Without preamble (read last month’s edition instead), here are my favorite photos created in January, 2012 (taken mostly in 2011, but not solely). There were 127 to choose from, I selected 23.
Double click an image to open it at Flickr, and double click the image again to embiggen against a black background.
You can view a slideshow of these photos by clicking here.
In Our Moodiest Garb
An iPhone snapshot of a brief snow dusting. A Hipstamatic photo, processed with Snapseed. I like the coldness of the colors, and the texture of the sky. If you look closely, can see the snow flurries.
Took for Granted
Another iPhone snapshot of the West Loop, using the Hipstamatic iPhone app, with the Loftus lens which adds a bit of a tilt-shift effect, turning this building into a doll-house miniature.
The Power and Weight of the Mind -Ilford HP5
The view down Lake Street, a view that intrigues me enough to photograph it multiple times. Added the Ilford HP5 color/texture in Photoshop, I liked the Ilford films when I shot 35mm film: many of them could be processed at color labs (hence were cheaper).
What Up, G
A punny, my apologies. The phrase is from some hip/hop song of the 1990’s, the G standing for Gangsta
I also artificially aged the photo in Photoshop, so as to match the brick, and the font. Classic font, love it.
Tangent of Human Residence
CTA tracks, slightly west of Halsted and north of North Avenue. I bleached the print in Photoshop which brings out a bit of the detail, and adds a bit of angst. Not that the CTA track needs it.
Don’t Pretend Nothing Happened On that Day
The Merchandise Mart, in all its glory. So what happened on April 21st, 2011, when I took this photo? Can’t say I remember, even with aided recall. It was Earth Day…
Halfway To Discontent
More CTA tracks, this time on Wells Street. Also bleached in Photoshop since I liked how the previous attempt came out.
Songs We Can’t Hear
Tripod shot of sunsetting on the West Loop taken from my office roof. I also had a yellow filter on my lens which is why the blue sky remains visible.
Point of Origin – Henry Palmisano Park
In the summer, water flows through this statue, slowly trickles down to the quarry, then is pumped back up to this point of origin. I’m not sure if this photo will remain included, it is a little boring now that I study it.
Snow Cat
Pippen loves to tread in the freshly fallen snow.
West Wind Blowing Ill
The infamous polluter of Chicago’s atmosphere. I think I had a filter still on my lens, but maybe I just added the color back into the photo in Photoshop.
Sleep Still in Their Empty Eyes
A very similar photo to Snow Day, but not nearly as popular. Personally, I think I like it better. This was taken in the pre-dawn light.
Waiting for the Light to Change
Seriously, on Michigan and Randolph, waiting for the left turn signal so I could go home. I started with a Hipstamatic shot, but tweaked significantly using Snapseed. I took three quick shots, actually, trying to get the man with the fedora. Doesn’t it look cold? It was a bit raw.
Casual Obliteration
Meh, but I like what I did to tone the image.
Let There Be Wine and Song
Sometimes titles just fit. The sculpture is in Grant Park somewhere.
Snow Day!
I’ve already written about this snow photo, and my surprise as to its popularity. Currently, it has 1,205 views on Flickr, 49 comments, and 127 Faves (??!!). I’ve been a Flickr member since summer of 2004, have uploaded over 8,000 photos to Flickr, and this photo has, by far, the most Faves and comments. Wild.
Mixed Messages
This photo especially benefits from being viewed larger than this thumbnail (click here for Lightbox). Maybe I just like it because it took a lot of time and effort to bring out the details of the lower half of the image, and restore the clouds. I also like the contrasts between the blue-ish upper half and the warmer bottom half which echo the contrast between the robot and the human workers.
Said You Felt Trapped
Yet another black and white train track photo. Not sick of taking such photos so…
Your Life You Like It Well
I like how this turned out, especially in the Lightbox view, despite the blurriness of the scooter. The wall is really the subject in any case, the scooter is just adding color contrast. I was focusing on the wall when I saw the scooter approaching, so waited until she was in the frame.
In Your Bubble Where Nothing Goes Wrong
Inexplicably, this photo also turned up in Explore. Someone asked me if they could use it in his teaching materials for “at risk” teens in Ohio – I said sure. I don’t mind those sorts of uses of my photography, though, if I was true hard-ass, I would have asked for money first.
PR
Chicago Avenue overpass, nice and gritty, and decaying. Urban infrastructure is in desperate need of a new Public Relations firm…
Complicated Answers
Grand Station Blue Line CTA stop. Has that fresh-out of the development bath look. Occasionally, I’ve had dreams where I was developing prints in a darkroom – that smell of photography chemicals is so evocative. I don’t miss the toxicity of them, just the process. Sometimes. I’m much better using Photoshop than I ever was in the darkroom.
Dead Enders of the World Unite
Lovely afternoon shadows, on yet another mild January day
When You Leave You Really Mean It
Black and white conversion, plus some added contrasts. I have, like, 20 photos that sort of look like this – perspective shots using the CTA tracks as a focus point.
