How we photographed a memorial ride for a Chicago cyclist
This week’s top photo comes from Visual Journalist Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere. Follow him on X, Bluesky and Instagram.
What makes this photo important?
The Chicago cycling community is a close, strong, robust and politically charged and active community. This was on full display Monday during a memorial rally and ride in Bridgeport for Chicago Department of Transportation employee Riley O’Neil, who died June 5 in an accident when he was biking on South Halsted Street. During the rally, people who didn’t know O’Neil but were affected by his role in creating safer biking infrastructure were brought to tears as advocates and co-workers recounted his life and legacy. The rally and ride also reopened wounds for cyclists who’ve lost friends and family members due to similar incidents. This photo shows one of the memorial ride’s biking marshals raising her hand in the air to signal an intersection to the rest of the crowd. It helps that she stands out the most with her orange pants and yellow jacket contrasting with the pale blue skyline.
How did you get the photo?
This photo is an example of working fast on a tight print deadline, being creative on demand and understanding pattern recognition. Running ahead of the group as they were setting up to ride, I found myself a block or two away with the intention of getting a general long telephoto shot of cyclists riding up the street. While shooting that, I wasn’t happy with the results and ran up another block to give it a second try. In an alley next to the street, I noticed a puddle of still water that cast a reflection. I attempted a shot with my standard 24-70mm lens and got a similar image with a bike marshal in red with his hand in the air, but I still wasn’t happy as the shot wasn’t wide enough. With only a few minutes left before I had to leave to file my work, I changed lens to my 16-35mm ultrawide, cranked the focal length as wide as possible, positioned the camera to get as much of the sky and reflection as possible — and waited. With a minute or two to spare, I was able to get a burst that included the photo of the woman above.
12 more great photos from Chicago Public Media photojournalists
People play Pokémon GO while walking around the Pokémon GO Fest in Grant Park on June 5.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
People play Pokémon GO in Grant Park on June 5.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
John Caleb Pendleton talks about his work, “Tallahatchie Chiffarobe,” which is part of “From Memory to Movement: Emmett Till at 85” at Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville on June 6.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Chicago Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera walks to the dugout after being pulled from a game June 5 against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. The Giants beat the Cubs, 18 – 3.
Giacomo Cain/Sun-Times
Fans participate in the “tarps off” trend June 5 as the Chicago Cubs played the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field.
Giacomo Cain/Sun-Times
Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash co-founder Cole Bennett stands on the roof of his office building on the Southwest Side on Monday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A cloud bank moves in from the west as a second wave of storms approaches Chicago on Wednesday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Malki Brown, owner of commercial landscaping firm MGE Property Solutions, stands outside Monday at 4914 S. Drexel Blvd. in Kenwood. Brown said his business has been signed for landscape work involving about three dozen vacant lots, as Woodlawn property owners pay more attention to their sites near the Obama Presidential Center.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chicago police investigate in the 5300 block of West Madison Street in Austin, where a man was killed and three other men were injured in a drive-by shooting Monday evening.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Paul Branton stands beside his painting, “What You Meant to Weigh Us Down,” which is part of “From Memory to Movement: Emmett Till at 85” at Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville on June 6.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Comedian Tee Sanders stands on the field with Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw while wearing the hat she designed for Pride Night on Wednesday at Rate Field.
Giacomo Cain/Sun-Times
Danny Cordero shows off his receipt during a T-Mobile and Shell $1.99 gas promotion Tuesday at 4357 W. Belmont in Hermosa.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
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