Looking for neat night photography subjects in Chicago (Schaumburg, Campus: how much, theater)

[boe75]

Title is self-explanatory. I'm in the midst of a semester portfolio for high school studio photography. I'm doing night scenes with 1 to 10 second exposures.

Some of my work can be seen here (It's on Facebook, but is visible to all...)

Studio Project (A Work in Progress) | Facebook

I was wondering if anyone here has any cool recommendations for spots to shoot. Obviously the city is a different place after dark, and while I am from a "BNSF suburb" I walk confidently and know the city well for someone of my background.

I'm concerned, but not discouraged by safety. If there is something really cool that I feel is "sketchy" (not "dangerous") I'm willing to drive.

Throw anything you all have at me. I'm willing to take any suggestions or advice, and I will post anything you all recommend on here once my portfolio is complete in December.

I know it's a separate forum and all, but I'm willing to take suburban recommendations here as well.

Thanks!

[AmosBanks]

Millennium Park


Shoot downtown from the Museum Campus


Michigan Ave


Navy Pier Fireworks (Only 1-2 Saturdays left)

[Avengerfire]

Take pics of areas that have not been shot 1 million times by Jim Bob from Iowa and Joe Blow from Schaumburg. You grade will increase if you shy away from that crap. Trust me.

[ofcjim40]

Find subjects you find powerful. Each person might find each subject differently. For example the 2nd pic with CPD might get glossed over by most and move on. As for me, I know what 9534 stands for and is very powerful, read below. This was just a blogger I happened to find an I felt their writing was powerful, the same with the picture.
Notes From a Chicago Police Officer’s Funeral « Not There, Here.

I think the best pictures are those that on the surface seem simple, but takes the viewer a little bit of time to see the depth in it. I like when the subject is more than just a pretty picture.

So let us know more in depth the subject matter you are looking to photograph and maybe we can help direct you more. What do you feel inspires or moves you? There is no wrong answer, but do you want your subject matter to be that of joy, sorry, hope, despair, anger? A "cool" area can make for a neat picture, but to find a subject that moves you, you can then take truly great pictures and let that passion come out.

[SonySegaTendo617]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Take pics of areas that have not been shot 1 million times by Jim Bob from Iowa and Joe Blow from Schaumburg. You grade will increase if you shy away from that crap. Trust me.

Amen! I always get tired by how much people overfocus on certain areas for Chicago photos. Though don't get me wrong, Millenium Park, the Loop, Chicago River riverwalk(or whatever that riverwalk is called), River North, etc. are nice, but are very overshot to death....

Bonus brownie points if you're in Uptown, and photograph things other than what's at the Lawrence/Broadway intersection. *cough Green Mill marquee, Uptown Theater, etc.*

[grapico]

I think you can get some great shots from the tops of certain el tracks. The city is so flat that it is often hard to capture a certain shot. Just that 30 feet or so up really helps. I like shooting homeless, people in conversation, arguments, smiles, street lights, etc.

[css9450]

Originally Posted by grapico

I think you can get some great shots from the tops of certain el tracks.

Keep in mind, however, that although photography for personal use is perfectly legal on CTA property, they won't let you use a tripod or light stands for doing night photography. Safety reasons.

Actually, they'll let you bring a tripod if you apply in advance to have a CTA escort accompany you. Easier said than done, though. It turns out they won't provide an escort outside of normal weekday business hours. Friends of mine have tried, unsuccessfully.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by css9450

Keep in mind, however, that although photography for personal use is perfectly legal on CTA property, they won't let you use a tripod or light stands for doing night photography. Safety reasons.

Actually, they'll let you bring a tripod if you apply in advance to have a CTA escort accompany you. Easier said than done, though. It turns out they won't provide an escort outside of normal weekday business hours. Friends of mine have tried, unsuccessfully.

True, if he is doing 10 second exposures...that is just not going to work.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by ofcjim40

...So let us know more in depth the subject matter you are looking to photograph and maybe we can help direct you more. What do you feel inspires or moves you? There is no wrong answer, but do you want your subject matter to be that of joy, sorry, hope, despair, anger? A "cool" area can make for a neat picture, but to find a subject that moves you, you can then take truly great pictures and let that passion come out.

This would help a great deal.

[boe75]

I'm looking for scenes - I'm not looking to have people in my photos. I want to capture the night as you see it with your eyes - mostly street or building scenes. Cool architecture with interesting patterns, lighting, or shadows is what I want to find most.

Anything that captures the emotion of being alone in a big place is also on my plate. But I'll leave that up to my personal tastes - different things invoke that emotion for all of us (though I am open to suggestion).

And thanks to all for your suggestions already. Keep on posting, I'm already going to seek out the Riviera Theatre in the near future, thanks to your ideas.