Chicago Sunrise (Madison, Grant Park, Industry: costs, parking, best)

[canonviewfinder]

Hi all.. I'm in need of help.. I checked the forecast and see it is supposed to be sunny tomorrow in chicago.. I am wanting a great spot for sunrise and morning photos of the cityscape. I want to just drive up super early and get the sunrise and some morning shots then head home. Problem is, I don't even know where to start.. should I go to Navy Pier for a nice view in the morning? Can I park in there?

I'd like the sun behind my back for the morning photos, but if I could position things nicely and get the sun in my face rising above the skyline that'd be GREAT.

thanks for any help

[chet everett]

...on the southern lakefront. Down past MSI the lakefront parks are empty in the morning. Even out by the planetarium is good.

Why pay to access Navy Pier?

[canonviewfinder]

Originally Posted by chet everett

...on the southern lakefront. Down past MSI the lakefront parks are empty in the morning. Even out by the planetarium is good.

Why pay to access Navy Pier?

Sorry for my ignorance I am not familiar with the city, I am not sure what the MSI is?

I didn't know it costs to enter the Pier even early in the morning. By all means whatever is free is the best option! Thanks again

[chet everett]

Museum of Science and Industry | Visit the Museum | Museum Info | Tourists

[Irishtom29]

Like Chet said; go out to the planetarium and park on the street, Solidarity Drive. Don't forget to feed the meter.

[canonviewfinder]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Like Chet said; go out to the planetarium and park on the street, Solidarity Drive. Don't forget to feed the meter.

Thanks for the help. It looks like I can get some nice shots from Grant Park after going to the planetarium. Is there parking for Grant Park?

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by saywhuut

Thanks for the help. It looks like I can get some nice shots from Grant Park after going to the planetarium. Is there parking for Grant Park?

Yes, metered.

[citylove101]

"I'd like the sun behind my back for the morning photos, but if I could position things nicely and get the sun in my face rising above the skyline that'd be GREAT."

actually it wouldn't be great, it would be pretty damn near impossible. unless they've moved lake michigan recently, the sun doesn't rise over the skyline, but sets over it (in the west) and rises over the lake (in the east).

[canonviewfinder]

Originally Posted by citylove101

"I'd like the sun behind my back for the morning photos, but if I could position things nicely and get the sun in my face rising above the skyline that'd be GREAT."

actually it wouldn't be great, it would be pretty damn near impossible. unless they've moved lake michigan recently, the sun doesn't rise over the skyline, but sets over it (in the west) and rises over the lake (in the east).

It does if you are taking pics from the west/NW I would think..

[emathias]

Originally Posted by saywhuut

It does if you are taking pics from the west/NW I would think..

Yeah. Even though everyone and their brother sells skyline shots of Chicago from the Lake, I personally really like the skyline from the west. You see the City laid out in front of you and then it rises to form this massive skyline - it's awesome, but hardly anyone makes good shots of it. I'd pay good money (several hundred dollars) for a detailed poster-sized skyline shot from the west taken from anywhere between about Madison and Chicago.

Ideally, I think the best shot would be best from about 1,000 - 2,000 feet in the air over Austin.

Occasionally you'll see this shot over the shoulder of a helicopter-riding traffic reporter on the morning news.