2023 was my 12th anniversary of going to Chicago several times a year. In the beginning, it was all about opera, and opera still determines when I go. But soon the good side of social media helped me find photographer friends and my trips became equally about opera and hanging out with them. It often happens that Lyric Opera of Chicago has a March offering that appeals.

March 26, 2022 – The opera was Tosca, a classic and a fabulous performance as usual. The day was spent on a walk-about with Adam, Tom, and Tami, all among my fave people to hang out with. And, as is often the case, I tried and tried again to make some interesting images of that classic Chicago Loop fixture, The El. It is what I would call “ugly beautiful” and I love it–love riding it, love hearing it rumble through, love seeking shelter from rain and wind under it. Love the ease of getting to the Loop from whichever airport I arrive at. Cannot imagine Chicago without it. It was author Nelson Algren* who called it the “rusty heart” of Chicago, an apt description. I will keep photographing it and maybe one day will make the image that does it justice.

March 30, 2023 – The opera was Carmen, one of my faves. Spent the day with Lauri, one of my best friends whose photographs of Chicago architecture inspire and humble me. I’ll keep trying! And I’ll keep doing one of the things I love to do, namely find a detail of a wall where color and texture and objects come together in a way that compels me to put a frame around it and hope others will enjoy having it pointed out to them as well. The streets and alleys and mix of old and new architecture in Chicago give me a wealth of opportunities. I particularly like the contrast between organic (bare branchs) and industrial (bricks, box, tubing) in this composition.

*Chicago: City on the Make (1951), a book-length essay by Nelson Algren.