Millennium Park is a special place in Chicago. It was built to celebrate the new millennium and is host to multiple public art displays including Cloudgate and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Millennium Park is a tourist magnet, but the beauty of the park is enjoyed by the residents of the city as well. 

How to get the Shot 

Cloudgate (commonly called “The Bean”) is usually crowded with tourists all day. I find that photos with large crowds distract from the beauty of the subject. To get a clean shot you have to get to the park early, as in 5:30 A.M. When I showed up I was greeted by a security guard who wouldn’t let me in the park right away. I didn’t realize that the park had official hours since it has no entrance or gate. The park officially opens at 6 A.M., but if you are shooting in the summer the sun rises around 5:40. After talking to the guard for a few minutes he decided to let me in at 5:45. This worked out well because I was able to snap a few shots while the light was good and before the sun came over the trees and structures to the east. Shortly after I captured my shots, more photographers and people arrived at the park.

Editing the Shot  

This shot was processed with Apple’s Aperture and then taken into Adobe Photoshop to be finished. I knew that I wanted to capture The Bean with the city blurred out behind it, but I couldn’t achieve this in camera. In order to capture the shot I envisioned, I applied a medium strength Gaussian blur and painted it into the background of the shot. This gives the image a different twist than the other photos from this location. 

Other Tips 

Shooting “The Bean” from different angles reveals unique reflections and endless photo  opportunities. Also remember to go underneath the structure as the concave metallic shape provides

fun and interesting reflections. After multiple visits to Millennium Park, I’ve come to appreciate the view from the west side of the bean with the city distorted in the reflection. Make sure to shoot from this view while you are there. 

How to Get There 

Millennium Park is right off of Michigan Avenue, so it is very accessible. The number 3 bus runs straight down Michigan Ave; get off at Madison Street. You can also take the Red or Blue line. If you take the Red line get off at the Monroe stop and head east. If you take the Blue line get off at the Washington stop and head east. 

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