Friday Finds // Stanley Kubrick's Camera

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Film is something that I've been disconnected from for a while. Don't get me wrong — I love it. I wish I had more time and patience to shoot it. I'm particularly feeling rather lustful after seeing these images shot by Stanley Kubrick of Chicago in 1949.

I should start out by saying that my original plan to go to San Diego just before Christmas has changed — I opted for a week in Chicago instead. I feel like it's a trip that I really need. My adjustment to Philly and my "new life" has been a rough one and stumbling upon this article via Lomography came at a perfect time.


Even though these images were shot in the late 1940s, everything is familiar and I can connect with them. There's just something about Chicago that I can't get over. You know? I guess it's sort of like that one boyfriend/girlfriend that you never forget about. The relationship didn't end badly, just suddenly. I feel it in the depths of contrast shown here on State Street. Everything was familiar and somehow exponentially more exciting. I never feared it becoming stale; I feared more so that I would miss something or overlook a detail.


I needed more time to enjoy the music.


And the hum of the trains or the familiar bing bong just before the doors close or the way I'd roll my eyes at the Blue Line during rush hour. I need more time to pass by the ROA ferrets on my way to the coffee shop. Hell, I need more time at the coffee shop.


And my god, the people. I miss the people. Philly so far has been cold and unkind. In Chicago there was never a shortage of creative, kind, and open-minded potential friends. I am so unaccustomed to the east coast and the tones and mannerisms are always catching me off guard. I have yet to make any friends and it's been a rough process.

Kubrick's images made me feel not just something — everything. I miss home and I often find myself feeling rather emotional about it. My new adventure is exciting and new but I have discovered the strange (and for many, rare) trade-off that is career -vs- companions. I have very little ability to explain the things that Chicago makes me feel. Trust me, I've tried to multiple people. But even when I was walking down the street, I never felt as if I was on my own regardless of who I was or was not with. In Philly, the vibe is that I have to watch my back.

I keep breathing and I keep giving second, third, fourth chances to fall in love with Philly. It's difficult considering that Chicago was love at first sight and I have to pull myself away from comparing my new city to that.

Images courtesy of Library of Congress

So this Friday, I'm speechless as Kubrick exposes sprockets and cityscapes I lust after. In thirteen days I get to let her winter arms embrace me once again for what I anticipate to be one of the most fulfilling homecomings of my adult life.