.
What Would You Like to See on Google Street View?
Google is accepting suggestions for off-of-the-street places for its Street View trike to document. Do you have a Chicago location to suggest? Perhaps the Lakefront Path or your favorite park?
HOB Security: Photography is Not a Crime
An off-duty House of Blues security guard was caught on tape after last Monday night's Hanson show taking the camera from a woman and then repeatedly hitting her because he thought she took a picture of him. More discussion here. [via @GBtips] UPDATE: NBC5 reports the security guard was arrested for misdemeanor battery.
Discovering Vivian Maier
Vivian Maier was a street photographer who documented Chicago from the 1950s through the '70s. She died in April, and her archive of work was purchased at auction by photographer and historian John Maloof, who is posting selections on vivianmeier.com.
Light and Blues
The New York Times ran a piece about photographer Michael Abramson's photos of South Side blues clubs and their patrons back in the 70s. The photos will appear in a book/LP set, titled Light: On the South Side, published by the inestimable Numero Group label.
Explore the Collection of the MoCP
Did you know that the entire collection of the Museum of Contemporary Photography is online? You can browse and search more than 8,500 photographs and even save items from the collection to view later.
Untitled (Pink Tube) in a Grid
GB flickr pool contributor Ian Only-Connect is at it again, this time with a lovely full-page composition exploring Dutes Miller and Stan Shellabarger's "Untitled (Pink tube)" at the Cultural Center.
The Mighty Maroons
Did you know that Chicago's first college football team was at the University of Chicago? Led by Coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, the Maroons won all but two games from 1905 to 1909, and were Big Ten champions seven times. Discovered in the Library of Congress' stash of photos from the Chicago Daily News.
Snapshot
Andrew Gill of WBEZ.org loves this photo of the city, taken by Gapers Block's own managing editor David Schalliol. Click here for a larger version.
Say Cheese
Admit it, you've always wanted your own photobooth.
There You Are
Hey, did you get your photo taken by Ian from IDM Photography at the Gapers Block Party on Friday? If so, it's now posted in our Flickr account.
Shooting Life by the Lake
ExploreChicago asked five photobloggers (including our own David Schalliol) to document their explorations of the city's neighborhoods this summer. Check out their shots on Life By the Lake.
Fill That Blank Spot on Your Wall
Hey! You have just a couple days left to purchase prints from the Gapers Block-curated "Chicago Week" on WallBlank. Prints by Dmitry Samarov, Sharon Parmet, Mark Hansen, David Schalliol and Clare Rosean are all still available.
What's Your Chicago Look Like?
CBS2Chicago's Capture My Chicago is an effort to, well, capture "your" Chicago in pictures. The project starts online, but will be turned into a book.
Chicago Week Today: David Schalliol
Our fourth Chicago Week feature, "Isolated Building Study 42 (Chud's)," by David Schalliol, is now available in A/C. You can also jump straight to the print's page on Wall Blank.
$5 Portraits Help Abused Women
Want your portrait made? Live in Wicker Park? For $5 you can pose for Wicker Park-based photographer Jennifer Bisbing and all the proceeds will go to Connections for Abused Women and their Children, a local women's shelter. Make an appointment by emailing jennifer@generationjennifer.com, and check out the project's progress through the rest of 2009.
Show Photos
If you're headed to Lollapalooza (or any other Chicago music event), don't forget you can submit photos to our Transmission Flickr Pool. We might use them on the site!
Help Find Buster
A cool-looking car leads to a much more affecting story.
The Dark Side of Photo Collecting
Big Happy Funhouse finds ephemera's seamy underbelly.
Articles of Faith
The Morning News showcases photos of storefront churches in Chicago by photographer Dave Jordano.
"Chicago Week" Deadline Approaching
Don't forget: Friday is the deadline for submissions for the Gapers Block and Wall Blank "Chicago Week" visual arts competition, so get those paint brushes, vectors and camera shutters going!
"I'm crazy about pictures"
Lee Balterman shot a lifetime of pictures in Chicago. A new retrospective showcases some of his best. [via]
The Writing on the Stall
A staffer at the University of Chicago recently decided to document a different sort of creative writing going on at Regenstein Library, with highly entertaining and, at times, insightful results. [via]
Look Down from a Safe Distance
Crain's has a set of ultrahigh-res Gigapan views of various city attractions -- including the new "Ledge" window boxes on the Sears Tower. Chicagoist took a visit, too.
Fireworks in Cabrini
A beautiful moment captured by our own David Schalliol.
Trains in Motion
Back in 2005, GB flickr pool contributer John Schroeder burned through a roll of film to get this fine sequence of photographs from a southbound Red Line train.
When Muscle Cars Ruled
Big Happy Funhouse turns up photos of spokesmodels from the 1968 Chicago Auto Show.
Double Country Double Exposure
As noted in A/C on Friday, Chicago photographer spencewine partnered with Robert Botey Beguiristain of Girona, Spain for a set of photos in which both shot photos on the same roll of film, resulting in trans-Atlantic double exposures.
Old-time Summer Fun
Celebrate the opening of Chicago's beaches with these photos of vintage beachy activities from the Tribune archives.
Type Nesting
Dubi Kaufmann asks: Do birds have a favorite font? So far, it seems they particularly like Rs and As.
We Oughta Be in Pictures
Chicago is the fifth most photographed city on flickr, according to Life.com's survey.
CNT Earns National Recognition, Financial Award
The MacArthur Foundation's 2009 Award for Creative & Effective Nonprofits includes the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology, who will use their grant to "expand its research capacities, reach a wider national audience, and build its operating reserve."
Meet Chicago Larry
The self-proclaimed "greatest celebrity photographer in the world" and new YouTube star?
Witches Melt, Zombies Don't
Despite the rain, the second annual Chicago Zombie Pub Crawl staggered through Andersonville Saturday. Here are lots of bloody photos from the event.
Photographing a Sketchbook
Collaboraction's annual SKETCHBOOK Festival, running now, inspired collaborations with photographers; the results are featured in A/C.
"Tell the Recession Where to Go." Hm.
GB flickr pool member Katherine of Chicago has captured a certain essence of the times in a recent photograph.
Almost a Crime Scene
As I approached the Chicago River on 18th Street yesterday, I was startled by a police line, four police vehicles, a dead body ... and a film crew.
How's Your Street Look?
WBEZ wants to know -- and wants you to photograph it in all its pockmarked glory for the Adopt a Side Street project.
Chicago in High-Res
The Windy Pixel: beautiful photography of our beautiful city.
"That's a lot of notes!"
GB flickr pool contributer Joseph Voves took a photo of dozens of his books and labeled them all for our enjoyment.
Walking and Pushing
GB flickr pool member John Maloof caught this juxtaposition of rich and poor in Lincoln Park.
Wrestlemania
The Tribune featured portraits of local pro wrestlers yesterday. Want to catch them in action? Check out ChicagoProWrestling.com.
Getting Bored at Work? Play a Game
Today seems like a good day for Guess Where Chicago.
GB/Calumet Photo Show
Don't forget: the deadline for submissions to the GB and Calumet Photographic photo show is tomorrow. Check out the details in A/C.
Documenting Inauguration Day
Speaking of photography, Chicago Public Radio is asking for photographs of whatever you're doing today to be included in a collection of Inauguration Day experiences.
Participate in the Photo Swap and Show
As we mentioned back in December, GB and Calumet Photographic are inviting photographers of all experience levels to participate in a photo swap on Friday, February 6, and an accompanying show that will run from February 3-11. Details in A/C.
Who Says Crime Doesn't Pay?
The family of a teenager who was shot by an off-duty Chicago cop has been awarded $2.25M by the city in a wrongful death case. The head-scratcher? The kid was shot while he was breaking into the cop's home.
One of Many Couples in America
In 1996, Mariana Cook photographed couples across the country. Among them were Michelle and Barack Obama, whose interview yields gems like Michelle's "There is a strong possibility that Barack will pursue a political career, although it's unclear."
