Cloud Gate
This reflection of the sky was shot in Chicago, at the sculpture known as the "Cloud Gate" (but which everyone just calls "The Bean"). It's a highly reflective polished chrome (?) sculpture. If you look in my photo stream at the photo just before this one, you can see the whole sculpture.
I think the streaks in the lower right are dirt on the surface of the sculpture from where people touched it. I wasn't sure if I should leave them in or not - but I think without them, this looks like just a photoshop effect, when, in fact, it's real life.
I've noticed a lot of hits on this photo lately. If you don't mind, can you drop me a note and tell me where you found this image? Thanks!
Comments and faves
skin, ECWC, Jeff Clow, Nick Nada, and 212 other people added this photo to their favorites.
skin (79 months ago | reply)
discussion for WEEKLY can be found here
azmuskoka (79 months ago | reply)
Really neat shot!
ECWC (79 months ago | reply)
I've seen lots of photos of this artwork, but this is one of the more creative angles - and skyblue is one of my favourite colours - excellent!!
Jeff Clow (79 months ago | reply)
Fascinating shot....!
ancawonka (79 months ago | reply)
Thanks guys! This is one of the neatest bits of public art I've seen in a while. So much fun for everyone to play with!
raventrickster (79 months ago | reply)
my home town!
King'76 (79 months ago | reply)
Hi it looks a lot like a picture I made in Prague last summer! Only this wasn't art but a police station :-)
I like the roundline in yours very much!
stchuck (79 months ago | reply)
I was thinking this might be Chicago .... Very well done.
raspberrytart (79 months ago | reply)
you folded the sky!
Brian Catacutan (78 months ago | reply)
Great work!
lagiuspo (77 months ago | reply)
brilliant!
SFMoe (76 months ago | reply)
fantastic shot .. wish the clouds would have been as photogenic yesterday :P
L8o (75 months ago | reply)
.....Oooooohhh! .....Aaaaaaaahhh!
* * Follow the " top-v_aa " tag * *
L8o (75 months ago | reply)
Congratulations!
You have just been Top-V Blogged!
RottieLover♥ (75 months ago | reply)
I thought it was photoshopped when I saw the thumbnail. That is a really spectacular effect from a "natural" photo.
(found it from the top-vaa tag)
inklake (74 months ago | reply)
This is amazing! I love the clarity and the wonderful blue.
lisaendavy (71 months ago | reply)
Fantastic photo!!
( I found it when I was watching your photostream)
Joe Thorn (71 months ago | reply)
One of my favorite shots of the bean.
J.H.C. (71 months ago | reply)
Really love this!!!
ancawonka (71 months ago | reply)
This photo is challenging bubble magic from the pool of Highly Competitive - Flickr's 100 Best - www.flickr.com/groups/best100only/. Vote me in!
Le Jhe (71 months ago | reply)
I must say that when I saw the picture on the thread it was only a photoshop effect. I read the comment and I like the idea of the super-realistic picture without PS (did you edit it at all ?). Nothing wrong with the defender's shot though, but I just prefer this one.
...ooops, came back to fav'...
oneof100#1
lisaendavy (71 months ago | reply)
Please add this to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
inklake (71 months ago | reply)
I faved this a while back but still love it.
I saw this in
A Big Fave
Andre Garneau (71 months ago | reply)
I really like it simple but with a great result. I like the defendent but this one is very cool looking.
oneof100#2
moominmolly (71 months ago | reply)
I like this photo, it's clean and crisp, but the defender seems so very unusual and original that I can't bear to see it go.
noneof100#2
DrewMyers (71 months ago | reply)
I just love the "horizon" of the reflected area and where it intersects with the sky. Very well seen ancawonka!
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-Merce- (71 months ago | reply)
I think we can "improve" real life, so I would have cleaned the lower right surface
noneof100#3
blackmantis35@sbcglobal.net [deleted] (71 months ago | reply)
awsome
Alive in Calgary (71 months ago | reply)
very cool effect, but I find the defender's shot more interesting
noneof100#4
jamie B (71 months ago | reply)
The defender is an extremely unique photo. The original colours , subject matter and technicals make it very strong. Yours is also quite good. I think for a shot such as this, it would be best to clone out anything other than the blue and clouds...theres some twigs in the lower right that I noticed right away.
there has been a miscount...with my vote of 'noneof' the actual count is:
noneof100#4
oneof100#2
ronmarshall074 (71 months ago | reply)
Not my cup of tea.. I think you have a stronger competitor..
Sorry
noneof100#5
Quindici (71 months ago | reply)
A real eye-catcher!
phatphrank (71 months ago | reply)
I searched "Chicago"
Will have to try that shot when I get back home.
ancawonka (71 months ago | reply)
Cool phatprank! Have a blast, I had a lot of fun with this sculpture too. Let me know when you take the shot.
Thanks everyone for the comments for the Most Competitive Group. It was fun!
Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks for applying to the 1500 views and 60 faves group! This is a superb photo. You have been accepted!
Congratulations, my friend !!
ancawonka (70 months ago | reply)
Thanks Tim!
LADYTRASH [deleted] (70 months ago | reply)
(L)
Tube Armada (69 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot and vibrant.
_minette (69 months ago | reply)
Wow. I just love it!
Harry Fisch (69 months ago | reply)
A great one. Different. Intriguing...
Remiss63 (69 months ago | reply)
this is absolutely fantastic. a whole new way of envisioning our world. inverts the sky / ocean, space / mass, and so many other things. great work.
playwright_bo (68 months ago | reply)
lovely
Ravi Vora (68 months ago | reply)
best bean shot i've seen
Sofia-Denis (68 months ago | reply)
very cool!
DannyVandal (67 months ago | reply)
Stunning, stunning photography. I have sent this to so many people, I love it. Well done for seeing the shot.
Bookworm (66 months ago | reply)
Your picture was the first one I saw that just showed the sky with clouds and its reflection -- that's why I clicked through to look more closely. Really nice.
pcgeek86 (66 months ago | reply)
Wow, that's an amazing shot of Cloud Gate!
Out of curiosity, do you happen to know what ISO speed your camera took the photo at? Under the photo properties, it says it was set to auto, but I'm wondering if you have some way of knowing.
asleeponasunbeam (65 months ago | reply)
Wow! Nice pics! Congratulations for your creativity and sensibility!
If I am not wrong this is a sculpture from Anish Kapoor. You should add it to this pool:www.flickr.com/groups/anishkapoor/
By the way, I came here after your comment in one of my pics (answering to your question).
Chicago Nilsa (65 months ago | reply)
Love your shot of The Bean. Such serenity in the middle of the city - that's what I love about Chicago!
ancawonka (65 months ago | reply)
Chicago, like many grand cities that are more than 100 years old, has figured out how to make dense urban living work for people. I love visiting there.