**The Chicago Evo Photo shoot thread.... I need you!**
The 18-55 is kind of flimsy, but it's a great focal range for urban shots or portraiture; you can take very good images with it if you're aware of the limitations, and it's small (like the XTi), so it doesn't scream "paparazzi" and make people get weird about you taking pictures. By way of comparison, my take-everywhere lens is a Sigma 17-70 2.8-5.6, which is just about perfect for most of the shooting I do, but I wish it was a little physically smaller (especially mounted on the 40D). I have my wife's hand-me-down 75-300 w/IS for longer shots, but again, it's a pretty slow and flimsy lens (I'm hoping to replace it with a Canon or Sigma 70-200 soon), and a Sigma 30mm 1.4 for low-light or shallow-DOF stuff. (My wife gets the good glass, but I get to borrow it from time to time. 
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IMHO, Canon IS is overrated for the price (I haven't had a chance to try Sigma's OS, so I can't speak to it; some people I know swear it's fantastic). Unless you're doing a lot of hand-held sports shooting, spend the money on a better tripod and head, and maybe some pocketwizards.
)IMHO, Canon IS is overrated for the price (I haven't had a chance to try Sigma's OS, so I can't speak to it; some people I know swear it's fantastic). Unless you're doing a lot of hand-held sports shooting, spend the money on a better tripod and head, and maybe some pocketwizards.
That basketball tutorial video was awesome. Gaffa tape all the way! Pocket wizzards are trick although I only have the one camera lol
As for locations: any multi-level garage can give you an interesting location/lighting. The Oakbrook Mall's parking deck back behind California Pizza Kitchen tends to clear out early enough to do a bit of shooting (I think most of the mall closes, but CPK stays open), and you could probably get some interesting dusk shots on the upper deck.
Or, any of the zillions of parking garages in the loop or a few blocks off of Michigan Ave. You could easily hike around down there on foot and scout out rooftops without paying a dime to get into any of them, then pay normal half-hour parking rates when you have one picked out.
Other interesting stuff: there's a lot of industry south of Rt. 59 on I-55. Night shoots with the refinery in the background are something I've wanted to do for a while, and there's tons of back roads you could set up on without bothering anyone.
Some parts of Fermilab's campus are open to the public, although it's not quite the "gritty", urban look you were asking about. On a weekend, you could probably take over the parking around the reflecting pool in front of Wilson Hall (the main office tower there), or the main ring of parking in front of the building, just as an example. You'd have to behave yourselves there, though.
Just a couple of ideas off the top of my head.
Or, any of the zillions of parking garages in the loop or a few blocks off of Michigan Ave. You could easily hike around down there on foot and scout out rooftops without paying a dime to get into any of them, then pay normal half-hour parking rates when you have one picked out.
Other interesting stuff: there's a lot of industry south of Rt. 59 on I-55. Night shoots with the refinery in the background are something I've wanted to do for a while, and there's tons of back roads you could set up on without bothering anyone.
Some parts of Fermilab's campus are open to the public, although it's not quite the "gritty", urban look you were asking about. On a weekend, you could probably take over the parking around the reflecting pool in front of Wilson Hall (the main office tower there), or the main ring of parking in front of the building, just as an example. You'd have to behave yourselves there, though.
Just a couple of ideas off the top of my head.
I'm gonna bring my camera too.
i know plenty of spots if your willing to come around the southside, like by chinatown downtown area. and we have a few evos willing to shoot anytime (give a heads up we got work). but as for photography for me has came to a stop since a recently trip to Paris i got my digital slr jacked, so my picture whoring on evom have been at a pause. so i would love you to experiment on my evo with your camera :-) pm me