"From the garages, you can look into buildings."
Advice for photographing in downtown Chicago, from "architecture of density" photographer Michael Wolf.
Commemorating the Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square
Street artist Saro is looking for photographs of Joseph Zeman from which to create a tribute. Zeman was struck and killed by a van in the December of 2007.
Photo Friday Continues: Photo Swap on February 6
Mark your calendars: Gapers Block and Calumet Photographic are teaming up for our third Photo Swap on February 6 -- details in Slowdown. Additionally, an accompanying photo show will run between February 3 and 11 -- details TBA.
Departure
... and even more photogaphy (Photo Friday at GB!). The work of photographer and multimedia artist, Daniel Everett and in particular, his stunning Departure series.
Views from Above
Speaking of photography, here's a great set of photos by one of the crane operators working on the Trump Tower. (Thanks, Mark!)
Cameras at the Ready
The Reader is looking for submissions for its annual "1000 Words" photography issue. (Here's last year's.)
Roadside Art on Pulaski
Scenes and signs along Pulaski Road. [via]
Feel Like Somebody's Watching You?
Chances are, someone is. And after looking at this blog, you may never feel at ease riding the CTA again.
Chicago LIFE
Speaking of random imagery of the city, Google is now hosting images from LIFE magazine, including a trove of photos of, in and around Chicago.
I Hereby Promise to Stop Posting Obama Photos
... until there are really good, non-election-related images. So here's my last hurrah: Barack Obama's flickr account, which includes some fantastic behind-the-scenes photos from election night.
Another Look at Grant Park
If you didn't make it down to Grant Park on Tuesday and would like to get a view other than that of the major networks, there are some interesting alternative views of the event. The real star of the alternative coverage is WBEZ, which asked its flickr pool users to fill specific assignments. The station posted their work in audio/video slideshows and other collections that draw from the pool. Other interesting coverage includes that of Chicago Magazine, Chicagoist, and, of course, the GB flickr pool.
More Polling Place Photos
Chicago Public Radio's not the only place to submit photos of polling places: The New York Times has a Polling Place Photo Project of its own. Matt Maldre of Spudart checked with the Board of Elections regarding photo policies; the response after the jump.
Ken Menzel the Election Specialist for the Illinois State Board of Elections said in an email, "As to taking a photo when you go to your own polling place, the best advice I can give is to let the poll workers know before you do (it is simple courtesy as well as something that avoids any appearance of impropriety) and to be careful and respectful as to the other voters who have their own privacy rights at stake."
Life in Chicago
The latest issue of Chicago Life magazine is out, featuring a cover photo by GB's own David Schalliol.
Not Mao or Marilyn
The Museum of Contemporary Photography received a nice gift recently: a collection of photos by Andy Warhol.
Of Popsicles and Babesicles
Life's drama recorded on a bus shelter wall. [via]
Automotive Arcana
If you like today's photo in Rearview, you should check out the rest of Scott Robbin's photos from the Hartung License Plate & Auto Museum in Glenview.
Aftermath Project Shows Untold War Stories
"War is Only Half the Story: The Aftermath Project," an exhibit featuring the work of award-winning photographers who capture untold stories about the aftermath of war, opens tonight at Roosevelt University's Gage Gallery. Sponsored by The Aftermath Project, it features work by artists Kathryn Cook, Andrew Stanbridge, Asim Rafiqui and Paula Luttringer. For more details see Slowdown.
Saying Goodbye to Summer
The Trib has a photo and audio slideshow looking at summer block parties around the city.
More Dead Hospitals
Following up on her Edgewater Hospital photos, flickr photog Comtesse DeSpair shares a walk through Michael Reese. Check out her other abandoned building photos.
Dead Hospital
A big set of photos of the abandoned Edgewater Hospital in Andersonville. [via]
Square Book
Nick Osborn, the creator of the Square America vernacular photography blog, has a new book coming out next week. If you pre-order Who We Were: A Snapshot History of America by today, he'll throw a free DVD in with the book.
Lassoing the Great Lakes
The Weiszes just got back from a 17 day loop of the Great Lakes, which they conscientiously documented with restaurant reviews, photographs and tales from the road. If you'd like more reading about looping the Great Lakes, you may want to check out Ted McClelland's The Third Coast, which was excerpted in Detour.
Wired City Photo Contest
Wired magazine is holding a photo contest this week all about the place where you live. Just send in an original photo of your city, in all its glory, and you might just grace the pages of the magazine. Full details here.
Jail Birds
There's a family of peregrine falcons living on the Metropolitan Correctional Center. (Thanks, Dubi!)
Photostravaganza
Speaking of photographs, the Trib is featuring staff photographers' images, both historic and contemporary. If you have the photo bug, you may want to contribute to the GB flickr pool.
Snapshots and Vignettes
Photographer Jack Cantey makes his way around the city, capturing wonderful moments.
Flickring Tourism
In addition to our flickr group, you may want to check out the Chicago Office of Tourism's new group, which gives you a shot of being featured on their Chicago's Great Urban Adventures site.
Delightful Photography Site
Amy Beth Photography is a delightful site of a Chicago-based photographer. I particularly love the shot of this meerkat. (via chicagobloggers)
75-Year-Old Chicago
More than 200 photos from the 1933 World's Fair that was held on Chicago's lakefront have been scanned and are being prepared for online posting later in the year by the Chicago History Museum. The Sun-Times has the story, along with a selection of sample images.
The City from Far Above
Continuing on the aerial view theme, Chicago from space, by day and night. [via]
Chicago in Black and White
Between 1946 and 1948, Wayne Miller photographed residents of the "small town" of Chicago's black community. Buy the book here. [via]
Black Bird
The News Photographers Association of Canada honored Chicago by giving an award to a photo of Conrad Black during his trial. What's so notable about it? He's flipping someone the bird. What's also notable about it? It would have been so much better had the photographer bumped up the ISO rather than using a flash.
Fish Food
Rationally, there's no reason these two businesses can't coexist.
Neglected Beauty
Photographer Carey Primeau documents some of the city's decaying gems.
The Texture of the City
A collection of HDR photos of Chicago. (What's HDR?) [via, via]
A Darkened City
If you missed the view of downtown during Earth Hour, you can check it out in the GB flickr pool. The Trib also has photos and a video feature condensing the hour into a minute.
Trucks of Chicago
As Sara says, "I drive a lot."
Everyone Is Famous
Chicago-based photographer Clayton Hauck goes to parties and clubs and takes pictures. Lots of them. So if you want some wonderful eye candy, enjoy his site Everyoneisfamous.com. (Note: a tiny few pictures are NSFW.)
More Then & Now
Following in our footsteps, Joe M500 recreated several more shots from the Charles W. Cushman Photograph Collection.
Feathery Fun
Chicago's Pillow Fight Club celebrated International Pillow Fight Day today with a mass flying-featherfest in front of the Art Institute of Chicago on S. Michigan. If you didn't catch it, here are some photos. (Nice to see white stuff that isn't sleet or snow falling from the sky, isn't it?)
City of Lights
Here's a beautiful view of the city from above, at night. (We featured a view from the north in Rearview awhile back.)
St. Paddy's Pics
If you couldn't make it to the St. Patrick's Day Parade downtown today, here's some pics.
Dark Side of the Moon
It's a little repetitive, but here's a sampling of photos of the lunar eclipse over Chicago.
Be a Virtual Chicago Tourist with Panoramio and Flickr
Google has started putting users' pictures on the map at Panoramio. Of course Chicago's most popular destinations have lots of photos, but so do neighborhoods and the suburbs. I particularly liked this group of shots that have both Superdawg and the Niles YMCA Leaning Tower, as well as this one, taken near where I live. Flickr has a similar service, but there aren't nearly as many photos.
Ever Wanted to be a Curator?
Now's your chance. The Wicker Park Bucktown Special Service Area is looking for someone to curate a photography contest. RFQs are due on the 14th, so act fast!
I Love a Parade
Wondering what Saturday's Lunar New Year Parade on Argyle St. looked like? Well, wonder no longer -- here's some photos of the festivities, taken by this GB contributrix.
Get Your Photo Taken
"Faces," a new, black-and-white portrait project by local photog Jason Richardson, uses light, angle and composition to reveal people's faces as they really are (i.e., wrinkles, dots and all). Richardson needs models, so check out his flickr page and drop him a line to participate.
Chicago's Global Industrial Influence
First time GB flickr group contributor oceandesetoiles spotted a Chicago Pneumatic somethingoranother in Paharganj, New Delhi.
Gaining Exposure
If you caught the MCA's Sympathy for the Devil exhibition this past autumn, you might recall encountering a couple of photographs by local artist Melanie Schiff. The 30-year-old Chicago photographer is now the subject of a three-page profile in the February issue of the international art magazine Modern Painters. The attention arrives after Schiff was recently selected for inclusion in the 2008 Whitney Biennial. The artist is currently represented by the Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago.
A Little Creepy
If you're in the mood for some spooky photography and artifacts (a coffin, outmoded medical restraints!) this weekend, check out the opening of Ward 7: America's Abandoned Asylums at the Co-Prosperity Sphere Saturday evening.
Commons Project on Flickr
Commons, a joint project of The Library of Congress and the Flickr photo sharing site, gives you the opportunity to describe, tag, and comment on Chicago-oriented photos from their collection.
Worth More Than 1,000 To Us!
Congrats to GB staffers Lauri Apple and David Schalliol, whose photos were picked as part of The Reader's 1,000 Words Photo Issue.
Photo No No
Jean Johnson was in court dealing with a probation violation when she took four photos of R. Kelly on her phone's camera. What happened next? Jail time.
Through Worsom's Lens
Teacher and photographer Will Okun profiles his favorite photographer, Worsom.
Swapped Out
Thanks to everyone who made it out in the cold and snow for our GB/Calumet Photo Swap last night!
A Visual Poem
First Snow, a poem in words and images by Felix Jung, using flickr to find photos for key words.
Neglected Beauty
Rearview contributor and excellent photographer Carey Primeau launches a new photography site and portfolio. While I've seen my fair share of deserted and abandoned photography sites, Primeau really does elevate these photos to stunning. One of the more stellar sets has to be his Uptown Theater set, a building that has intrigued me for years. So good.
Clearly Not the Bank of Chicago
Bank of America made a rather unfortunate mistake when trying to convince Chicagoans it has "local commitment."
Photo Swap on December 6
The second Gapers Block/Calumet Photographic Photo Swap is a little more than a week away, so print up five 4"x6" photographs to exchange with other photographers. Of course, there'll be plenty of free food and drinks to accompany the swapping. Details in Slowdown.
See the City
Hey, cool, you can now search by "place" in flickr!
Outdoor Photography
The local Patagonia store is holding a photo contest. Local photographers are invited to submit a photo of themselves or family members doing active outdoor activities -- while wearing Patagonia clothing, of course. Three finalists will be selected to compete nationally for a trip for two to Vietnam. Bring your 4"x6" prints to the store by Oct. 31.
Do You Have Photos from the Marathon?
If so, the organizers would like to hear from you. Check out the call for images in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Group for more information.
DARFUR/DARFUR Comes to Chicago
Starting today, a 6-minute program of changing Darfur photographs will be projected on the north facade of the Field Museum (visible driving south on Lake Shore Drive) to "provide visual education about the richly multi-cultural region while exposing the horrors of the ongoing humanitarian crisis." The exhibit will continue at the Field through October 12; through the following week, the images will appear at other Chicago institutions. Click here to learn more and check Slowdown for details about a related panel.
Polite in Space
Polite in Public is a photobooth project that's traveling the country; it has a different backdrop and props everyplace it stops. It landed at the Vic this past weekend -- with a space theme. (Thanks, Felix!)
Archival Art
Photographer Ian "only-connect" Lorenzo (whose photo was featured in Rearview on Thursday) does some amazing things with his flickr account. Individual photos shine, but it's best to view his archives page by page by page.
There Once Was a Team Called the Cubs...
Photos and limericks about our North Side team. (Thanks, Enrich.)
Photography in the Digital Age
Photographers may be interested in the free Photography 2.0: The Business of Photography in the Digital Era. The Chicago event runs on September 19 and features a range of photographers, editors and buyers. Check out the site to register and get more information.
Do You See What I Don't See?
Cayetano Ferrer, who did a fascinating set of transparent Chicago street signs, recently applied a similar approach to a group of 30-foot trees in Daejeon, Korea. [via and previously]
Lake Michigan Stories
Got a good story or photo involving Lake Michigan or another of the Great Lakes? HealthyLakes.org wants to hear/see it. They're running a photo and story contest through the end of August, with prizes awarded each month. (Thanks, Hugh!)
A Lot of Guitar Pics
Chicago photographer Lee Klawans has gone to a lot of shows, with camera in hand. Browse his online galleries, and lose a little time.
Bensenville "Ghost Town"
A Tribune article and corresponding video about the legal battles between Bensenville residents and Chicago over O'Hare expansion suggests visual artists could have a field day in the area.
The Items We Carry
On Tuesday, Naz started a flickr group called The Items We Carry -- just pictures of the things you have in your pockets or on your person every day. As of this writing, three days later, there are 630 members and 320 photos of people's stuff. Join up, or just kill time on a slow summer Friday going people-watching in slightly different way.
A Pedagogical Factory
Starting on Sunday, the Stockyard Institute, AREA Chicago and other organizations will initiate "Pedagogical Factory: Exploring Strategies for an Educated City" at the Hyde Park Art Center. Throughout its run, topics will include "How We Peoples Make a People's Atlas of Chicago," "How We Grow: Self-Education and Urban Farming Gathering" and "How We Brew/Bake/Mead Etc Cottage Expo."
Photo Swap on July 21
The Gapers Block/Calumet Photographic Photo Swap is just over a week away. Show up with five 4"x6" photographs, hang out, have some food and drinks, and then go home with five photos from other people. Details in Slowdown.
Produce Producer
The Grocer brings fresh veggies and fruits from the lab to the streets. With a recent nod from Juxtapoz, he's currently taking requests for new painting subjects. Street art never looked so tasty.
Oops, Dad's Out of the Frame
Calling all family albums! The Tribune is seeking your bad vacation photos.
The Incredible Moving L Station House
Check out this mini-photo essay documenting the Belmont L station house move [window resizes].
Writing On the Walls
Shawn Hazen moved to Chicago about a year ago, and almost immediately began taking pictures of the city's vibrant type. [via]
Olympic Arts
With all of the hubbub about the Olympics, there's an argument that sports shouldn't get all of the attention. In a city currently alive with Version>07, and soon to have Artropolis going too, art should also be at the forefront. Tribune art critics provide a few conceptions of how art could work with the Olympics.
Richard Nickel's Photographs on the Radio
Yesterday, All Things Considered ran Edward Lifson's fine examination of the architectural preservation photography book Richard Nickel's Chicago. Bonus: the song that plays at the end of the piece is from the Rachel's album Music for Egon Schiele, which was composed for a Chicago theater production.
Mowing And Biking -- With Flamingos!
Given the inclement weather, I find it helps to think about mowing the lawn and biking to get me through the day. Fortunately, someone in Wisconsin has found a way to do both.
Click!
Photobooth-o-philes, get excited! You'll soon be able to take a zany picture of yourself and your close friends at Quimby's.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game or China
As it turns out, Crain's has a pretty decent photo gallery. The most recent set documents the White Sox opener, while previous features range from McDonald's in China to Delhi, India.
So Green Architecture isn't a Passing Fad
Someone smart at the Tribune asked its arts and architecture critics what prompted them to reevaluate artists in their disciplines. Some second looks include the Trap Door Theatre, William McDonough and Walker Evans.
Quite a Building
Via Coudal and Edward Lifson: 360° VR photos of the Elks Veterans Memorial Building in Lincoln Park.
Don't Park Here
A sign of the times: A collection of parking space barricades, at Slats.org.
1,158 = More Than a Few Arts Organizations
The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation just completed its Chicago Region Arts Scan, a major research report surveying all non-profit arts organizations in the Chicago region in 2006. In addition to being a comprehensive directory, the report provides especially fascinating information pertaining to the growth, location, composition and funding of these organizations.
"Free Portraits Inside"
Check out this recent write-up of Thomas Marlow's Chicago Street Studio Project in the Australian media.
Zoom All the Way In
The Trib's Dave Wischnowsky gives a little background on this amazing panorama of the skyline.
Moonrise Over Chicago
Here's an incredible photo of a moonrise over Chicago, circa 1985. Eerie and strange -- read the comments to learn how the photographer did it.
Months of Great [Insert Cultural Activity Here]
The Tribune offers a fine selection of art exhibits worth checking out in the coming months, including some out-of-the-way gems. Other informative prospective pieces include features about architecture, dance, and jazz, to name a few.
Create Your Own Planets
If today's Rearview photo (courtesy of the ever excellent Archie Florcruz) bewilders you or makes you want to do the same thing, take a look at his entry explaining his photo and then head over to the Create Your Own Planets Flickr pool for info on how to do this.
Scared of Santa Again
If you're looking for a holiday laugh, check out the Tribune's reader-submitted "Scared of Santa" photo gallery. (Link pops due to window resizing.)
Populated Street Photography
Photographer Lee Balterman shot Chicago in the '50s and '60s, and unlike many of his street photography compatriots, he included people -- lots of people. [via]
Looking Back on "American Cities"
All summer -- until Sunday, actually -- Catherine Opie's photographs were on display in one of the top-floor galleries of the MCA. Now, some of them are online, accompanied by an interview, thanks to the Morning News. [via]
Third-Floor "Walk"-Up
The annual Pilsen Artists' Open House (otherwise known as "the Art Walk") is taking place this weekend, and, as usual, the work runs the gamut. Put another way, there's something for everyone. Gallery no. 23 is hidden from view at the top of a rather foreboding set of stairs, but Jeremy Ehly and Kate Dougherty both display interesting and, at times, amusing points of view. Dougherty illustrates her photos with cartoonish embellishment, while Ehly's series elucidate the patterns in architectural elements like corners and cornices and tease out the humor of real estate marketing with tounge-in-cheek titles for images of residential monoliths. In other words, three flights up won't kill you.
Chicago in HDR
Trey Ratcliff, CEO of a videogame company, has a fondness for high dynamic range (HDR) photography, and he's captured a number of stunning photos of our fair city.
Pilsen in Pictures
Ranging from parades to street art to "Gringos out of Pilsen" agitprop and spanning several years, Flickr user Pedro Juan's photoset takes the pulse of a neighborhood.
Picture of a Renegade (Craft Fair)
Did you snap some pictures of this past weekend's Renegade Craft Fair in Wicker Park? If you were a shopper or a vendor who braved the nice (then kinda bad) weather, you should add to the photos going up on Flickr in the Renegade Craft Fair group. I'm hoping someone got a pic of that dude in leopard shorts on the skateboard. Update: Yeah, someone did.
Block Party Pix
Photos are still getting posted to flickr from three long days of rocking West Wabansia this weekend. Check the tags HideoutBlockParty, TouchAndGo and Hideout, for starters.
Tag, You're It
As Flickr and Upcoming announce new features today, geotagging looks like it's about to blow up. As of this posting, there were 150 photos displayed on a broadly defined Chicago map; expect that number to be significantly higher in a day or two, especially as previously tagged photos are imported. (And, for kicks, I tried the Upcoming event-tagging, using Lollapalooza as a test case. Sure enough, it worked! So neato.)
Windy City Choppers
Just over thirty years ago, Danny Lyon joined the Chicago Outlaw Motorcycle Club and took pictures of the experience. He compiled the photographs in The Bikeriders, released in 1968. See excerpts at Slate. [via]
More Midwestern Pride
Meet another website devoted to the wonders of the Midwest: Midwestern Goodness. While they have content from around the region, they recently filmed a short video tour in Chicago. More Chicago content is in the works.
Hey, is that building a landmark?
The city's Landmarks Division has prepared interactive Chicago Landmarks Maps that include photographs and important information about officially notable places. While you're on their website, check out their comprehensive Historic Resources Survey and other fascinating resources.
Escape the Police
At Metblogs, Fuzzy Gerdes lets visual irony speak for itself.
Need more Tut?
If the Field Museum's Tutankhamun exhibit piqued your interest, head to the Oriental Institute's dual exhibitions of artifacts from the Tut era and Harry Burton's photographs of the Tutankhamun expedition. If you have an mp3 player, don't forget to download the podcast ahead of time.
Cartopia 2006 photos
You know those cars with the crazy springs or dolls glued all over them? Well, reader Lotta writes in about her heading out to Cartopia 2006, held in Berwyn, last week where she took photos of all kinds of cars just like that.
In-Toe-Nation
Reader Jennifer noticed an interesting phenomenon at the Intonation Festival last weekend: "I looked around at one point during a set, and realized that just about everyone in my 10 foot radius was wearing the same footwear as their neighbor." Check it out in this Flickr photoset.
Photos from Go Skateboarding Day
I don't follow up on skateboarding like I used to so it was a pleasant surprise to hear about last week's Go Skateboarding Day. You can live vicariously through these Flickr photo sets: here and here.
Two Images a Week
Photographers Timothy Campbell and Eduardo Angel are posting a photo a week for 50 weeks at the One Hundred Images Project, creating serendipitous juxtapositions of Chicago vignettes. (Thanks, Gretchen!)
Garden in a Cube Farm
Perk up life in your office today with Palla Palla's photos from the Garden in a City show, which closed yesterday.
Sunsets Over the City
Since it's likely we won't be able to see the sunset tonight, you might want to head to this weblog and get your fix.
The Last Picture Show
While they may be closing, Damen Studio is going out with a bang. Their last show will be appropriately titled, "The Last Picture Show" and features the work of 8 photographers and 5 painters including Rearview contributors, Bill Vaccaro and Sarah Hadley, GB button designer Anthony Lewellen and yours truly. The final show goes down this Saturday, May 20th from 6-9PM at Damen Studio.
Follow the March Online
If you're stuck in your office without a TV, you can still follow the march on Flickr (here's a good search to start from), and the Trib has your text-based hook-up.
Damen Studio, closed
Sarah Hadley writes in with some sad news — Damen Studio has closed due to the financial and time constraints that come part and parcel with such a endeavor. This also means that the slated Supernatural show that we mentioned will not be happening. Here's to the future successes of both Sarah and Amor!
CTA in Hyper-reality
Apparently, this image of the Damen Blue Line station is not a photograph; rather, it's a "photo-realist painting" that took 2000 hours and 50 Photoshop files. Wow.
Wrestlemania Photos, Hooters No-Go
If you didn't make it to Wrestlemania, you can always check out what you missed on Flickr. And of course, you missed this amazing portrait taken at Hooters. (In other Hooters news, it looks like HootersAir has cancelled service from Rockford and scaled back service from Gary. Guess they don't have great wings after all, eh?)
Push butt
Metroblogging Chicago discovers the real message of CTA signs.
U-F-phOto
The Damen Studio is calling for entries for a juried exhibition this summer, the title of which will be "Supernatural Chicago: Seeking the otherworldly in the mundane." The deadline is May 31, with more details at Chicago Photobloggers. Of special note: our own Naz Hamid will curate the show, making it something like Rearview in a gallery.
The St. Patrick's Day Scene
Couldn't make it to John Barleycorn's for awesome St. Patrick's Day action? No sweat -- Chicago-Scene Magazine has you covered. Some stand out photos here, here and here. And if you ask me why I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day, well, here's why. And Mike, seriously, you need to tone down the Levitra.
