This series was taken in early January, 2017. After a failed attempt at astrophotography (there was too much cloud cover for my pictures to turn out, even on a moonless night), I stayed in a hotel in East Chicago on my way back home. I was located in a high hotel suite, on the 15th floor, with views that overlooked both the industry of the city and lake Michigan. I was able to take panoramic pictures of the landscape. East Chicago, IN is a regional industrial capitol for the great lakes region. It refines fuel, receives shipments from the port of Chicago, and is connected by a rail system that freights goods and materials throughout the country.

Industrial themes run deep in this photo series. My favorite of the set, though, captures the famous skyline of Chicago through the smokestacks of an East Chicago, IN plant. It’s a juxtaposition and it is humbling to remember that the city of big shoulders rests on both the farming and industry of the region.