J. Tyler Holmes

Every Monday evening I have a photojournalism class at Loyola University that meets to reflect on photographs each student has shot during the week. On Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, there was a different approach. Meeting at the Cermak-Chinatown CTA stop at 4 p.m., our requirement for the week was to immerse ourselves in the heart of Chinatown and capture whatever appealed to the eye. The suggestion was broad and allotted for creative freedom. While most students took an approach to capture everyday life for an individual that lives in Chinatown, I opted to look for the details that one might miss while living in a dense area. Amidst the hustling of shop owners and souvenir-collecting tourists stands a view of the skyline a person does not normally see living in the heart of downtown.

The photography adventure took the class down 18th Street over the Chicago River and further into the heart of Pilsen, a Chicago neighborhood rich with Mexican culture. So much detail lies down every alleyway in these two residential neighborhoods. Painted doors, extensive murals, and spray-painted stencils remain unnoticed to the common eye. Shooting photography on foot gave me a wonderful opportunity to search for details where one might not typically look and it was a wonderful experience.

After meeting in class every Monday, the best photos are posted to the Loyola Photo tumblr page for anyone to observe. Check back weekly for updates on the latest photo topics being covered throughout Chicago.