The Shooting of the Green
It's Saint Patrick's Week at Whateverland. So far we've seen the River, the Queen and the King.
_________ of Chicago
I'd like to point out the Signs of Chicago, the Doors of Chicago and the Windows of Chicago. They are the eyes, ears and mouth of this fine city.
Three Minutes of Awesome
Felix Jung has taken a photo nearly every day since July 2002. Which gave him just enough material to make 3 Years 3 Minutes, a presentation of three years' worth of photos shown in rapid succession on three "screens," set to music. If you watch no other video today, watch this one.
Rearview for Your Wall
Here's an opportunity to pick up prints by two of the photographers regularly featured in Rearview: Yu Kizawa and Patrick Spence will be among the artists featured at "Love-A-Palooza pre-Valentine's Day Art Show" today from 3pm to 9pm at the home of Brook Costello, 5809 N. Winthrop Ave. Apt. 3N. More info here.
Toy Cameras! And the photos they produce
The Toy Camera Show opens at Damen Studio on Saturday the 4th with a reception. Featuring work from Rearview contributors Sarah Hadley and Bill Vaccaro amongst others, you can take a look at the mysterious allure and amazing photographs that come out of little cheap plastic cameras.
While You Were Sleeping...
The second stage of the 8th Annual Tour Da Chicago alleycat bike race was held last Sunday morning. Photographer Arielle Bielak has been taking an incredible number of pictures (including a few of yours truly) and posting them to her site, Bikelust.org. If you woke up to find your boyfriend/girlfriend/roommate and their bike inexplicably gone, chances are you'll see 'em here.
I See Jesus or not.
Fellow GB colleague Dave Elfving pointed out in the Flickr version of my Rearview photo today that he didn't quite see what I saw in the photo, until I pointed it out. Incidentally, local photographer and Rearview contributor Margaret Nissen started a "I Saw Jesus" photo pool on Flickr. You can discuss this if you'd like on my Flickr version of today's photo.
View of the Sears Tower, 1979
Today's Rearview photo from Cory Dalus is an interesting one. It shows the landscape of Chicago from 1979. You can comment here: Looking Northeast from the Sears Tower, 1979.
Once a Library, Now Much More
One of our favorite places to warm up is the Chicago Cultural Center. Not only does Archie FlorCruz agree, he shows as much with this gorgeous photo on his Whateverland blog.
Local Picture Pages
You know we're always interested in your submissions for Rearview. If, however, you're looking for additional exposure (ahem), Chicago Public Radio now features an image of the area daily on its website and is soliciting contributions. Chicago Photobloggers has the details.
Flickr: Bettr Than Evr
I never thought it could get better but Flickr, one of the internet's most popular photohuts, has recently added some pilot programs such as a do-it-yourself book feature, and a feature that lets you create personalized postage stamps using your own pictures. If you want to create books to give as gifts, you have until December 19th to place your order to arrive before the 25th. You know, like photos from our many Rearview contributors.
Read It, See It
Sam of Golden Rule Jones has a new Flickr account where he's posting literary-related photos from his travels around the world. Ever wonder what James Joyce's school looks like? Sam can show you.
Images of Industrialization
The November issue of First Monday includes an article comparing two online photography collections: the U.S. Steel Gary Works Photograph Collection, 1906–1971 and the National Child Labor Committee Collection. Although the authors somewhat obviously conclude that the collections show very different views of industrialization, the photos of Gary, Indiana, are well worth checking out.
Photobloggers Catch Flak
The 7x7 exhibit by several local photobloggers runs through next week at the Lincoln Park branch of the Chicago Public Library. If you can't see the images in person, however, Flak Magazine has posted a review and a commentary-accompanied slideshow. (At least a couple of these photographs have appeared previously in Rearview, another gallery that makes for a nice visual distraction on a lazy Friday afternoon.)
The Hidden Loop
Blogger Devyn takes wonderful photos of some of the lesser known or "unknown loop streets" and posts them on his site. This makes a nice companion to the alley series currently running in the Tribune [Thanks, Mike].
Point 'n' Guess
Earlier this week, a new game emerged on Flickr: Guess Where Chicago.
Photoblogger opening
Tonight is the opening reception for 7x7, an exhibition by seven Chicago photobloggers, including friend of GB Archie Florcruz. 1150 W. Fullerton, 7pm.
Chicago Photobloggers in Action
Congratulations to Brian Milo for winning the Greenspace Lomography Contest. Milo's work, as well as that of six other Chicago photobloggers, will be on display in a group show that's set to open next Monday. Details, as ever, in Slowdown.
Sunday's 26.2, tagged
For your perusal on a gray day before the memories fade: photos on Flickr tagged with Chicago Marathon.
God Bless the South
Designer Chuck Anderson spent a week in Biloxi, Mississipi with his father (the pastor of a church in Orland Park) and 14 other people from Reunion Church in helping out with relief efforts. He documented the trip.
Street Art, Chicago-Style.
In a city that's completely banned spray paint, Chicago street-artists have had to take creative and untraditional routes to get their work on the streets. Chicago Street Art, the latest group pool on Flickr, is starting to document all of the hand drawn-stickers, stencils, plywood cutouts, scrawlings, paste-ups, and installations that bring color to the all-too-often drab urban landscape.
1979 Chicago, Captured
How much has Chicago changed in 10 years? What was there before Millennium Park had its Bean? I stumbled across this neat jumble of image resources about Chicago today, including old maps, aerial photographs, and some especially fascinating images of Lawndale during the late 1970s.
Big Fat Oreo
Paul McAleer, local activist (and former GB staffer) is featured in a Tribune photo essay about the anniversary of Nabisco's classic Oreo Cookie. Let's all raise our milk glasses in a toast!
Photos of shoes and feet from down below
Somewhere between a photolog, a shoe/feet fetishists dream and ground level perspective is a site called, "Come Here! I Want to Show You Something!" that chronicles the aforementioned via photographs. And every so often the occasional Chicago city photo. And don't even ask me how I found it.
Photos and food
Regular Rearview contributor and featured photographer, Matthew Taplinger tells us he has some photos up and hanging around the walls at Bite, the restaurant that's next door and part of the Empty Bottle. Since I like Matthew's photos and I like the food at Bite, I would like to find myself surrounded by those soon.
Starting Up a New Photo Mag
Trunnion Bascule is a planned new magazine highlighting photography of Chicago. They're seeking submissions for the first issue; check the site for details.
Eat, See and Be Merry
Following the trend of local eateries displaying local artists' work (Metropolitan's Daniel Teafoe and Northside's Anthony Lewellen are among my recent favorites), Tre Via is currently showing the photography of Alex Segreti. Of the ten black and white photos, eight were shot around the city. If you come for the photos, be sure stay for the food (which is so good that you can expect a bangin' review of it in the near future). Tre Via is located at 1575 N. Milwaukee. Segreti's work will be on display through August 9.
Intoning Flickr
Lots of photos from the Intonation Festival up on flickr.
Now with Photos
Chicago.Photobloggers has redesigned, and it's lovely. In addition to having actual photos on the site, they're looking for contributors to write articles about photography and photoblogging. More info here.
Back in Time: The photographs of Edmund Teske
Should our current fuel question have you pining for the days of old Chicago, you may find some satisfaction in the Art Institute photography galleries. Edmund Teske captured compelling images of the city as it was in the 30's and 40's. Not quite the same as being there, but about as good as it gets.
American Environmental Photographs
American Environmental Photographs, 1891-1936 is a digital collection of nearly "4,500 photographs documenting natural environments, ecologies, and plant communities in the United States at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century." The images, which range from ecological settings, individual plants and natural landscapes, are from the Department of Special Collections at the University of Chicago Library. You may search or browse the collections by subject or geographic area. The collection includes more than 700 photos documenting Illinois, and, as is often the case with old photographs, you get the eerie feeling you are looking at natural environments that no longer exist.
