Brad Pitt and I share the exact same birthday (month, day, year) outside of that, our stories diverge considerably. Mr. Pitt went on to become an internationally famous superstar, while I have led the much more interesting life of the starving artist. I come from a long line of storytellers (whose gift for gab stretches back through the mists of time to our native Ireland) and professional malcontents who were seemingly born to create something in the arts, be it music, writing, sculpture, painting, or photography. I started writing at age 12 with a screenplay with my cousin Ryan about a planet where everyone looked like Elton John entitled "Don't I Know You?" More screenplays followed, several of which received epic Super-8 production with budgets that sometimes ran up to $10. A few even had sound!  More writing followed: songs, poems, short stories, numerous unfinished novels, etc.. Somewhere in there was an attempt at being a rock star...
Still living at home, at age 22, my father dropped an elderly Nikromatt 35-mm film camera into my lap, in the hopes that I would "make a go of it" as a photojournalist. That didn't happen, but I did develop an abiding love of photography that along with writing and archival work have been among the chief passions of my life. When it comes to my photography, I try to be as creative as possible while at the same time striving for a documentary/archival quality. The only set rules I adhere to, when it comes to making pictures are: 1.) Try not to make the picture blurry, and 2.) Don't drop the camera.
Comments (12)
blinkings
Nice. It reminds me of an old prison.
RodS Online Now!
Very cool shot! I can definitely see a story developing out of this one!
kgb224
Stunning capture Corey. God Bless.
Chipka
I can almost smell that vaguely urine-scented antiseptic cleaner they use; it always smells worse than what they're cleaning up! And I can recount numerous, horrendous tales of "single tracking" during the endless periods of track repair taking place along the Red Line...the track is largely new! Why is there a need for so many repairs now? Ah, that's the CTA for you. I really like this shot as well, it has a delicious, brooding quality that can only be captured in one of the more grotty subway stations along the Red Line, though I think now they've cleaned it up a bit...the mold growing in seeping water is no longer brownish black, it's blackish black with little plumbing moth larvae swimming around in it. Don't ask how I know this, or how many photographs I didn't succeed in getting. I will say that this is a nice shot.
anahata.c
gadzooks, a terrific capture. Having been in these caverns countless times, I can vouch for how true this shot is. Also, having just read Chip's comment, your image & his words make a wonderful combo. Again, I always talk about your 'tilt', and you're probably gettin' mighty tired of it by now; but you use the tilt so damned well in your shots. It's just where it should be, here, it's not ostentatious or even "noticeable" except as it enhances the image. It's a centered image, but it still feels very "off"---which is how these caverns feel in person. You do our subways and elevateds a genuine service, Corey, and I don't mean that you 'beautify' them---I mean you capture them. You got the hue too, and a collection of decay on top (ie, on the right). A perfect capture of the place & another amazing image from your altogether natural & unforced eye. And the tilt on the right makes it feel like the walls are coming-in on us...stand there at 1 a.m., waiting forever as the trains roar in the oceanic distance, and this is exactly how it feels...
durleybeachbum
What a shot! I can feel my spirit compressing in the life-sapping airless green light.
whaleman
Ouch! It looks like the 'Green Mile' with an execution chamber waiting at the end!
bmac62
Your image is fascinating to me...my whole experience with subways is 100% in New York. This station looks tighter than the typical NYC MTA station. I'll say you've captured the essence...Chip has added the smell and Mark has provided the authentication. Well done.
Sea_Dog
Great shot - I like the atmosphere here - lonely, slightly foreboding but the path to a new destination. Well done
auntietk
Clearly, my jaunt down the steps on one side of the street and then back up again on the other side of the street two years ago did NOT capture the feel and vibe of your subways! LOL! Three weeks from right this minute I will be in Chicago again (for four days, actually), and will have another opportunity. Will I take it? I don't know. But you are contributing to my sense of building excitement about being there. Not to experience a grotty, smelly subway, specifically, but just to be there and hang out and visit and do whatever seems right at the time! :)
flavia49
great shot
sandra46
i love this urban shot