Font Crush II

Once again I'm feeling the old skool fonts. They are so prevalent in Chicago. This is a shot from The Bohemian National Cemetery on Foster and Pulaski. If you enjoy cemeteries at all this is a great place to check out. If you don't believe me you can search 'em out on Yelp . . . they've got a 4 star rating (what? you don't rate your cemeteries? pppshhhh.)


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

The Art Institute

If you haven't been to the Art Institute lately you need to go this weekend. Why? To see the Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibit before it leaves on Monday. The legendary photojournalist has an incredibly rich history of photos and many of them are on display. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

"It's through living that we discover ourselves, at the same time as we discover the world around us."

-Henri Cartier-Bresson

Shadows

The shadows remind me of a DeChirico painting, only a lot less dramatic. The Fall is notorious for taking our subject matter and turning it inside out. This is Lincoln Square in all of its finest. 

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Flyin'

"When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race."  ~H.G. Wells


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Backside

This is the back side of one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago, Glenn's Diner. Chicageaux is a photo blog rather than a food blog but it's really about Chicago more than anything. Food is as vital to this city as politics, art or sports. If you want seafood done perfectly this is your place. Glenn's does a lot of things very well but their seafood selection and preparation is exceptional. I highly recommend the Colorado River Sturgeon when it's available. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

First Fall Weekend

Fall is such a wonderful season, especially in Chicago. The skies are blue and the clouds are puffy. Sweaters make a triumphant return and soups become daily fare. The wind off of Lake Michigan feels brisk and energizing. It's a time when Sundays are spent watching football and relaxing. Make sure to get out this weekend and enjoy the first weekend of Fall because it's a short lived season with Winter right behind it. 

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission


Lemonade: Detroit Trailer from Erik Proulx on Vimeo.

Everlasting

Seeing the Michigan Central Train Depot for the first time creates the same awe and appreciation as walking up to a 700 year old monastery somewhere in Europe. Depending on your view of Man it can be an equally spiritual. The strength, beauty and size of this monument far outweigh the decay and demise of this once grand piece of architecture. 

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Remains

When planning my trip to Detroit, my friend who lives there suggested I bring my bike so we could ride through the city. I had never been to Detroit before and he thought that would be a great way to see the city. He was right. Everywhere you go in Detroit you can find remnants of its past. Some remnants are huge, like the 18 story train depot, and others are smaller like the photo above. Trying to piece together the history of this city through its ruins is somewhat of an archeological exercise in the urban experience. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Detroit Sunrise

There is beauty in this city. It's not quite as prevalent as other cities, but it's there.


This week marks my first time visiting the city of Detroit. It's a difficult place to describe without sounding pessimistic or hopeless. I'll post photos this week that show the glass half full or maybe a quarter full . . .  

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Reflections

Get outside. Even if you just went outside yesterday and/or the day before, go back and do it again. You want to know why? Because in two months not only will you not really want to go outside, you might not even be able to. Get out!


P.S. If you don't really understand this post then you probably live far below the 40th parallel and/or at sea level or you just never get cold. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Punk

"A guy walks up to me and asks 'What's Punk?'. So I kick over a garbage can and say 'That's punk!'. So he kicks over the garbage can and says 'That's Punk?', and I say 'No that's trendy!"-Unknown

I came across this opportunity while driving through Indiana one day. I began taking pictures of these kids skating with the smoke stack in the background. I was very excited to get the juxtaposition of images. The kids could see it in my face but they couldn't understand what I was excited about. One of them says to me, "Why are you taking pictures here?"

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Das Boot!

Juvenile? Probably. Crazy? A bit. Fun? Absolutely. If you have yet to experience a true German beer house you are missing out. I've never really been drawn much to German culture. I'm sorry but it's true. At least not until four years ago when I moved into a German neighborhood in Chicago (Lincoln Square). Over the last four years I have a developed a fond appreciated for smoked meats and giant boots of German beer. I try to practice moderation when consuming either one but sometimes it's a bit difficult . . . especially when one of these come in 3 liter boots.

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Diggin' in the Crates

The original plan when I started this blog was to post one recent photograph per day. The reason? To challenge myself to constantly keep shooting. I am discovering that 365 photos a year is a rather large challenge. In order to post 365 photos a year I'm going to have to reach back in time a little bit. So, every once in awhile I'm gonna dig in the crates and pull out something that's not quite recent. 

This was taken on a train ride from L.A. to Chicago a year ago. We stopped in Albuquerque for about 40 minutes and I stumbled upon this alley that showcased the primary colors in a unique way. 

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

What is Photography?

"Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art."-Ansel Adams

I think I would agree with that quote. Like all arts, the act of creating is paramount in defining the art of photography. There are many arguments against the use of post processing in photography . . . especially in digital photography. Some say it diminishes the art. Some say it's not photography at all. I, myself, believe that processing can, at times, take a photograph to a place it might not have been able to go on its own. If I were better at writing I would try to make my point, instead I'll try to visualize my point. 

