Photo(s) of the week: CTA Abstracts

Canon S95 at 85mm, 1/80sec, f4.5, and ISO80. © Andy Marfia 2011 All Rights Reserved.


Canon S95 at 85mm, 1/100sec, f4.5, and ISO80. © Andy Marfia 2011 All Rights Reserved.

I'm putting these two photos together, though they were actually shot several weeks apart.  The first one, taken this week while I was waiting for the Red Line to leave Howard, likely represents the last sunset I will see for a while.  (At least during the work week-- on Sunday we move our clocks back an hour, plunging my 5pm commute into darkness).  The second photo shows a mix of reflections as my train passes the Granville station.  I'm pretty sure the man in this shot knew he was being photographed, even though the camera was pointed out the window-- human beings have a sixth sense for that-- but he didn't seem to mind.

Photo of the Week: OreoVille

Canon S95 at 1/80sec, f3.2 and ISO80. © Andy Marfia 2011 All Rights Reserved.

As readers of this blog may have noticed in the past: I love a good reflection photo.  I especially love reflection photos that combine one or more different elements-- sort of a double exposure without having to do a double exposure.  In this shot, I'm looking into a Walgreens, with parts of Clark St reflecting in the background. 

Update 10/18/11: This photo is featured on Gapers Block today:

Photo of the Week: Summer in 52 Pieces

Nikon D7000 w/ 16-85mm lens, 1/125sec at f8, ISO100. Copyright 2011 Andy Marfia, All Rights Reserved.

This weeks photo shows Hollywood Beach as seen reflected off the beach house.  I've posted this shot on my flickr account to provide context.  This is a good example of a photo that came about, not from some design or plan, but just walking around with a camera and being playful with the world around me.  In this case, I had walked up to this beach house thinking it would make for an interesting macro or abstract, only to realize that the most interesting photo was in how it reflected the lakefront that surrounded it.

This is featured today on both Gapers Block on flickr's "Last 7 Days" explore page.  I had a feeling people would like this one, still, it's always a bit surprising when the explore thing happens.

Here's another shot:


Nikon D7000 w/ 16-85mm lens, 1/400sec at f5.6, ISO100. Copyright 2011 Andy Marfia, All Rights Reserved.

Photo of the Week: Mirror Mirror

Nikon D7000 w/ 55-200mm lens (at 100mm), 1/60sec at f4.5, ISO400.  Copyright 2011 Andy Marfia, All Rights Reserved.

This week's photo was taken on the Sheridan Red Line platform.  The platform curves at this point, hence the need for these mirrors.  Apparently, the CTA has had these up for a long time-- one of my flickr contacts posted a photo of the same platform in 1975. (I believe his photo is of the opposite side of the platform)

This photograph is also featured as the photo of the day on Gapers Block.

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.

Coyote Building triptych

A triptych of photos featuring the Coyote Building at the intersection of Milwaukee, North, and Damen Avenues.  This area is soon to be named a landmark district.  I have to admit that I have no idea how or why this building came to be known as the "Coyote Building" but I've heard enough people call it that to assume it's the correct name. 

1st photo: Nikon D50 with 18-70mm lens, 1/400sec at f5.6.  I was looking north on Milwaukee Ave. in this shot.

2nd photo: Nikon D50 with 18-70mm lens, 1/200sec at f13.  Vertical lines corrected via Photoshop.  I was looking west on North Ave in this shot.

3rd photo: Nikon D50 with 50mm lens, 1/4000sec at f1.8.

furniture store/Lincoln Ave. reflection

I like reflection photos.  They're like a double exposure without the bother of making a double exposure.

Nikon D50 with 18-70mm lens.

look, it's me!

And a whole bunch of construction in the background.  I took this photo looking into the window of a custom picture framing store on Broadway Ave.  There was a large mirror on display.

Nikon D50 with 60mm Nikkor-Micro.

untitled

I thought about titling this one "urban dystopia" but held back.  I try to avoid being too over the top with my titles, and plus, that water tower in the reflection is a little too nice looking to really be dystopian.  Still, I like this one.  Who needs a title?

333 Wacker Drive, not the most photographed building in Chicago, not even close.

I did an informal survey today (ie: I was bored) to find out what the most photographed building in Chicago is.  My assumption was that 333 Wacker (pictured above), with it's curved glass facade and ever changing colors and reflections, would be near the top.  I was wrong.  It's popular, no doubt, but no where close to being the most popular.

Here are the results (done via a simple flickr search):

Sears Tower: 19,100 search returns.
John Hancock Center: 7,367 search returns.
Chicago Theater: 6100 search returns.
Marina Towers: 2,205 search returns.
Aon Center: 788 search returns.
Wrigley Building: 755 returns.
333 Wacker: 271 search returns.

In fairness, lots of people probably photograph 333 Wacker without realizing what it's called (hence it doesn't get titled or tagged on flickr), where as everyone knows what the Sears Tower is.  Still, read it and weep 333.  Nobody loves you!