Fun at Cloud Gate, a photo from Illinois, Midwest

Photographer's Note

I must apologise for not critiquing recently but I am one week through a three week journey along Route 66 with a small group of photographers (Photoventures). We are travelling the whole route from Chicago to LA and mostly sticking faithfully to the 'Mother Road' which passes through some interesting places not seen on the freeway.

This picture was taken in Chicago. Cloud Gate has been very much photographed so I thought that I would show a detail. Anish Kapoor is the Indian-born UK artist that designed the sculpture which is nicknamed 'The Bean'. It was built in 2004-2006 of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates with no visible seams. It is 10 x 20 x 13 metres and weighs 110 tons. This amazing structure is in Millenium Park and attracts many tourists.

Currently in Oklahoma City with 10 more days left to get to LA.

tyro, ACL1978, macjake, krzychu30, Kofman, SnapRJW, holmertz, saxo042, Romano46, Royaldevon, adores, Hansaphotos, bayno, sdnpicz has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tyro (30513) 2013-04-29 17:25

Hi Ann,

Great to see you here and it's lovely that you've made the effort to post this picture while still travelling Route 66. I presume you and Dave are cruising in either a Mustang or a Shelby Cobra!

I think I've seen pictures of "The Bean" on TE before and this is a delightful photograph of this happy child and its reflection in the underside of the huge mirrored sculpture.

A very happy and pleasing shot with lovely light and colours, good composition and exquisite details and sharpness.

Delightful!

Kindest Regards,

John.

P.S. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

ACL1978 (7511) 2013-04-29 19:09

Ah, Route 66... I've never done the trip, but would love to. An incredible piece of Americana.

The Bean is kind of both a photographer's dream and nightmare, isn't it? Seemingly infinite opportunities, yet somehow they've all already been done. You get around that conundrum nicely here, with the focus far less on the sculpture itself and far more on this little girl who is experiencing it possibly for the first time. Nice idea and beautiful execution.

Andrew

macjake (96157) 2013-04-29 23:03

Hi Ann
you lucky devil!
traveling through the US interstate....I actually said to Tosca today how i would love to travel down Route 66! Looking forward to your shots!

I took a guess and i thought right away this was a photo of the large bean in Chicago!
Funny how you say its seamless, but here we see the reflection of the tiles on the ground creating seams :)
cute and friendly pic.

I'm sure the parents of the child would like to have this shot :)

enjoy your trip
craig

krzychu30 (15512) 2013-04-30 0:48

Hello Ann,
you don愒 even know how much I envy you the trip along Route 66(my dream to do it someday).
This is magnificent close-up shot from initial point of Route66(ok.I know not exactly the point,but not far away)The Bean is a great subject to photograph where everyone will find something interesting.I like your vision of this scene with this little girl.Very nice and joyful composition!

Have a nice day
Krzysztof

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-04-30 2:19

Hello Ann - Thanks for taking the time to post this as you wend your way along Route 66. I can only imagine the sights you will see and envy your every minute. Enjoy! A sweet little lady here beautifully captured and a fascinating shot with both reflection and shadow. The pavement squares reflected in The Bean add a superb compositional element to the image. Well done you... nicely seen. Warm regards and travel safely Rosemary

holmertz (92898) 2013-04-30 2:30

Hello Ann,
This is a great picture and probably a lot more interesting than another general view of the sculpture. The little girl is colourful and cute and seems to be trying to hold the hands of the girl behind her. The reflections of the tiles and her shadow have created a fine pattern of curving and diagonal lines. You have placed the girl perfectly just off-centre, lookng into the composition.
Kind regards,
Gert

m00n (2259) 2013-04-30 3:08

Nice, fun and a very optimistic.
Great photo with great idea...

regards m00n

lousat (130033) 2013-04-30 4:19

Hi Ann,great idea this pic,the mirror effect is really original and beautiful,perfect to create a nice perspective and a surrounding effect in background,great details and colors in the best exposure.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

dkmurphys (78000) 2013-04-30 6:18

Hi Ann,
Funny detail, a good everyday moment, well captured.
Have a fine afternoon.

