Jack Carlson Photography

3 Students needed for June 8 Mettawa Workshop

Soft morning light on Mettawa Manor

HI Everyone,

Enrollment is a bit light for the June 8 Photo Workshop at Mettawa Manor. We need 3 more students (at least) to run it so if you’ve been thinking about it, don’t wait. Go on line at www.chicagobotanic.org/adulted/photography to register. You can call 847.835.8261 to register on Monday. If you’re planning to visit the garden in the next day or two, stop at the INFO DESK in the Visitor Center to register.

 Charles Morse (of Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines) had the house built in 1929 and presented it to one of his daughters as a wedding present. Usually available only on Open Garden days,  Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra, the current owners, have allowed us to visit the manor for this CBG photo workshop.  You’ll want to explore both the flower and vegetable gardens in addition to the reflecting pond and other structures on the 9-acre property. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to use different camera settings, focal lengths and polarizing filters as you meander about.

Any way you choose to enroll could make the difference in whether this class runs. Remember that the enrollment fee includes lunch on Friday, June 8th, and an image review session on Monday, June 11th at the CBG.

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Weekly Photo Tip

Get an Infrared Filter to create snow

 

Infra-red filter creates eerie snow effect.

Magnus, the faithful camera clubhouse cat, thoughtfully dropped a B+H gift card in my Christmas stocking. I used the card to order an Infrared (IR) filter which, as you will remember knocks out all wavelengths of light below the filter rating. In this case, all light below 930nm doesn’t make it through the filter, and the wavelengths that do make it require 2 1/2 minutes of exposure time. This filter is so dark red, the composing and focusing must be done before the filter is attached to the front of the lens. In addition to a tripod and ballhead, it helps to have gloves and a mug of some type of warm liquid to keep hands and insides warm while walking around behind the camera for those 150 seconds while the shutter is open.

IR filters come in varying strengths which affect the price. