Western Light by Chipka
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Description
The grace of dramatic skies is something that will always draw my attention: I learned the beauty of clouds in Prague—a city like any other, only beautiful and with a history that predates the country of my birth. There are open spaces in Prague: ancient buildings cast their silhouettes against rolling and turbulent clouds. The sun rises and sets in incomparable splendor. Prague, I have learned, is a city that teaches you an appreciation of the sky and of rivers, of verdant hills and scraggly grapevines.
Chicago is a different city altogether. It is younger. Larger. Far, far more crowded. It is jagged and angular, brash, and a bit smug. It is a city that obscures the sky and its own river; it doesn’t sit within a picturesque valley friendly to fogs and other mysterious vapors.
Chicago is a jagged pimple on a very flat face. Chicago is a mass of up-thrust shards of metal and glass on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, and from the right perspective—with sky and sunlight, clouds and even the reflected, utilitarian light of a hospital—it attains a particular and undeniable beauty.
As always thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (23)
mbz2662
Wow Chip, that is a really cool photo! It sorta looks like a spaceship hovering over the city. Well done :)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
paul leatham
Very interesting perspective, it reminds me of Edward Hopper. The reflection clinches it.
MrsRatbag
Wonderful lighting, and yes, that reflection does look like an alien spaceship! Great capture, and very thought-provoking!
jocko500
wonderful lighting
Cameocat
The reflection gives it a depth, somehow. I can't explain it, and perhaps don't want to because that would break the "spell" so to speak. Excellent image.
RodS Online Now!
Nice one, Chip! I think most of us photographers would tend to minimize the reflection from the room behind, but in this case, I think it adds too the photo very well. It sweeps the eye across the cityscape, and right to the bright triangular area. And the large building and light colored roof in the center pulls you right back in to the picture. Wonderful!
Sepiasiren
the kewlest shot ever--I am afraid of heights so I don't think I woudl have braved it--but your eye gives me a the ability to partake from the safety of my own home--lol
bmac62
Brilliant...the rising sun and your commentary:) Congrats on your most deserving selection as Artist of the Month (AOM).
helanker
WOW! What a beautiful view indeed. You really captured it beautifully.. I have a weak feeling that you miss Prague alot :-)
minos_6
The light in this image is beautiful, and the reflection gives the whole a ghostly depth, which enhances rather than detracts from the view. Very nicely done, and it's interesting that you draw a line between two such very different cities......
lick.a.witch
Terrific! Leaving the reflection is just magic! ^=^
durleybeachbum
Fab pic..you almost make it look attractive to me!!
flavia49
very beautiful image!! fantastic light!
Meisiekind
Amazing image Chip and I love how you caught the reflection of the hospital in the window! Marvelous indeed!
auntietk
Oh man ... catching the ceiling reflection was a stroke of brilliance! The golden glow of the setting sun is gorgeous, the clouds are amazing, the whole thing rocks!
sandra46
outstanding shot and i especially like the scifi flavor of the reflection effect
jmb007
superbe photo!
beachzz
oh wow--this just blows me away. it could be the cover to your book!! as i flew out of chicago last year, i looked back and there it was, this city popping up in the middle of nowhere it seemed. you really get that feel when you see it from the air.
lucindawind
stunning work !
Alex_Antonov
Outstanding work!
praep
Really great sky. Thanks for sharing.
anahata.c
yikes Chip, I've been in your gallery an hour & 20 minutes (my first comment posted after writing it for a bit), and I'm only on comment #3! Forgive that I've only gotten to 3 of your pieces so far, and have barely penetrated your recent uploads, including your brilliant stories, etc. But at least you know I've spent time. (I've seen & read everything of yours, as it went up, and I hope to get back for more as I return.) This is another of your brilliant urban captures---not only for the fine capture of the western light here, which is beautiful but stark; but because of your brilliant framing with the window & it's reflections! The hospital room is a great 'frame' to this shot, giving a ceiling to the endless west-side expanse; and creating the illusion that there is such a ceiling to begin with. (Sometimes the west, out a window, seems like it goes on to infinity, and this ceiling kind of "embraces" it all, to my eye. Maybe I'm seeing through rose-colored glasses, but that's really how I see it.) it's like a huge ship overseeing a massive sprawl and being sure it's ok. Brilliant. As for the young, brash & brazen qualities of this city: Well it was, after all, built to enshrine the new expansionist mind-set, it's moneyed interests & its industrial might. And considering it was built on a swamp---at least the Eastern part---and that all this 'solidity' was human-made, it's no surprise that it has an "I'm here & screw you" way about it. All of that's in your capture...the endless concrete & boxes and stark midwestern light. You caught that too. But inside, I assume Corey was starting his healing. So love & closeness was right behind the shot. That ceiling feels benevolent to me! It just does. Maybe your love spread out into the city to be sure that the vast west side knew there were souls looking out for it. You bring that out in your art & words. Fine work, Chip, and a wonderful shot.