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 24David Schalliol | ABLA homes, 14th Place and Throop | September 10Michael Hahn | Cabrini-Green, Halsted just north of Division | December 5John Maloof | 1019 W. Diversey | February 9Patrick O’Neil | Ontario and Wabash | June 5Joshua Rogers | Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf | July 4Justin Carlson | 400 N. McClurg Court | March 14Bart Heird | Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark | August 22Chris Radek | North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski | June 29Sherry Keating | Montrose Harbor | December 11Andy Marfia | Pitchfork, Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph | July 19Jim Watkins | Wooded Island, Jackson Park, 6401 S. Stony IslandRachel Martin Cole | Michael Reese Hospital, 2929 S. Ellis | May 17Wendy Balogh | 400 block of North Michigan | November 27Patrick O’Neil | Art Institute of Chicago, Modern Wing, 111 S. Michigan | May 10David Adler | Chicago Avenue about two blocks west of Michigan | September 24Rob Karlic | Private yard, Humboldt Park | June 30Yvonne Carns | Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf | May 7Tim Lowly | Winnemac Park, 5100 N. Damen | July 26Jennifer Pagonis | Wilson Skate Park, Wilson and Lake Shore Drive | June 18Eric Davis | Ravenswood el between Addison and Belmont | June 6Katherine Hodges | Peter Jones Gallery, 1806 W Cuyler | June 27Adam Orcutt | 18th and Morgan | September 10Tobi Lowrance | 800 block of South Desplaines | November 21Jason Mitchneck | Artesian and Bloomingdale | April 15Matt Vanderzalm | Ryerson Physical Laboratory, 1100 E. 58th | January 26Ian Bul-Ialayao | Roscoe’s Tavern, 3356 N. Halsted | May 20