CHICAGO CALLING - 9 days, 70 rolls 120, 60 selects, 1 book

[leicapixie]

Dan it's a great book.
The flow, the feel, the light, the theme all in a cohesive package.
I admire your use of the Rollei(actually 2 plus another camera).
My Rollei goes much slower!
Roughly an exposure a month!
There is no deadline, no "days left", no rush.
Sometimes those can be very beneficial when pressure arrives.
Rollei pix(as well as ALL TLR have a similarity).
That does not mean they all look alike or same!
Your pasta analogy covers it!
Oh, I love pasta(not Italian) adore using a Rollei, but not anything like this.
Some pix really stood out.
The Lady with cart, the sleeping themes, the kid in pool of water.
The structural shots esp field with 2 men and bldgs in background.
The cover and cover story a clincher.
TY.

 

[airfrogusmc]

OUTSTANDING Dan!!!!

 

[Frankd]

Very nice work, Dan. You got a lot of really fine photos in a short time. Makes a good book.

 

[NY_Dan]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. I don't know how others feel when they complete a project -- I always feel deflated -- maybe from temporary lack of purpose -- so I always need to have another project or two on the back burner. The part that motivates me to get the non-shooting chores done quickly is looking forward to putting the book together on Blurb's software -- where you can see it take shape and move photos around -- and then seeing which photos didn't make the final cut, and why -- and remembering shooting them and whether I thought I got something at the time or not -- and if I did - why and how? And if I didn't why and how? Then what opportunities were seized or missed. With the case of Chicago, I regret not going to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, not being there for the Soccer viewing at Soldier's Field, not taking photos in bars during the Blackhawks games, not shooting the blues club scene, not getting out at night with flashbulbs, not finding a way to shoot in some neighborhoods, not making use of taxis to get more done per day, not being able to stay in the Loop area, where I wanted to shoot most, so I could get more done, and take a midday break, and stuff like this -- oh and I would have liked the chance to shoot some 1000 speed outdated Kodak color neg 120 film I have in the refrigerator. I think I'm still digesting the trip -- which is probably why I'm rambling more than usual. It's also interesting to compare this book with previous Blurb books to see where things are trending in terms of my approach and results, and to see if I like previous books more or less with the passage of time. I just sent my aunt who lives in Chicago and for whom the book is dedicated, the Blurb link. She's 81 (I thought she was 83 and she quickly 🙂 corrected me), and works as a therapist. I'm curious to learn what her take-away is. And what I also really want to see is John's (jsrockit) photos at Aperture -- because I really like his results and approach and the way he sees NYC is so different from the way I see it -- especially his sense of color. Well back to work -- the books are what I do between assignments.

 

[jsrockit]

Another fine book Dan. I'm a big fan of the observation deck photo, the little girl in the mist photo, the girl on the guys lap photo, and the mooning / fake boner beach photo (I like when people aren't afraid of putting humor in their photo books) the most.

 

[MrFujicaman]

Hey, I'd like to see volume two ! I have a question-after 9 days of walking 8 hours a day didn't your feet hurt ? I remember the big discussion about good walking shoes sometime back here on RFF !

A thought happened..perhaps because Chicago isn't your home town, you see things a bit differently than you would back in NYC.

 

[NY_Dan]

Hey, I'd like to see volume two ! I have a question-after 9 days of walking 8 hours a day didn't your feet hurt ? I remember the big discussion about good walking shoes sometime back here on RFF !

A thought happened..perhaps because Chicago isn't your home town, you see things a bit differently than you would back in NYC.

My old-foggie leg survival regimen is a hot shower, two Tylenol, stiff drink, and early to bed. Shoes -- I had my Skydex shoes and a pair of Merrels -- my wife told me she read somewhere that not rotating between different shoes was beneficial. And I read a Salgado interview where he discussed working as long as he could walk long distances -- so I guess for street photographers this is vital. I don't know about seeing things differently exactly -- but seeing new places for the first time is really stimulating. I guess as street photographers we see things differently because we're looking more intently for something to photograph. And we like rundown stuff as much as sleek.

What about you -- what are your photographic thoughts in a different city? And what do you do to physically make the most of each day?

 

[jsrockit]

my wife told me she read somewhere that not rotating between different shoes was beneficial.

Hmmm, interesting. I'll have to try this sometime.

 

[NY_Dan]

John, my error, I meant to write that rotating WAS beneficial -- had something to do with putting pressures in more than one area

 

[varchs]

Great work in the book!
We'll done Dan!
I have great time traveling through your images to Chicago.
Thank you!

 

[MrFujicaman]

Dan...EVERY city has it's own "vibe' if you will. Philly is different from NYC..Boston is different,etc.

Since I now live in rural Alabama, the only street shooting I do now is at the flea market in Collinsville AL and one or two others and on my annual trip to Las Vegas. The strip in Las Vegas is like a miles long circus.

When I'm shooting out there, I buy a 3 day monorail ticket and ride it to get from one end of the strip to the other. I also take a break about every 2 hours and find someplace to sit down for about 15 minutes. Here at the flea markets I do the same.

Since I'm carrying My leica's, I wear unlined steel toed boots or US issue desert boots with a set of those fitted Dr. Shoalls inserts. If anyone tries for the Leica's I fully intend to break their kneecaps. I also duck into a casino about 1/2 way thru my shooting day and go into the bathroom and change my socks...amazing how much cooler you feel with dry socks on ! And when I get back to my hotel room I soak my feet in cool water for about 20 minutes.

 

[Darshan]

Great images and kudos to u for undertaking such a daunting project..wow.

