Sonic Temple 2024

Photos from our road trip to Sonic Temple music festival in Columbus Ohio, May 2024

Chicago

Sadly this is my last post about Chicago, for this trip anyways. I hope to visit it again in a few years in the warmer months. This post compiles everything that didn’t have enough pictures to make a full post about it. From the Lincoln Park Zoo Holiday Lights, to the beautiful neon signs that graced the city, to the elusive Eleven City Diner, deep dish pizza, “L” train, Adler Planeterium, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, Architecture Center, Chicago River, and the Hard Rock Cafe.

There was so much more that I did in Chicago, that I didn’t have the time to photograph. So much more that made the experience wonderful. I loved every second of it, and I wish I could’ve been there longer.

I had a whole list of places I wanted to visit while I was there, but there was so much to do, that a week wasn’t enough to do it all.

First off the Lincoln Park Zoo, a free attraction along the waterfront of Lake Michigan. Many of the animals were out and about, I saw more than I’ve ever seen in a New York Zoo. Gorillas, giraffes, zebras, various birds and fish, sea lions, otters, and even a separate children’s zoo within it. They offer a holiday light celebration throughout the month of December and beginning of January. It’s reminiscent of the lights at Jones Beach where you drive through in your car, but here you get to walk through it.

They have holiday themed drinks, and boozed up versions of them, smore roasting, 3D glasses that help to enhance the view of the lights, and many of the animals are still able to be viewed. It’s great to be able to see the zoo after dark, it’s an experience many people don’t get to have. And the lights were gorgeous and plentiful in many intricate displays. They also had a carousel, two 5D experiences, a ferris wheel, a light maze, and numerous photo booths to remember the trip. Although it was freezing when I went, I would recommend it to anyone visiting during the holiday season.

Next on the list, ugh, the food in Chicago was to die for. Bigger and better seemed to be their specialty. The Eleven City Diner was a Jewish deli diner combination, that offered everything, and boy did they make an amazing milkshake. I could barely finish it all. Giordano’s was a popular deep dish spot that seemed to be everywhere we looked, just like 2 bro’s dollar pizza is in New York. And it was the cheesiest thing I have ever eaten. I never thought I would say this, but thin crust has some competition over her in Chicago, because deep dish is amazing. Au Chevel, another restaurant I will never forget. Sounds like a fancy, french, upscale restaurant, but is actually a bar/diner specializing in eggs and burgers. And if you’re planning on visiting, definitely go an hour or so before you want to eat, because there is always a wait. But that burger was one of the best things I have ever eaten.

One more staple I’ll point out before I stop dreaming about all the food I ate and move onto the next topic was Bub City. Bub City has the best barbecue I have ever eaten. They feature live music and an amazing aesthetic of neon lights. The servers are friendly, and you should definitely try the mac and cheese.

And next on the list is a quick paragraph about the public transportation scene. Although way less complex and harrowing than the New York City subway looks to tourists, I found myself very confused with it. The L had maybe six different lines defined by color, each only going one direction if I remember correctly. And they also had the Metra, the South Shore Line, and a multitude of buses. You used the ventra card for buses and the L, and for the Metra and South Shore you had to use a ticket, similar to riding the LIRR.

Anyways, even if you are big on walking, busing, or ubering, I would definitely suggest taking it at least once while you’re there. It’s a staple of Chicago, and your trip wouldn’t be the same without it.

The Art Institute of Chicago was a special spot on my list, considering I had wanted to go to school there. The college offers a museum and if you were looking to visit Navy Pier for the Centennial Wheel as well, they offer a joint ticket. The Art Institute had a lot to it, and reminded me a lot of the Met in New York. It had the European art, modern, contemporary, Asian, and more exhibits. It was a beautiful place, but my favorite exhibit had to be those stained glass windows on the first floor.

The Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium were in the vicinity of each other, but large enough that we had to venture over on two separate occasions. The aquarium was massive and had so many exhibits. There was dolphins, sharks, fish, seals, beluga whales, and coral reefs. There was so much to explore and see. And I loved it so much, I’ve never seen an aquarium as interesting as it. There was so much to it, it would take me way to long to explain it all.