FlickrPride
The 36th annual Chicago Pride Parade brought 400,000 people to Boystown yesterday. Pride is always colorful, to say the least, making for plenty of great photo ops. I've created a Flickr group to consolidate photos from the parade, Saturday's PrideFest and Dyke March, and related events. Check it out, and join up if you'd like to share your pictures.
Chicago-style Poi (not Dog Pondering)
Poi, or the fine art of fire spinning, was on display last night as many people gathered along the lakefront to celebrate the summer solstice. Pictures don't demonstrate the hypnotic effect of the flame spinning around - it's magical.
My Bike Could Be Your Life
Chicagoan Russ McClintock biked from Seattle to New York City last year, alone, taking pictures all the way. You can see a collection of his photographs from the trip, entitled "North American Roads" online, or go see them in person through July 10th at Country Club Chicago (1100 N Damen Ave.)
Square America
The Boat Lullabies, a local blog of found photography, has a really interesting series of photos up, entitled "Square America." They're all by the same photographer, depicting a range of topics. Start here and work your way forward. Really cool.
Kubrick's Chicago
In 1949, Stanley Kubrick was a photographer for Look Magazine when he came to Chicago to work on a story with Irv Kupcinet. He shot 40 rolls, but only 11 pictures ended up in the story. The film was donated to the Library of Congress, and only recently documented and catalogued; the Tribune has a story about Kubrick's visit and a gallery of eight of the unpublished photos. For more, go to the LoC's online photography catalogue.
The city from the sky
Revealing Chicago: An Aerial Portrait is a collaboration between the Openlands Project and Chicago Metropolis 2020, and it showcases the amazing work of photographer Terry Evans. Currently viewable on the web, you can also see the images at Millennium Park throughout the summer (from June 10) or in book form (available from Amazon). (Thanks, Todd!)
Ireland's Best
Maybe in celebration of four awesome nights, or maybe because it's just really cool, Metropolis Coffee Company, 1039 W. Granville Ave., is hosting an exhibition of thirty 3-D photo prints by Daniel Teafoe. The subject of the prints? U2 on their 2001 Elevation Tour. Now that's how I like to start my morning. (On display through June 19.)
Wish You Were Here
Delivr combines the power of Flickr and Creative Commons to create what may be the largest single repository of online postcards. So, if you're looking to share the wonder of the Field Museum, the vistas of the Sears Tower, the sheen of Millennium Park, the grittiness of the CTA, or a picture of just about any other keyword you can imagine, you're in luck. (NB: To use your own photos, you'll want to make sure that your CC license setting -- either at the default or individual image level -- is one of those that allows derivatives.)
On Chicago's streets
The photography of Gary Stochl gets profiled in the New York Times today. Stochl has been capturing images of Chicago for forty years, and his work has recently been published by the Center for American Places and Columbia College in On City Streets: Chicago, 1964-2004. An online gallery of Stochl's photos can be viewed here.
Don't even think about it.
Slats.org documents Chicago block club signage and offers a glimpse into neighborhood priorities; each image features interesting differences in both the prohibited activities and their presentation. Perhaps because of these variations, the signs apparently work: in a 2003 article, the Chicago Reporter described block clubs as central to the success of Chicago's community policing strategy.
"Where Are All the Faces?"
Former GB staffer Luke has a challenge to all the photobloggers and Flickr-heads out there: more people in your photos. "Chicago is a city of 3 million people, but you'd never know it from its photoblogs and Flickr entries...The facelessness that results approaches misanthropy, and it gives the false impression that Chicago is a cold, vacant and inanimate place." Hop to it, photogs.
Neighborhoods, photos of
An ambitious photography project but stunning and vast nonetheless, Chicago Neighborhoods: Photographs of Life in the Neighborhoods of Chicago deserves your attention and a lengthy look-see.
Backhair You Have To Blow Dry
Ron of Bighappyfunhouse (and known friend of GB) posts a hilarious picture that is so reminiscent of summer. Sitting around with your buddies, having a beer, taking your shirt off. I can't decide what part is my favorite: the Pabst hat, pulled up tube socks, the gorilla, the bandage over the jeans, that man's camel tongue...
Copia - NotIfButWhen
Brial Ulrich/NotIfButWhen, who we had the pleasure of meeting face to face last night, presented a stellar slide show of his latest project, Copia. Luckily for us, he also has the project on his site. So, so worth a look.
F Stop by Stop
Matt Peck rode the Red Line from Howard down to 95th and back up, taking photos at every stop -- and you can follow along in this Flickr slideshow.
You might also be interested in a similar project, on the Blue Line, by GB staffer Jes Davis, which appeared in the now-defunct No East (the accompanying audio from Alicia Franz is no longer online).
Dog show!
Anyone remember that skit from SNL with Will Farrell? I always sing that little drummed theme song when I think of a dog show. Speaking of which, Benhuh has posted some funny, interesting and oh-so-cute photos of our fellow canine friends at the recent 2005 IKC Dog Show, which recently took place at McCormick Place. This one kills me!
Get Photographed by Dawn
Those of you in the audience who are planning a wedding this year, take note: Dawn Mikulich, the photographer behind ChicagoUncommon, is now available for photo shoots (not just of weddings, but also portraiture and corporate events) through Dawn M Photography.
Bean Photo Rules Further Explained
OK, hopefully this is the last time around for this story: Chicagoist contributor Andrew Peerless spoke to a city representative about the rules against photgraphing Cloud Gate and came away with a policy that actually does kind of make sense. It's not just a copyright issue, it's also one of permits.
It's a Sign
Ron from BigHappyFunhouse has a new photoblog, slats.org, documenting the city's handpainted signs.
Floating Logos Project
Keeping in line with the Illinois Arts Fellowship coverage, one of this year's recipients, a Chicagoan named Matt Siber, is probably known best for his hilarious and thought-provoking Floating Logos Project. For the curious, other locally-based award winners include Sabrina Raaf, Matthew Steinke, Ben Vida, Brenda Cardenas, and BJ Krivanek. Lots of interesting work to sort through here.
These photos are Grand
This is Grand, the Website devoted to stories of Chicago's rapid transit systems, has finally posted the winners from its 2004 photo contest. (The winners were announced last November, and the pictures were on display at Darkroom, but they've only just recently been posted online.) Quite a few of the winners' names will be familiar to Rearview fans.
The City in Pictures
Picturing Chicago is huge collection of photos of the city -- not unlike Chicago Uncommon, but nearly all in black-and-white, and not for sale.
First Chicago Photobloggers Meet-up
So you keep a photolog in Chicago and would like to meet fellow like-minded peeps? Well you can. The Chicago Photobloggers are getting together for the first time this Sunday January 9th at Puck's at the MCA. Snap a photo or two for us will ya?
Lake.Sky.Vans live
Melissa Weimer, friend of GB, alerts us that the segment she did with Steve Edwards on WBEZ's 848 show will be re-airing today at 10am, which is like, now. It's in anticipation of her upcoming solo show for Lake.Sky.Vans -- her ongoing fascination with the three subjects that dot the Chicago landscape -- which will be hung in Heaven Gallery in Wicker Park from January 14th through February 19th. Opening reception is on January the 14th from 7pm till 11pm.
PhotoBlogger Directory
Local photobloggers Rod from Photovox.com and Bob from notraces.com have launched Chicago.Photobloggers.Org, a new directory whose purpose is probably clear from the title. Check it out -- and if you're a photoblogger, join up.
Calling all Chicago photobloggers
If you're a photoblogger in Chicago, consider checking out and contacting Chicagoland photobloggers. Still in its nascent stages, the goal of the site seem to be fostering a community, while sharing ideas and information. The creation of the site seems to be inspired by Photoblogs.org.
Mapping the Cameras
Open-Loop is an ongoing project aimed at mapping all 300-plus videocameras that monitor our every move in the Loop. And not just city-installed cameras, either -- the vast majority of unblinking eyes are in private hands, and they're on the map, too.
In related news, the City is considering using its traffic cameras at intersections to catch speeders in addition to light-runners. More than 67,000 tickets have been issued for running red lights in less than a year, which bodes well for city coffers if speed monitoring is added.
