Sunday, September 29, 2013

A Clickin' Good Time


Signed up a month or so ago for the Chicago Clickin' Mom's Photo Walk....did the Scott Kelby walk a couple of years back and enjoyed it so thought I would give this a try.  Fun.  Met quite a few photographer's from my town and surrounding towns, so maybe this will lead to more photo walks with like-minded camera nuts like me.  Altho most of them were young Moms, I mean really young, it was fun.  Quite a few of them had taken classes from Clickin' Moms and everyone of them had nothing but praise for whatever class they took.  I belong to Clickin Moms, but I have never participated in any of their classes....thought they were a might pricey, but now that I have talked to many that were so positive in their feedback, decided to give it a whirl.  Starting a new class with them in October.  And will definitely provide you with feedback for any of you that are interested, but hesitant like me.  Have always enjoyed Tracey Clark's classes, but feel like hers are more inspirational than teachable/definitive stuff.  I need some teachable stuff now. Does that make sense??  

Anyway....it was another beautiful day in Chicago.  We have truly been blessed lately with gorgeous weather, and I think it is predicted to continue...yippee!!  A great day for a camera walk.  We met at a  park really close to downtown Chicago.  So much wonderful activity going on in this square block park, kids playing, women sunbathing, couples picnicking, a dog park, men reading on benches....just like the suburbs only this was only a couple of blocks from downtown Chicago.  Lots of new condos, apartments & townhouses in this area which I believe was once almost a ghetto.



Not every apartment building was brand-spankin' new....some definitely needed some renovating....


While others were lookin good.  Wonder if any of these residents work at that USG building right next to them?


As we wandered there were always signs that life was tough for some folks....



I worked in downtown Chicago for several years, taking the train in and out of the city everyday 5 days a week.  Not once did I stop and really look at this beautiful building, what a truly special landmark we have here.  But today, I did....enjoying every detail.




And this is where I met one of the Amtrak police officers...


And I also met Fred....and his spiffy hat!!


We came out of the train station just in time to see the bridges rising to let the sailboats pass under. They do this in the Fall and again in the Spring as the sailboats return or leave their winter storage spots.


Walking back toward the park where we began we passed Old St. Pat's Catholic Church....couldn't pass by this historical church without at least stopping in for a moment.  St. Pat's opened it's doors in 1846 and is one of the few buildings that survived the Chicago Fire.  Lot's of history with this old church.  Today a wedding was scheduled for 1:00 PM so we were there just prior to the wedding party arriving.  Wonder how many thousands of couples have been married in this old church?



I have about 300 more pictures, but I think I'll stop now and go to bed.  A great day, well spent with my camera and a group of really special ladies.

"A little of what you fancy does you good."  ~  Marie Lloyd

Until next time.....


28 comments:

  1. Dear Deanna, thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great shots! and this looked like so much fun. Enjoyed seeing your photos of Union Station. I spent alot of time in that building as my dad worked for the Burlington Northern railroad. Remember walking up those stairs with him many times. Will be interested in hearing how the class is.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing a wonderful day in the city. Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are absolutely gorgeous Deanna. Your people shots are truly amazing. I love the train station, we always seems to be there late in the day, so the lighting is not so gorgeous. The details awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  5. awesome shots Deanna!! have a good weekend.
    i love the people shots. really enjoy them! ( :

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful pictures and so happy you found some same thinking people:) I have found too some new friends who likes to take pictures, I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am so excited for my walk-especially after seeing your photos. I've never been to Laguna-so it will be eye candy! These are great pictures Deanna. They tell a story of Chicago for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a great walk Deanna, were these taken with your new camera? The shots of the people are great, they add character to the day. xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are gorgeous, Deanna!! What a gorgeous way to see such a marvelous city!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your photos are great now. Can't wait to see what you come up with after the class!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. looks like a lot of beauty to see and details to stop and notice. thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Bravo to you for stepping up and taking that shot of the homeless man. Just the look on his face alone speaks volumes. And it is also so powerful how you then focused in on his shoes. The photos say so much.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Looks like a good time in your old Chicago, beautiful day there also, I see you had that long lens on for the old man but with his eyes staring at me I don't know if I could have taken that shot. Good for you, love the shoes, that is more the shot I think I could have gotten. No eyes.

    I know what you mean about the classes, have felt that a long time about the inspiration and not the learning unless you can absorb it through viewing others images. I always learn something but regardless in any class some less than others.

    Nothing like the old buildings to photograph in my eyes, for beauty, I think that is why I love Europe so much. Have fun in your new class and enjoyed your walk.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! Love your photos and wonder if you offered the homeless guy any money to take his photo or asked for his permission? I am so shy about taking photos of people--I feel like I am invading their personal space. You inspire me to get out more and take more interesting photos! Looking forward to hearing about the Clinkin' Mom's class too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks Deanna I will never visit Chicago but I feel I know a little more about your part of the world. And it's true what they say about policemen getting younger !!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well, I'm not sure what else you can be taught, woman. You already know what you're doing with your camera. A beautiful and diverse collection here.

    ReplyDelete
  17. These are wonderful, Deanna, and the photo walks sound like they were so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great shots .... thanks for sharing!
    So glad you had a nice time .... I searched in my area, there were no ClickinMom walks :-(
    Enjoy your Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, Deanna! This sounds like so much fun and you got such nice photos! I'll be eager to hear about your class with CM. I've always shied away, too, because I thought they were pricey. But you're right, as much fun as Tracey's classes are, they're more inspiration than 'substance'. I also can't wait to hear how you like your new camera!

    ReplyDelete
  20. WOW! Deanna! your walk appears to be been wonderful in many ways --- beautiful weather, pretty sights, willing participants (love the photo of the man sitting on the steps - did you ask permission to take his picture?), many textures & colors --- this is a stunning set of photos! can't wait to see more...

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the focus on the sailboat shot! So many wonderful sights - I felt that I was walking with you. Nice in Denver and the mountains, too - lifts the spirits.

    ReplyDelete
  22. So many wonderful photos of your City. It is amazing how much more we notice with a camera in hand.

    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your photos are wonderful. You have such a great eye. (I've wanted to go on a photo walk.) Thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful walk through your city and lots of great captures! I love the detail shots very much.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a neat trip! I wonder if we have anything like that around here - it would be inspirational to do this with a group like that. I love the way you revisited a site that you saw daily for such a long time but never really saw. Beautiful set, Deanna!

    ReplyDelete
  26. You got so many wonderful pictures. I would love to participate in a photo walk. I can't wait to see how your classes go. I wish I had the time and money to do that too.

    ReplyDelete
  27. This sounds better than the photo walk I did a few years ago, the group leader got us all together and said "everyone is on their own, you can break off into small groups if you want and we will meet back for lunch" I was hoping for someone to show me around, wasn't familiar with the area. Oh, well.... great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I surely forgot to check and see if there was a click-n-walk by me...need to remember next year, but that's what I said last year! lol

    Great shots of a great city indeed...

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment, I read and cherish them all. I will do my best to return the favor.