The Adler Planetarium was the stuff of my dreams. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love space. They had artifacts from each trip to the moon. They had shows which showed all the stars in the sky and where to find them, a gift shop where I spent way more than I should have, exhibits on all the planets, a ride into the Atwood, a walk through the universe, and so much more.

Next on the list of course Millennium Park, did you even go to Chicago if you didn’t see the bean? The bean was great, and another great addition to the trip was the Winter Classic festival. We go to meet Blackhawk’s players, play games, win prizes, and hear live music. It was a lot of fun. Though if you plan on ice skating, I would suggest going elsewhere, because the line is insane.

All in all, I was not the least bit disappointed in my trip to Chicago. There’s too much to explain, but honestly I would recommend that all of you take a trip one day, because it is amazing there. I can’t wait to visit again, hopefully one day soon. It’s a beautiful city.

To see more refer to my previous posts or go to my Instagram @suburbanwasteland or my personal @im_just_elle

If you have any suggestions on where I should visit next or anything else you’d like to comment on, feel free to reach out through my contact page or via Instagram. And if you’ve read this far, thank you for reading the longest blog post I’ve ever written.

Chicago: 360 Chicago

Chicago is a city of wind and wonder. And going to visit it just once is definitely not going to satisfy me enough. For there is so much to do, even in the winter time. And there is even more to do in the warmer seasons. The winter season offers ice skating in Millennium Park, skiing, lights, hockey games at the United Center, and so much more. But the summer offers baseball games, food festivals, rides, beaches, and the list goes on from there.

Chicago has something for everybody. Whether you be an Instagram foodie, an influencer searching for views and art, an architecture lover, a museum goer, or a photographer like me seeking out scenic shots. I' can guarantee that if you go, you will find something you love and lots of it.

Next up on my list of adventures is 360 Chicago. 360 Chicago is on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center and offers scenic views of all of Chicago and an exhilarating experience via Tilt. Tilt offers you the chance to lean out over the Magnificent Mile at an angle that will send a rush to your head. You will truly feel the gravity as you hang off the side of the John Hancock Center.

As with the skydeck, I would suggest investing in a city pass, as the line moves much faster, and it offers you the opportunity to see more of the city for less. I would also suggest going for more than just the Tilt, enjoy the views from each side of the observatory. Hang out in the lounge, and if you’re old enough visit the bar. 360 Chicago is truly spectacular and offers so much to its visitors. Definitely add it your list if you ever plan on visiting Chicago.

Keep an eye out for my next few blog posts for more on my adventures in Chicago, and if you’re new check out my two previous posts for more. And for more adventures check out my Instagram @suburbanwasteland or my personal @im_just_elle

And as always if you have any comments or suggestions feel free to contact me through my contact page or via Instagram.

Chicago: Skydeck

Oh Chicago, how I miss you so. You filled my days with some of the best food I’ve ever eaten, the most beautiful sights, and for once in my life, difficulties figuring out public transportation. A beautiful city with so much to it, that I even had difficulty seeing even half of it before I had to come back to New York.

Coming from New York City I’m used to the skyscrapers, busy streets, and all of that stereotypical city stuff. And when I said I was going to Chicago, many were quick to ask me what the point was, since New York and Chicago are both just big cities with little differences between the two. But Chicago, although it had its similarities to New York, was nothing like New York. The people were different, the parks were different, the food, the streets, the art, and so much more was different.

Chicago made me feel right at home, even though I was far from it.

Another place that I visited while there was the Chicago Skydeck. Now if you’re going to a city far from home, I would suggest investing in the city pass to make the most out of everything you want to do there for a little less money and for a smaller cost. We tried to go to the Skydeck four times before we actually got in. The first time it became overcast by the time we got there, the second it closed do to weather, and the third time it was a bright and sunny day, but the line to get through security was two hours long. The final time ended up being at night, but honestly it worked out.

Security moved fast enough, it took about half an hour to get through with city pass, those without it weren’t so lucky. The line to get up to the 101st floor took about forty five minutes, and the line for the skybox took about an hour. The skybox wasn’t as vertigo inducing as I had anticipated, but it did make for some cool shots. Though if you’re seeking a thrill, I would definitely suggest the Tilt at 360 Chicago.

