Venue Description

The great poet Carl Sandburg famously called Chicago the “City of the Big Shoulders.” Nowhere is that spirit more visible than along the Chicago River, where the city’s architecture and iconic bridges create endless photographic opportunities.

This workshop combines both land and river perspectives, giving you a unique way to photograph Chicago’s structure, scale, and movement.

We’ll begin near the Michigan Avenue water taxi dock in the Chicago Loop, where the instructor will introduce key composition techniques and camera settings using real-world examples.

At approximately 11:00 AM, we’ll board the Chicago Water Taxi and begin photographing from the river as we travel south. Along the way, you’ll capture:

• Chicago’s famous bridges from below
• River traffic and city life
• Architectural lines, reflections, and patterns

The taxi will stop briefly at Ogilvie/Union Station before continuing to Ping Tom Park in Chinatown.

After arriving in Chinatown, we’ll step off the boat and continue shooting in and around the park, working on composition, framing, and timing with guidance from the instructor.

We’ll then take the water taxi back north, stopping again near Ogilvie/Union Station to continue the workshop before wrapping up around 1:00 PM.

Throughout the session, your instructor will be available to review your images, demonstrate techniques, and offer practical tips as you shoot.

Water Taxi Details

Water taxi tickets are cashless and can be purchased:

• Online in advance
• At the Michigan Avenue dock
• Onboard the taxi

We recommend purchasing your ticket ahead of time to avoid delays.

Workshop Schedule (Approximate)

• 10:30 AM – Composition presentation near Michigan Ave dock
• 11:00 AM – Board water taxi
• 11:15 AM – Depart southbound (via Ogilvie/Union)
• ~11:45 AM – Arrive at Ping Tom Park (Chinatown)
• 12:30 PM – Depart Chinatown, return north
• 1:00 PM – Workshop concludes near Ogilvie/Union Station
• 1:15 PM – Taxi arrives back at Michigan Ave

What to Bring / Prepare

Dress for the weather, as we’ll be outdoors and on the water. Light rain is always possible, so consider bringing:

• A small umbrella or poncho
• A simple cover for your camera (a plastic bag works fine)
• Sunscreen if it’s a bright day

Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes for walking and boarding the taxi.

Bring:

• A fully charged battery (plus a spare if possible)
• Extra memory cards
• Minimal gear (recommended), though an extra lens is fine if you’d like options

Additional Resources

To get more out of the class, you may find these helpful:

• http://www.absphoto.com/composition.pdf
• http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/rule-of-thirds.htm

Meeting Spot

We will meet near the Michigan Avenue water taxi dock in the Chicago Loop.
(Exact meeting point details will be confirmed by your instructor.)

If you arrive early, take some time to photograph the surrounding bridges and river views—there are great angles right near the dock.

If you are running late, please call or text your instructor.