Showcase
Mar. 6
2012
Chicago Architecture
The Chicago area is full of beauty. The architecture our area features is something to behold. Capture My Chicago photographers know this well, and have captured area architecture in a compelling way. Our editors set out to highlight a few of the best photographs featuring architectural details, but they couldn't pick just a few. The result is our largest showcase yet at nearly 100 photos. Sit back, relax and enjoy Chicago-area beauty in architecture.
What is a showcase? As a part of the Capture My Chicago experience, our editors will select photos from time to time and feature them in a showcase like you see here. A showcase is a digital publication of a collection of photos curated by our editors. Enjoy!
- Photographer
- Rob Johnson
- Category
- HDR Imagery
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
South Pond Pavilion
Lincoln Park Zoo South Pond / Studio Gang Architects The project transforms a picturesque urban pond from the 19th century into an ecological habitat buzzing with life. With the design’s improvements to water quality, hydrology, landscape, accessibility, and shelter, the site is able to function as an outdoor classroom in which the co-existence of natural and urban surroundings is demonstrated. A new boardwalk circumscribing the pond passes through various educational zones that explicate the different animals, plants, and habitat found in each. A pavilion integrated into the boardwalk sequence provides shelter for open-air classrooms on the site. Inspired by the tortoise shell, its laminated structure consists of prefabricated, bent-wood members and a series of interconnected fiberglass pods that give global curvature to the surface.
- Photographer
- John Chimon
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
The Geometry of Color
I spent a marvelous afternoon with my photographer friend, Ken Tanaka (kentanaka.com), at the Art Institute of Chicago. We went to see the Lewis Baltz exhibit and enjoyed it thoroughly. While in the Modern Wing, I took an opportunity to grab this shot of an employees only door...so wonderfully white against a field of beautiful red.
- Photographer
- John Caruso
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Ex1
- Photographer
- Mike Davern
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
Diagonals everywhere. I love it!! See comment
Bill Kalnes
on Union Station Ceiling (above)
Looking Up the Rookery Building Spiraling Staircase - Chicago 20
The oh-so-famous (I think) spiraling staircase at the Chicago Rookery Building. It was finished in 1888 by John Wellborn Root and Daniel Burnham. It is the oldest still-standing skyscraper in Chicago. Up top, it is rumored, is a beautiful glass encased area that served as the offices for the architects.The lobby was re-done by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 1900's. The Rookery is now a national historic landmark.What you are looking at isn't down - it's looking up the staircase with my tripod angled almost flat.
- Photographer
- Joe Lekas
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D80
- Photographer
- Dale Charles
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos Digital Rebel Xs
Wilson Hall, Fermilab
15-story high-rise building, located at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), Batavia, IL, home to what was once the world's largest Tevatron (atom smasher).
- Photographer
- Mike Baker
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Batavia, IL
- Camera
- unknown
Doorway
Taken at the Fourth Presbetyrian Church on Michigan Avenue. I love that place to photograph!
- Photographer
- Marcia Straub
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 50 D
- Photographer
- Peter Tsai
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
Untitled
The ceiling of the building on the south west corner of Michigan and Wacker.
- Photographer
- Christopher Wilson
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D200
- Photographer
- Melissa Speelman
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
Self Reflection
I find Lake Point Tower to be an irresistible photographic subject.
- Photographer
- Mike Umbreit
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 40 D
- Photographer
- Jennifer Frank
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D200
Very cool shot Jennifer. You know, when I grow up, I want to be a great photographer, just like you!! :) Really good pic as always. The pressure is on, now it is expected of you!! lol Take care! Congratulations! See comment
Bob Lamb
on Untitled (above)
Last of the Snow
View from inside the Art Museum after all the snow had melted and the trees were bare, The building across the street made an excellent background for this capture.
- Photographer
- Linda Faifer-Flynn Inspiringshots.com
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
- Photographer
- clark maxwell
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D60
- Photographer
- Jeff Lewis
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D300
I rode down these stairs on my mountain bike once. Nice shot. See comment
Kristine Quandee
on Stairs to Michigan Ave (above)
Big Woods Church
I loved the clarity of the stained glass window through the side window.
- Photographer
- Suzanne Apgar
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Batavia, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D3000
A Mini-Gehry
A detail taken from the architect Frank Gehry's Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park under its colored night lighting.