If you are going to go to the Skydeck at the Willis Tower, I would suggest you go for more than the skybox. I would suggest checking out the views throughout the 101st floor of the building. It’s quite amazing, and you can see the entire city from up there, and even beyond it. Parts of Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan can be seen from here.

It’s definitely worth it if you don’t mind standing in line.

See more of my adventures in the Mid-West in my next few blog posts and on Instagram @suburbanwasteland and on my personal @im_just_elle

Chicago: Navy Pier

Oh Chicago, I’m getting nostalgic for it just writing this post. Chicago has always been a place I’ve wanted to go. I became infatuated with it in middle school, and for whatever reason could never stop longing to go there. In high school I even applied to college in Chicago.

But I never thought I would be able to visit the city at this age, and too explore and live in it for a week. Let alone be able to do it with my favorite person.

I fell in love with Chicago when I went there, and honestly I love it there more than anywhere I’ve ever been. Amongst all the adventure in Chicago, I decided to post this one first. Navy Pier was reminiscent of the boardwalks of the east coast, with its various rides (although most were out of commission for the winter), shops, and restaurants. It’s scenic location along Lake Michigan gave an amazing view of the city. And the large Centennial Wheel was gorgeous.

You’d think with the high winds Chicago is known for would have rocked the gondolas of the Ferris wheel, but they stayed sturdier than any ferris wheel I had ever been on. And the views from that high were amazing. It made you feel so small in comparison to the vast city at your fingertips.

And inside the grounds of Navy Pier was a gorgeous green house of sorts, filled with palm trees and fountains. This was rented out for a private event however, so I didn’t get to see the full extent of it. As for the shops inside, it reminded me of a cross between a New York street fair, an outlet mall, and the stores around Coney Island’s boardwalk (It Sugar included). I spent a lot of time wandering around and exploring every inch of the place for interesting finds.

There was a variety of restaurants inside, of course there was a McDonald’s and things along that line, but there was also one of a kind restaurants serving any type of food that you could possibly be in the mood for. Tacos, burgers, sushi, seafood, deep dish, barbecue, hot dogs, and so much more. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Navy Pier also had some public art installations outside, the one they had that drew my attention was interactive. Passage features a pathway through 20 glowing hoops that emit a series of noises as you walk through them. The installation responds to movement , and makes for some amazing photos that play with perspective.

Navy Pier is something I would definitely suggest to anyone visiting Chicago, whether it be in the winter or the summer.

For more pictures from my trip, keep an eye out for my next few blog posts, and check out my Instagram @suburbanwasteland or my personal @im_just_elle

See you next time

Another Day, Another Adventure

The last time I went to Kings Park, it was 30 degrees and windy. But we took the path less traveled and discovered a new trail of buildings. The lighting outside was perfect, and the new backgrounds were a great change of pace.

The cold was well worth it, because I love how these came out, and I can’t wait to take another trip out there to explore more.

Keep an eye out for the next post, because it’s a nice difference from the recent slew of portraits, from one of my favorite cities. And as always you can keep up with my adventures of Instagram @suburbanwasteland and on my personal @im_just_elle

And if you have any comments or suggestions feel free to contact me through my contact page or via Instagram.

Extra Photos

Below are some excess photos from various shoots, where not enough photos were taken to construct a whole blog post around. Just small adventures that were more fun to enjoy than to photograph. Sometimes life can be better living in the moment.

To keep up with my adventures you can follow me on Instagram @suburbanwasteland or on my personal @im_just_elle

Another Trip to Kings Park

Kings Park is like life in a way. Constantly changing, a door (or rather a hole in the wall in this case) opens each time I am there and another one closes (gets boarded up). There’s always a new piece of art on the walls. I can’t say that Kings Park is ever the same as I last saw it, the next time I got to visit.

I’ve been there so many times, and I have yet to explore every inch that is available to me. It is just such a massive piece of property, that there is not enough time in the day to visit it all.

I hope one day to have the time to finish my exploration of it.

Urban Decay Portraiture (Part 2)

Here are some more pictures from one of my numerous trips to Kings Park. These are some of my favorites from this shoot. The contrast between Michael’s outfit and the graffitied walls adds something extra to the photos. And the smoke from the vape clouds made for such a great effect.

