Halloween 2010

It's been an incredibly busy week and I have yet to get out and get any photographs of Halloween anything. As much as it looks like the entrance to Vlad the Impalers' castle, it's really just a staircase leading to a beach on the North Shore of Chicago. 


I was just reminiscing about the old days of trick or treating when we had to have all of our candy inspected thoroughly by our parents. I distinctly remember police stations offering to scan the candy for razor blades and needles. Oh, to be a kid again.


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

Metaphor for Life?

"The future is big with every possibility of achievement and of tragedy."-Alfred North Whitehead


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

Vietnam Service Memorial Panorama

Last Spring I was regularly reading another daily photo blog based in Chicago called The Windy Pixel. It was a fantastic blog that showcased beautiful HDR (high dynamic range) photographs and offered tips on photography and processing. Unfortunately the blog is no longer continuing its run. However, it is still there to view and read for anyone who hasn't experienced it. I highly recommend it. The photos on the blog are mainly HDR photos and they also incorporate the use of an amazing piece of FREE photo processing software called Hugin. Hugin is a photo stitching software that allows you to create vertoramas and panoramas. Rather than offer an incredibly poor explanation/tutorial for you, I'll link the original tutorial offered at TWP. The photograph above was my first attempt at using the Hugin software. Chicago's Vietnam Service Memorial sits along the Chicago River near Wabash and Wacker. It's a dedication to all the men from Illinois who died serving their country during the Vietnam War. Outside of Washington D.C. this is one of the largest Vietnam Memorials in the county. 


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

Montrose Beach Sunrise and a Zen Moment

Getting up early is never easy, at least not for me anyway. However, it is greatly rewarded with scenes like the one above. Peace and solitude aren't bad byproducts of getting up early either. You can have this entire city nearly all to yourself if you plan accordingly. Set the alarm, grab your coffee and get out. If you need a little more help planning then allow me to help.


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

Morning Exercises

The Lincoln Park Zoo is smack dab in the middle of Lincoln Park. It's nestled between Lake Michigan and the city. It's also free. But what a lot of people don't know is that the Lincoln Park Zoo is open at 6 am. They advertise that they open at 10am but I've been there as early as 5:30 am and the gates are open. It's probably one of the most unique visits to a zoo you will ever experience (without being a zookeeper). You get the whole place to yourself, there are no screaming children throwing things at the animals and the best part is that most of the animals are out and about.

Chicago Light

Paris is known as the City of Light, and rightfully so. San Francisco's sun has been praised for its ability to drastically change colors within minutes. Chicago is far more likely to receive accolades for its culinary heritage rather than its inspirational quality of light. That being said, there are some parts of town that consistently provide some wonderful moments. Specifically the areas along the Chicago River from Lake to Van Buren. This is where the sun will reflect off of the water and the many tall buildings creating a warm, soft glow over much of the surrounding area. 

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

Monday Morning Train

MONDAY.

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

Summer Fade

I'm no Tom Skilling but I'm fairly certain we can say goodbye to Summer. That doesn't mean that we have to say see ya to good weather but it does mean no more lush, green trees and sweltering warm days that leave you gasping for A/C. My name is Michael Perry and I approve this message. 


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

The Rain

You say Willis, I say Sears. It doesn't matter what you call the building, it's still the tallest in the country. Besides that, it's an icon that represents Chicago and its skyline like no other single building can. Like a famous poet (Oran "Juice" Jones) once said, Chicago without the Willis Tower is like "Corn Flakes without the milk".


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

Diggin' in the Crates

This photograph was taken two years ago today on a stroll through Evanston. Also on this day in 1844 – The Great Anticipation took place: Millerites, followers of William Miller, anticipated the end of the world in conjunction with the Second Advent of Christ. Mostly due to the fact that neither of these events occurred, the following day became known as the Great Disappointment, to which the Millerites replied, "Oops, our bad."


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

Early Warning - Mucca Pazza

If you are into 30 piece, circus-punk, marching bands then you have probably seen Mucca Pazza several times. If you have been to any number of Chicago street fests you've probably seen them too. If not, now is your chance. After a long tour they are returning home to Chicago to open up for the Dresden Dolls at the Vic next month. It's an opportunity to experience an energy and sense of life that rarely accompanies music these days. Usually I measure the quality of a band by the disdain hipsters show for said band. In the case of Mucca Pazza just ask any hipster if they like them and you will most likely get the traditional "Psshhh" accompanied by the look of indifference and/or eye rolling. Translated, this means that 'they used to really like them but now more than 32 people know who they are, in which case they suck.'


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

Inspiration

This one is for my mom, Charise. 

Comfort Food

Homemade French Onion soup on a brisk Chicago evening is the perfect way to end a long day. If you don't like salt, bread and cheese then the terrorists have already won. Let the weight gaining season begin!


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

Bike Share

Chicago has been practicing the Bike Share program for about 3 months now. It's a great idea so long as people get behind it. This photo was taken last Spring in Paris. They originated the program several years ago.


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

Ode to San Francisco

Ok, I know it's a photoblog about Chicago and I'm a Cubs fan. However, I'm also from the Bay Area and my affinity for civic pride is endless. In honor of the Game 1 victory for the SF Giants I'm posting this photograph of the Bay Bridge taken from my trip back home last month. If you you have ever been to the Bay Area or if you know anyone from there you know that it is more of a way of life than it is a place.


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

The Mutiny

Caught a show last weekend at The Mutiny. It's a great place for cheap beer and good local music. 

We Love You was one of the bands performing that night and they always put on a high energy show. Despite the lack of a flash I took a few photographs.

