This photo of a lakefront view of downtown Chicago was taken during my rust belt tour earlier this year. Although most of the trip was focused on finding the beauty in the decayed and neglected industries, we would take moments like this one to see the beauty in the modern city as well. This is a high dynamic range (HDR) shot using three bracketed shots combined into one image.
This building is part of the Santa Fe Grain Elevator Complex in Chicago, IL near Interstate 55 and Damen Rd. It was build in 1906 and then rebuild in the 30’s after a grain elevator explosion. There are several buildings including a power plant, a drying building, a rail car repair shop and several large grain silos measuring 40′ wide by 100′ tall. At one time, this complex could process and store 1,700,00 bushels of grain.
The whole complex is now abandoned and is the substrate for graffiti artists, sleeping quarters for a few homeless and the muse of urban explorers and photographers. When I was on the site, I could just sense the productivity that it once had. It is also flanked by a small waterway and frames the downtown skyline of Chicago.
This image is of the only one story structure on the complex that still stands. The eerie feel of this image is exactly what the space felt like. It was very calm with the only sounds being the dull roar of a nearby highway and the creaking of metal hanging from the roof as they blew in the wind. Despite the beauty of the sunset, I couldn’t help but feel disturbed by the piles of debris and wet insulation that littered the space.
As my brother, Joshua and I explored forgotten buildings throughout the rust belt, we noticed a relationship between the man made structures and nature. As the wind, rain and sun work on breaking down many of these old buildings, plant life begins to invade. Often the plants will grow on the roof tops or inside the building where the roof has failed. The roots can crack foundations and shift walls creating even more opportunities for mother nature to do her work.
This image was taken at sunset on our first day in Chicago. We spent much of the day searching for imagery with little luck. Our determination and faith that we would find something lead us to this complex of buildings and silos just off Highway 55. I was able to capture this image using 3 bracketed shots and a fisheye lens borrowed from Joshua.
I’ve always had a fascination with water towers. I’m not sure what it is about them but since I was a kid I’ve been attracted to them. During my trip to the rust belt, I took the opportunity to shoot a lot of water towers. Many of which I’m sure I will post on the site.
The potential energy of these towers is very interesting. Huge amounts of water stored in a tank on top of a building could have devistating effects. At the same time they represent an early technology that provided access to water and water pressure for buildings and whole communities.
This shot was taken in Toledo, Oh at sunset. The building is located right downtown along the Maumee river and serves as a reminder of simpler days.
This piece is inspired by my little brother Josh. I took this photo last night of 9th Street on Auraria Campus. This street houses many of the campus organizations such as the Metro Alumni Association. I’ve been looking into doing some High Dynamic Range photographs and this is my first go at it.
