Rick Hulbert
August 2026 - Urban Waterfronts #2
About the Image(s)
While I was exploring Potential locations for a Photography Workshop I was about to present in Chicago, USA, I discovered a view of the Urban Core Lakefront. I admittedly modified the geometry of the image in order to enhance the scene. I also enhanced the water reflection. My objective wasn’t “reality”, but rather a more artistic interpretation of “reality”.
4 comments posted
Nice skyline, Rick!
I agree, a photo, like a painting, is art and why should we be bound by anything in what we want to express?
Chicago has an amazing architectural skyline, I've only been there once. I wouldn't have guessed this image was enhanced but I found the sky to be strange and interesting, kind of pulling us to the left. The warmth and brightness of the city is in nice contrast to the cool sky and water and brings my eye there first. I like the empty space and the textures in the sky and water but dream of reflection with a long exposure and a bit more glass like surface. The buildings are interesting but my eye ends up pretty quickly with the bright building at the left. Great spot, I bet this would be cool spot at night or blue hour! Posted: 08/03/2026 20:44:08
I agree, a photo, like a painting, is art and why should we be bound by anything in what we want to express?
Chicago has an amazing architectural skyline, I've only been there once. I wouldn't have guessed this image was enhanced but I found the sky to be strange and interesting, kind of pulling us to the left. The warmth and brightness of the city is in nice contrast to the cool sky and water and brings my eye there first. I like the empty space and the textures in the sky and water but dream of reflection with a long exposure and a bit more glass like surface. The buildings are interesting but my eye ends up pretty quickly with the bright building at the left. Great spot, I bet this would be cool spot at night or blue hour! Posted: 08/03/2026 20:44:08
Hi Rick,
I stumbled on this location for sunrise one morning. I like it! The reflection is pleasing to my eye. A minor comment, if possible, maybe a little more sky on the bottom so the tall buildings don't end at the edge of the image. I also was a little distracted by the bright building on the left. To me it doesn't fit with vertical buildings. Consider cropping it out. Posted: 08/06/2026 18:23:01
I stumbled on this location for sunrise one morning. I like it! The reflection is pleasing to my eye. A minor comment, if possible, maybe a little more sky on the bottom so the tall buildings don't end at the edge of the image. I also was a little distracted by the bright building on the left. To me it doesn't fit with vertical buildings. Consider cropping it out. Posted: 08/06/2026 18:23:01
Beautiful image. I'd trim the sky a bit-right now the sky and water occupy similar space, and personally I prefer them to have different proportions. I'm guessing you applied some perspective correction, but it might just be my eyes: the cluster of medium?tall buildings on the right (not Willis Tower) seems to lean slightly inward toward the center. Overall, excellent work. Posted: 08/22/2026 22:49:55
Hi Rick. What struck me first was the colors you've rendered which have a beautiful filmic look. I am not sure if that was the lighting or if you've edited the colors, but they are working well. I also like the diagonals which have been introduced in the foreground and sky - the ripple lines which lead out of both lower corners, and the thin cloud diagonals in the sky. Both give the image a dynamic feel that would not be there if it was just the building verticals and strong shoreline horizontal.
I like the building at the far left as a break or rest from the tall verticals. But I do agree with Bill that it is pretty bright. Not sure that can be affected much though - clearly the lighting is illuminating the left side , so darkening it probably would look unnatural.
Overall a very nice image which I enjoy looking at very much.
Posted: 08/25/2026 11:27:41
I like the building at the far left as a break or rest from the tall verticals. But I do agree with Bill that it is pretty bright. Not sure that can be affected much though - clearly the lighting is illuminating the left side , so darkening it probably would look unnatural.
Overall a very nice image which I enjoy looking at very much.
Posted: 08/25/2026 11:27:41