Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”)

Landscape and professional photographers know that if you want to capture great images you should shoot during the “magic hour” (or also known as the golden hour).  This is the first and last hour of sunlight during the day.

During my recent trip to Chicago, I woke up early and headed down to Millennium Park to capture pictures of the sculpture Cloud Gate, also known as “The Bean”.  I got there around 0530 and began shooting pictures.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay long since I was approached by a security guard (he was very nice) who alerted me that I wasn’t suppose to be there and that the park didn’t open up until 6.  Luckily, I was able to capture a few shots.

Olympus OM-D and Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm lens

ISO 200 f/8 7mm (7 exposure HDR, used HDR Efex 2, Photoshop CS6, & Aperture 3.3)