taking pictures on a somber day makes you think about the figures behind the statues

I especially like to go out to take pictures on cold days. I don’t particularly enjoy the cold itself but all the benefits. It was on a cold day that i found myself more curious about statues i ran into in the popular neighborhood of lincoln park in chicago.

A hot, sunny day is an uphill battle. People are everywhere. If you’re aiming for street photography, congratulations people doing things in the world are needed. However, if you’re looking to get close to any landmark or clear landscape pictures, you’re out of luck. And worse, on a hot day, people will be in shorts and t-shirts. This will be a bigger distraction in your images. You’re already trying to shoot around people to minimize them and honestly, crowds in pictures look better covered up. And they’re often wearing darker colors or something neutral. It improves the anonymity, so a random neon orange t-shirt won’t take the focus away from your pictures. Yes, you can always retouch the photos but best to be proactive in the first place.

So cold days are a must for me. Yes, it’s not as fun and you worry the pictures might look moody or drab. But people won’t be out, you’ll have more time with whatever you’re trying to shoot. You can go at all angles, take your time focusing on small details, and honestly just enjoy what you’re seeing more. Even better if you’re local and can return. Almost like an introductory session. It’s also always fun to feel like you have something to yourself. If anyone pops up, it’s a quick moment, and they’re off. It’s just all-around better access.

go black and white

If shooting in cold weather, your pictures will likely be going black and white. Sometimes cold days work and you might have interesting skies to accompany it but mostly it’ll be a bit boring. Showing that in color doesn’t look like much but the same images in black and white will pop. The pictures will automatically take a somber, more serious tone.

I headed over to Lincoln Park in Chicago in late February on a random Thursday morning. Yes, the weekdays help too with crowds. But the cold kept people from being out. This neighborhood offers its namesake park, which includes a zoo, a conservatory, a lily pool, the Honeycomb (a very popular spot for pictures), access to the lakeshore, and lots of statues. There are also skyline views from a couple of spots.

finding friedrich von schiller

On this day, I was heading over to the conservatory. I had no specific plans for photography but sometimes that’s even better. You don’t have to worry about finding a particular spot and that leaves you open to explore. For instance, this statue on a pedestal of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (1759-1802), a German poet and playwright who focused themes like freedom and morality. If you look up this monument in Lincoln Park, you’ll see it surrounded by greenery in spring and summer. It’s very beautiful and the stone is nearly mint colored.

Given I stopped by in February, I came across Schiller with bare trees in the background. His passionate but stoic stance is contrasted by the wild, stripped branches when shooting it head on. A silent intensity is all I see, especially in black and white. If you were to hang further back, you’d get some of Chicago’s skyline in the view. And on the bottom right of the picture above, you can see the sign for one of the entrances into Lincoln Park Zoo. So if you happen to visit, it’s worth a peek. It was a joy to see this in person. The absence of crowds brought tranquility.

The connection between Schiller & Beethoven

At another angle, the height of the trees is descending for a less dramatic touch. I think it also gives one a better look of Schiller. The black and white provides a more somber tone. Take a look at the above image, slide back and forth. Which do you prefer?

The great thing about monuments is not only are you getting a little history lesson, but it also leads to cultural curiosity. I’ve heard of “Ode to Joy” but in reference to Beethoven. This was inspired by Schiller’s poem which is the beautiful thing about art. It can have a rippling effect, art inspiring more art. So if you haven’t read it, look it up. And you’ve most definitely heard Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” I immediately listened after reading the poem and had forgotten about the slow climb in the beginning. I think of the big release, as I’m sure everyone does, when you think of this piece. Schiller’s poetry can be heard at the end if you find a version with singing.

bumping into the william shakespeare statue

Another monument I ran into that day needed no researching. It was not as bright mint as Schiller, nor on a pedestal as tall. In fact, it was unusually sculpted in a chair, perhaps a throne? This figure was seemingly forever sitting back in a chair, nonchalant. His face a bit stern (looking unimpressed to me) with book in hand. This is none other William Shakespeare (1564-1616), English playwright and poet, known to all.

I haven’t read Shakespeare in almost 20 years but am mostly familiar with Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew. I had seen the latter at a performance at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre at Navy Pier. The monument is just outside the conservatory and I was surprised to see it here instead of by the theatre. A pattern emerged; I wonder what other writers were being remembered in Lincoln Park.

Take a Look at the Details

Given the unusual position, my initial photographs from the front felt a little off. I tried from a distance then up-close, as most do initially. being closer provided better results. At this point though, people came around to look since it’s so close to the conservatory. I gave people space as I tried to figure out an angle. I focused on the details, the fabric of his cloak draped over the chair at all sides, the bows at his shoes and knees. Books nearly spilled out from under his chair, partly hidden by his cloak.

get All the Angles

This picture below shooting from its right side shows his face best, a quiet power. Notice the elegant building behind him, the top floors have arched windows and is mimicked in the window overhang. This is the Belden-Stratford building, over 100 years old. move the slider between color and black and white. I think shakespeare looks stronger in black and white.

Looking directly behind the cloak, shows it in full. But the best angle in my opinion is the image below, behind the monument. I initially focused on the statue itself, including his chair. Branches were still in the shot but felt incomplete with trunks. As I moved back to get the complete monument, including the pedestal, the trees naturally filled the white space of the sky. In the distance you can see a spec of the conservatory glass roof if you look closely near his leg.

The sitting position looks most complete at this angle, in black and white. The bare trees, though its branches not as wild as Schiller’s, stands tall and strong. At this angle, his seating position feels more intentional, stoic, and timeless. Shakespeare seemingly forever in his chair overlooking Lincoln Park.

His pedestal reads, “He was not of an age but for all time.”