[Through My Lens] Discovering Hidden Gems with Open House Chicago
Photos by AngieStar Photo
For one weekend every year, the Chicago Architecture Foundation opens 150 sites around the city that aren't typically open to the public. Everything from modern marvels to old cathedrals, to vintage mansions, libraries, and more are put on display for anyone to enter- for free. The annual event is titled Open House Chicago, and it highlights the deep history, diverse culture, and innovating aspects of architecture that makes the city the unique marvel that it is. Allowing the public to discover hidden gems around the city, while providing guided tours, proves to be a great success every year, and I could only see it growing.
Although it's hard to see every site in just one weekend, tons of information and maps are provided so that each person can find locations to their liking. As a local, I sought out locations that I thought may not be as popular, hidden inside neighborhoods that not many stray to see. I also sought out historical buildings that we all may see frequently from the outside, but can never see inside.
From Casa Bonita, the vintage luxury condominiums in Rogers Park, to Uptown rehabs and theaters, Edgewater's famed roaring 20's celebrity hangouts, the historical Newberry Library, Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts in Gold Coast, The 1893 Brewster Building and the Elks National Memorial in Lincoln Park, old cathedrals in Ukrainian Village, to the 40th floor Luxury Library and the Federal Reserve Building in the Financial District. All had a story to tell, with secrets that reach far beyond what the eye can see. And others were shear examples of lost eras in history, full of unique architectural beauty and innovation.
Check out some of the photos along the way, and imagine all the decades of light and people they've seen. Be sure to find more here.
[Video] 175 Years of Photography
Photo by AngieStar Photo
In 1839, the world was enlightened with the invention of Photography, and today marks its 175th anniversary. In celebration, people from around the world are sharing some of their favorite photos, old and new, to honor this very beautiful and important art form. Since its discovery, photos have told stories, marked history, celebrated special occasions, and much more. Photography has become so popular in the current world of social media that millions of photos are shared everyday. From daguerreotype, film, to digital and everything in between, photography has revolutionized the way we see the world... even the universe.
For some brief history, the coining of the word "Photography" has been attributed in 1839 to Sir John Herschel based on the Greek words "phos", (genitive: ph?tós) meaning "light", and "graphê", meaning "drawing, writing", and together meaning "drawing with light". After years of experimenting in Paris, scholars Nicéphore Niépce and Louis Daguerre led the way to the invention of photography. And finally, on January 7th, 1839, this first complete practical photographic process was announced by the French government as a gift “Free to the World”. Sequentially, the first complete instructions to the process were published on August 19th, 1839. Since then, the process has spread and evolved into new forms all over the world.
To commemorate this grand day, www.worldphotoday.org/ wants help in creating a photo book titled, World Photo Day 360, compiling a collection of photography captured by photography lovers across the globe. Get involved with World Photo Day 2014 and share a small part of your world here. Also be sure to follow them on Instagram, where they share daily photos and photo challenges for all to participate.
Check out the following non-profit video dedicated to world photography day, celebrated each year on August 19th.
[vimeo id="47773073"]
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." -Ansel Adams (American photographer, 1902-1984)
[Through My Lens] A Journey Through the Coast of Big Sur
Photos by AngieStar Photo
The USA Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is perhaps America's most dramatic scenic drive. And along this coast is a region called Big Sur that lies along the Central Coast of California, and renowned as one of the best of scenics drives in the whole world. As someone who has road tripped through a good portion of the country already, I made it my mission to take a journey through the coast of Big Sur to see for myself.
I started my drive from Los Angeles just before sunrise, so I would have perfect daylight by the time I reached Big Sur. Immediately, I was taken into the high coastal cliffs, following each twist and turn there is along the Pacific Ocean. With the perfect California breeze into my open windows of the car, while listening to a perfectly timed music playlist, I was awestruck. And just when I thought scenery couldn't get any more amazing, I found myself in Big Sur. To me, the area is more of an experience than a tangible place. There are no stop lights, or shopping centers, just 90 miles of driving along a narrow two-lane highway with breathtaking view points and campsites. The wildlife is a whole other aspect of Big Sur as one of your first stops is on the beach at Piedras Blancas in southern Big Sur near San Simeon to see hundreds on Elephant Seals in their natural habitat. Then with the abundance it birds and forest animals, every one of your senses are heightened with all the combined elements of life.
Here are some of the photos I captured, and what makes me want to back. If anything is taken from this, it should be to take a trip to Big Sur; it's worth it.
[Through My Lens] Femme Marinett
Photos by AngieStar Photo
In inspiration of the infamous literary archetype "femme fatale", a mysterious and sultry woman who charms her lovers into compromising or dangerous situations, we created a seductive photo set I've titled Femme Marinett. In collaboration with talented make up artist Marie Antoinette, and our ever so seductive model Marinett Santiago, we went with a dark yet sexy wardrobe, and shot at an unlikely setting, behind a rehabbed old warehouse, to bring together the whole look.
In editing, I went even further and slightly unsaturated the photos, to emphasize a dark and mysterious vibe to Marinett's sexy and seductive appeal. All in all, the fully feminine collaboration proved a success and the photos are just as alluring as the character inspiration. Take a look at the following photos from our fun and very sensuous photo shoot, and find more here. Also be sure to check out my page on Facebook as we will be collaborating again very soon.
[Through My Lens] La Catrina de Primavera
Photos by AngieStar Photography
According to Mexican Folklore, “La Catrina” is also known as death that can show herself in many different ways. This distinct and perennial character is a paradox to the joy of life in the face of the imminence and inevitability of death. As we only live once, La Catrina pleads with us to seize the moment and to perhaps find life’s meaning.
As we enter Spring after a long Winter, I grew inspired with the new growth of nature along with the anomaly of death in La Catrina. Collaborating with styling ideas of event promoter and producer Alejandra Camarillo, formally known as Ms. Chicago, we created our own unique version titled "La Catrina de Primavera" (translated as Spring Dame of Death). Using the backdrop of Pilsen, a predominant Mexican neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, we produced a truly unique photo set, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.
Check out some of the following photos and find more here.
