Religion isn’t free

A preacher on State Street, just outside Old Navy. I seem to recall he was there way back in 2003 too.
I didn’t listen to anything he said but as I passed he pushed a sheet of paper into my hand. I made to take it but he wanted a quarter for it! In disgust I walked on. I’m not paying for something I won’t read anyway!
Even the guys with megaphones on Patrick Street give their propaganda for free.
A quick search on Google found out more about him: his name is Samuel Chambers, and he is a very youthful looking 66!

Samuel Chambers only wants the best for you.

So, if necessary, he won’t hesitate to tell you that you’re heading straight to hell.

Perhaps he’s told you that very thing as you were heading, instead, straight into the Old Navy store on State and Washington Streets to buy inexpensive summer tank tops. He’s the compact man, about 5 feet 6 inches with a thin moustache, dressed in a double-breasted suit and tie, holding a microphone out front on the sidewalk.

And finally, here’s a man who’ll give him a “big ol’ French kiss” the next time he walks by. “Pucker up” indeed!

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 55mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/40s

Crown Fountain in Millenium Park Chicago

This is one of the Crown Fountains in Millennium Park, Chicago. The red glow in this photo is from that large image! It’s actually a video, the person pictured smiles and changes expression every few seconds, and the face changes on a regular basis.
I didn’t know this was here at all, but it made up for the fact that The Bean was closed for renovation when we visited. I was really looking forward to that. We’ll have to visit Chicago again!

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 55mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/60s

Duck: “Who’s that then?”

I love when animals and birds look at you with a tilt of their heads as if inquisitive. What is this duck saying?
“There’s that guy with the camera again! Why does he keeping taking photos of me and my man?”
“What’s that thing he’s pointing at me?”
“I wonder if he has any bread?”
Ah yes, such is the life of a bird in an urban environment!

Aperture ƒ/5
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 180mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/100s

Duck on Red

A duck in Millenium Park, Chicago last May. Bet you’re wondering what is casting that red glow on the water? All will be revealed on Monday after I post a cute picture of it’s mate!

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 235mm
ISO 100
Shutter speed 1/60s

Tartan Baby

While we supped our coffee in Starbucks in Marshall Fields a baby and her mother were busy playing and enjoying each other’s company at the next table. Jacinta asked if I could take a photo of them and this is the result!

Aperture ƒ/4.5
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 35mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/60s

What a big smile!

While wandering the streets of Chicago taking in the sights a young boy and his mother passed me. He had the biggest grin on his face when he saw my camera and smiled gleefully when I took this shot!
Pictured in front of H&M on the Magnificent Mile near the John Hancock Center, Chicago.

Aperture ƒ/5.6
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/80s

Fade to white

A building on South Wabash, Chicago. I was on my way to Central Camera and just loved the leading lines when I looked up!
I debated with myself about removing the building on the right but left it in for context. Wabash runs parallel with State Street but is much narrower and the L runs down it covering the middle of the street. The first time you hear the train pass overhead you will look up!

Aperture ƒ/10
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 400
Shutter speed 1/250s

From Madison to Sears

I worked in the heart of the financial district of Chicago in the summer of 2003. Each morning I took the brown line of the L to Washington/Wells and walked the two blocks to the building where I worked.
This is the view only a few blocks away. You can see the Sears Tower near the end of this street!

In other news, this blog has been shortlisted in the best photoblog category. I have been shortlisted in the “Best Contribution to the Irish Bloggersphere” category too! Thank you all who voted. It’s up to the judges now. See you at the awards on March 11th!

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 18mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/125s

Feed The Birds!

This was taken yesterday in my back garden. We had some beautiful light after a very dull start to the day and I took advantage of it.
I used the Canon 75-300 IS lens but the bird feeder is about 3m away from my backdoor so I can’t get as close as I’d like. This is a very close crop of a much larger image. The original crop is 1188×1188 pixels but I really like how this came out.
There is purple fringing on the highlight around his mouth, and in his eye but it’s not too bad thankfully!

Aperture ƒ/7.1
Camera Canon EOS 20D
Focal length 300mm
ISO 200
Shutter speed 1/400s