Rodney Campbell's Blog

This fabulous view of Chicago’s buildings on either side of the canal at night is from the bridge at North Wells St

Wells it’s Chicago

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14 mm, 10 sec at f/8, ISO 64 x 5 Frames

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

This stitched panorama consists of five (5) vertical frames taken from roughly the centre of the bridge looking east

Taking the shots takes some patience. The bridge moves quite a bit when vehicles drive over and the oscillations continue for some time after they’ve gone. So it’s a matter of starting a frame when Wells St in both directions looks clear and the motion has settled down. Then hoping the exposure finishes before another car comes along. Invariably one does and you have to take the shot again, and again…

Eventually tho you get some sharp frames when luck is on your side 🙂

Heading along the southern side of the canal till I reached some buildings that I’d been told would be lit up with light projections at night

LaSalle to Clark

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24 mm, 5 sec at f/8, ISO 64

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

When The Merchandise Mart was opened in 1930, it was the largest building in the world, with 390,000 square metres of floor space. It is so large that it had its own ZIP Code (60654) until 2008

This art deco structure is located at the junction of the Chicago River’s branches. It was built in the same art deco style as the Chicago Board of Trade Building

The Merchandise Mart

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 16 mm, 2.5 sec at f/5.6, ISO 64

Since 2018 a bank of permanent projectors have been installed into the wall on this side of the canal. At night a light show projects onto the buildings facade

To be honest the projections and animations weren’t particularly interesting – mainly slow moving solid colours. The fabulous light shows on the buildings here in Sydney during the Vivid festival certainly put this to shame

Next stop on my night time wander through the streets of Chicago was the landmark Chicago Theatre and it’s iconic “Chicago” sign

Chicago Theatre

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 26.5 mm, 1/5 sec at f/8, ISO 64

Built in 1921, the Chicago Theatre was the flagship for the Balaban and Katz group of theatres and was originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre

The distinctive Chicago Theatre marquee, an unofficial emblem of the city, appears frequently in film, television, artwork, and tonight… photography

Chicago

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 42 mm, 1/100 sec at f/5.6, ISO 64

Leaving Navy Pier I walked into town to photograph the heart of Chicago city at night. The views along the canal and the Chicago riverwalk are particularly spectacular at night

Trumped

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14 mm, 10 sec at f/8, ISO 64

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

This is a four frame horizontal panorama taken from the William P. Fahey Bridge on North Columbus Drive. Looking west down the canal towards the DuSable Bridge. On the canal bend we have the Trump International Hotel & Tower and the spectacular 1924 Wrigley Building

Chicago Riverwalk

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14 mm, 6 sec at f/8, ISO 64 x 4 Frames

On the left and right of the canal runs the Chicago riverwalk

As it got deeper into twilight I was able to capture more of the city lights in the background. I was also able to use longer exposures to create an interesting effect with the rotating Centennial Wheel

Chicago Spin

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24 mm, 5 sec at f/8, ISO 64 x 5 Frames

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

This new 60m high wheel opened in May 2016 as part of the renovation of the Pier which started in 2013

Eyes on Chicago

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24 mm, 8 sec at f/8, ISO 64 x 3 Frames

Here is a single horizontal frame of the wheel with the cityscape behind. This sort of composition was my original inspiration for coming here during my stay in Chicago

Centennial Wheel

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S @ 24 mm, 8 sec at f/8, ISO 64