- Photographer
- Michael Wilhelmi
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D60
- Photographer
- Rubin Roche
- Category
- HDR Imagery
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D
Columns
Doric-style columns of the Millennium Monument (Peristyle) at Millennium Park.
- Photographer
- Ken Ilio
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Loop, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
- Photographer
- Bill Wilson
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Power Shot Sd790 Is
- Photographer
- Jiho Park
- Category
- Portraits
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D
- Photographer
- Anna Trivino
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Wilmette, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
Planks and Sky
I sent a wonderful day in Long Grove IL with two photographer friends of mine. One of the highlights of the day (for me) was this facade. The sky and the light were battling us all day (the sun was far too bright and direct). But I caught a fortuitous moment (coupled with a polarizer filter) and I grabbed this shot.
- Photographer
- John Caruso
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Long Grove, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
- Photographer
- Rubin Roche
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
this turned out great. good work! See comment
Adam Oles
on this is not what it really looked like (above)
- Photographer
- Robert Sollors
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D3100
838
Chicago is full of architecturally significant homes. This interior detail was captured in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
- Photographer
- Harold Blum
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
- Photographer
- Rolour Garcia
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Bartlett, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
Curvature
Image (staircase at the McCormick Mansion) captured at Cantigny, Winfield, IL
- Photographer
- Mike Baker
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Winfield, IL
- Camera
- unknown
- Photographer
- Rolour Garcia
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
City of Big Shoulders
The Chicago Board of Trade building along with the Continental Bank and Federal Reserve buildings are iconic of old Chicago skyscrapers.
- Photographer
- critter rettirc
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
Heaven Above
Shot late one night out in the west suburbs of Chicago this photo shows the stars in the sky around and behind the barn, and these are real stars and are not photo shopped
- Photographer
- Nicholas Johnson
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
- Photographer
- James Cole
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Batavia, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
- Photographer
- Tim Lowe
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
One Eleven
Chicago's architecture & design is world class and constantly changing. The vitality is evident both day and night. Just go on foot through the loop sometime and be surprised by the beauty of our city up close and personal.
- Photographer
- Harold Blum
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
- Photographer
- Tim Arroyo
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
Showcased Photographer
Rubin Roche
- 251 photos
- 6218 votes
- 82 followers
Rubin is a master behind the lens. He's captured a wide range of Chicago architecture in a unique way. You'll find his profile full of mesmerizing wide-angle shots of common places in an uncommon light. Of course he's more than just an architecture photographer. Look through Rubin's 170+ photos and you'll see he is skilled at photographing just about everything. Another unique thing about Rubin: his photo graced the cover of the first Capture My Chicago book. Take a moment to browse Rubin's photos. You'll be glad you did.
- Photographer
- Grant Carlson
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 60 D
Mill Reflection
A reflection of the blue sky and trees in a window of the historic Peotone Mill
- Photographer
- Monika Thorpe
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Peotone, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D60
Neon Walkway
The United Airlines underground walkway at Ohare airport. Designed by Helmut Jahn. A long tunnel with a moving walkway, it offers a kinetic sculpture of light and sound.
- Photographer
- Martin Konopacki
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
Stairway To Heaven
I love shots of fire escapes, stairways and repeating patterns generally. I took this one on an angle to get more in shot whilst avoiding the bright sunshine. I really like the angle and bright light at the top, almost makes it really feel like a stairway to heaven!
- Photographer
- Gordy Kenmuir
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos Rebel T1i
West Side Church Interior
The interior of Praise Temple of Restoration, located on the West Side of Chicago, originally built by Norwegian Immigrants in 1927 as the Moreland Lutheran Church.
- Photographer
- Kim Johnson
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 20 D
- Photographer
- craig skorburg
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
Promontory Point
Promontory Point is located along the lakefront near the Museum of Science and Industry.
