Out of Chicago Urban 2023
City, Street and Architecture Photography Conference
June 13-17, 2023
Image by Angie McMonigal
Unleash your creativity on the streets of Chicago alongside the world's best street and architecture photographers
Join us to experience and photograph the city of Chicago through your lens with the help and guidance of the best urban photographic instructors. Chicago's diversity, architecture and streets make for the perfect backdrop for your creative vision to come alive. The conference will take place at the Embassy Suites Magnificent Mile, where you'll have easy access to Chicago's iconic scenes as well as little-known photographic spots so you can fully immerse yourself in all the photographic opportunities the city can offer.
Our instructors will be there to guide and teach as you venture through the city and learn with them in an intimate, hands-on workshop setting. In small groups, experience each instructor's different photographic and creative techniques, and see the city from new and different perspectives. Challenge yourself to photograph the urban landscape with creative techniques often applied when photographing other genres of photography, such as nature and landscapes. Summer is our favorite time of year to visit and photograph the city of Chicago. Join us for an unforgettable urban photographic experience.
Meet the Instructors
Over five days in Chicago, you will work closely alongside each of the six photographers who bring their unique vision to urban photography. You'll learn, photograph and review images with each of these instructors in the classroom and on the streets of Chicago.
Highlights
LIMITED TO 45 ATTENDEES
6 world-class street and architecture instructors
Opening reception, dinner and three lunches
Spend a full day with each team of instructors
Field sessions in the heart of Chicago steps from our hotel
Field sessions to eclectic neighborhoods throughout Chicago
THINGS YOU WILL LEARN:
- Street photography techniques
- Fine art architecture techniques
- Engage a subject on the street
- Incorporating graphic architecture in street photography
- Capture the essence of a city
- Refining vision and style in your photographs
- Creating a portfolio of images
- Capture candid moments on the street
- Create environmental portraits on the street
- Planning a sunrise or sunset shoot with PhotoPills
- Visual rhythm: expressive use of lines and curves
- Applying intentional camera motion to your street photography
- Using intentional camera motion to abstract architecture
- Discovering the visual narrative in a scene
- Capture amazing silhouettes
- Applying contemplative photography techniques in the city
- Focus stacking using Helicon Focus
- Creative architecture and cityscapes with iPhone
- Advanced Lightroom Techniques
Itinerary
- 4:00pm Hotel check-in
- 5:00-6:00pm Conference check-in and Meet and Greet Reception
- 6:00-7:00pm Opening dinner at Embassy Suites
- 7:00-8:00pm Instructor welcome and Keynote presentation with Valérie Jardin
- 8:00-8:30pm Meet field session groups and Wednesday morning instructors
- 5:00am Optional sunrise field session
- 7:00-8:00am Embassy Suites Breakfast
- 8:00-11:30am Morning field session
- 11:30-12:30pm Group lunch at Embassy Suites
- 12:30-1:30pm Table talks
- 1:30-3:00pm Afternoon break
- 3:00-9:00pm Field sessions, classroom time, dinner on your own or with group (Embassy Suites Manager’s Reception 5:30-7:00 pm)
- 5:00am Optional sunrise field session
- 7:00-8:00am Embassy Suites Breakfast
- 8:00-9:30am Image Review/Help Session
- 9:30-10:00am Closing and goodbyes
- 10:00-11:00am Hotel check-out
Conference Price
$2800
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Opening night dinner and reception
Three lunches
Hands-on instruction from the top photographers in the field
Daily hands-on workshops and in-the-field excursions
Small-group post-processing sessions, image reviews and table side critiques
The Photographer’s Guide to Chicago eBook from Out of Chicago founder, Chris Smith
Private Out of Chicago Street online community to connect with your fellow photographers
A comprehensive online orientation session to help you prepare for your time at the conference
An online image celebration event with instructors after the conference concludes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Hotel, airfare, and transportation
Local transportation to field session locations
Admission fees to museums or attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book my accommodations?
We have a block of rooms reserved at our conference center, Embassy Suites, Magnificent Mile. Booking details will be sent to you when you sign up for the conference. Room rates are $299/night +tax and you may reserve for extra days before and after the conference. Made-to-order breakfast is included with your stay at the Embassy Suites.
Do I need to stay at the Embassy Suites Magnificent Mile?
The Embassy Suites, Magnificent Mile is our home base for the conference. We recommend that you stay at conference hotel for the best experience. Breakfast and Embassy Suites Evening Reception are included with your stay.
Instructors, staff and most attendees will be at the hotel, so we strongly encourage you to stay at the conference center to get the full conference experience.
Is downtown parking included with the Embassy Suites hotel stay?
Parking at the Embassy Suites is $50/night and is not included in your hotel stay.
What should I do now to prepare for the conference?
After registering, you will receive an emailed receipt, plus we will send out an email with details about the conference including key dates and hotel information. Be sure to stay connected via email to receive crucial event communication including surveys about your preferences and updates as needed.
How am I assigned to my field sessions?
Attendees will be split into three groups and spend a full day with each pair of instructors for field sessions.
What locations will we photograph?
Each pair of instructors will choose the shooting locations best based on weather conditions and group interests. Millennium Park and The Magnificent Mile are within walking distance. Trips to Chicago neighborhoods are accessible on the ‘L’.
What fitness level is required for the excursions?
There will be moderate amounts of walking involved to get to field sessions.
We will create groups to accommodate different walking abilities. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
What is the weather like in Chicago that time of year?
Summer in Chicago is the best time of year, but it can get warm and humid. Bring a water bottle and pack multiple layers to accommodate warm days and cooler nights.
What if it rains?
Bring appropriate rain gear so that we can go shoot in the rain. Some of the best street photos were taken during rainy conditions.
Can I bring a non-photographer friend or family member with me?
Of course! However, the group presentations and in-the-field teaching excursions are limited due to space constraints and are reserved for conference attendees only. A meal pass will be offered at an additional charge so that they can join us for group meals.
How do I confirm I am registered for an event?
You can view all of the events you’re registered for by logging into your Out of Chicago account. In the upper right corner of the website, go to “my account” and “my conferences”. You should see your conference listed there. If it is not, please email us at support@outofchicago.com
What is the refund policy?
You can read the refund policy here.
Other Questions?
If you have any other questions, please email info@outofchicago.com