Judit Prat Martí, photographer of Chicago in Color, takes us "behind the shot" on her journey through her photo editing process, revealing the power of post-production. By walking us through before-and-after examples, she highlights the  impactful changes that bring her artistic vision to life. 

Marina Towers, River North

This image has become my most iconic photograph, and interestingly, it was one of the first I captured with the concept of the book already in mind. I took this shot back in November 2021 while wandering on Chicago's Riverwalk in the evening.

In my photo editing process, I typically focus on adjusting the colors of the background or sky, while trying to keep the main subject true to its original appearance. However, this image stands out as one of my early editing experiments that breaks this general rule.

I was exploring different techniques, and this was one of the first times I was going wild with colors. To my surprise, when I applied a yellow tone to the building, the result was unexpectedly striking, related to the building's colloquial nickname, "Corn Cobs." It was a fortunate outcome from my early explorations in editing that encouraged me to continue experimenting with color.

Original photo: 

 

43rd Street CTA Station, Bronzeville

This picture captures the 43rd Street Green Line station, a place close to my heart from my time living in Chicago. It was my local station for a while and I've collected many memories there. In my view, it's one of the most beautiful CTA stations, offering amazing views of 43rd Street and the adjacent historic Forum building.

The sunsets there are really quite beautiful. I often found myself on that platform on Friday evenings after work, soaking in the golden hour light before heading into other parts of the city. There's something special about the combination of the soft breeze, the great views, and the warm glow of dusk. It always felt like the perfect way to ease into the weekend, a quiet moment of transition between the workweek and whatever adventures lay ahead.

CTA trains and stations are a recurring theme in my photography, as evident throughout my book. Public transit, and especially trains, represent more than just transportation to me—they embody freedom and adventure, enabling my exploration of Chicago. Also, I feel that sharing these journeys with fellow Chicagoans connects me to the city. 

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E. 45th Street & S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Bronzeville

In my photography, common elements of cities often take center stage, as exemplified by this image featuring gas meters. My aim is to reveal that the mundane can be not just beautiful, but truly extraordinary when viewed from a fresh perspective or in a different light or color.

I believe that by paying attention to everything around us, our journeys through the city become richer and more enjoyable. If we can experience awe even in the smallest details, our lives can be filled with greater happiness and purpose. This approach has the power of transforming our daily urban experience, turning routine encounters into moments of discovery and appreciation.

Original Image:

 

Swedish American Museum, Andersonville

This image captures the water tower atop the Swedish American Museum in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. I love this picture for three main reasons:

First, it represents a piece of Sweden in Chicago. As the final photograph before the acknowledgements in my book, it symbolizes the bridge between my life in Chicago and my current life in Stockholm.

Second, I'm drawn to the composition—the way the characteristic Chicago lamp seems to embrace the Swedish water tower, creating a visual fusion of both cultures.

Finally, it evokes memories of a delightful day in Chicago. I took this picture on a Sunday morning of November 2022. I had planned a photography excursion in Andersonville, so I rode the Red Line from my place in Bronzeville and spent about two hours exploring the area on foot. I had previously identified this water tower and marked it on my map as the final destination of my walking tour. After walking around, I met a friend for lunch at a charming local spot. I spent the afternoon taking a few more pictures and doing some editing before my photography class, which met at 5 PM on Sundays back then.

This picture encapsulates a day filled with purpose, friendship, and the joy of photography—a perfect representation of my Chicago experience.

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Learn more about Chicago in Color here.