Yvonne Cary Carter

May 2023 - Chicagohenge 2023

Original

About the Image(s)

Chicagohenge
Hello All. This was my first experience photographing Chicagohenge. It occurs during the spring and fall equinox when the sun lines up directly with Chicago’s east and west running streets. Chicago’s street grid allows unobstructed views of the sunrise and sunset between the city’s buildings. New York City, Toronto and Montreal experience the same known as Manhattanhenge, etc

I photographed at sunset which lasted about five minutes. The sun gives off a blinding light making it difficult to see your camera settings. So I set up my camera before sunset and hoped for the best. I tried to salvage the image with Lightroom’s brightness and contrast tools. I used the Tone, Presence and Color sliders. I also used a mask for the background and one for the sky. For some reason I could not adjust the sky.

Camera Canon EOS 6D
Lens 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 70mm
Exposure 1/640 at f/22
ISO 1250

12 comments posted

Sylvia Williams

This is an interesting photo - First I've heard of Chicaghenge - pretty cool! Posted: 05/09/2023 19:03:23

Yvonne Cary Carter

Well..this was the first year I noticed Chicagohenge too! Since retirement and the pandemic I've noticed a lot :) Thank you. Posted: 05/16/2023 09:33:56

Jim Overfield

Very nice creative composition. I really like how the warm light reflects from the buildings, draws me into the image.
Can you tell me what post processing software you used? Thanks Posted: 05/09/2023 21:44:48

Yvonne Cary Carter

I used Lightroom. Just the basics of lightening and sharpening. Your bracketing method is ideal for Chicagohenge. I'm gonna try it next time. Thank you Posted: 05/16/2023 09:37:33

Sabine Nehls

A great photo! I've never heard about Chicagohenge before. I like the atmosphere at sunset. The warm colours are wonderful. You have captured the sun stars well. I love it.
The only thing I would have done before cropping the image, I would have straightened the converging (falling) lines. Posted: 05/15/2023 02:47:43

Yvonne Cary Carter

Don't think I heard of Chicagohenge... or paid attention to it... before I retired and starting shooting in my leisure time. Would you point out the converging lines so I can take a shot straightening them. Thank you. Posted: 05/16/2023 09:45:54

Sabine Nehls

I'll try to describe it that way.

What you can see now are vertical straight lines and vertical oblique lines Posted: 05/16/2023 13:18:40

Sabine Nehls

How to do it in Photoshop. Posted: 05/16/2023 13:20:44

Sabine Nehls

Just a suggestion .
I hope you can see the difference in the lines. Posted: 05/16/2023 13:24:39

Yvonne Cary Carter

I can definitely see the difference! It even enlarged the middle buildings. Amazing what photoshop can do. Thank you for taking the time to show me the steps. Posted: 05/17/2023 07:08:55

Douglas Gerdts

I love photos of architecture and light! As a native New Yorker I knew about the phenomenon in Manhattan but (arrogantly) assumed it was unique! Thanks for enlarging my perspective!

Agree with the Photoshop enhancements -- amazing software! Posted: 05/21/2023 08:25:16

Yvonne Cary Carter

My roots are also in New York. And yes all things New York are unique! Posted: 05/21/2023 08:54:44

PID Digital Dialogue

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