John Hancock – Chicago

John Hancock - Chicago

When clouds drift across the top 100 feet of the John Hancock Building a reverse draft is created on the opposite side of the building where a plume of cloud will often circle and re-circle in the same general area for minutes at a time or until a breeze from a different direction hits the building. It’s especially interesting looking from inside the building on the observation deck. There may be beautiful blue skies on three sides of the building and then what looks like a storm brewing on the fourth side. The Hancock may not create weather, but it alters it at 1,100 feet. On the next partly cloudy day with a mild wind, look up and watch something remarkable. Besides, it’s a good neck stretch.

The Old Playboy Building

The Old Playboy Building

Once the home to Playboy Magazine, this 37 story art deco legacy was finished in 1929. Now called the Palmolive Building, it houses luxury condominiums while the bottom two floors are retail space. The Palmolive sits on Michigan Avenue with stunning views of Lake Michigan to the North and city views to the South.

The Trump Tower – Chicago

The Trump Towers

Although not one of my favorite skyscrapers in the city, the glass structure provides drama 24 hours a day with light. Interesting shape captures light bouncing it twice and sometimes three times. Architect Adrian Smith of legacy agency Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, designed the building which is the second tallest in the United States surpassed in height only by the Sears — now — Willis Tower. It was Trump’s intention to build the tallest building in the world at this site, but scaled back after 9/11.

Burberry Building on Michigan Avenue

Burberry Building on Michigan Avenue

Mirrors, mirrors

With the greatest of ease

There are about 50 “non-traditional” window washers across Chicago. These guys, by law, are allowed to swing off ropes to clean windows providing the weather cooperates. Without exception, each washer I’ve met is Mexican-American and looks like he’s been poured out of a mold. They look like gymnasts and I guess that makes some sense. None claim to be fearless, but heights are not the issue. They worry about equipment failure and wind. I video taped these three guys through the window of my apartment on the 34th floor. I continue to be surprised at the pay for rope-dangling, window washing. It’s about $17.00 an hour.

The city’s finest and sometimes meanest

The city's finest and sometimes meanest

I always enjoy watching the tough guy cops — young, new, muscles and haircuts — break out of character and seem so utterly human at times. Chicago uniforms are famous for flirting. Which group engages in flirting more often and at a higher level, firefighters or cops? Not even close. Cops.

Oak Street Tunnel

Oak Street Tunnel

During the warm six weeks of the year in Chicago, literally thousands of people pass through the path on any given day. On a chilly fall night, it’s just me and the other guy.

Sisters

Sisters

Sure is interesting how one of them can get out of bed in the morning and appear to share no DNA at all with the other.

Mexican Independence Day Parade

September 14. Perfect day. Terrible lighting. Wonderful subjects to shoot.

Glass, steel and lines

Glass, steel and lines

Blue sky’s are a designers best friend