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

Chicago Sunrise

The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.  No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen.  And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot.  The possibility is always there.  ~Monica Baldwin


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

Fountain of the Tritons

Some might think it difficult to find peace and quiet in a city the size of Chicago. If you know where to look (and when to go) you can find zen moments in the most unexpected of places. Take the Art Institute of Chicago for example. Without a doubt this is one of the busiest tourist attractions in the city and for good reason. By taking advantage of the Fall-Winter-Spring seasons you can spend intimate time with the artwork and the space itself. This is a photograph of the Fountain of Tritons which sits in the outdoor patio at the Garden Cafe. Become a member for $80/year and you get unlimited entry for 2 people year round and free coffee in the Members Lounge. The best $80 I've spent in a long time.


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

Clark St. Bridge at Dusk

Clark Street Bridge -by Carl Sandburg

DUST of the feet
And dust of the wheels,
Wagons and people going,
All day feet and wheels.

Now. . .
. . Only stars and mist
A lonely policeman,
Two cabaret dancers,
Stars and mist again,
No more feet or wheels,
No more dust and wagons.

     Voices of dollars
     And drops of blood
     . . . . .
     Voices of broken hearts,
     . . Voices singing, singing,
     . . Silver voices, singing,
     Softer than the stars,

     Softer than the mist.


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

The Shoreline of Lake Michigan

I love Chicago. That being said, it's still nice to get away every once in awhile. The West coast of Michigan is usually my go-to when I want to relax for a bit. If you want to feel the serenity of the ocean but you don't want to drop the $300+ for a plane ticket, just head to Michigan. 


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

The Light of Fall

There are few things in this world as inspiring as light. I'd say that people and music are in the Top 10 too. This photo was taken on a day trip to Saugatuck, Michigan. It's amazing how different Lake Michigan looks from Michigan vs. Illinois. Absolutely beautiful. 


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

"Loving Chicago is like loving a woman with a broken nose." -Nelson Algren


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

North Branch

Most of the photos on this blog have been processed in some fashion . . . duh. As I've mentioned before I'm horrible in Photoshop and the only time I ever use it is to correct lens distortion on architectural landscapes. Most often I find myself using a combination of Apple's Aperture and a Nik plugin for Aperture and I've found that to give me most of the results I'm looking for. Occasionally I'll use Photomatix and Hugin for HDR and panoramas. All that said, every once in awhile I'll be fortunate enough to capture lighting that is just perfect and doesn't need any processing. While exploring last weekend I was fortunate enough to find some wonderful lighting. 

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

Golden Hour

Color 101: Blue and Orange are complimentary colors. What the heck does that mean? This means that they are directly opposite of each other on the color wheel. There's a ton of science behind color and specifically color theory but I'm not looking to bore anyone with information about the psychoanalysis and physics involved in color theory. This photo that was taken during the golden hour near Logan Square. The Golden Hour is the hour or so photographers (and painters) refer to just after sunrise and just before sunset. It is the time of day when the sun's light has a warming effect on everything it touches. The warm colors are warmer and the cool colors are more saturated. It can take the most mundane of subject matter and give it a little more personality and emotion. 

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

Diggin' in the Crates

Juxtaposition is what I love most about skate culture. The movements are so utterly graceful and yet the personas are so brash and carefree. It doesn't matter what part of the country you are in, heck, it doesn't even matter what country you're in, skate culture follows a lifestyle that makes you feel young.


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

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Living in the city has many advantages. Pumpkin patches aren't exactly one of those advantages. Despite the lack of authenticity of farms, pumpkin patches, christmas tree lots and the like, I love how they fit into the urban environment. Somehow the attempt to recreate a rural environment within the urban surrounding is very pleasing with a slightly different aesthetic than the original. I stumbled upon this pumpkin patch while on a long walk. It's on California Ave just north of Addison. 


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

Fall Ball

Football in the park is a pure staple of the Fall. It's all about grabbing your sweats, some friends and a handful of Advil. This was shot last Fall when a group of friends got together to play some flag football at Welles Park. If you haven't done it in awhile, I strongly urge you to gather the troops and toss the pigskin around. After all . . . it's 'Merica!

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

Vaqueros!

Dos de Oro in Logan Square is a Chicago classic. You want boots? They got 'em. Wranglers? Got 'em. Boleros? They got those too. The country scene is one where the American and Latino cultures blend together a little more naturally than others. Mexican masked wrestling is a close second.


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

Boys of Summer

"You see, you spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time."  ~Jim Bouton, Ball Four, 1970

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball.  I'll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for spring."  ~Rogers Hornsby


Today marks the end of another season as a Cubs fan. It's quite possibly been one of the most dismal seasons I've seen in years. No playoffs and no awards. No manager and few heroes, heck . . . not even 75 wins. The warmth of Wrigley will hibernate for the next six months and the players will leave town and head back to their warm weather off-season homes. The sporting world will turn its eyes towards football and basketball. Meanwhile, the rest of us will stay here in Chicago all Winter just yearning for a chance to head to the bleachers just once on a sunny day and cheer for our boys in blue. But let me assure you that not all is lost. Being a Cubs fan means that you are blessed with eternal Hope. The energy and pride that this team has shown in the last month of the season has given me renewed Hope. The kind of Hope that will carry me through the frigid Winter months and the kind of Hope that has me already eagerly awaiting that first home game in April.  


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

Smile

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against."-Malcolm X

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

WTF?

No, that's not the Patriot Act at work . . . at least I hope not. It's a temporary public art piece by local Chicago artist Tony Tasset and it's located a block north of the Harold Washington Library. Mind blowing? Not exactly. Inspirational? Maybe for an ophthalmologist. Worth seeing? Absolutely. Besides, when was the last time you stood before a 3 story eyeball in downtown Chicago? Ok, after eating those brownies at Lollapalooza doesn't really count. Hurry because it's only here through October. 


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