The Desk Project
Luckyface is requesting photos of people's workspaces for The Desk Project. Send yours to photo
Sun Times Photo Collection
The Sun-Times is offering some of their better pictures for sale from their site. The categories baffle me (airshow?), but the weather ones are really neat, as are the colors.
A Stranger a Day
Since January 1 of this year, Roark Johnson has been taking a picture of a complete stranger each day, using an 8"x10" camera. The resulting images are stunning. [Thanks, Archie]
Fotolog's View of Illinois
Have a few minutes to kill? Want to see what people in Lombard take pictures of? Or Rockford? Or Chicago? Fotolog.net has their fotologs classified by geographic region (though it seems sorta loose - there are a lot from other places which happen to have IL in the name). The one for Illinois makes good fodder for aimless surfing.
Photoblog Friday
For your viewing pleasure, a couple of local photoblogs:
• Esotericus
• No Traces
• Exposing Myself
• Jamas
• Pixel@Day
Sun Times Photo Collection
Way cool: images of Chicago through the decades from the Sun-Times. There are so many good photos in the group. I really like this one -- recognize the guy on the right?
Spot your favorite DJ
BlendChicago is another clubbing/ electronic music site, but what's really interesting about it is the the photo gallery Shots of the DJ, which features pictures of over 250 different DJs who have played in Chicago over the last couple years. Photography by Mike Rosley.
Real Film Photoblog
In a genre where digital is the default, it's nice to see someone still working with actual film. Out of Contxt is local (although the photos aren't always), mostly black and white, and all that grain is physical, not compression artifacts. Worth checking out.
Absenter Becomes Photographic
Naz, our friendly neighborhood creative director, has transformed his site, Absenter, into a photoblog. Never fear, fans of his writing -- that remains a part of the site, just moved to text.absenter.org.
Flickr-ing City
Flickr is a great web tool to share photos -- of Chicago, for instance. Or Wicker Park, Lakeview or just Illinois in general.
We're off to whatever, everland
Friend of GB, regular contributor to Rearview and stunning photographer Archie Florcruz launches his personal photo site, Whateverland. Designed by him, built by me and for you to look at. With photos like these here, here and here, it's time for less talk and more gawk.
Photo Friday
Friday tends to be a slower day — you're counting down till you get to leave, unless you're on summer hours that is. To pass the time, we've got some photos for you to look at, today's theme is graffiti/stencils. Rachelle of Chicagoist has a neat little section on her site called Street Writing. Craig shoots graf and stencils pretty often and here's a few from August. While the photo isn't in Chicago but the photographer is, Nick has a nice shot. One of our faves, Chris has a series of shots from a boxcar.
Furniture, Naked People
Chicago photographer Richard Kern contributes the 4th installment of The Modernist's "Furniture and Naked People" series. The temporarily-clothed model Sarah is photographed with Warren Platner, Charles & Ray Eames, and Mies Van Der Rohe designs. [NOTE: beautiful, but Not Safe For Work]
Photograph Rogers Park
Rogers Park is one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods; now it's time to find out if it's one of the most photogenic. RogersPark.com is sponsoring a photo contest, with winners in landscape, portrait, "abstract" and youth (18 or under) categories. The deadline for entry is Sept. 12, and finalist photos will be sold in a silent auction. Check the site for details.
Photo Brawl
Chris Trott of Chicago Snapshot has launched Pixelfight, a beautifully rendered Flash gallery of his favorite photos.
Family Album
As we were visiting Millennium Park last night for the umpteenth time, a few friends and myself stumbled across a photo exhibition entitled "Family Album". Located at the northwest corner of the park, at the Wrigley Square and Millennium Monument (aka the pseudo-Roman pillars), the exhibit is open-air and is truly stunning. I'm rarely intrigued enough to really delve deep into an exhibit but I looked at all 103 photographs (selected from 1000) and read the accompanying text for each one. Family Album is Paris-based photographer Uwe Ommer's remarkable global journey capturing portraits of families from around the world (150 countries!).
This is Grand Photo Contest
This is Grand, our favorite website featuring tales of travel on the CTA, has announced a photo contest. Entries are due September 15th and must feature the CTA in some capacity. Shutterbugs, take note.
Seeing Double
The current exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Photography features the work of acclaimed photojournalist, Mary Ellen Mark. On view are photos taken from her series "Twins" and "Falkland Road." Also included in the exhibition is "Ditto," work by 14 photographers focused on duplication and repetition. The show will be up until October 5.
Lake.Sky.Vans
Friend of GB, photographer Melissa Weimer was recently featured on Chicago Public Radio's 848. The feature focuses on her current project, Lake.Sky.Vans described as "three sympathetic elements of the Chicago aesthetic.” It's a great little feature as Weimer and host Steve Edwards chat humorously whilst on Western Avenue as vans pass them by. Listen in directly here (Real player or Real Alternative required). But if you're into the real thing, radio that is, you can listen to a re-broadcast of her feature on Sunday's "Hello Beautiful" show at 10am.
Lincoln Thru a Lens
If you've been soaking up all of this fine photography weather in Lincoln Park (the big grassy area by the lake, not the neighborhood) you might already be a winner. The Chicago Parks District and Lincoln Park Cultural Center are sponsoring an amateur photography contest this summer for people snapping shots of Lincoln Park. Categories include people, places, animals, and plants. You can pick up an application at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center and submit photos anytime before June 30.
CHA, photographed
Photographer Jack Bridges's site has some quietly moving pictures of Chicago's disappearing high-rise housing projects: Robert Taylor homes, Jane Addams homes, and Stateway Gardens.
Chicago in Black and White
Chicago Photography Center's 2nd Annual Chicago in Black and White event is taking place this Saturday June 5th. This year's fundraising shindig will include silent and live auctions, fabulous photographs, and many other prizes, including plane tickets and gift certificates. In addition, there will be dinner, an open bar and live entertainment. There are still a few spaces left, so hurry and sign yourself up before it's too late!
Don't Shoot
Apparently, the FBI doesn't want you photographing the city's federal buildings anymore. Chicagoist passes on the story of a photographer who was harrassed for taking a shot of the Dirksen Building.
State of Illinois Gallery
The State of Illinois Gallery features a collection of more than 500 photos of Illinois places and people, past and present. Photos are divided into categories such as Culture, Environment, Historic Sites, Chicago, and Natural Wonders. The site also includes links to webcams around the state, a virtual tour of the governor's mansion, and much more.
Not If But When
Brian Ulrich takes some pretty amazing photographs. His work primarily deals with "the excesses of a consumer-dominated culture," to great effect. Take a look at Not If But When, his portfolio site, or pop by his thesis show this Thursday, 5-8pm at the Glass Curtain Gallery, 1104 S. Wabash.
Destination: Manifest
As the latest class of Columbia students prepares to graduate, the college will be promoting their work during Thursday's all-day Manifest festival. There'll essentially be four festivals running in tandem -- art, music, performance and readings -- all spread out along the South Loop Arts Corridor, with free trolleys running between the five major locations. Among the myriad styles of art on display: photography, puppetry, pop, painting, product design, poetry, papermaking ... and dozens of others. All events are free and open to the public.
No cheese here
Monday morning dreariness not quite your flavour? Take some time out to peruse photos from local photographers: Citying, Jamas, Chicago Snapshot, Esotericus, Ferocious Cheese, Gigantic, Boochakanan, No Commercial Potential, Photovox and Six Feet Above. Keep your eyes busy for a while if your brain isn't quite up to it today.
Uncommon Exhibit
Dawn Mikulich of Chicago Uncommon is exhibiting selected photos of the city currently on exhibit at the J. Ira & Nikki Harris Family Hostel, 24 East Congress, as part of the city's Embrace Art program. [via Chicagoist. ]
Melissa Weimer Photography
Thursday morning is a little bit easier to start when there's some beautiful photos to look through. And Melissa Weimer brings the goods. Her gorgeous cityscapes have recently been published in local magazine, Ten by Ten but every single photo is well fawning over.
