Featured Photo of the Week

May 28, 2011

Though my main responsibility as the photographer for the USGBC’s 6th Annual Emerald Gala at Soldier Field was to get “candid” photographs of the event’s 375 attendees enjoying the evening, along with a few more formal photographs of the award winners, there were numerous opportunities to create/capture images that I feel appeal to a wider range of viewers; photographs that would be interesting and visually attractive to people who were not at the event.

The first image, of the wine glasses was taken close to arrival 2 hours before the doors open to capture the space. I was immediately drawn to the patterns created by the compositions of 100s of glasses at the bar area. It was a tough choice in just selecting one photo to represent the moment, but I eventually settled on this composition. Stay tuned for additional images (including both wine, beer, and mixed drink glasses) to be added to the series in the future.

Second, though I’ve only been to one Bear’s Game (a 2008 week 7 – 48-41 win over the Minnesota Vikings), it was surreal to see the stadium of 61,500 seats empty. Minus a handful of other attendees taking advantage of the location of the gala, there was no one to be seen. I felt the pattern caused from the repitition of “Bears Blue” chairs was striking, and a view that the majority of fans are unable to experience.

Last of the three “Featured Photos,” occured later in the evening. While the dance floor was never fully packed like many Chicago late-night clubs, the crowd remained consistent. While I have many “candid” photos showing many people enjoying the live band, I’m a sucker for the color red. I felt the dancing pinstripe pants and black shoes, along with the black sequined dress and vibrant red shoes was the perfect setting for a timeless photo.

If you like these images, please visit the full gallery here. Also, as always, the Featured Photo of the Week’s photos are offered at discounted prices.

May 14, 2011

Please check back often, as a new featured photo will be offered each week at discounted prices.

This week’s photo is from a recent trip to Barcelona. It is the interior of architect Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece, Sagrada Familia.

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Arriving 1/2 hour before the gates opened, the entrance line was already halfway around the block. Once open, the line moved quickly though. It was truly an amazing experience, and vastly different than I remember it being in 2000. The interior is now open, and was consecrated by the Pope in 2010. Photos really can do the experience no justice, but with spending 6 hours there, seeing the light change from morning to afternoon, and taking countless photographs, I’m happy with what I was able to capture. This photo, an ultra wide angle view of the ceiling, is one of my favorite from the day.

Please check out some other images from the trip in the growing Spain gallery.