Chicago in Photographs

Chicago through light, structure, and silence. A photographic archive by Richard Cleis (1965–2021)

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Chicago, held in light and structure.

This space is a collection of work by Richard Cleis (1965–2021), a photographer drawn to the quiet geometry of the city—its steel, its shadows, and the moments in between.

His images move through Chicago without spectacle. They pause where others pass by. Architecture becomes rhythm. Light becomes language.

What remains is not just documentation, but observation—an archive of how a city feels when you stop long enough to see it.

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This is an ongoing collection.

Prints available: www.chicagoinphotographs.com

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Looking up inside Chicago’s Tiffany Dome, where light, glass, and geometry quietly steal the show.

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A little Tiffany glow beneath a ceiling that refuses to be ignored. Layers of mosaic, symmetry, and warm light tucked inside one of Chicago’s architectural treasures.

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Pouring rain.

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Chicago - Sullivan Center

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"Rhapsody in Blue"

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Meet me under the clock.

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"The Bowman"

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The iconic bronze lions of the Art Institute of Chicago stand watch along Michigan Avenue as the Chicago skyline rises behind them. A classic downtown Chicago scene captured in crisp morning light.

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A historic bell in sharp focus, with Chicago’s iconic clock tower softly rising in the distance. Time, craftsmanship, and city history come together in this elegant monochrome moment above the streets of Chicago.

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A splash of red in a monochrome city scene—The Redhead Piano Bar shines with vintage Chicago character.

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Steel, rivets, and repeating lines beneath a Chicago bridge create a powerful study in form and function. Hidden in plain sight, these massive trusses reveal the industrial artistry that has carried the city forward for generations.

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Beneath the 60th Street Bridge, weathered columns and shadowed arches reveal Chicago’s raw industrial beauty. Peeling textures, reflected light, and monochrome contrast turn this hidden space into a quiet study of strength, age, and atmosphere.

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Where old Chicago meets modern Chicago. The historic bridgehouse at Wacker Drive stands in striking contrast to the flowing curves of Marina City above, capturing the layers of architecture and history that define the city skyline.

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Night falls along the Franklin Bridge as steel arches, wooden planks, and city lights create a timeless Chicago scene. Reflections on the river and bold industrial lines capture the strength, motion, and character of the city after dark.

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Hidden between the streets and skyline, a vintage Chicago Theatre sign still points the way. Fire escapes, brick walls, and monochrome city textures capture the grit, history, and character of downtown Chicago—where every alley has a story.

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Rising above the steps at Navy Pier, Chicago’s Centennial Ferris Wheel reaches into a sky brushed with dramatic clouds. Bold lines, sweeping perspective, and timeless monochrome tones turn this iconic landmark into a striking study of motion and scale.