Angelica Grace Designs Blog

Saturday, August 29, 2009

LOVIN' CHI-TOWN

Incredible. Just incredible. Chicagoans have no idea how blessed they are to reside in a state that has a city as gorgeous as Chicago. Each time I'm here, it reconfirms how much I love this city and just how simply stunning it is.

Aside from the two hour bumper to bumper traffic I sat in on the highway yesterday while attempting to get here (traffic was because of a horrible accident), the ride in was wonderful. I lived it up in the car for 5 hours (was supposed to be three but the accident ruined that idea) during the drive in completely alone. It was just me, God, my Rob Thomas & my Kings of Leon tunes. I enjoyed every second of being able to crank up the stereo without busting my kids ear drums. And let me just tell ya', if you don't have any Kings of Leon music, GET SOME - like now! I love their band - love their style - love their sound. Either way, I rolled onto Michigan avenue at about 6:15pm last night. I made the dinner on time with the rest of my workshop attendees. They are all great! So fun and so nice. It's great to be in a group where each of us could sit and talk photography for hours on end and never flinch. We did just that last night. After our incredible dinner together, we hit the town and had a ball playing around with our cameras in the midnight hours. If you've ever been to downtown Chicago, you'll know that the city is still A-L-I-V-E at that hour of the night so it is almost like it is day time due to the amount of people out and the lights still on. We hit the river front which is conveniently right across the street from our hotel, and snapped some cool shots while experimenting with panning and slower shutter speeds. We also hit this under pass and practiced slowing the cars waaayyyyy down to get this ribbon streaming from their lights. Very, very cool. I had a lot of fun with this...

Looks wicked, doesn't it? Almost like the cars are ghosts and the only thing you see is their lights passing you by. Too fun!

After practicing with cars, we hit the river front and I managed to capture this cool shot of a river yacht going by while I was shooting. I slowed it waaayyyyy down as well but attempted to keep the rest of the scene crisp and clear - even getting some star bursts on a few of the lights...

And here is the tail end of the river yacht. Love the squiggly ribbon lines from its lights. Everyone on the yacht was waving to all of us (all 11 photographers with 11 cameras and 11 tripods - we looked like a force to be reckoned with and got quite the questions on the street. I think some thought we were the paparazzi and that a celeb was in town. HA! Some guy stopped me and said..."What are we looking for, I'm from another state and need to know." Ha ha!)

Needless to say, I'm having an absolute blast. We had a fabulous night with spectacular weather last night. We are hoping the rest of the weekend will prove to be the same. We just finished up a wonderful breakfast together this morning at the Corner Bakery and are now headed out for a day and night full of non-stop shooting. Our day will be chocked full all the way up until at least 10pm tonight according to our instructor. I can't wait to share our "captures" with all of you once I return home to Indy. For now, I hope you enjoyed the night light shots above. Enjoy your Saturday. And hey...if you happen to be off Michigan avenue or in downtown Chicago today or tomorrow - and run into a group of 11 women packing cameras, flag us down and say hello. :)

Much love, Angie

Labels: , , ,

10 Comments:

Blogger Tanya said...

Wow. Stunning shots. My fav. is the underpass picture. I have always wanted to get a picture like that. Great job!
Mmmmm I LOVE the Corner Bakery.

Whatever you do girl ... DO. NOT. LEAVE. CHICAGO. WITHOUT. GOING. TO.GINO'S. EAST. PIZZA. I will have to come to Indiana and hide all your Twilight books if you do.

It's a CRIME to come to Chicago and not eat there. ;)

I have lived here all my life.I can say that.;)

8/29/2009 10:36 AM  
Blogger Sara said...

Awesome photos, Angie. You have a true gift. Take a picture of US Cellular Field (White Sox field) if you get the chance! Haha.. have a great time!

8/29/2009 10:37 AM  
Blogger Tanya said...

Oh and I have a little assignment for you so I KNOW you were there. ;) Write on the wall and take a picture of it.

Remember... your Twilight books are at stake here. ;)

8/29/2009 10:38 AM  
Blogger The Clines said...

Hi Angie,
I LOVE Chicago too. We were just there in July for a family vacation and had a great time. It looks like many of your shots were taken near the hotel we stayed at, so I really enjoyed your photos! We ate bfast at the Corner Bakery too- grat place. Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Teresa

8/29/2009 4:24 PM  
Blogger Jill said...

Oh Angie, you got some awesome shots! It sounds like you guys are having a really fun time! Chicago is such a fun city. Love going there! Hilarious that people thought you were paparazzi! Have fun!

8/30/2009 7:09 PM  
Anonymous Brent said...

angie I love the tunnel. your so gifted. I love u. can't wait to where new passion takes u.
tfana twcmitia

8/31/2009 12:02 AM  
Blogger Molly said...

I am a idiot I mean't to say shots and not the other word I accidentally typed. OOPS!! Sorry you can delete my post if ya want. They really need spell check and grammar check on these comment windows. Again sorry :) Have a happy Monday!!!
~Molly P

8/31/2009 7:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is one of the prettiest cities in the world--the architecture alone is testament to the gifts of many men.

8/31/2009 8:12 AM  
Blogger Tricia-Lynn Harter-Carter said...

Angie:
I have been a follower of your blog and your work for a long, long time.

Not sure what's going on in your life right now either. I do hope and pray that it all works out for you. You are a motivator and a certainly deserve to be lifted up -- which I know you will -- because you do it so often for so many others. Faith assures me you will be fine.

I am also an avid photographer. I do think that you work before has always been amazing.

But.............I wanted to tell you I am getting so much inspiration from you to take the leap to do more and learn more and put myself out there more.

Your photography has IMPROVED (and it wasn't bad...........don't think i'm saying that, PLEASE) but man -- YOU ARE MAKING YOUR WORK AND YOUR TALENT AND YOUR SKILLZZZZZ SO MUCH MORE AND IT IS FOR ME A TOTAL 180 FROM WHERE YOU WERE SAY 2 MONTHS AGO.

I wanted to de-lurk and tell you I NOTICED YOU, I NOTICED YOU, I NOTICED YOU. And man, you are rockin' it big time. Keep doing what you are doing and things are going to keep changing for you and your work is going to EXPAND beyond anything you ever imagined. Keep your options opetion and don't limit yourself.

I justed wanted you to know I noticed you and I'm loving what you are doing and am inspired by you.

Thanks.

Tricia-Lynn

8/31/2009 12:15 PM  
Blogger Leslie said...

Just stunning Angie! My images from that night don't look nearly as beautiful as yours! You are very gifted and a true sweetheart, so glad I got to meet you this weekend, so sorry to read about "why" you left dinner that night. My heart goes out to you and your family, I will keep you in my prayers. I think I need to take your beginners class, please have another one when you feel up to it! Take care sweetie! Leslie

9/03/2009 11:39 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home

AGD Blog Archives

Link to Us!

 

Copy code and paste in your blog where you would like button to be displayed.


Copyright © 2006-2008 Angelica Grace Designs | All Rights Reserved | Blog Design: Simply Creative | Graphics: PRESH Web Designs