Chicago Polar Bear Club – 2010 Polar Bear Swim Photos

So what the heck is a wedding and family portrait photographer doing shooting the Chicago Polar Bear Swim of 2010? The only answer I can think of is that I am both a lover of photography and a little bit crazy.

This polar swim is becoming a yearly ritual for me. It all started last year when I went down to North Ave Beach on March of 2009. I was not sure why I was there. It was cold. I was without friends. I had no coffee. All I had was my camera and a crazy idea that I would get some cool photos of a few brave and shivering people. I ended up having a blast and vowed to return this year.

This time I was warm and ready with some coffee and a few of my photog friends. I was also there cheering on my best friend David Fowlie. What a brave and cold soul. I had a blast and cannot wait to do it again in March. You can get more info about the Chicago Polar Plunge here. You can check out some of Gary Middendorf’s (my brother-in-law) photos here.

Here are a handful of my favorite shots from the 2010 Polar Swim. Please remember, it was 19 degrees outside:

Chicago Polar Club Swim 2010 from Otto Rascon on Vimeo.

Set-Up

  • Nikon D700 – shooting in RAW
  • Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8
  • A lot of layers!!!
  • Adobe Lightroom 2 for editing
  • Flip Mino HD for video
  • iMovie for editing and exporting for web
  • North Avenue Beach
    1000 North Lake Shore Drive
    Chicago, IL 60611
    (312) 742-5121

    Rock On! info@ottorascon.com | my portfolio | facebook | twitter | 773.430.4785

    By The Way: It would have been nice to have had my 400mm lens today. I then could have captured more facial expressions. Lesson learned: bring my lenses!!!

    pixel Chicago Polar Bear Club   2010 Polar Bear Swim Photos
    January 1, 2010 - 6:24 pm

    Nancy Remling - That is awesome!! Was it for Make A Wish? Do you know how much money they raised? Great images of ice floating. Geesh!!! :):)

    January 1, 2010 - 6:51 pm

    steve - i went this year, it was insane.
    some photographer helped me out of the water, if it was you, thanks!

    January 1, 2010 - 6:56 pm

    Otto - Thanks Nancy. The plunge for the Special Olympics will be in March. I will be there!!! Have a great new year!

    January 1, 2010 - 11:49 pm

    Steve - Wow. Great Shots. Thanks for shooting that, Otto! I don’t think I would ever…ever…let me think… …nope, NEVER EVER want to do that!!! (Go for a dip that is. I’d photograph it, though!)

    January 1, 2010 - 11:51 pm

    Samuel Barr - Otto, my man this is wonderful! Wow!!!!!!!!!!! You couldn’t get me in that water for nothing. Great work as you really captured the emotion of the event. Awesome!!! Happy New Year!

    January 4, 2010 - 5:17 pm

    David J. Fowlie - I didn’t want to do it without you there. Thanks for being there!

    January 6, 2010 - 11:36 am

    chuck bloom - otto, great shots you make me look like a polar bear. I am the bald guy in the last pic. Can I get a copy of that photo for my office?
    chuck bloom

    January 7, 2010 - 9:36 am

    Jaclyn Simpson - Nice work, Otto! These look great!

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