- Photographer
- critter rettirc
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
- Photographer
- Tim Lowe
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
- Photographer
- Adam Oles
- Category
- HDR Imagery
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 7 D
Such a pleasure to view your work! This looks great with all the lines. Excellent composition!! See comment
Theresa Cramer
on Bridge Time (above)
- Photographer
- Victor Garza
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Dslr A700
- Photographer
- michelle white
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D5100
Stairway Design
Imaged captured inside the atrium of Wilson Hall at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), Batavia, IL
- Photographer
- Mike Baker
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Batavia, IL
- Camera
- unknown
The Cadillac Palace Theater Auditorium
The theatre originally opened in 1926 as the New Palace Theatre. It was built at a cost of $12 million as part of the Eitel Block Project. In 1984 the theatre was renamed the Bismarck Theatre and turned into a rock venue. In 1999, it was renovated and renamed the Cadillac Palace Theatre after Cadillac purchased naming rights to the venue. It currently has maximum capacity of 2,344 people. Since this reopening it has been home to many pre-broadway hits. The theatre is currently operated by Broadway In Chicago. The interior of the theater is French Baroque . The Rapp Brothers,George and Cornelius, were responsible for the design of the Cadillac Palace Theatre. The two men were also the architects behind the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre and the Chicago Theatre, as well as dozens of other theaters around the country. Their inspiration for the look and feel of the Palace Theatre came from the Fountainebleau and the Palace of Versailles. The interior includes huge decorative mirrors, breche violet and white marble. The walls inside are adorned with gold leafing and wood decorations, as well as a series of complex arches and detailed brass ornamentation.
- Photographer
- Sheryl Thomas
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D300 S
- Photographer
- jenny grod
- Category
- Still Life
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
- Photographer
- Allan Spiers
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 40 D
A Couple of Guys
Here are a couple of window, er wall washers working on the building at Block 37 on State St.
- Photographer
- Algis Vasonis
- Category
- On the Job
- Place
- Loop, IL
- Camera
- U1000/S1000
The Metro
This photograph of The Metro in Chicago, shows the theater on a rainy fall day. The straight lines of the buildings and Metro sign are complimented by the curve of the bike rack, while the high contrast pulls the black-ice-like sidewalk towards the cumulating clouds. The Metro moved to this building in 1982 in hopes to bring together local musicians, artists and dancers that were emerging in the city. Since the building has seen the likes of R.EM., New Order, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, Bob Dylan, The Flaming Lips, The Foo Fighters and (finally) in 2011, Chicago's own Wilco.
- Photographer
- James Bell
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Lakeview, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D5000
- Photographer
- Alex Gonzalez
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Lakeview, IL
- Camera
- unknown
- Photographer
- Jennifer Frank
- Category
- Abstract
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D200
Love this one See comment
Randolph Badiola
on Untitled (above)
- Photographer
- James Watkins
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
- Photographer
- Clive Bransby
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Dsc W150
The Abandoned Sanctuary
This image was captured in the main sanctuary of the Abandoned City Methodist Church in Gary Indiana. This place is full of old, burnt and deteriorating scenes in a place that was once a thriving center for worship, schooling and entertainment.
- Photographer
- Josh Merrill
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Gary, IN
- Camera
- Canon Eos 40 D
Ceiling Over the Transept
Holy Name Cathedral, Chicago, IL The ceiling of the church bears a seal of a Phoenix (symbolizing the rise of the church out of the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871). Written across the chest of the Phoenix are the Greek letters Iota, Eta and Sigma - a common contraction (the first three letters) of Jesus' name in Greek. More on this photo at http://natcarling.com/2010/02/26/all-you-have-to-do-is-ask/ .
- Photographer
- Nat Carling
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
- Photographer
- Debbie Beller
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D80
- Photographer
- Robert Wojtow
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos Digital Rebel Xt
- Photographer
- Monika Thorpe
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D60
Sangamon-Adams Park
This is a photo of the newly opened Sangamon-Adams Park in the West Loop. Previously the site of the UIC Eye Infirmary, the prime area was scarred for years by the dilapidated, crumbling building. Starting in 2009, the abandoned building was razed and replaced with a 'little Millenium Park'. Including a state-of-the-art children's playground, dog park, artistic water misters, and plenty of grassy hills, the new park has enlivened the West Loop community.
- Photographer
- Alexandre Rosen
- Category
- Cityscapes
- Place
- West Loop, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D300
- Photographer
- Stuart Grais
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
- Photographer
- Nick Ulivieri
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D5000
Fabyan Windmill after the storm passes
The Fabyan Windmill is an authentic, working Dutch windmill dating from the 1850s located in Geneva, Illinois. The 68 feet (21 m), five-story wooden smock mill sits upon the onetime estate of Colonel George Fabyan, but is now part of the Kane County Forest Preserve District.
