Photographing the Windy City!

I recently returned from my scouting trip to Chicago for my upcoming photography workshop, and I couldn't be more excited about the images I captured and the locations we'll be photographing. One of the highlights of the trip was sharing the experience with my 19-year-old nephew, teaching him how to use my Sony camera and helping him learn the art of composition. We had a great time exploring the city together, revisiting some of my favorite locations while also discovering several new ones.

Whenever I plan a new workshop, I like to visit the destination ahead of time and scout the locations personally, especially if there are places I haven't photographed before. Although my brother lives in Chicago and I've visited many times, my research uncovered several new viewpoints and locations that I wanted to explore. I've always loved Chicago's architecture, from its historic landmarks to modern icons like the St. Regis Chicago. Most of the locations are within walking distance of each other, while a few require a short drive—but every one of them is worth the effort.

One location wasn't even on my original list, and I'm glad I discovered it at the last minute. The Baha'i House of Worship, located just outside downtown Chicago, completely amazed me. I arrived early one morning and was immediately captivated by its incredible architecture. Photographing the exterior required a bit of courage, as several red-winged blackbirds were nesting nearby and were not particularly happy about my presence. I was dive-bombed a few times, but fortunately both the birds and I survived the encounter unharmed. The experience was worth it, and I returned the following evening to capture several beautiful twilight images.

I've also always been fascinated by Chicago's "L" train system and had identified several locations where I wanted to photograph it. Two of the best vantage points were from parking garages overlooking the tracks. One location provided an almost straight-down view of an intersection where multiple train lines enter the downtown Loop. We visited early in the day, but the light wasn't ideal, so we decided to return later. I'm glad we did because the resulting image became one of my favorites from the entire trip.

A friend suggested that I visit the University of Chicago campus, a place I had never photographed before, and I'm so glad I took the advice. The campus offers an incredible variety of architectural styles in a relatively compact area. Highlights included Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, a striking Brutalist-style library, the Gothic-inspired Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, and numerous historic and contemporary buildings. You could easily spend an entire day photographing the campus and still leave with more ideas than time.

I only had a few days to photograph this incredible city, and I already can't wait to return. If you would like to join me for my "Art of Architecture: Chicago" workshop, please visit my website at www.randyvanduinen.com for more information. The workshop is limited to just seven participants, and only a few spots remain.

I hope you'll join me for an outstanding learning experience and leave with some fantastic images of one of America's greatest architectural cities.