Do Your Cranes Hang Low?
Well… do they? I have always been attracted to the more adventurous things in life. When I found photography I knew right from the beginning that it would provide more motivation to my sense of adventure than ever before. Before photography I would simply go and explore new places and spots just out of the curiosity of what was out there. Once I started to apply photography as “proof to myself” I started to see its potential. I saw that people wanted to see what I was seeing, and wanted to experience the things I was experiencing at times. I can’t even express how thankful I am for photography and its introduction to my life. It came to me at the right moment at the right time, as I was desperately looking for a new outlet for my creative energy. I knew that this relationship would be one of compromise both on my part and the part of what photography can do to a person.
I am lucky because I live in a vibrant city like Chicago. Every day I see many opportunities for some neat and unusual perspectives dying to get its chance in the frame of a camera. This series of photographs is from one of my more recent adventures in the city. Not being one that is afraid of heights I set out on the journey to capture the essence of what construction crews get the privilege of experience during a new high rise build in the city. Not being new to the concept of exploring a crane, I took to the streets to capture its beauty and had my sights on something similar. Often times as I walk into work in the mornings I am looking up at the tall buildings that surround me and thinking about how jealous I am of the crews that are atop those tall buildings getting this view every single day for the months. I often try and imagine myself up there with them, documenting the experience and its ups and downs that come along with the position.
That’s right I said I was jealous of construction crews. I say that because it is the truth. As I sit and waste away at a desk for 8 hours during the day these men and woman are up on high rises exposed to the conditions, building things that help contribute to the good of society. Plus I mean lets be honest here… Those views. Now I know what your thinking. You say that now but if you were actually working the job day to day you would probably start to hate it. I respond to this with a simple hell yes I would, but in all honesty you’re going to have moments where you hate any job that you’re working. Especially when you are required to do it so many days in a row for some many years. I would rather be tired of a view like these than of the desk and wall that sit in front of me currently.
Making a climb like this one was not an easy task. I began by scoping out the property for about a month before I made my first attempt. After a couple of failed tries on the third attempt I made my entrance and proceeded to the top of the unfinished building. This particular structure was currently at about the 65-floor mark. So I continued on my way up the 65 flights of stairs that separated me from the ground and the top. Climbing a set of stairs 65 stories tall is no easy task, with lots of breaks in-between. This particular trip I encountered a couple of men still working on the 40th floor and had to quietly sneak by them in order to proceed onward and upward.
Once I reached the top I was greeted with magnificent 360 degree views of the downtown Chicago loop area. The weather was just perfect for the climb. Fog was rolling in from the lake giving my camera and me some really truly beautiful views to catch. The wind blew hard for a bit and I had to kind of chill out for a little, as it passed by and calmed down. After some reflecting on the climb and catching my breath I proceed to grab the photos I was seeking from the start. That is when I saw the entrance to true reason I had made the climb. There was a way up to the top of the crane. This climb was another 10 stories up I would say, a climb that was most definitely worth it.
When you reach the top and after you grab your shots, it is always the most magnificent feeling to be able to just sit there for a bit and watch the world go by as you enjoy the views below. You realize that everyone down below you has no idea that you are above them gazing out amongst the beautiful lights and sights of Chicago. This is when it is worth it the most. After a bit of time of taking it all in, I still knew I had a decent climb down ahead of me and figured it would probably be best if I headed out. The exit is always the most scary part to me, as you adrenaline is starting to fade a bit and the reality of what your doing starts to fade in, you get in kind of a panic mode of sorts and you quickly run down the stairs you climbed before.
Around every corner you look to make sure there is no one to see you as you try and exit the structure you so diligently entered before. This particular structure had parts that were not the easiest to navigate, especially on exit. I like to always kind of rank the level of difficulty with each adventure, and I would say this one was well beyond the 8 mark on the scale reaching 10 as most difficult.
I waited it out for a bit and when the wind calmed I went for my exit. It can sometimes be hard to resist a quick rest on every floor as your curiosity tries to convince you to check out the view. It might be a slightly different perspective, but I don’t have the time for that and need to get out while I am ahead. When you reach the ground level again you have to be weary of workers and people seeing you exit the scene. An opening happens and boom! You go for it. Once you complete the exit and are a good 200 feet away you know that you have successfully made it back out with no incident. The smile that comes across my face at this point is one of gratitude and completion. It’s only when I get back home and look at the photos I got that I truly celebrate my accomplishment, as that is always the primary objective to any adventure I go on.