A sweeping visual record of downtown Chicago during the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020. When the city went quiet, the streets, transit stations, and landmarks revealed a haunting beauty rarely seen. Preston Hargett was there to capture it all.
Rendered entirely in black and white, these images strip away color to reveal the raw emotion and stillness of a city paused in time. The contrast and shadows bring an timeless, cinematic quality to each shot.
This collection spans multiple iconic locations — from the empty platforms of the CTA to the grand halls of Union Station, to the wide-open streets of the Loop — all frozen in an unprecedented moment in history.
Digital download — no shipping required
All images are black and white
High-resolution files in both horizontal and vertical orientations
Includes CTA locations, Union Station, and downtown Chicago street photography
Perfect for desktop wallpaper, mobile wallpaper, or digital display
