Getting a closer look at the canal st. bridge in Chicago’s Chinatown

One of my favorite pictures was in my first post, When a mental picture just won’t do, of the Canal St. Bridge overlooking the Chicago River. Unlike the rest of the lift bridges, this one stands out due to the little house on it which has rusted with time. I took that picture from a boat. It moved slowly and we may have actually stopped for a minute or two, but it wasn’t enough time. Luckily, it faces Tom Ping Memorial Park. On a mission to get a closer look, I went on a search in Chinatown.

A foggy morning but I can still see the skyline

The Canal St. Bridge (originally named Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge) is best seen from the park, or so I thought. Never the morning person, I knew I wanted a sunrise shot. A beautiful sunrise or sunset is never guaranteed, so I potentially would need to get up another morning if this first one fizzled. Although I’m not too far from it, Chinatown isn’t exactly near me. So on an early November morning, I took my first shot at 6:38am. It was not of the bridge, though.

I wasn’t exactly sure if it the park was open at that hour. I opted to look around the area since I spotted a great view of the skyline. It was foggy that morning and worried I wasn’t going to get a clear shot. As I climbed up the hill overlooking the views, I quickly realized there was a green open space (Ping Tom Ball Field) and ran down for more skyline views. The fog eventually dissipated but provided a nice soft veil as a twinge of orange hit the skyline.

I started to split my focus as I couldn’t resist the temptation. If I don’t have to wake up another early morning for this view, I won’t. I had to work fast. At 7:45am I got this shot. A few minutes later I was back to my original mark, up the hill again.

the picture starts coming together

As always, I like to document along the way to look back at how the image starts to come into place. I also enjoy seeing all the different versions of landmark. Do I take just the landmark itself over the river? The rugged, seemingly abandoned building on the side for something more urban and industrial? There’s lots of greenery from the park, but how much greenery? Just trees and the bridge? How about bridge, trees, and a walking path? Of course, I can get with the bridge and the actual pagoda-style building at the park. The reflection of the water only added to the mix. I couldn’t tell which view was best.

Shamefully, I admit I ended up with hundreds of shots.

but the options are endless

And so the madness begins, you’re too excited at the sight and the possibilities. Portrait vs landscape, background vs foreground, nature vs man-made landmark, where do you focus? So you get one angle, move over an inch and you’ve got a brand new shot. In the same 10 feet, I could have a couple of very different shots of the same landmark at the same time of day. Not so sure? Scroll down. Focus on one thing, omit another, the possibilities drive you.

And it only gets worse when you get home and take a hard look at everything. Not only do you have evidence of how nuts you looked taking so many shots in the span of 30 minutes, but you also stare down two nearly identical photos except for one little detail. You insist it matters, one must be better than the other and you drive yourself Mad going back and forth during editing. But I’ll get back to my morning…

I got the sunrise at 7am overlooking Tom Ping Park and the Canal St. Bridge. A few minutes later, peak golden hour was gone but I made my way back for morning shots of the skyline once again. I’ll have to save those for another post. Too many shots.

At 7:45pm, I finally moved on to the neighborhood. I walked to get the Chinatown Gateway and checked out the few stores that were opened. I was mostly keeping an eye out for a good view and popped into a bakery for a quick snack.

what else is there at the bridge?

By 9am, I was walking the perimeter of the landmark and found more views on Canal Street. I found the side of the bridge that seemed accessible by foot. However, it was far too early and isolated to even think about it. I passed the railway side of the bridge as well and finished at a dock with tons of boats. there were no people that whole morning, which I found strange but worked for getting clear shots of the pathway on the bridge.

Outside of downtown, I rarely walk the bridge pathways, probably for good reason but this was a treat for pics. And yes, I somehow keep getting surprised I can see the city skyline from Chinatown. I couldn’t avoid the crane on this one but I do have a clear shot of Willis Tower (formerly Sears, do I have stance on this? Redirecting…). Just after 9am I was out of steam but happy to check off this landmark off my list for early sunrise shot.

I never made it to the park that day, which would be the closest I can shoot it…and it’s officially back on my list.