Chad Magiera | 401 N. Michigan | January 20
Chad Magiera | 401 N. Michigan | January 20

To create this issue, we held a contest, asking readers to submit photos that expressed their experience of living in Chicago in 2009—from big news events to intimate little details. Three of the photographers whose works are published here will win prizes from Central Camera and the Chicago Photography Academy in a random drawing to be held in the new year. We also feature reader photos from the Chicago Reader Flickr pool year-round on our Web site; to join (and have your photos considered for next year’s 1,000 Words issue) go to flickr.com/groups/chicagoreader.

E. Sean Hampton-Gross | Kiddieland, 8400 W. North, Melrose Park | November 24
E. Sean Hampton-Gross | Kiddieland, 8400 W. North, Melrose Park | November 24

David Schalliol | ABLA homes, 14th Place and Throop | September 10
David Schalliol | ABLA homes, 14th Place and Throop | September 10

Michael Hahn | Cabrini-Green, Halsted just north of Division | December 5
Michael Hahn | Cabrini-Green, Halsted just north of Division | December 5

John Maloof | 1019 W. Diversey | February 9
John Maloof | 1019 W. Diversey | February 9

Patrick O'Neil | Ontario and Wabash | June 5
Patrick O’Neil | Ontario and Wabash | June 5

Joshua Rogers | Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf | July 4
Joshua Rogers | Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf | July 4

Justin Carlson | 400 N. McClurg Court | March 14
Justin Carlson | 400 N. McClurg Court | March 14

Bart Heird | Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark | August 22
Bart Heird | Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark | August 22

Chris Radek | North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski | June 29
Chris Radek | North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski | June 29

Sherry Keating | Montrose Harbor | December 11
Sherry Keating | Montrose Harbor | December 11

Andy Marfia | Pitchfork, Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph | July 19
Andy Marfia | Pitchfork, Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph | July 19

Jim Watkins | Wooded Island, Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island
Jim Watkins | Wooded Island, Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony Island

Rachel Martin Cole | Michael Reese Hospital, 2929 S. Ellis | May 17
Rachel Martin Cole | Michael Reese Hospital, 2929 S. Ellis | May 17

Wendy Balogh | 400 block of North Michigan | November 27
Wendy Balogh | 400 block of North Michigan | November 27

Patrick O'Neil | Art Institute of Chicago, Modern Wing, 111 S. Michigan | May 10
Patrick O’Neil | Art Institute of Chicago, Modern Wing, 111 S. Michigan | May 10

David Adler | Chicago Avenue about two blocks west of Michigan | September 24
David Adler | Chicago Avenue about two blocks west of Michigan | September 24

Rob Karlic | Private yard, Humboldt Park | June 30
Rob Karlic | Private yard, Humboldt Park | June 30

Yvonne Carns | Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf | May 7
Yvonne Carns | Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf | May 7

Tim Lowly | Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Damen | July 26
Tim Lowly | Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Damen | July 26

Jennifer Pagonis | Wilson Skate Park, Wilson and Lake Shore Drive | June 18
Jennifer Pagonis | Wilson Skate Park, Wilson and Lake Shore Drive | June 18

Eric Davis | Ravenswood el between Addison and Belmont | June 6
Eric Davis | Ravenswood el between Addison and Belmont | June 6

Katherine Hodges | Peter Jones Gallery, 1806 W Cuyler | June 27
Katherine Hodges | Peter Jones Gallery, 1806 W Cuyler | June 27

Adam Orcutt | 18th and Morgan | September 10
Adam Orcutt | 18th and Morgan | September 10

Tobi Lowrance | 800 block of South Desplaines | November 21
Tobi Lowrance | 800 block of South Desplaines | November 21

Jason Mitchneck | Artesian and Bloomingdale | April 15
Jason Mitchneck | Artesian and Bloomingdale | April 15

Matt Vanderzalm | Ryerson Physical Laboratory, 1100 E. 58th | January 26
Matt Vanderzalm | Ryerson Physical Laboratory, 1100 E. 58th | January 26

Ian Bul-Ialayao | Roscoe's Tavern, 3356 N. Halsted | May 20
Ian Bul-Ialayao | Roscoe’s Tavern, 3356 N. Halsted | May 20