Wednesday, December 28, 2011

eerie and empty

No cars, busses, taxis, and no pedestrians. Here is a sight you don't see every day! A city as busy as Chicago seldom has a view like this at 5PM.

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For a moment, this was our view on a Sunday. As my friend drove us around, I had already been looking for pictures of the Willis Tower (a.k.a. Sears Tower) from the back seat. So, when I saw this unexpectedly vacant scene, I panned and snapped the picture. It would have been preferable to take the shot with a tripod and bracketed settings, but the other three passengers would not be as eager to stop driving, and take the time to indulge me every time I got snap-happy with the camera. (sigh) Nevertheless, I'm satisfied with the image, especially considering that I took the shot from a moving vehicle.

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It would have been more dramatic if the streets were wet, but then I might have droplets on the minivan's window. (Just thinking out loud here.)

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Anyhoo, if you go downtown, that's when you want to go... when there isn't a lot of traffic. Mmm... 2AM is good. The rest of the time, the cars are usually packed like sardines, and hardly moving.

11 comments:

Pastor Dave said...

very cool! hope the snow on your blog is the only snow we see for awhile longer.

Jackie said...

I've never been to Chicago....but would love to go.
The street you photographed does look eerily quiet. And, you did a great job getting that shot, especially from a moving vehicle.
Like you, I want to "stop"..."take a photo"...and the scene repeats itself! :)) Must be in the genes, eh? I love photography, and good shots. This is good one, my friend.
Very nice....

happyone said...

Eerie photo. It would be a good scene for a Twilight Zone show!

George said...

This is a wonderful picture, and black-and-white is perfect for this image. I think you did a great job getting this shot.

I hope you and your family have a happy and healthy new year!

Craver Vii said...

What? Bite your tongue, Mr. Dave. The Craver household is looking forward to that wonderful white stuff!

Chicago is a great city. I used to think I wouldn't want to ever live anywhere else. If you should visit some day, Mrs. Craver and I will have to share some Starbucks coffee and take silly pics with you. It was a theater night Jackie... semi-formal... no genes. ;-)

Yeah, that's the feel, isn't it Happyone. I'm not saying I want to have that gothic scene 24/7, but it has its place.

For a while now, I had been hoping to catch an interesting B&W. So George, your vote of confidence is most appreciated. God's blessings to you and your sweet Betsy this coming year.

Pearl said...

I can't tell you how much I enjoy a dramatically empty street. :-) In no time at all, I've created an end-of-the-world scenario and am stealing a Winnebago and heading south.

In my fantasies, it always works out perfectly.

Pearl

Anonymous said...

good image!

Betty Manousos said...

that photo is truly stunning!

i can almost feel the emptiness pouring out of this road.

great job!


here's wishing you and yours the best for 2012!

happy new year!

Shammickite said...

Happy New Year to you and your family. May 2012 be full of happiness and good health, good food, good fun, and lots more photo opportunities like that one of the empty Chicago streets.
PS when I went to Chicago, I went to the Shedd Aquarium (great!) and then to some restaurant that was associated with Al Capone... not sure where it was though. Anyway, Al wasn't there.

lime said...

wow, that is a surprising view of such a major city! you captured it well given the circumstances.

Jackie said...

Happy New Year to you and Mrs. Craver!!