CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS - Page 242

wrab · #**4821** Posted **May 3, 2009, 4:15 AM**

5/3

wrab · #**4822** Posted **May 3, 2009, 4:20 AM**

chiv369 · #**4823** Posted **May 3, 2009, 6:10 AM**

Jibba · #**4824** Posted **May 3, 2009, 10:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrabbit

As I was taking this photo from the street berm, I was approached by an AON security guard...

What a bunch of BS. Same thing happened to me not too long ago at the Jefferson Park Transit Center while I was photographing CTA miscellany: I was taking pictures of a bus, and I got hassled by a righteous security guard who asked me, "What's so interesting about the back of a bus son? Can't be doin' that in these strange times we're living in." After our nice little discussion, he asked for my ID, which I was tempted to protest, but then I gladly offered it as I knew it would appease him and the consequentiality of it for me was, well, jack shit. Ah, the effects of boredom occurring in a position of power...

Glad you still grab your shots, though, because those are some of the best Aqua photos I have seen yet--really nice.

EarlyBuyer · #**4825** Posted **May 3, 2009, 1:10 PM**

Awesome shots Wrabbit and chiv369!

Wrabbit, your experience is unbelievable! How can a no photos policy possibly be controlled for a dominant building like Aon, being on the Northern edge of a 300+ acre park and at a busy intersection? The only time I've seen Aon security chase people away is in the case of skateboarders using their plaza; which is understandable as that is private property and an injury risk. You were on taxpayer owned property...ridiculous!

EarlyBuyer · #**4826** Posted **May 3, 2009, 1:46 PM**

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 5/2/09

EarlyBuyer · #**4827** Posted **May 3, 2009, 2:15 PM**

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 5/2/09

EarlyBuyer · #**4828** Posted **May 3, 2009, 3:22 PM**

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 5/2/09

Aqua lobby

Aqua lobby

CVS

Swissotel expansion

Aqua first floor East side

wrab · #**4829** Posted **May 3, 2009, 3:30 PM**

Most excellent set, EB. I see that they're getting down & dirty with the roof deck now (which Magellan is marketing as "Chicago's Largest Pool Deck").

That is the first that I've seen of the lobby. Not quite what I expected!

And how the heck did you get into CVS?

EarlyBuyer · #**4830** Posted **May 3, 2009, 3:49 PM**

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 5/2/09

EarlyBuyer · #**4831** Posted **May 3, 2009, 4:18 PM**

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 5/2/09

the urban politician · #**4832** Posted **May 3, 2009, 4:23 PM**

^ Nothing beats an EB update.

You get right in there and show us the personal, human perspective. That is what I most look forward to.

Thanks once again, dude

JMO_0121 · #**4833** Posted **May 3, 2009, 4:34 PM**

Excellent update! One question though, why are they putting styrofoam underneath all the soil?

EarlyBuyer · #**4834** Posted **May 3, 2009, 5:04 PM**

Thanks for the compliments wrabbit, TUP and JMO_0121.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrabbit

That is the first that I've seen of the lobby. Not quite what I expected!

And how the heck did you get into CVS?

The pics were taken through the window wall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMO_0121

Excellent update! One question though, why are they putting styrofoam underneath all the soil?

I believe the reason for this is multi-fold. It provides a protective and insulating layer between those digging/planting in the soil and the roof membrane. Additionally, it provides height/elevation to the gardens without adding excessive weight. Some portions of the garden are built up two or three feet in height using syrofoam, with soil then installed on top of it.

Ryan81 · #**4835** Posted **May 3, 2009, 5:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jibba

What a bunch of BS. Same thing happened to me not too long ago at the Jefferson Park Transit Center while I was photographing CTA miscellany: I was taking pictures of a bus, and I got hassled by a righteous security guard who asked me, "What's so interesting about the back of a bus son? Can't be doin' that in these strange times we're living in." After our nice little discussion, he asked for my ID, which I was tempted to protest, but then I gladly offered it as I knew it would appease him and the consequentiality of it for me was, well, jack shit. Ah, the effects of boredom occurring in a position of power...

Glad you still grab your shots, though, because those are some of the best Aqua photos I have seen yet--really nice.

About a year after 9/11, my fiance and I took a trip to Chicago. I took some shots of Aon. I don't recall whether I was on public property or not, but I too was approached by a rent a cop, and told that photographing the building was prohibited. I said 'OK' and went on my way. It would have been nice to have a response for him, but I didnt ask questions...I just walked away. I am going to try and do some research and ask an attourney friend of mine...maybe a thread about the "rights of photographers in public spaces" should be started to give those of us who want to know our rights and stick up for ourselves when approached. If I get some good legal advice and find good (official) sources for this, I will start a thread. I did a quick search and found this in a popular photography online magazine:

spyguy · #**4836** Posted **May 3, 2009, 5:30 PM**

Nice pictures, wrabbit and EB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarlyBuyer

Wrabbit, your experience is unbelievable! How can a no photos policy possibly be controlled for a dominant building like Aon, being on the Northern edge of a 300+ acre park and at a busy intersection?

Sounds like the Boeing security people. I guess they think someone will glean top secret military info from the facade or Boeing gift shop. Of course they can't stop someone from taking photos of the tower from a nearby building or garage or boat, which makes their policy pretty stupid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan81

maybe a thread about the "rights of photographers in public spaces" should be started to give those of us who want to know our rights and stick up for ourselves when approached.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=129445

wrab · #**4837** Posted **May 3, 2009, 5:37 PM**

Yeah - well, AON really has no legal grounds to stop anyone from taking pictures of the tower from public property. They can only bar someone from taking photographs on AON premises. If push comes to shove, you can always try to find a cop. But it is an annoyance. Incredibly silly for guards to be approaching people on the street when anyone with a computer can download detailed satellite images and GPS coordinates.

jc5680 · #**4838** Posted **May 3, 2009, 8:41 PM**

Great job as usual EB.

5.3

ChicagoChicago · #**4839** Posted **May 4, 2009, 2:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrabbit

5/2

-----

As I was taking this photo from the street berm, I was approached by an AON security guard who informed me that I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the AON Tower because of "Homeland Security concerns"!! I told him (nicely) that I was photographing Aqua & showed him the pics, but he said that some had AON in them and this was not allowed.

I mentioned something about it being a public sidewalk, he said something about cops, I said I hoped we could find one to straighten things out.....he was nice about it, I was nice about it.....but, I mean, c'mon!

And I'm pretty darned sure it was because of the tripod - I use it when I take multiple exposures, as I did in the pic above.

Has anyone else had this experience around AON, either on Columbus or on Randolph? I mean, c'mon!

Jesus Christ... We live in the era of "Google Earth" and "Street Level" and people are worried about someone taking pictures?

And what is the problem with a tripod? Are they concerned you're going to publish the photos, as if you don't have every right to?

photoLith · #**4840** Posted **May 4, 2009, 4:55 PM**

^^^
That used to happen to me all the time in Houston with the JP Morgan Chase Tower. They would say"sir, you cant take pictures of the tower and you cant use a tripod". WTF seriously. Do they really think a terrorist is going to be using a tripod and proffesional camera gear? I think they would just take their cell phone out and take a few pics. They havent bugged me though recently.