I love this shot. Especially since I know a number of folks who like to play with Photoshop who'd kill to be able to achieve this kind of look you got by using the reflections you found in your environment. I also like how you end up using something to look at the world around you that everybody else is ignoring. That's the creativity that results in the superb writing and photography we love so much.

One never knows what to expect from you Chip. It took a while to get it. Have no idea how you pulled this off but very cool. I like that you made us dig for this. Just read your story on your homepage - you sound like one very interesting guy.

That bean is amazing, and your photo is amazing too!! I,m sure Escher would be impressed with your image. Is the kind of work he liked to do. I agree with NefariousDro. This is what you get with a good search in your environment. And is the kind of image that others try to get with photoshop, because many believe that the program is to create good images from bad. In particular I use photoshop only to enhance contrast or change colors, or change sizes, or some minor changes.I think the picture must be born into the camera and not on the computer. And your image is the perfect example of this.

I had no idea the underneath side was so fascinating! When I was here before, there were way too many people standing in there, and I figured it was just the inverse of the outside, so ... pphhttt. I was SO wrong! What a treat! The challenge will be for all of us to find something different from what the others are posting. Such a fascinating environment. What fun! :D

You said ESCHER and I almost experienced the Big Ohhhh...he is dah man alongside Dali--at least in My Humble opinion... And yes very reminiscent of the master in its mood--now to map out the geometries...:-)

psychedelic reflection, nice work.

Full size is both an adventure and a revelation!

OH WOW !! I couldnt see what it was, untill you explained. Now I see all the people and so. Amazing. I hope you all have alot of fun together. :)))

Peerless. Just brilliant.

fantastic shot - really great!!!!!

The Bean is a marvelous photography accessory, as I discovered on a trip to Chicago a few years back...love this view through its lens!

wonderful image

Wow awesome abstract here. It really gives a strong emotion of the world, swirling in on itself in a beautiful blue entrancing hugh. Awesome postwork and a beautiful display of imagination in this one. Hope you're enjoying your travels with your fellow Renderosity-ans? haha- thanks for sharing! :) And have you checked out the Photography Story Challenge? Go continue the story!

YES YES YES CREPPY AND COOL PHOTO-ARTWORK DUDE

AMAZING IMAGE! GREAT STORY OF THE PHOTO

excelent work and concept , looks fantastic

So cool Chip. It's like a portal to another world. I wanted to refer to a certain sci-fi show.. but my brain isn't working right now... erghhh. lol. But I am willing to bet you know of what show I am thinking. Wonderful work :)

Well, that's a amazing abstract, Chip! I've gotta say if I ever make it to Chicago, i'm making a bee-line straight to that bean! Awesome, my friend!

Great capture. The bean certainly gives you a lot of possibilities for creativity.

dang, so many things i missed on that first trip!!

Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.

This is a hit!

Impressing.

Escher would have loved this I suspect. A world distorted beyond sensibility (as we see it) by a simple mathematical function reflected (a-hem) in the physical form of a distorted mirror. There's a kinship to fractalism in this somewhere I suspect. Though I must admit, the first thought that popped into my mind was Einstein and the impact of General Relativity. Perhaps the universe is shaped like the "naughty-bits of the bean". Where is Alanis Morissette when we need here?

I love this shot so much Chip. Kind of a 'bean' fractal if you will. Dana

As I have mentioned before, they were cleaning the bean when Leslie and I went to Chicago. I was disappointed to not be able to go underneath it but I had not yet seen shots from underneath so I didn't know just how REALLY disappointed I would be. So even though it is with a slight twinge of regret, it is REALLY great to see the bean from this point of view. Okay, I wrote the previous about 15 minutes ago. If you only get one comment from me tonight, it will be because this image is just too totally fascinating. I've been looking at the people in the center and trying to find them in the myriad of reflections all around. Be assured that the first thing I did was go, "Wow!" and stare mesmerized at all the beautiful swirls and light. (Well, after a very brief "Poor, poor pitiful me. Why were they cleaning the blasted thing when I was there".) Then I saw the guy walking along the side of the bean with his arm out and noticed that in another area, he looked bit like a duck. (If that is you, it is definitely a dashing duck.) In another area, he has become either an alien, or a character from Dr. Seuss. I followed the wanderings of a parent with a stroller or maybe a child in a toy car. At one point the child is going through a space shift of some kind, though the parent seem unaffected and unconcerned. There is the couple taking pictures together each in a similar pose. The group of people caught in the light, reminiscent of the aliens in the final scene of "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". They become wraiths and are drifting around all over the place. In the top left corner, someone has a seriously uneven gait. Beyond the sheer fun of this image, it is just absolutely gorgeous, with all the fascination and very aesthetically pleasing order and chaos of an Escher print (great title). Superb capture of mad reflections, motion, and light. This is marvelous. I love it!

I've seen pictures of The Bean before. Most of them are taken straight on. To go looking for something different is what artists do. The overall feel is of a vortex drawing everything into the center. The color variations are gorgeous. A wonderful image.