In Hiding: Summer 2013

Discarded: May 2013
Bottle Rockets: July 2013

A little reckless fun after all that shit. iPod Touch digital camera, mid-2013-ish.

A long, covered pedestrian ramp leading up to the Racine Blue Line station in Chicago. The ramp is narrow, enclosed by metal railings on both sides, and covered with a metal roof structure with visible beams and columns. The ground appears worn and slightly dirty, with patches of light reflecting off the concrete. Bright fluorescent lights are evenly spaced along the ceiling, casting an eerie glow and creating a linear perspective that draws the eye toward the station entrance in the distance. The atmosphere is bleak and industrial, with a sense of solitude heightened by the dim lighting and urban grit. The photo has a grainy, low-resolution quality with an Instagram filter that adds a vintage, slightly yellowish tone.

to my new home

A striking architectural shot of a tall, grid-like building against a backdrop of dark, dramatic clouds in Chicago. The building is composed of a repeating pattern of square windows, forming a stark, rigid grid that contrasts with the soft, turbulent sky. The structure appears almost skeletal, as if it were an empty framework rather than a solid building. Surrounding the building are shorter structures and patches of greenery, but the focus remains on the imposing tower and the chaotic sky above. The contrast between the severe linear geometry and the organic, flowing clouds creates a surreal, almost dystopian atmosphere. The photo has a grainy texture and a high-contrast filter, giving it a gritty, dramatic aesthetic. A wide shot of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) looming over the Chicago skyline with dark, billowing clouds swirling overhead. The iconic black, blocky silhouette of the tower stands out against the turbulent sky, with smaller skyscrapers and industrial buildings clustered around its base. The photo's composition emphasizes the sheer height and dominance of the tower, framed by ominous, stormy clouds that give the city a moody, almost apocalyptic vibe. The colors are muted with a slight sepia tone, adding a vintage feel typical of Instagram filters from the era. The grainy quality of the iPod Touch camera contributes to the raw, urban aesthetic.

A candid shot of a young woman named Lynda standing near a wooden fence in an alley, intently gazing at a framed black-and-white photograph of Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's mounted on the fence. Lynda has long dark hair, wears skinny jeans, and carries a small, colorful crossbody bag. The fence is aged and weathered, with some overgrown vines creeping over the top. On the ground are scattered bits of trash, debris, and a discarded cardboard box leaning against the fence. The alleyway has a gritty, rundown charm, juxtaposed with the elegance of the Hepburn photo. The overall scene feels spontaneous and quirky, capturing a fleeting urban moment. The photo has a soft, slightly blurred quality, with muted colors enhanced by a subtle Instagram filter.

lynda

An intimate gathering at a small, cozy bookstore hosting a live acoustic performance. The space is warmly lit, with dim overhead lights casting a soft glow over the crowd, who are seated and listening attentively. Stacks of books and papers clutter the foreground, while the musicians—one playing a guitar and another singing—sit in a makeshift performance area near the front window. A young woman named Anna, wearing casual clothes, sings softly beside the guitarist. The atmosphere is relaxed and communal, with the audience seated closely together on mismatched chairs and benches. The large window behind the performers shows the darkened street outside, with faint reflections of lights. The photo's grainy texture and warm, muted tones add to the nostalgic, lo-fi feel.

anna concert

A close-up photo of a handwritten sign taped to a store window. The sign reads, "Our Store got winners every day & u could be one of them. Play here :)" in a casual, slightly messy script with a smiley face drawn at the end. Below the sign, there are several lottery ticket advertisements showcasing potential cash prizes. The sign’s pink paper has a slightly crinkled appearance, and the reflections on the glass reveal vague shapes of the surroundings. The handwriting has a quirky, unpolished charm, adding a touch of humor to the otherwise mundane storefront. The photo has a slight sepia filter, giving it a warm, faded quality.

An interior shot of a bustling laundromat, capturing a lively and candid moment. The main focus is on Andria, a young blonde woman in a white tank top and shorts, laughing and engaging with a small Hispanic girl who appears to be playing nearby. The girl is dressed in a colorful top and seems occupied with small plastic toys spread out on a nearby folding table, including vending machine capsules and a bag of Lay's potato chips. A can of Dr. Pepper sits on the table next to a smartphone. In the background, a row of large, industrial washing machines spins gently, reflecting light off their metallic surfaces. Potted plants line the windowsill above the machines, adding a touch of greenery to the otherwise utilitarian space. The warm, slightly faded Instagram filter adds a vintage, carefree feel to the scene.

