Montrose Harbor

Montrose Harbor is a bustling basin and lakefront park on Chicago's north side. The land curves out into Lake Michigan at Montrose Point, which puts open water between you and the skyline to the south. A beach, low dunes and a bird sanctuary cover the point itself. Shooting from the south end of the beach or out along the pier gives you an amazing skyline view. Moored boats add to the foreground if you are shooting from the west side of the basin. Sunset here is an amazing time to come and experiment with the light. The sun drops inland to the west, not behind the city, so you get warm side light on the towers rather than purely a silhouette. Stay for blue hour and into the darkness to keep shooting as the lights switch on and the sky goes a deep blue. Everything is free and open to the public, with parking right by the water and the Lakefront Trail running through the area. The dunes natural area does get fenced off throughout the nesting season for endangered piping plovers, and that closure is strictly enforced so make sure to stay clear of the nesting grounds. (Chicago, Illinois, United States)