Chicago - "The Bean"

Cameron

On a recent trip to Chicago for work I decided to make a few stops through Millenium Park to snap some shots. The new Cloud Gate sculpture (often referred to as "The Bean") is fun to photograph! Here are two shots at different times of the day - the first was early morning, the second was just after sunset. I have to say, it's VERY difficult to catch a view without tons of people in the shot. In fact, the second shot is actually a combination of 3 or 4 shots where I've selectively cloned out people from each shot. I also didn't have a tripod with me so I set the camera up on the ground for the long exposure (8 seconds I think). The first shot is an HDR composite - I loved the gorgeous sky but exposing for the sky left nothing but deep shadows on the sculpture so I bracketed a few shots and it worked out nicely.

rainbow

Like the first but love the second!

Art Scott

Both just absolutely WOW!!!!

TreyHoff

Those are so cool! Nicely done.

Doug Solis

Very cool shots. The night show is absolutely killer! What a great image for the city or chamber of C, or maybe just your wall.

grimace

Beautiful job.

ChiShutter

I've found that a lot of nighttime shots of the bean tend to have an "electric" kind of feel to them. I love it every time.

TEdwards

Love both of them, but agree the 2nd is amazing. Great pics!

hawkeye978

Great shots. I think I like the first best.

billseye

Another vote for the first - a great example of HDR that isn't overdone.

Bryans12v

Great work!! These are awesome!

Bend The Light

#1 = Wow
#2 = WOW

swintonphoto

I love them both - but the 2nd one slightly edges the 1st in my opinion. Both very well done!

Cameron

Thanks all for the kind comments! I'm thinking of printing one or both of these large and on some metallic paper or perhaps ordering one of Bay Photos metal prints... :oogle

tomnovy

Amazing HDR.