Earlier this year, I drove to Chicago for an event and I took advantage of a free morning to get out early and make some photos. I love urban areas in the early morning. It’s typically quiet, the light is nice, and you get to see the city waking up. In Chicago, my go-to morning stop is the bean (actually named Cloud Gate) — that shiny sculpture that is so reflective that you can get lost in it. After taking my fill of photos of the skyline distorted in the sculpture, I make my way through the park and loop back up through the city streets. There are lots of great places to photograph in Chicago, but this is one of my favorite morning rituals when I’m there.
Below are a few more images from that morning. It’s a great way to get to know a place — whether Chicago or some small European village. Get out early when you have it to yourself, and then watch it come alive as people start sweeping their sidewalks and preparing for their daily customers. I find it endlessly appealing.
