Chicago has so many great locations to photograph. One of our favorites for abstracts, in particular, is the Spertus Institute. It’s also a location we’ll be checking out during the Friday add-on session during the October workshop. Let’s start with a wide view of this Krueck + Sexton designed building along South Michigan Avenue.

You can see its modern, multi-faceted, geometric facade situated next to the historic buildings common in this area, making for a nice contrast.

Approaching this building from various vantage points can help you come away with a number of different perspectives. From further away, across the street or the median of Michigan Avenue, shooting straight on you get a flattening effect. You can also get some great reflections depending on what’s happening in the sky.

Getting a little closer, on the sidewalk just in front of the building, you can play with the various dimensions of the facade to create more depth to your images.

There’s also a section of the facade that juts out a bit creating a sort-of canopy, and even more depth. Depending on the light, and where you’re standing in orientation to this area, you can showcase this space in a number of different ways.

Including reflections of the surroundings, in this case, Grant Park, just across the street.

On days with flatter light, like overcast days, you get a more even, matte-like light.

Heading inside, the geometric shapes continue on a sculptural wall inside the lobby. A fantastic area for origami-like abstracts and playing with black and white tones during post-processing. As with the outside area, depending on how you orient yourself to the space, the images can feel one-dimensional…

…or have more depth.

There’s also a glass railing on the second floor that can work to your advantage in utilizing reflections to create a different kind of depth.

We’re looking forward to heading back to this location with you on our next Chicago workshop. Just head over here to get all the details!