2010 Chicago Pride Parade

I made another half-ass attempt to photograph the Pride Parade this year.  I say "half-ass" not because I dislike the photos, but rather because I always leave the parade feeling like I could have done a better job.  Perhaps by next year, I'll finally have a definitive set.

Anyway, I found a good spot to watch the parade this year, right where it turns from Halsted to Broadway.  This allowed me to get some great shots of the approaching festivities:





I had the camera held above my head for at least one of those two photos.  This was necessary, because I didn't arrive early enough to get a front row spot, and I was looking through about two rows of people.  This resulted in a lot of photos where my view was obstructed, such as this one:



See that dark spot on the right-- that's someone's head moving into the frame just as I hit the shutter.  Erg!

I did get some good sign photos.  These are my favorites:





Someone standing near me tried to tell this guy that his sign was upside down, but he didn't seem to understand.  Say it with me... WON NOISULCNI SNART!  WON NOISULCNI SNART!

Finally, I think this was the least happy person I saw at the parade:



I doubt this lady wanted to be photographed, but hey, if you're gonna plop yourself on a window ledge on Halsted Street, it goes with the territory.

You can see more photos by visiting my Pride Parade set on flickr (which includes some half-assed photos from 2007 and 2008 as well).

Photo Details: Nikon D90 with 55-200mm for all shots.

Wrigley Field in fog: Holy Cow!

The lights have been on at Wrigley Field the last couple of weeks, as preparations have been made for the Winter Classic which took place today on New Years Day.  These photos were all taken on December 26th, on an unusually warm and foggy winter night.

This is the second year the NHL has done the Winter Classic (last year it was in Buffalo), and I hope it continues.  Although the ticket prices were much too high for my tastes, I like how it gives us something different to watch on New Years Day instead of college football.

Photo details: Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens at f3.5, ISO 800, and shutter speeds between 1/50sec and 1/100sec.  I had the vibration reduction of the 18-105mm lens turned on, which helped to ensure sharp results.  Also, I should note that I adjusted the white balance slightly in post processing-- the sky wasn't quite that blue in real life.

Concrete, indisputable statistical proof that Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States

Have you had enough?  We'll fear not, because I'm here to tell you that Barack Obama will be elected today the 44th president of the United States.  I know this because for the last few days I've done an exhaustive, thoroughly indisputable statistical study to predict the results.  Namely, I've found all the election themed, flash based games available on the internet... and I've won every single one of them for Barack Obama!  Quite handily, in fact.  Here are two of my favorites, and a screenshot:



Of course, it will probably help if everyone still votes.  You know, just to be on the safe side.  Those living in Chicago can find their polling place here:

www.chicagoelections.com

Photo details: Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens, 1/125sec at f6.3, ISO200.
This was in the South Loop area.

Foreigner Inspired Photography

One of my flickr contacts has commented that this photo makes him think of the Foreigner song, Urgent.  Now, for the record, let me just state that this was not my intention.  However, I do think it's rather funny:



Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens, ISO400, 1/100sec at f5.

UPDATE: This photo was featured on Gapers Block, in the Rearview Section, 10/15/08.