West Water Walks: Late May 2016

Katie Afternoon: Late May 2016
Jes in the Dark: Early June 2016

A long Memorial Day weekend. Walking around a city that I’ll soon be leaving. Chicago shot on disposable camera.

The Damen Blue Line El stop in Wicker Park, Chicago, is framed by elevated train tracks supported by rust-colored girders. On the left, a brick building with a rounded corner houses Urbanbelly, and nearby trees add a pop of green. Cars and fill the busy intersection below, while signs, including a tow zone snowflake notice, stand out against the bright blue sky. Rainbo Club’s historic building in Wicker Park showcases its unique circular brickwork and arched windows, giving it a distinct vintage charm. Square panels of black and white geometric art line the front. Fatpour Tap Works, located next door, contrasts with its modern industrial facade and outdoor seating. The street corner buzzes with activity, featuring pedestrians and passing cars that emphasize the neighborhood’s lively atmosphere. The Loop Tavern Liquors Tap Room sign hangs prominently above a small liquor store and bar in West Town, Chicago. Advertisements for $2 shots and $4 pints are visible, reflecting the establishment’s casual vibe. The street extends into the distance, flanked by a mix of older brick buildings and newer storefronts, illustrating the area’s evolving character. Downtown Chicago’s skyline, with the Sears/Willis Tower standing tall, is visible from a bridge. The clear blue sky frames the iconic skyscrapers, while streetlights and utility poles occupy the foreground. The scene transitions from smaller residential and commercial areas in the foreground to the towering metropolis beyond. A torn chain-link fence reveals a striking view of the Sears/Willis Tower in Chicago. Below the fence, a busy freeway hums with traffic, while green trees and urban buildings line the edges. The contrast between the jagged opening in the fence and the pristine city skyline highlights the gritty yet dynamic urban environment. A wide street leads toward downtown Chicago, with a CVS Pharmacy on the left and a mix of storefronts and signage along the road. Skyscrapers rise in the distance, blending seamlessly with the neighborhood setting. The clear view of the skyline underscores the city’s iconic mix of local and metropolitan elements. Massive cylindrical silos on Chicago Avenue dominate the scene, showcasing their industrial design. Trees and parked cars soften the view, adding greenery and everyday life to the urban environment. Utility wires stretch across the frame, connecting the modern-day streetscape with Chicago’s industrial history. The Chicago River stretches toward the downtown Loop, flanked on the left by modern white buildings with balconies. In the distance, skyscrapers rise prominently against the blue sky, while small boats traverse the water. A shadowy street beneath elevated train tracks in downtown Chicago features repetitive girders and beams that lead toward light in the distance. Brick facades and fire escapes line the sides of the street, contributing to the gritty urban aesthetic. Skyscrapers in downtown Chicago rise against a deep blue sky, with a mix of architectural styles and materials. The iconic Willis Tower stands tall on the right, alongside modern glass facades and ornate historic buildings, including the gothic-inspired Tribune Tower. The contrast between old and new highlights the city’s diverse skyline. A dark subway tunnel stretches into the distance, lit intermittently by fluorescent lights that create a repetitive pattern along the walls and ceiling. The shadowy environment emphasizes the long, narrow perspective of the underground space. A large tree with a lush green canopy frames the left side of a view of Lake Michigan near a grassy park. In the distance, a light and pier stretch into the water, with people walking along the shoreline. The foreground includes a cracked concrete path and a streetlamp, adding urban details to the natural scene. A row of mid-century and modern high-rise apartment buildings lines the Lake Michigan waterfront, with windows reflecting the soft light of the late afternoon. The buildings’ warm brick and cool concrete tones stand out against the blue sky and sparse clouds. Sand and concrete form a transition between the shoreline and the water at a Lake Michigan beach. Small groups of people sit or walk along the sand, while others enjoy the water or sail in the distance. The expansive view captures the lively activity typical of a summer day in Chicago. Boats docked in a Chicago harbor rest in calm water, with a backdrop of high-rise residential buildings surrounded by trees. The harbor is framed by metal railings in the foreground, adding depth and structure to the peaceful scene. Ducks float leisurely on the vivid blue water of Lake Michigan. Their distinct brown and white feathers stand out against the rippling surface, while distant buoys and boats dot the horizon. A street sign for W Bittersweet Place stands against a bright blue sky, accompanied by a one-way arrow and a dog waste warning sign. The lamp post is surrounded by leafy green trees, creating a vibrant mix of urban and natural elements. A tree-lined street near Lakeshore Drive stretches into the distance, bordered by parked cars and tall streetlights. The roadway is flanked by mid- and high-rise residential buildings on one side, adding a sense of urban density to the calm, sunlit setting. Sailboats lined up in a marina with masts pointing skyward, reflecting in the still water of the harbor. In the background, mid-rise and high-rise apartment buildings create a distinct Chicago skyline. The horizon is softly lit under a hazy late-afternoon sky. A wide view of Lake Michigan with small boats floating on the choppy water. The iconic Chicago skyline stands prominently on the horizon, dominated by the Willis Tower and other skyscrapers. Above, soft clouds stretch across the sky, adding contrast to the deep blue of the water below. The Chicago skyline rises above Lake Michigan, viewed from a structured concrete path lined with rusted metal barriers extending into the water. A distant sandy beach stretches out in front of the skyscrapers, while trees and green spaces surround the bustling urban area. The Gold Coast area along Ohio Street Beach with people scattered across the concrete and sandy shoreline. The Chicago skyline towers overhead, featuring the John Hancock Center prominently in the frame. Swimmers and sunbathers enjoy the warm day beside the calm waters of Lake Michigan.

Me, Ethan Hulbert, with a sun tattoo on my chest, wearing a red-and-white striped tank top and white earbuds. The urban Chicago backdrop is dimly lit, with silhouettes of buildings, streetlights, and parked cars visible along the quiet street. Shadows and subtle reflections hint at the setting sun.

myself

A view from inside a Red Line train, looking through a rain-speckled window at another train passing in the opposite direction. The illuminated train sign reads "95th," on the way to the south Dan Ryan station framed by raindrops and dense foliage outside, under an overcast sky.

I knew I’d be leaving my favorite city in just a few months, so I tried to make the most of it and soak it all in while I could. I started in Wicker Park off the Damen blue line stop that was so familiar to me, and walked (mostly on Chicago Ave) all the way in to the city, through dusty neighborhoods, over bridges and overpasses, past stores and empty buildings and even the big old Morton Salt industrial plant.

Instead of ending in the loop, I took the red line up a few stops to River North and Lakeview, the Gold Coast, then followed the scenic tree-lined Lakeshore Drive down against Lake Michigan. Taking in the harbors and boats and capturing how beautiful that water looks on old film, god, I love it. And I’m such a fan of the big asphalt/concrete slab architecture at the Ohio Street Beach. The concrete beach gets a lot of flack from people who have never visited, but there’s sand right there too if you’re not into the concrete. Every beach in the world is sand, why not try cement? It’s genuinely such a nice place.

It started to sprinkle, which I didn’t mind, but I was walked out and at the end of my roll of film. So I took the el back north and called it a day.

Katie Afternoon: Late May 2016
Jes in the Dark: Early June 2016


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