This photo was taken by a friend of mine on his trip to Turkey. 

This is the same exact photo that I spent about 6 minutes processing. 

Different strokes for different folks.  

Photo by Clint Bautz

Wonder

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." -Henry David Thoreau

This is a photo of my nephew as he was observing a frog, trapped in a bowl, hanging from a tree. True. 

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Morning in the Loop

The Loop may just be one of Chicago's most well known landmarks. Ironically enough, most folks who visit the City aren't fully aware of what the term is referring to. Here is a shot taken at dawn of the Trump building as the sun begins to rise. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Pit Stop

Not too sure if they were picking up water or dropping it off. Hmmm? If anyone can enlighten me I would be grateful. Regardless, this was the scene on a steamy, hot summer's day on Lake Michigan. It's hard to not like firemen because they are never on the wrong end of helping. 


"My sons think it's a fireman's pole, but I forgot to cut a hole through the ground into the kitchen."  -Pamela Anderson


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Zen Moment

Nobody ever told me about this place. I never read about it in a book, I never saw it on TV, I never came across it in any of my college architecture courses. My discovery of this temple was as genuine as it gets. I was trying to avoid traffic one day on my way home from work (my aversion to traffic tends to lead to very entertaining moments). As I was driving south on Sheridan Rd. I looked to my right and saw this absolutely breath taking building. I couldn't believe and sheer beauty of what I was seeing. Furthermore, I couldn't believe it was located north of Chicago on a quiet road. I pulled over and spent the next hour or so walking around the Temple, admiring everything about it. Since that Spring day I have been back many, many times. This is a photo taken while showing friends around town. Thanks Mike and Angela for the great photo. 

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Coming & Going

Everything in the Loop moves at the speed of light; people, cars, trains, taxis . . . everything. It's another one of those urban Zen moments where things move so fast that they become white noise and they fall away. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Skyline at the End of Summer

Soon enough these waters will be resurfaced with gray ice but not just yet. All across the city you can spot folks doing all they can to try and hold onto that last bit of sun before we head into the frigid winter months. I know we still have a ways to go but whenever Football begins I am even more aware of the impending weather to come. This shot was taken from the beach at North Avenue on a beautiful summer's day. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Dawn of a New Day

It was just a few moments ago I heard Mayor Richard Daley announce he will not be seeking reelection. I was immediately tempted to post a photo and comment that would be celebratory and snarky. . . then I remembered the tag line that I chose to represent this blog: "Photos. Inspiration. Life." Therefore I have chosen a photo that I feel shows a more optimistic and warm approach to the news. It's a photo of the dawn's sunlight reflecting off the iconic buildings of this beautiful city. 

But just for good measure I'll leave you with this, "They have vilified me, they have crucified me; yes, they have even criticized me." -Richard J. Daley

Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Moon Over Metra

It was a great trip to California but it feels good to be back in Chicago . . . especially with Fall just around the corner. It's about this time of year when the crowds of tourists start to wind down and we get the city to ourselves. That's when a stroll through Grant Park is the best. This is a shot of the Grant Park Metra station entrance. It's modeled after the Art Nouveau style of the Paris Metro gates. I'm not sure of how the decision was made to put it on Michigan and Van Buren but it is beautiful nonetheless. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Abandoned Ship

I was driving along the coast in Northern California when I came upon this scene. It immediately brought to mind what might have happened in the moments following a Winslow Homer painting.  

Homer had a sharp wit and dry sense of humor. When he finished the above painting, he attempted to sell it shortly after 1900 for the then record-breaking price of $4,000. It wasn't selling. In addition he was getting criticism for its lack of hope, to which he replied, "You may inform these people that the man did not starve to death. He was not eaten by the sharks. The waterspout did not hit him. And he was rescued by a passing ship." Awesome!

This marks the last photo from my West Coast trip. Tomorrow I'll return to the Chicageaux based format. Cheers.

View from Hill

"You look back and see how hard you worked and how poor you were, and how desperately anxious you were to succeed, and all you can remember is how happy you were."-Jack London on youth


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Rocket

This piece of art is reminiscent of early 1930's sci-fi movies, very mad scientist. It's exceptionally displayed next to the Bay Bridge . . . quite picturesque. Especially on a day this perfect. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

Chinatown

This is the original. There's so much hustle and bustle in every inch and on every corner in Chinatown. Sometimes the craziness of a big city can reach a level at which it becomes calming.   


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

The Dreamer

"Some men see things as they are and say, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were and say, 'Why not?'"-George Bernard Shaw


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

For the Birds

   Any trip to Bodega Bay would be incomplete without stopping this site. This was the church used in Hitchcock's "The Birds". It still looks as isolated and ominous today as it did when he shot the film in 1962. I thought a black and white would stay true to the Hitchcock reference.


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission

What to do?

This was such a perfect photo opportunity but it had to be taken quickly. I guess I now know how the paparazzi feels when they are attempting to photograph Sean Penn. 


Photo by Michael Patrick Perry-Feel free to use images with links and credit – no commercial use without permission