1905-1907 Breasted Expeditions
Browse over one thousand photographs taken by James Henry Breasted during his two trips to Nubia between 1905 and 1907. Breasted was a professor of Egyptology and Oriental Studies at the University of Chicago at the beginning of the 20th century. This digital collection, titled "The 1905-1907 Breasted Expeditions to Egypt and the Sudan: A Photographic Study," is presented by the Oriental Insititute of the University of Chicago.
We Have Cameras
We have a collection of random vintage cameras in our closet, mostly gathering dust. We're not the only ones, apparently: the Chicago Photographic Collectors Society has been connecting photo and camera collectors to each other since 1971.
Uncommon Ground
Dawn Mikulich is Chicago's biggest fan. On her photo site, Chicago Uncommon, she maintains a visual love letter to her favorite city through amazing digital and analog photography. A Chicagoan will find most of her images to be of familiar ground, yet also uncommonly fresh. If you fall in love yourself, you can buy a copy of any shot as a print or digital file.
Stuphoto
Some Monday morning eye candy for you — Stuart Paul Mullenberg has a neat little photography portfolio site with some excellent portraits. The site is quick, simple and lets the photos do all the talking. My favorite shot is the photo in the bottom left corner (not directly linked to since the site is in Flash) — quite Chicago.
Photos from the Top
Archie at Screenager.org is a fine photographer. His most recent photos are incredible: long-exposure night shots of the city from the observation deck of the Sears Tower.
Lake Affect: A Photographic Event
Othello Anderson, a renowned environmental photographer, brings "Lake Affect" to our attention. Over 20 years in the making, this exhibit features 250 photographs of Lake Michigan taken from the same vantage point, but at different times of the day and season over more than 20 years. Visit the City Gallery in the historic Water Tower (806 N. Michigan) this Friday through June 28.
Chicago To Go
The Chicago Historical Society has an excellent online store called Chicago To Go with some great vintage goods. The posters are nice, like this World's Fair one but it's the vintage black and white matte photo prints that take my heart. You might after all want to have Al Capone's mugshot above your fireplace.
Speechless
The Untitled Project is a series of Chicago photographs that have had all visible words stripped away in order to "explore the nature of communication in the urban landscape as a combination of visual and literal signifiers." Plus, they look neat. (Via Kottke.)
Mile by Mile
Holy crap! Mile by Mile has to be seen, right now! "This is the web version of a set of photographs that map chicago's famous and rarely-comprimising grid into 212 4"x6" snapshots." Right here, right now. [ via the Coudal Family ]
It's right outside your window
Not If But When, the photography of Chicago photographer Brian Ulrich. People and places that look so familiar that it might even be you. Nice eye candy on a dreary Monday morning.
Chicago Photography Center
It's not too late! The 7 week winter session of photo classes at The Chicago Photography Center will be starting on February 23rd, and there's still time to register. The CPC is a wonderful and inspiring not for profit organization founded by a group of photographers and students in 2002. They offer weekday evening classes and single-session workshops on evenings and Saturday mornings. Their facility includes darkrooms, a gallery, a lighting studio and classroom space. Visit the center on Sunday, February 22nd to check out the inaugural gallery show. A selection of the beautiful photos taken by and of the founders of the center will be on display. The opening reception on Sunday will take place from noon until 4pm at the CPC space, located at 3301 N Lincoln.
What's he doing out there?
The winners of the World Press Photo contest for 2003 are all jaw-droppingly amazing, especially this stunning shot taken from Lake Michigan of a thunderstorm receding from over Chicago. [via kottke]
Selling out with style
Phineas X. Jones, inimtable maker of photocollages is selling out in true style. Buy one of his classic photocollages. If you need to seem them in person, they're up for this month over at Uncommon Ground on Grace.
Photocollages - In the flesh
Phineas X. Jones presents his wonderfully amazing and beautiful Photocollages at Uncommon Ground all through January. Meet him and other photography collage afficionados in the flesh at the official opening this Wednesday, January the 7th where there will be... Wine! Cheese! and lots of brou-ha-ha and general hipster elitist behavior. We're kidding about that last one but bring your Hipster Bingo Card! There's bound to be a digital camera somewhere. From 5-8pm at Uncommon Ground in Wrigleyville at 1214 W. Grace (Grace and Clark).
Pix of the South Side
Chicago Snapshot is a new photoblog that explores the less-documented areas of our fair city: the South Side and other points along the South Shore Line.
Chicago Tribune Photog Wages War
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is just one of many battlegrounds that have emerged between the Bush administration and environmentalists. Interior Secretary Gale Norton has referred to the potentially oil-rich land as "flat, white nothingness," but Chicago Tribune photographer Pete Souza found otherwise. During the past year, Souza documented eight such environmental hot spots, traveling from Alaska to Appalachia and various points in between. The results of his yearlong odyssey will appear in the Friday, December 19 edition of the Chicago Tribune, in a 12-page, full-color Special Photo Report, and online at chicagotribune.com.
Yelodog
No idea why this excellent site featuring photgraphs of Chicago's great architecture is called YeloDog, but that's the quirky nature of the web for you. YeloDog also has an excellent page of black and white concert photography from the '70s to the present, with notable highlights including Frank Zappa, Sun Ra, Public Image Ltd., Gang of Four and more.
Sun-times Photo Galleries
The Sun-Times has a small section of Photo Galleries of Chicago, featuring both things close to home and other more artsy selections.
Camera Clubs
Chicagoland is very photogenic. For those photographers who want to meet with other shutterbugs, there's the Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association, ready to connect you to your local photog clique.
Chicago Graffiti
Our very own Jes Davis, has a stellar photo section of graffiti from around the world that's worth exploring in-depth, including 11 pages of Chicago's stylings.
Wait till...
Next Year is the increasingly less-aptly named portfolio of Christopher Schneberger, a photographer who documented the Cubs' 1998 season (the last time they made it to the play-offs).
Help a brother out
Mr. Phineas X Jones needs your help. First look here. Pick one or two or three of the many amazing choices. Then drop him a line. Do it. NOW.
Portrait of Black Chicago
Portrait of Black Chicago is a photographic archive of Pulitzer Prize receiver John H.White's time taking photos of Chicago's African American community whilst working for the Chicago Daily News. He now works for the Sun-Times. Great stuff. Via the dense and fulfilling Things Magazine.
NCP: Photo Collages
If you're looking for photographic goodness, you want to get your cute little butt on over to Phineas' Photo Collages, impressive stuff. I haven't been there in a while but was reminded by today's K10K link (mad props and flava!).
Starbucks photo database
When I woke up this morning, I thought to myself "The world really needs photographic evidence of every Starbucks in Chicago and the suburbs." Ok, not really. But this guy is intent on seeing all the Starbucks in the world. I hope he at least uses a travel mug.
Graveyards of Chicago
And now, a photographic collection of the more macabre kind, but also extensive and stunning nonetheless. The Graveyards of Chicago (at the best URL there is) features a list of graveyards in and around the Chicagoland area and contains 826 "graven images".
Chicago Daily News Negative Coll.
An absolutely jaw-dropping collection of digitized glass negatives of more than 55,000 images of urban life captured between 1902 and 1933 by photographers employed by the Chicago Daily News. Brought to you courtesy of the efforts of the Chicago Historical Society.
Made in Chicago
Have you been to City Gallery? In 1999, Chicago's Historic Water Tower was converted into the city's "official photography gallery." City Gallery is curated by the Chicago Public Art Program and features Chicago-themed exhibitions by local photographers.
The current exhibition, "Made in Chicago," features the work of seven photographers whose task was to bring awareness to the continuing importance of manufacturing in Chicago. The photos pay tribute to corned beef, Radio Flyer wagons, harps, hand tools, and Mr. Bubbles toys. Read the write-up in the Sun-Times, and, if you can brave the throngs on North Michigan Avenue, check out City Gallery.
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