{"id":1063,"date":"2019-11-08T07:09:05","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T12:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/07\/return-to-the-windy-city\/"},"modified":"2023-02-17T20:11:25","modified_gmt":"2023-02-18T01:11:25","slug":"return-to-the-windy-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/08\/return-to-the-windy-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Return to the Windy City"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of my favourite things to do in both new and familiar cities is to simply wander, get lost even. In fact, this tactic has yielded some amazing photos on my previous trips. And while my wife does not share this same affinity to simply ‘get lost’ in a city she does enjoy the wandering parts. As long as we can stop for coffee or pop into some of the stores along the way. But out of all the cities, I’ve visited my favourite to simply wander around in is Chicago. To be more specific, the loop and the museum campus. These two areas are home to the iconic Chicago skyline and amazing buildings that make up some of the oldest and most iconic skyscrapers in the United States. I’d even go so far as to say if I had to pick an American city to live in, Chicago would be that city. A few weeks back, my wife and I took our fall vacation in Chicago allowing me to show her around my favourite city just as she showed me around Disney last year.<\/p>\n

\"Sears!\"<\/a>
Life at 103 stories. Having been up to the top of the John Hancock, it was time to visit the Skydeck atop the Sears Tower.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"The<\/a>
So many amazing steel and neon signs, including the one announcing the famous German resteraunt, the Berghoff.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"FRB<\/a>
The view from the 103rd floor.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Konica-Minolta AF Zoom 17-35mm 1:2.8-4 D – Kodak ProImage 100 @ ASA-100 – Processing By: Burlington Camera<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"FRB<\/a>
As a film photographer, no visit to Chicago would be complete without a stop at Central Camera.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Konica-Minolta AF Zoom 17-35mm 1:2.8-4 D – Kodak ProImage 100 @ ASA-100 – Processing By: Burlington Camera<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Chicago<\/a>
The iconic and instagramable Chicago theater sign.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Setting<\/a>
Looking along Michigan Avenue towards the London Accident and Garuntee Building.
\nMamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 35mm 1:3.5 N – Arista EDU Ultra 200 @ ASA-200 – Kodak D-76 (1+1) 9:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area and enjoy driving Chicago is not that far of a drive. If you live west of the city, you’re looking at 8-8.5 hours on the road depending on traffic and stops. Thankfully we broke up the drive with a stop at Cracker Barrel just across the border and giving us a fuel up before the long five and a half hour part of the drive. It helped that the border was quiet and traffic was light. But what made this trip different from my other ones was that we were staying right in the loop and a wonderful modern hotel, theWit located at State and Lake. Having a central location allowed us to walk almost everywhere we visited. We only took a taxi a few times, once due to heavy rain, the second due to distance. It also helped that our room looked out over State Street giving us fantastic views of the elevated train and all the action going out outside the Chicago Theatre. We had to play tourist and visited the Skydeck at the Sears Tower which offered amazing views for miles around despite the hazy weather. Shopping along Michigan Avenue and a stop at Sprinkles for cupcakes, we did see their famous cupcake ATM but went into the store instead to make our purchase. Walking along the River, deep-dish pizza at Giordano’s along with Goose Island beer. And of course, a reflected selfie in Cloud Gate.<\/p>\n

\"Camera<\/a>
At least we got a bit of walk in before the rain started.
\nPentax ME Super – SMC Pentax-M 28mm 1:2.8 – Rollei RPX 400 @ ASA-320 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 18:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Camera<\/a>
Checking out Skyscraper Row along Michigan Avenue.
\nPentax ME Super – SMC Pentax-M 28mm 1:2.8 – Rollei RPX 400 @ ASA-320 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 18:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Film<\/a>
The stunning entry hall at the Field Museum.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 28mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Portra 800 @ ASA-800 – Processing By: Burlington Camera<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Mantis\"<\/a>
One of the many special exhibits our CityPass got us into at the Field Museum.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Film<\/a>
Having seen the oldest T-Rex in Regina, we had to check out the now second oldest T-Rex, Sue.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 28mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Portra 800 @ ASA-800 – Processing By: Burlington Camera<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Film<\/a>
The stuffed remains of one of the man eating lions of Tsavo.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF 28mm 1:2.8 – Kodak Portra 800 @ ASA-800 – Processing By: Burlington Camera<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

