Outside the Marriott on Adams St., January 2016

definitely my favourite of your recent works. The light spanning over the crowd does not illuminate the sad faces. It's frightening to see no smile. Every individual seems to be burdened by their own fate. The lowkey processing suits perfect to for creating a sinister atmosphere.

... and the year! Are you sure it wasn't 1916?

Nice! It has a forties feel with halogen lights...a bit surreal.

Well done , Steve!

Regards,

Mário

definitely a documentary feel, Steve... these women all hooded, sour faces; who are they, what are they looking at so engrossed... they seem alien to being in a city; and certainly alien to a Marriott.. the elder woman (excellent forefronting on your part, the two younger women (the intense displeased expressions), the painful and sad facial expressions on the children.... a very curious image Steve... Amish, Quaker, Eastern European? Very engrossing image... yet again, you're in my faves ;-} dp

Wolfgang, Bulent, Marie, Mario, Donna -- Thanks for taking the time to comment.  I try never to take that for granted and it is always appreciated.

I believe this was an Amish group or family.  Normally I would not photograph them (I'm sure they get stared at enough as it is because most people find them "different") but I was looking down at my camera, fiddling with a plastic bag that I was using to cover my camera because of the rain and sleet coming down this evening.  Peripherally, I could see a group of people coming by so I aimed the camera to the side (waist level), not looking through the view finder, and snapped off a few shots.  I know there are those who would criticize this method because I was not looking through the viewfinder, but I have used hip shots often enough and come away with results that please me...so I make no apology.  (I don't think any of you criticize the hip shot method, but it's fine with me if you do.  I believe in using whatever method works in a given situation.)

Whoa! This feels like we've just entered an underground bunker in some Eastern European country. Hard to believe this is Chicago. Really a terrific shot.

ps: I absolutely agree with you about shooting from the hip. In most cases the less conspicuous you are the better and, strangely enough, sometimes the results really surprise me, the element of serendipity and all.