Daniel

saxo042 (38078) 2013-04-30 8:56

Hi Ann,
This is a wonderful picture where every part is good and at the right place. The cute little girl (also a red eye-catcher) and her reflection is nicely positioned at the harmonic third. Her shadow provides a perfect diagonal too. Did you get your kicks on Route 66? Maybe you remember this view?
Kind regards
Gunnar

romanaa (8310) 2013-04-30 23:25

Hello Ann,

brilliant shot. There is so much happiness in her face and the strong sunshine looks as if she was in a stream of reflector light.
I love the playful atmosphere a lot.

Good luck on your big trip

Romana

Royaldevon (75510) 2013-05-01 0:54

Good Morning Ann,

I didn't know you were off on another epic journey; how fantastic!

This is a real cracker of a shot!
The little girl is a captivating subject in her own right, oozing enjoyment and wondering if anyone is watching her play. Add to that, her reflection and shadow, like a trinity, strongly positioned in the frame, demanding close scrutiny to thoroughly understand what is happening, and you have a great shot.
A great moment not to be missed.

Good luck with the rest of your journey,
Bev :-)

CLODO (45094) 2013-05-01 13:13

Hi Ann

So cute! Amazing picture with the young girl, her reflection and shadow, all in one.
Cheers
CLODO

mesutilgim (0) 2013-05-01 13:17

Hello Ann,
Amazing capture ! Anish Kapoors artwork is really a gem in Chicago for all photographers.
I have also some samples of it im my gallery!
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-05-02 11:59

Hello Ann,

Another great shot of the child.Very well composed photo with excellent vivid colors. TFS.

Regards
Farhat

zoomer (6) 2013-05-02 17:05

Hi,interesting,lovely composition.I plan to visit here within the next few weeks too.Enjoy the rest of your trip,all the best,Wolf.

siudzi (34141) 2013-05-02 23:29

Hi Ann,
You have found a superb idea how to photograph this detail so originally! Really great concept as well as your execution taken with perfect sharpness, saturation, clarity. Full of fun scene!:) well done!

Best,
Gosia

adores (46979) 2013-05-08 17:16

Hi Ann!
From the thumbnail I couldn't understand it very well! I like it! I like the pose of the little girl and the reflection on the structure. You framed it very well, it's a good portrait!
Hope you have a great jouney:)!

adidas5nb (5743) 2013-05-08 20:23

beautiful composition.nice idea indeed.the expression on the kid is so so soothing.the red pic ,the curve and the reflection ,makes the pic really attractive.
regards
dwaipayan

Rafer (0) 2013-05-13 9:42

Oh my friend Ann... superbe compo and great talent!!! Greetings!!!!

Hansaphotos (11379) 2013-05-16 5:48

Hello Ann

What an excellent idea for a shot! It looks as if the little girl is carrying the whole sculpture on her bakc. Fine colours and a nice effect of the reflection and shadow. Great work:) TFS.

Have a nice day.

Best regards, Erling

Curious_Eye (1320) 2013-05-19 5:29

Hello Ann,

This looks fun indeed! Great capture of the joyous expression on the girl's face, and the three-way portrait (front, back, and shadow). Neat crop and the use of lines. I like this image a lot!

With best regards,
Izabela

bayno (18348) 2013-06-10 10:50

Ciao Ann, very good shot, i like the graphic element, excellent framing and details, the cute small girl have so funny expression, also the light and the colors are so beautiful....have fun with your trip....
best regards,
Valter

EstudioChispa (2182) 2013-08-28 11:56

Completely fabulous POV, Ann! This child, times 3 (or 4 if you count the shadow on the ground) is precious, and the way the Cloud Gate turns the reflection of the grid of the concrete walk into lines of latitude and longitude is just magical!

All I can say beyond that is... "Wow!"

Best regards,

Russ
Austin, Texas

sdnpicz (195) 2013-09-01 23:15

Hello Ann,

Very nice capture. Its also a kind of illusion.
Perfectly framed and well placed subject.
So nice to see the kid enjoying herself.
Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Shadan

tenretin (3145) 2014-01-29 13:51

Hello Ann,
It is a good idea to have exploited this reflection. The girl remains natural. That's perfect.
Well done!.
Sincerely,
Jean Philippe