The color and contrast of these photos is something I’m proud of. The quality of my photos is improving, and I’m better now than I was a year ago. I’m proud of my progress and want to continue to grow as a photographer, and I hope you all stick with me along my journey towards that.

Thank you all for your support along these past four years, and thank you for buying prints, giving constructive criticism, and all the in between.

Urban Decay Portraiture

Kings Park Psychiatric Center is one of my favorite spots to photograph. Every time I go to Long Island, I go there to take photos. There are so many buildings and even if you don’t go inside, it’s hard to not find a new spot to photograph each time. There is so much to explore, and so much art and history along each and every wall on the grounds of the state park.

I took a lot of photos on this trip and will post the rest in another post.

Photo Shoot Adventures

Heads up, this was a large shoot, so there is a bigger volume of photos below than usual. For this shoot we focused a lot on the posed and candid styles. And we focused on social media culture, with Michael portraying himself as a soundcloud raper. Complete with color coordination, and eyeliner face tattoos, we scouted for spots throughout the city to take photos that resembled those of an Instagram influencer or upcoming artist.

It was a fresh new take to our usual photo spots, and was a lot of fun to do. We searched for spots in the urban landscape that popped, and made him stand out and draw attention towards him. And of course went on to take some golden hour shots along the water.

Overall a fun adventure and a successful shoot.

Be sure to keep up to date with the adventures on Instagram @suburbanwasteland and on my personal @im_just_elle.

And if you have any questions feel free to contact me on the contact page or via social media.

Until next time.

Reflections

Reflections can make for some gorgeous shots, you can show distortion, ripples, and alternate realities. I always loved water for the fact that photographically it can be turned into so much more. Many of my abstract photos are of water, and they don’t even look like water in the end sometimes, because water can be turned into so much more with just a little bit of creativity.

On a less related note, I have added five new prints to my online store, and removed two old ones. So be sure to check that out, and order one if you want. They’re available in wood panels and posters (a more economical option), both in two different sizes. Some older, more popular prints are also still available in my store as well if you are interested in those.

And my personal favorite, custom prints are available in my store as well. You can choose any print from my online portfolio and I will make it into a custom print for you. This is great for those of you who want a print, that is less available or no longer in the store.

And if ever see a photo in my blog posts that you are interested in getting a print made out of, feel free to visit my contact page and submit an inquire about it. I will do my best to make it available to you.

If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to contact me via the contact page or social media on instagram @suburbanwasteland or on my personal @im_just_elle.

See you next week.

Some Portraits I Never Got Around to Posting

I’ve been MIA on this blog for a little while now, because I’ve been busy with work and getting back into school. But I’ve been keeping active on my photography page on Instagram @suburbanwasteland and my personal @im_just_elle. I’ve been keeping as up to date as I could with my adventures and sharing my creative content on there.

I’m ready to get back to blogging on here and am going to start trying post on here once a week, or at the very least bimonthly. Here’s to new beginnings and fresh starts, and to a whole new year of creative content and growing as a photographer.

As always, if you have any comments or suggestions comment below, and definitely check back next week for a new post. And keep up to date with my adventures on social media.

Floyd Bennet Field and Dead Horse Bay

New Photos Added to Bokeh and Abstarct!

The new additions and a few that didn’t make the cut

Road Trip

Philadelphia was a gorgeous city. There were water features everywhere, tall historic buildings, modern heights, and so much life. It reminded me a lot of New York, but it had something special to it. I enjoyed every hot and sweaty moment of my trip and can’t wait to go back soon.

My next trip is to Chicago in the winter and I can’t wait for those photos to take shape.

Jynx at the Kingland

Jynx put on a great set at the Kingsland in Brooklyn. They were full of energy and love for the crowd, and they put on a great show.

The Hearkening at The Kingsland

The Hearkening lived up to the hype surrounding them when I saw them perform live at the Kingsland in Brooklyn. From their aesthetic decorations to their sound. They truly were a sight to behold, and they put a lot of work into their performance. I hope to work with them again in the future, because they are an enigma.