But that wasn’t all we did, we took in history at the Field Museum. Checking out the world of Insects, Ancient American Civilizations and Egypt. Plus Sue, the world’s second-oldest T-Rex plus saw the stuffed remains of one of Tsavo’s man-eating lions. There was even a showing of the year’s best nature photos. One thing that struck me is that while a majority of the images were captured on traditional SLRs (digital) there was a showing of Drone captured images and mirrorless cameras. Plus one image captured on a Nikon F4 on Tri-X. We then slept with the fishes at the Shedd Aquarium, which by the time we got in was packed due to the bad weather outside. We also had undersea adventures at the Museum of Science and Industry in seeing U-505 the world’s only surviving Type IXc Submarines from World War Two and had a private tour (in the sense we were the only two on the first tour of the day) of Old Ben No. 17 coal mine. And of course, were amazed at the collection at the Art Institute. We checked out the new Andy Warhol Exhibit plus enjoyed seeing such iconic images as American Gothic and Man with a Blue Guitar in person. Not to mention paintings by Monet and VanGough. Plus architectural elements designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.<\/p>\n

\"One<\/a>
Cloud Gate reflected nothing but blue sky, a nice break after a rainy day before.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Konica-Minolta Zoom AF 17-35mm 1:2.8-4 D – Fujifilm Eterna-RDS Type 4791 @ ASA-12 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 11:30 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Tall<\/a>
The blue skies were a welcome break and certainly brought out the crowds on the Sunday morning.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"American<\/a>
American Gothic, live and in person.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Fire<\/a>
Iconic Chicago Fire Escapes.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF Macro 100mm 1:2.8 – Rollei RPX 400 @ ASA-320 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 18:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Athletics\"<\/a>
The old Chicago Athletics Club, now restored as a boutique hotel.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF Macro 100mm 1:2.8 – Rollei RPX 400 @ ASA-320 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 18:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Gold<\/a>
Gold Leaf detail on the Carbide & Carbon building.
\nMinolta Maxxum 9 – Minolta Maxxum AF Macro 100mm 1:2.8 – Rollei RPX 400 @ ASA-320 – Pyrocat-HD (1+1+100) 18:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

And while the trip was only four days, it certainly was a wonderful break for both of us, not to mention providing two three day work weeks in a row. Plus it’s always good to get away, get out of work and our busy heads. For me, it allowed me to get the shooting in for a few of the last reviews of the year. Also a welcome trip to Central Camera to check out their used gear plus pick up some pins for the Emulsive Secret Santa and some Foma Retropan 320 in medium format to try out.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/a>
Looking out over the Chicago River, you can see the The Reid-Murdoch building on the left.
\nMamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 1:2.8 f=80mm – Lomography Potsdam 100 @ ASA-100 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. E 6:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Chicago<\/a>
The awe inspiring presence of the Merch Mart. Sadly by the time we got there, most of the stores were closed.
\nMamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 1:2.8 f=80mm – Lomography Potsdam 100 @ ASA-100 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. E 6:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Chicago<\/a>
A better shot of the Rield-Murdoch Building. Originally built in 1914 for the Reid, Murdoch & Company to be used as offices and a grocery warehouse.
\nMamiya m645 – Mamiya-Sekor C 1:2.8 f=80mm – Lomography Potsdam 100 @ ASA-100 – Kodak HC-110 Dil. E 6:00 @ 20C<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"U-505\"<\/a>
U-505, a Type IXc U-Boat in service of the Kriegsmarine. Captured in 1944 and donated to the museum in 1954. It is one of four World War Two U-Boats on display and the only Type IXc.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Apollo\"<\/a>
The actual command module from Apollo 8 that went from the Earth to the Moon in 1968.
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"Stuka\"<\/a>
Another rare example on display a Junkers JU-87, better known as a Stuka Dive Bomber (Sturzkampfflugzeug).
\nSony a6000 + Sony E PZ 16-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 OSS<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

Just a quick taste of the city, but left us wanting to go back. But not for a while, we still want to see Boston and return to New York before heading back to the Windy City. If you want to see more of my images from the trip you can check out my collection over on Flickr<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of my favourite things to do in both new and familiar cities is to simply wander, get lost even. In fact, this tactic has yielded some amazing photos on my previous trips. And while my wife does not share this same affinity to simply ‘get lost’ in a city she does enjoy the wandering parts. As long as we can stop for coffee or pop into some of the stores along the way. But out of all the cities, I’ve visited my favourite to simply wander around in is Chicago. To be more specific, the loop and the museum campus. These two areas areRead More →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[405,910,407,1174,408,78,132,992,995,448,104,419,787,282,602,273,865,793,1282,201,1283],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1063"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1063"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3645,"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1063\/revisions\/3645"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.alexluyckx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}