Heart and Soul

            Despite the fact that I had a hopelessly unnewsworthy athletic career, I once appeared in a photo in the sports section of the Chicago Tribune. The black-and-white photo captured me and some teammates playing Nintendo 64 in our locker room as we killed time between classes and practice. It was part of a series called “Heart and Soul” in which Scott Strazzante, a Tribune photographer, sought to provide readers with “an intimate look at high school athletics away from the fields of play”. Ever since this picture appeared in the spring of 2006, I've kept an eye out for Scott's work while looking through the Trib. He has covered multiple Olympics, made the rounds with the Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup, and recently photographed the heated NATO protests. But, in my opinion, his work shines brightest in his photo blog “Shooting from the Hip”. It is here that he displays his knack for capturing the city and it's lifeblood – the people who frequent it.  

            I recently had the pleasure of hearing Strazzante speak at the Printers Row Literary Festival. While showcasing dozens and dozens of his photos, he explained his growing love for street photography. Scott, in his down time or in transit between assignments, roams the city capturing people with his camera or iPhone. His results are often stunning and prove that the most trivial and common moments in our lives can be nonetheless the most meaningful and telling.

            Though I started my own blog with an unspecified agenda, over time I've refined my vision and approach in ways that are similar to that of Strazzante and his street photography. The most enjoyable part of this experience for me has been pulling a notepad and pen out of my pocket while walking down the street or sitting on the “L” and trying to capture moments of insight, observations, and fringe thoughts produced my surroundings. I try to capture people with ink and paper much like Scott and many other professional and amateur photographers do with their lenses. I make a point to quickly scribble down interesting things that are said to me or may overhear while exploring the city. Some of these moments made me cringe, some made me laugh, most made me smile, and one made me dance. But all of them made my mind churn for one reason or another. Everyone has a story and something to say worth being heard. Even the little girl being pulled along by her mother through busy sidewalks with her eyes to the sky and jaw to the pavement in awe of skyscrapers. Even the homeless woman who holds a sign explaining that she's not a bad person, and that she just caught some bad breaks. Or even the CTA security guard in his fluorescent vest which is doubly visible in the black of night who weathers yet another graveyard shift. Strazzante gushed about the people who are heart and soul the city, simply saying, “If you just observe people. It's just amazing, all the amazing things you'll see.” Or hear, for that matter.

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Here are a few of the things I've heard...

“You're not in your little town in Michigan anymore... You're in a big town.” 
            - on Michigan Avenue

“I've never had Starbucks, I like Dunkin' Donuts... You don't like Dunkin' Donuts? Dunkin' Donuts is goooooood. Dunkin' Donuts is the best!” 
            - on the Blue Line Platform (Damen Avenue Stop)

“Guys, I'm at my last resort.” 
            - on Michigan Avenue

“I be forgettin' I'm at work sometimes.” 
            - at the Art Institute of Chicago

“I like photos that give more questions than answers.” 
            - at Printers Row Lit Fest

“I'll give you twenty dollars, that beer, and a titty twister for that t-shirt.” 
            - at Chicago Blues Festival, Grant Park

“You go 'n get youself some cold water now.” 
            - on Harrison Street

“I'm gunna kick until I need new shoes” 
            - at Congress Theater

“Alright, we're gunna take a little break here, put a new string on the guitar. I hope you all are enjoying the beautiful day, today, in Cheee – Caghhh – Goooo.” 
          - near Buckingham Fountain