Chicago Street Photographer's Life a Blend of Dark and Light
Peter Bella's 30-year career as a Chicago police officer took him to some of the city's most troubled neighborhoods, but it was behind his camera lens that he found true purpose. A street photographer with an unflinching eye for detail, Bella captured the beauty in the everyday moments, from the antics of ice cream vendors to candid shots of eccentric characters like Joseph "Walking Man" Kromelis.
After retiring from the force in 2007, Bella turned his lens on the world around him. His photographs told stories that spoke to both the darkness and light of urban life. His 2023 gallery show at The Dime on Western Avenue was a testament to this dual nature – a showcase of images that revealed the intricate textures of Chicago's streets.
Bella's online blog, which began during the pandemic, offered a glimpse into his boundless curiosity about life's complexities. He wasn't afraid to tackle heavy topics like politics and crime, but also shared his love for food, art, and books. When asked about his job as a cop, he once wrote that being part of the police force was "an all-access pass to all the things you never wanted to see," yet acknowledged that it came with a terrible cost.
Despite his gruff exterior, Bella's words spoke of a deep empathy for humanity. In the same breath where he expressed frustration with the world, he urged people to "Live, love, laugh, and eat the damn sandwich" – a reminder to appreciate life in all its messy beauty.
Born on January 10, 1953, into a family that valued hard work and dedication, Bella grew up near Midway Airport. His love for photography developed during his studies at Roosevelt University and the University of Illinois Chicago. He went on to become an investigator for the Cook County medical examiner's office before joining the police force.
Throughout his life, Bella remained fiercely loyal to Chicago – a city that shaped him into the man he became. As a regular attendee of a Catholic Mass held for police officers at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, he found solace in community and connection with others who understood the weight of his experiences.
For Peter Bella, the world was full of stories waiting to be told, but it was behind his camera that he discovered his own. Now, as we mourn his passing at 72, his photographs remain a testament to the power of art to capture both light and darkness, beauty and pain – an enduring tribute to a life lived on his own terms.
Peter Bella's 30-year career as a Chicago police officer took him to some of the city's most troubled neighborhoods, but it was behind his camera lens that he found true purpose. A street photographer with an unflinching eye for detail, Bella captured the beauty in the everyday moments, from the antics of ice cream vendors to candid shots of eccentric characters like Joseph "Walking Man" Kromelis.
After retiring from the force in 2007, Bella turned his lens on the world around him. His photographs told stories that spoke to both the darkness and light of urban life. His 2023 gallery show at The Dime on Western Avenue was a testament to this dual nature – a showcase of images that revealed the intricate textures of Chicago's streets.
Bella's online blog, which began during the pandemic, offered a glimpse into his boundless curiosity about life's complexities. He wasn't afraid to tackle heavy topics like politics and crime, but also shared his love for food, art, and books. When asked about his job as a cop, he once wrote that being part of the police force was "an all-access pass to all the things you never wanted to see," yet acknowledged that it came with a terrible cost.
Despite his gruff exterior, Bella's words spoke of a deep empathy for humanity. In the same breath where he expressed frustration with the world, he urged people to "Live, love, laugh, and eat the damn sandwich" – a reminder to appreciate life in all its messy beauty.
Born on January 10, 1953, into a family that valued hard work and dedication, Bella grew up near Midway Airport. His love for photography developed during his studies at Roosevelt University and the University of Illinois Chicago. He went on to become an investigator for the Cook County medical examiner's office before joining the police force.
Throughout his life, Bella remained fiercely loyal to Chicago – a city that shaped him into the man he became. As a regular attendee of a Catholic Mass held for police officers at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, he found solace in community and connection with others who understood the weight of his experiences.
For Peter Bella, the world was full of stories waiting to be told, but it was behind his camera that he discovered his own. Now, as we mourn his passing at 72, his photographs remain a testament to the power of art to capture both light and darkness, beauty and pain – an enduring tribute to a life lived on his own terms.
peter bella's story is like a masterclass on how to capture life's messy beauty – from his time as a cop to his photography, he never shied away from showing us the raw truth. and that blog of his? so deep 
i love how he didn't just stick to one theme, but instead explored it all – politics, art, food... what more could you want in a human being? anyway, his words will live on through his photos & we should all take a page out of his book & learn to appreciate life's beauty (and pain) 
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Peter Bella's story is so inspiring 
he went from serving on the force to capturing the beauty in everyday moments 
his photos are like windows into his soul 
showing us that even in dark times, there's always light to be found 
and I think we can all learn from his approach to life - to appreciate the little things and not take ourselves too seriously 
like, who doesn't love a good sandwich 
?
he was more than just a cop, he was a storyteller, a observer of human condition. loved how he didn't shy away from tough topics but also shared his passion for life, food, art... felt like we're losing a piece of chicago's soul 
what a legend! i mean, 30 yrs as a cop & then becomes a photographer? that's dedication 
he captures the city in all its messy glory - from darkness to light, beauty to pain. i love how he shares his thoughts on life too, like that one time when he said to live, love, laugh & eat the sandwich 
can't believe we lost him at 72 tho 
He was truly a unique soul who captured the essence of Chicago in all its complexity 
. His photography is really inspiring, you know? It's like he's capturing the essence of Chicago - the beauty and the pain, the light and the dark 
️. But what I think is even more beautiful is his journey as a person. From being a police officer to becoming a photographer, it's like he found himself through his art 
. And his blog during the pandemic was so raw and honest, you could feel his passion and empathy for humanity 
. it's like his camera was an extension of himself, revealing this complex person with so much depth & emotion 
. it's like he was saying, hey, we're all human beings with our own struggles & triumphs - let's appreciate the little things, too!