Public Works, that is. Photographs and Research Documenting our Industrial Heritage. Includes Field Notes with Archival Quality Photographs and Cartographic Studies.
Leica Photography. I Love My Leica! Favorite Photographs in Honor of the New Leica Store in Chicago.
Article and photographs by Divi Logan. Happy Leica Owner Since 2012. All photos taken with the Leica V-LUX-4 digital camera.
Introduction: The Attraction of the Leica Brand
Leica cameras-the name says it all for quality and excellence of craftsmanship. For over 100 years, Leica has symbolized high standards for lenses, binoculars, surveying equipment, and all manner of analog and digital cameras. From the M series to the S series, these cameras will remain treasured by photographers for generations to come.
Favorite 2012 Photos.
Purple lights reflect in the glass inside an event venue. Downtown Chicago. 31 January 2012. Tech specs: f/2.8 at 1.6 second. ISO 800. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 14mm. 35mm equivalent: 81mm.Union Pacific locomotive #8213 leads a consist west through Lombard, Illinois. 13 February 2012. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/160 second exposure time. ISO 100. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 12 mm. 35 mm equivalent: 69mm. Photographer’s location: North Platform. Lombard METRA Station.Building shadows cast onto Lake Michigan. Location: Signature Room at 95th, John Hancock Center. 19 April 2012. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/200 second. ISO 100. -1.3 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. Digital equivalent: 25mm.The meaning of media: COMMUNICATION. Utility hole cover on North Clark Street. 6 April 2012. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/800 second. ISO 100. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 17mm. 35mm equivalent: 97mm.
Favorites from 2013
The Pumping Station of Chicago’s Water Works/Tower area is shown in mid-morning light. Location: across from Water Tower Place. 11 August 2013. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/800 second. ISO 100. -1.3 step exposure bias. Focal length: 6mm. 35mm equivalent: 31mm.The skyline of downtown Chicago is here, looking west from near the Shedd Aquarium. 10 August 2013. The original was underexposed so I adjusted the image for better lighting. The original tech specs are f/6.3 at 1/1300 second. ISO 100. -1.3 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm. What drew me to this angle was the entirety of the downtown skyline that faces the lake. Well-known structures include the Sears Tower, Aon Center, the Prudential buildings, Board of Trade, CNA Building, and 311 South Wacker Drive.
2014 Favorites
The details of the ceiling in the main sanctuary of St. James Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois glow in golden light. This hidden gem of church architecture is in Chicago’s River North area. The atmosphere reminds me of being in an English country church, and it is a place of peace in one of the city’s busiest areas. 9 March 2014. Tech specs: f/2.8 at 1/25 second. ISO 1600. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm.Entrance area sign for the Berghoff Restaurant in downtown Chicago. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/800 second. ISO 400. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 17 mm. 35mm equivalent: 94mm.
2015 Favorites
This perspective is in the Hall of Flags at O’Hare’s Terminal 3. 28 May 2015. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/160 second. ISO 100. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 6mm. 35mm equivalent: 32mm. The long angle drew me to this composition, taking in the enormous cutout metal globe, the color touches in the international flags, and the symmetrical alignment of the ceiling elements.
2016 Favorites
Earth’s shadow and the Belt of Venus over downtown Chicago. 13 February 2016. The view looks north and west from an apartment window. Buildings in the foreground are along North LaSalle Drive. The angled street is North Clybourn. Tech specs: f/2.8 at 1/125 second. ISO 100. -0.7 exposure bias. Focal length: 11mm. 35mm equivalent: 61mm. The fountain in Washington Square Park in Chicago’s Gold Coast area sparkles on a fine spring day. The view looks east, with the former Hancock Building centered in the background. 30 May 2016. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/640 second. ISO 100. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm.
2017 Favorites
Reflections in two Federal District buildings in downtown Chicago. Foreground: Dirksen Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Immediately behind it: Kluczynski Federal Building. 8 April 2017. Tech specs: f/6.3 at 1/60 second. ISO 100. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm.This view looks north from the platform at the Jackson Red Line stop in the Loop. 8 April 2017. I lightened the image as the original was underexposed. Original Image Tech specs: f/8 at 1/4 second. ISO 100. +3 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm. Around railroads it is important to think SAFETY FIRST.Union Power Station and AMTRAK Yard. The view looks north and centers on the massive block of the power station and the Sears Tower. 2 December 2017. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/400 second. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm. This view of part of Chicago’s railroad history remains one of my favorites.Spiral Staircase Under Roosevelt Road. Adjusted to grayscale. 2 December 2017. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/125 second. ISO 100. o step exposure bias. Focal length: 7mm. 35mm equivalent: 41mm.
2018 Photos
Symmetry in the atrium of the Hermitage Hotel. Nashville, TN. 30 August 2018. Tech specs: f/2.8 at 1/13 second. ISO 400. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm.The old Supreme Court Chamber in the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville includes the architectural elements of a fine barrel-vault ceiling and columns in the Doric Order. The building was completed in 1859 and is one of the oldest working state capitols in the country. 30 August 2018. Tech specs: f/2.8 at 1/13 second. ISO 400. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm.Aircraft shadow as my flight approaches the airport in Louisville, Kentucky. 3 September 2018. The camera captures interstate lane markings, bridge piers, interstate signs, and distant clouds. Tech specs: f/4 at 1/1300 second. ISO 400. 0 step exposure bias. Focal length: 4mm. 35mm equivalent: 25mm.
Glossary
Aperture: the opening into which light comes on the camera. Also, the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument. It can be wider (smaller numbers such as 0.95, 1.2, 2.8) or smaller or a narrower opening (f/16 or more) depending on how much light the photographer wants to let in.
Exposure bias (also known as exposure compensation): the photographer can override the camera’s automatic settings determined by its light meter.
ISO: International Organization for Standardization. For photography, this is the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light.
Conclusion
More Leica Boutiques are opening all over the world. Chicago is now home to one of them, and it is a fantastic place to be. The design of the shop is ideal for showing off the beautiful cameras and lenses, from the new M-11 to the fantastic 0.95 Noctilux. The high regard for superior crafting of the equipment is obvious. Those who work on the gear know they are working on an investment, a part of an experience, and an object for work and for leisure.
Leica cameras will remain a symbol of quality and excellence for generations to come.
Resources
“Exposure bias in photography.” Microsoft Copilot. 28 April 2026.
Frame the Works 