- Photographer
- Scott Evans
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Geneva, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
I can't believe I haven't seen this sooner! Awesome. Instant love. See comment
Cassandra Pozulp
on Fabyan Windmill after the storm passes (above)
- Photographer
- Rolour Garcia
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
Showcased Challenge
The Letter M
In December we challenged Capture My Chicago photographers to capture the letter "M" all over the Chicago area. We had no idea what kind of photos would be submitted, but the response was fantastic! It turns out, many "M" shapes in Chicago are architectural features, which is why we are showcasing this challenge here. Natasha Jelezkina won the Editors' Choice award for her unique shot, above, and Linda Faifer-Flynn won the People's Choice award with the architectural "M" from the Art Institute of Chicago, right.
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- Photographer
- Taras Khlibovych
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 40 D
Bridge over trouble waters
Quite literally when you read this... <a href="http://www.dupageco.org/dec/generic.cfm?doc_id=4222" rel="nofollow">www.dupageco.org/dec/generic.cfm?doc_id=4222</a>
- Photographer
- Jonathan Robson
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Naperville, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
The Chicago Temple
The magnificence of Chicago architecture can be observed both externally and internally. Perhaps unknown to some, Chicago has some amazing church architecture. One such church is the First United Methodist Church, organized in 1831, is the oldest church in Chicago and is located across from Daley Plaza at Washington and Clark Street.
- Photographer
- Mike Baker
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- unknown
Chicago Picasso
This photo of the "Chicago Picasso" takes on the sculpture from a different view. I love the way that 162 ton artwork both is dwarfed by and withstands the old and new buildings it faces. Almost as if it is leading a charge for... something. The Chicago Picasso was dedicated in 1967 and marked a new era of public artwork in Chicago that wasn't solely defined by stone statues of historic figures. This photograph, taken during the 2011 Christkindlmarkt, shows how embedded in the city the once controversial piece now is.
- Photographer
- James Bell
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Loop, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D5000
- Photographer
- Brian Connelly
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
CNA
The CNA building reflected on the windows of the Chicago Bar Association Building on S. Plymouth Ct in the South Loop.
- Photographer
- Ken Ilio
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Loop, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D200
- Photographer
- Anna Nalepa
- Category
- Weather
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D60
Holy Name Cathedral
I had never been to Holy Name Cathedral so I decided to check it out... WOW!!! That place is absolutely amazing on the inside!!! If your ever in that area and have never been there, its definitely a place I would recommend you check out!!!!
- Photographer
- Jamie Link
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
- Photographer
- Tom Polous
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 7 D
- Photographer
- Rubin Roche
- Category
- HDR Imagery
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D
Twisty
In front of the Industrial Center Building, right across from the CDF, is this interesting spiral sculpture called Tractricious. It was cold the day I took this, but this thing was a whole lot of fun to take pictures of, and while it might not look like much, it's really quite fascinating up-close. If you're visiting Fermilab, it's right off the main public road, just east of Wilson Hall. Because I goofed while cropping this, the EXIF data was removed from this picture. So: shot handheld at 1/250s, f/8, 17mm, ISO 100, taken with my Sigma 17-70mm DC Macro on my Canon EOS 40D.
- Photographer
- Ed Marshall
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Batavia, IL
- Camera
- unknown
Under the Flamingo
Look up Chicago! This shot was taken under the "Flamingo" statue by Alexander Calder.
- Photographer
- Anna Trivino
- Category
- Landmarks
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
- Photographer
- Sarah Peters
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D80
- Photographer
- Joe Balynas
- Category
- Transportation
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos Digital Rebel X Ti
- Photographer
- Taras Khlibovych
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 40 D
- Photographer
- Laurence Pearlman
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos Digital Rebel Xs
Vary nice black and white . See comment
Katrina Ann
on Plamer House Hilton Hotel Interior (above)
- Photographer
- Michael Thompson
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D5000
- Photographer
- Rob Johnson
- Category
- HDR Imagery
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D700
- Photographer
- John Harrison
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D300
- Photographer
- Jarede Schmetterer
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D90
- Photographer
- simon wolak
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos 5 D Mark Ii
- Photographer
- Mike Turner
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Elgin, IL
- Camera
- Canon Eos Rebel T2i
- Photographer
- Clinton Scott-Williams
- Category
- Architecture
- Place
- Chicago, IL
- Camera
- Nikon D300 S
What's this about?
Capture My Chicago is full of all sorts of great content. This showcase is a way for the editors to hand-pick a selection of stand-out content and package it in a beautiful, gallery-themed bimonthly electronic magazine. We sincerely hope you enjoy!
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