Chicago's best photo spots

[barbba81]

Hi guys,
in August I'll spend one week of vacation in the windy city. I'd like to know a sort of charts of places/bulding/attractions that must be shot in this city. In particular i'm intrested in understending if the best aerial panorama of the skyline it's provided by the top of Willis Tower or John Hancock observatory.
Thanks a lot.
bye

[Daedalus34r]

you know it's sad to say as a chicagoan im still trying to find the best photo spots.

If you stay in downtown and walk around the shore-line you will get great views of the city. Walk to the adler planetarium, it kind of juts out into the water and is decently set back from the downtown area so you can get a good view.

Sears tower will give you the best view of the surrounding area, but i have a feeling john hancock building will give you a better view of the surrounding buildings, including sears tower. O right, it's willis tower now (but we keep calling it sears :cool:)

I hope that helps.

[jenxin]

Yeah.. me too, There are a couple nice places, make sure to come to chinatown! As said, the lake shores awesome, make sure to catch a sunrise. :).

[airfrogusmc]

Hi guys,
in August I'll spend one week of vacation in the windy city. I'd like to know a sort of charts of places/bulding/attractions that must be shot in this city. In particular i'm intrested in understending if the best aerial panorama of the skyline it's provided by the top of Willis Tower or John Hancock observatory.
Thanks a lot.
bye

I prefer the view from the Hancock. It has both the Standard Oil building and the Sears Tower in the field of view looking south.

[Odie23]

I got some of my favorite photos from the water taxis. Cheap way to see the city, and it wasn't too crowded on any of the boats.

[barbba81]

Thanks everybody for the answers. And what about some good shop for photo gear?
Unfortunatly there isn't a B&H in Chicago!
Thank you!

[Crappymonkey]

Bump for this thread.

I'm also heading to Chicago. I'll be arriving next Sunday and staying for a week with some relatives.

[silvrr]

Take a look at this thread on a local Chicago forum for ideas. The maps has locations and pictures below. Further down in the thread there is an updated version I beleive.

http://www.chicagophotoshop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5116

[gjl711]

I prefer the view from the Hancock. It has both the Standard Oil building and the Sears Tower in the field of view looking south.Ah.. A true Chicagoan. :) None of the Aon center or Amaco building, or Willis tower.. :) Everyone knows it's the Standard Oil bulding and Sears Tower. :)

For good spots, nothing on land gets a better cityscape than right off the Adler planetarium especially at night. Right around there you have Buckingham fountain, Navy pier and a couple other things.

Millenium park is always fun, best go early in the morning, the earlier the better. It is very uncrowded right when it opens at 6:00 am.

The 5 bridges is always worth a visit and lots of photo-ops there.

Also, just a stroll around the loop has all sorts of interesting things to photograph.

[theextremist04]

I agree on Millenium park- there are some great shots to be had right around there. I went to Chicago over spring break and took quite a few pictures; here are a few-

http://mjtarne.zenfolio.com/p323534692

[[Hyuni]]

Millenium Park
Museum Campus (Alder Planetarium) *GREAT view of the Chicago skyline from south looking north*
Navy Pier *GREAT view of the Chicago skyline from north looking south*
Sears Tower (don't call it Willis in Chicago... you might get hazed) *They have a protruding glass room from floor to ceiling on the observation deck which I heard is pretty cool... Hope you're not afraid of heights!*
John Hancock Tower
Trump Tower next to the Chicago River
Buckingham fountain
Soldier Field
State Street

There's a LOT to see in downtown Chicago.
Bring your tripod because everything is even better at night.

Here's a set of my recent night trip to the city.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/distinction/sets/72157623829050535/

[Udubbadger]

old thread revival but was wondering if anyone knew of any good scenic photo locations in Chicagoland for automobile shots where they aren't on private property and will get tossed by security or the cops.

thanks

[mraynie]

You might be able to go to the Joliet race track when they are running the driving schools and get pics. I've done that before. Scenic places? You may be better off photoshopping a car into a photo. ;-)

Mary

[PFDarkside]

There are a lot of alleys in the loop area (right around the L) that if you have an "assistant" (for me that equals brother or friend ;)) you could do a quick setup, shoot, disassemble before you get hassled. I've often thought they'd make a great urban car shot.

If you want the senic backdrop of buildings, it might be a touch more difficult.