Madonna della Strada
Madonna della Strada is a striking Art Deco chapel sitting right on the edge of Lake Michigan, built into the lakefront bluff on Loyola University's campus. The building's clean geometric facade and tall tower photograph well on their own, but the real draw is the combination of architecture and water, since the chapel sits so close to the lake that you can compose shots with waves or a calm shoreline in the foreground and the chapel rising behind. A wide angle lens lets you capture both the building and the lake together, while a longer focal length pulls in details of the facade and tower against the sky. Shoot from the lakeside path to get low and include the rocky shoreline, or step back toward the quad for a wider environmental perspective. Overcast days reduce harsh shadows on the facade, but golden hour light from the east at sunrise gives the stone a warm glow. Street parking and CTA Red Line access make it easy to reach. (Chicago, Illinois, United States)