 

[uhoh7]

Some superb shots in there, Dan

Congrats 🙂

 

[NY_Dan]

Dan...EVERY city has it's own "vibe' if you will. Philly is different from NYC..Boston is different,etc.

Since I now live in rural Alabama, the only street shooting I do now is at the flea market in Collinsville AL and one or two others and on my annual trip to Las Vegas. The strip in Las Vegas is like a miles long circus.

When I'm shooting out there, I buy a 3 day monorail ticket and ride it to get from one end of the strip to the other. I also take a break about every 2 hours and find someplace to sit down for about 15 minutes. Here at the flea markets I do the same.

Since I'm carrying My leica's, I wear unlined steel toed boots or US issue desert boots with a set of those fitted Dr. Shoalls inserts. If anyone tries for the Leica's I fully intend to break their kneecaps. I also duck into a casino about 1/2 way thru my shooting day and go into the bathroom and change my socks...amazing how much cooler you feel with dry socks on ! And when I get back to my hotel room I soak my feet in cool water for about 20 minutes.

You make me really want to go to Vegas. What is the best time of year to go -- in terms of cooler weather and maximum "circus" effect? You remind me of Calzone with the steel toe and kneecap talk. 🙂 Great idea regarding changing socks. I had new cushioned crew socks for my trip -- $1 per at Kmart. And the monorail, plus having a hotel to duck into and stopping in casinos -- that's a good plan. If I can get a cheap package deal -- that sounds like an ideal destination for street photos -- I may have to break down and bring color film too. Besides the famous strip, do you venture out into other areas? Do the people care much about street photogs? -- my guess is in Vegas they wouldn't care. Too bad one can't take photos in casinos.

 

[icebear]

Wow, what a project. I haven't been to the windy city yet. I am still not through with NYC 😉, not that anyone will ever be 😀.
As an amateur I only go out and shoot on the weekends -or when I'm in the city for a concert. I also do walk a lot but doing it for 9 days, chapeau ! Thanks for sharing your experience.

I've been to Vegas but it doesn't really attract me that much, too much artificial entertainment, imported caricatures of architecture. As for shooting in casinos e.g. :
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=198230
I was never asked by anybody not to take pictures, no security guy stopped me as I walked in my camera in hand.

 

[oneANT]

Seeing the US cities is a bit of a fantasy for me and I get to see them from ɹǝpun uʍop and in (your)style as well. I wish I could buy your book Dan, I always follow your posts. Bring a copy with you when you come to Oz (Melbourne) and you have have my guest room ....and a few rounds with a kangaroo.

 

[MrFujicaman]

Hey Dan....I have some information pamplets & books I picked up in Las Vegas last year. PM a mailing address and I'll mail them to you. One of them is about relocating to Las Vegas (I'm thinking of moving out there) and has climate data and info on the sights. I also have a book from the company that runs the monorail that shows all the stops and what's nearest them.

On trip packages...the big thing you have to watch for now is "resort fees"-the hotels will advertise a low price and then hit you with the resort fee at check-in. Some of these resort fees are as much as $29 a day for stuff you won't use.

After all the strip hotels started that crap, I started staying out on the Boulder Strip. I always rent a car so it's no problem, and I can be at the strip in 20 minutes if traffic is light. I've had good luck with Arizona Charlie's out there...$37 a night during the week for a mini-suite. I hear that the Boulder Station Casino is also okay.

If you have a car out there, I recommend a trip out to the Valley Of Fire state park..it's about a 45 minute drive from Las Vegas and it's very pretty. The Red Rocks state park is also supposed to be good,but I've never gotten out there.

Generally, I stick to the strip for street photography...there's always something going on and the Vegas cops have made it clear to the muggers and sleazy types that messing with a tourist will get you a trip to jail or the crap knocked out of you. Some of the neighborhoods off the strip are a bit dicey and you'd need to keep your eyes open.

 

[NY_Dan]

Seeing the US cities is a bit of a fantasy for me and I get to see them from ɹǝpun uʍop and in (your)style as well. I wish I could buy your book Dan, I always follow your posts. Bring a copy with you when you come to Oz (Melbourne) and you have have my guest room ....and a few rounds with a kangaroo.

You're on! That is if I ever get enough frequent flyer miles 🙂 And I ain't going a few rounds with no kangaroo -- they're too tough for me, and I don't want to have the words "got beat by a kangaroo" as my epitaph. I recommend not buying my book -- Blurb one-offs are way too much money -- if anything get the free eBook. Thanks!

 

[oneANT]

I've been to vegas many times (comdex), met a girl in a nightclub that wanted to join the fbi and shoot people (her words) and a local told me a joke about there being no daughters in vegas but he wasn't smiling and started frowning at me as if I did it. I met an Indian that said he wanted to hug me and I though he was kidding but he did and he gave me some pretty polished stones that I still have somewhere and I learnt how to drink quickly every time the girl with the tray and the roman mini skirt came round. She said she loved my accent and promised to come back every few minutes if I said something Aussie and by the end it was a texan drawl about dunny budgies and her nong boss with teeth so big he could eat a pineapple through a tennis racket. Memories ...lol

 

[rwintle]

That is a solid body of work that really hangs together well... and with some real gems. I love some of the street shots with strong light and shadow play in particular - the one of the sole woman in the bottom right of the wall (opposite to the one of the five people looking out the windows) really jumped out at me. The "Chicken Shack" photo seems timeless, and I like the family discussion on the park bench, the boats on the river, the two gentlemen in the field against the Chicago skyline... great stuff.

Since you asked, I used the full page preview on Blurb, which worked nicely. Thanks for making it available.