Mass Transit With Reflection by Chipka
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Description
Chicago likes to brag about its “highly efficient” public transportation system. There is a bit to be proud of. The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) isn’t exactly the best, however, in terms of interruption-free service, infrastructure maintenance, and cleanliness. On more than one occasion (during any given day) one may experience both delays and cryptic, troubling aromas of a biologically-active pedigree. This is, I suspect, a purely urban phenomenon: cities are home to vast, multi-species populations, after all.
When I lived on the South Side of Chicago, I encountered some of the stranger and more aromatic elements of public transportation. Now that I live in Berwyn, I encounter fewer thick and cloying scents, and my journeys to and from home are almost exclusive above ground. I must say that I prefer Berwyn to Chicago, and I get interesting views of Chicago’s western flank. Due to my geographic location, I have access to some of the city’s more historically-significant (and aromatic) neighborhoods, and I’m looking forward to exploring Pilsen with my camera. (Pilsen is now largely Mexican in demographic makeup, but at one time, it was home to Chicago’s then-Czechoslovakian population. It’s named after the Czech town of Plsen, which happens to be home to Pilsner Urquell, one of my favorite beers. Though there are numerous beers that claim the name “pilsner”…it isn’t really a pilsner unless it comes from Plsen.)
Beer and aromatic invasions have nothing to do with this image, however. No element of this photograph has anything to do with Pilsen, or its Czech-original counterpart Plsen.
I was nowhere near Plsen or its Americanized namesake, Pilsen when I took this photo. I was on my way to work, somewhat miffed that there were re-routes on every loop-encircling el line, because of signal work in progress in the Red Line subway system. I suffered no substantial delays, and I was given an unexpected photo op, as my reroute took me in an atypical direction at an atypical time. The lighting was good, unexpectedly so, and due to the light/shadow interplay that is downtown Chicago, I got a decent shot, and an unexpected reflection due to a bit of intentional camera movement nearly-timed to the forward motion of the train.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you're all having a great week..
Comments (13)
KatesFriend
Curious. All one is likely to smell deep in the bowels of the TTC is that faint sizzle of ozone mixed with - and I know not why - the earthy, cool ambience of a hockey arena. Marge Simpson once observed of Toronto that, "it's so clean... and bland". Our subway stations seem to be particularly clean. Almost as sterile as a fine surgical instrument. And we love them Though, we would never use them for an operating theatre. I like how you've captured this ghost. Is he material or not? And no time or means to test it. A fleeting image of an individual you would not expect to see again. To him, you are likely to be as ephemeral. Perhaps two parallel universes briefly overlapping - at least metaphorically. Like the reflections in your very cool photo. Don't get me start on Plato and the genius of snowmen...
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
Wolfenshire
I do like your illustrations. Write-ups are pretty cool too.
Faemike55
Both the image(s) and the narrative are fantastic and very enjoyable
CoreyBlack
Ah, yes, the CTA! What can I say? It doesn't suck, exactly (of course I think I've developed Stockholm Syndrome from 30+ years of aggravation and am liable to say anything), but it certainly isn't the "world class" entity that Mayor Lord God Emperor One Percent Asshole Dip sh*t claims that it is. It wouldn't seem quite so bad if he'd just shut up about how wonderful it is. Anyway, it gets the job done...after a fashion. On the plus side. it knocks Indianapolis' public transportation into a cocked hat. But I digress...This is a great shot! You get the best manually "fiddled with" pictures I've ever seen. There's an almost painterly quality to them that's the mark of a true artist. Fantastic work!
giulband
Very very very suggestive image !!!!
durleybeachbum
A complex and fascinating image.
jendellas
I zoomed to see of I could fathom out how you did this but failed :o))) Very interesting. xx
treasureprints
Good one!:)
flavia49
excellent
auntietk
Oooooooohh! Lovely! Reflections and things seen and not-quite-seen and stuff that isn't there but might be. What a wonderful collection of images, and all in one shot! Are you sure you weren't on the way to ... somewhere ... on the Number 8? This is incredibly evocative of ChipWorld. :)
MrsRatbag
Nicely done, clever of you to capitalize on your unexpected bounty!
anahata.c
I didn't know that about Pilsen, and I've lived here for appr 300 years. I know we have lots of E. European enclaves in this highly divided city, but I didn't know that about Pilsen. I can see why you're drawn to photograph it...This is a real Chicago mass transit shot. I mean after traveling these trains for so many years (one of the main reasons I finally moved downtown was to eradicate the hours I spent on trains and buses for so many years), the whole experience melds into a series of Chip photos and blends, with your inimitable style with both. This is a real CTA shot---the sense of motion and the presence of that ubiquitous jaundiced yellow and green (and jaundiced browns too), colors maybe once bold, but faded by time. The criss-crosses, the lattice work on the stairwells (in the background of either a reflection or the actual sight), the criss-cross of endless perpendiculars, the blasts of light and dark from buildings, and the sense of it all emerging out of a cavern of darkness, as it all does, here. With a traveler self-immersed...Arch CTA, it's terrific. And that old "Adams/Wabash" strikes close to anyone who's traveled the Loop. I got light-headed and drowsy from all the times I saw those names, over the years. "Adams, Jackson, Wabash..." the names just blended into a half-conscious fade out. Terrific piece. A real Chicago tome.