andria

A gritty urban shot of a weathered metal fence, tagged with crude green spray-painted graffiti reading "Die Hipster Scum" in large, sloppy letters. The fence panels are streaked with rust and grime, and a line of barbed wire is faintly visible running along the top. The paint is uneven and drips in some places, suggesting the message was sprayed hastily and with frustration. The sky above is gray and overcast, matching the bleak and confrontational tone of the graffiti. The photo’s slightly grainy quality and muted colors enhance the raw, rebellious feel of the message, capturing a slice of urban angst.

commute

A cluttered kitchen counter at a house party, filled with various liquor bottles, mixers, and bar tools. Prominently displayed are bottles of Stolichnaya vodka, Campari, Tanqueray gin, and several flavored liqueurs. There are also two large plastic bottles of club soda and ginger ale, as well as a cutting board with a bright turquoise color. On the cutting board, a lemon and whole lime sit next to a sharp kitchen knife. The background shows a coffee maker, containers, and various kitchen appliances with cords tangled and hanging. The lighting is dim, creating a yellowish cast over the scene, and the photo has a grainy quality typical of an iPod Touch camera with an Instagram filter.

A chaotic party scene captured indoors with dim, warm lighting. In the foreground, a woman named Lauren holds up her phone to take a photo with the flash on, aimed directly at a young man named Alex who is slumped backward in a colorful armchair, apparently passed out. Lauren has a distinct split hairstyle, with the left side brunette and the right side lighter blonde, visible in the low light. She is wearing dark clothes, and large earrings glint in the light. In the background, another man in a dark plaid shirt stands casually, holding a phone and looking amused. The room is cluttered with furniture and random objects, giving a sense of casual disarray. The grainy, low-quality photo enhances the spontaneous and slightly chaotic vibe.

alex + lauren

A close-up shot of Alex, passed out in a dark room, taken at the same party. He is wearing a white tank top with thick straps, his head tilted back and mouth slightly open, glasses crooked on his face. His skin appears flushed, possibly from drinking, and his chin has some faint stubble. The lighting is extremely dim, making his face mostly shadowed, while bookshelves in the background are barely discernible. The photo’s dark, moody quality and graininess from the iPod Touch camera give it a candid, unpolished feel, capturing a raw and unfiltered moment.

alex

An intimate concert setting with dim red lighting, highlighting a small stage where Anna and another musician perform. Anna stands behind a keyboard, wearing a light blue sundress with spaghetti straps, singing confidently into a microphone. Her short blonde hair is styled simply, and she appears relaxed yet focused. Next to her, a young man with dark hair plays a red electric guitar, singing backup into a separate microphone. The stage setup includes a turntable with a red vinyl record and a drum set in the background. The venue has dark curtains, giving it a grungy, underground vibe. The photo is grainy and slightly blurred due to the low light and Instagram filter.

anna concert

A low-quality, dark, and grainy shot taken at Three Aces bar on Taylor Street in Little Italy, Chicago. Lauren Z is smiling and leaning forward playfully, gripping the back of a barstool, her long dark hair flowing over her shoulders. She is wearing a white T-shirt and seems to be laughing or calling out to someone off-camera. The bar's interior is dimly lit with red ambient lighting and faint neon glows from behind the bar, adding to the dive bar aesthetic. The photo’s graininess and dark shadows make it hard to see details clearly, but the atmosphere is lively and relaxed.

lauren z

A portrait of Anna at a party, bathed in vibrant blue and purple bisexual lighting that casts dramatic, colorful shadows on her face. She has a soft, almost dreamy expression, gazing directly into the camera with an enigmatic, slightly tired look. Her short, blonde hair is styled asymmetrically, and she is wearing a dark outfit. Behind her, the party atmosphere is blurred and hazy, with indistinct figures and projected visuals on a white screen. The photo has a low-resolution, slightly ethereal quality due to the dim lighting and soft focus.

anna

A cozy indoor shot of a gray and white cat named Jack, who is gently sniffing my outstretched hand. The cat wears a red collar with a small tag and has a soft, contented expression, with eyes partly closed as it nuzzles the fingers. The background shows a leather couch in dark blue and a wooden floor with soft natural lighting. A patterned throw blanket is draped over the back of the couch, adding texture to the space. The mood is calm and affectionate, capturing a quiet, intimate moment between human and pet. The photo has a clear, bright quality compared to the others, emphasizing the softness of the cat’s fur and the gentle interaction.

last time i saw jack 🙁

Discarded: May 2013
Bottle Rockets: July 2013


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