Free Chicago Photos   All of these free digital photos were taken in and around Chicago, mostly during January and February, 1999. Almost every one of these pictures was just 'spur of the moment'. Most were just taken through my car's window as I was driving around downtown to drop something off or something like that. So that's why many of these pictures might look kind of spontaneous or not prepared for. I'll add better versions of these photos and update this page as I get take new, better pictures. A typical El Train, one of hundreds that run throughout the city. The name "El" comes from the fact that the original ones were elevated above the streets, as most lines downtown are. But there are also ground level [as here] and subway lines. This is a very nice photo just because of how its wide angle and great depth of field emphasize the size and height of the buildings downtown. There are a few reflections in this picture because I took the picture through the window, as the El train I was on crossed a bridge across the river. Yes, this is a terrible picture of the Sears tower. But it's pretty much the best one I have right now. Plus I like how the tower appears framed by other buildings and stuff. It just kind of portrays the idea of the sky being steel in big cities, an urban jungle, etc. I'm just making stuff up here. I'll post a better picture when I get one... Maybe some pics from the top of the Sears Tower as well. The Chicago Merchandise Mart. I think that it has more floor space under one room than any other building in the world except the Pentagon. But don't quote me on that. Anyway, that's one big building! A bad picture of the Chicago Art Institute. As you may know, it's one of the world's greatest collections of art in one place. I'll try to get a closer picture of it to post. The Harold Washington library. Named after Chicago's first black mayor, this is the city's largest library. The design, which includes gargoyles on the roof, remains somewhat controversial. (This picture was much harder to take that you it looks. This was into the direction of the sun, so I was shading the camera lens from the direct sunlight with my hand. My hand is that dark spot in the upper left hand corner of the photo... Regardless, the building still looks pretty dark and not too sharp. Oh well, I guess this is just the rough draft. Just a quick 'through the windshield' picture of Holy Name cathedral. It's one of Chicago's oldest and most famous church buildings. My High School graduation ceremony will be held there this May. A boring, nondescript photo of Lake Shore Drive. Another one of my patented "through the windshield" shots. That was on a Saturday morning that had extremely low traffic. Believe me, it's very unusual to see Lake Shore Drive like this. The Belmont Carillon clock tower. Very near Belmont Harbor along Lake Michigan, this building has been up since the 19_0's. Just a few years ago, maybe 1995, the city restored its bells so that it once again chimes. The John Hancock tower, as seen from Southbound Lake Shore Drive. Nothing super-special about this shot, it just looks kind of cool heading towards downtown like this.   Page One Go on to Page Two Page Three For more free digital photos from TERSCH.com, please check out the Macro Mode Photos page for close-up shots of things, the Light Effect Photos page for photos with unusual lighting, the Special Enhanced Photos page for panoramic or animated pictures, and the Free Pictures (Various) page for pictures of all kinds of miscellaneous things, mostly around Florida.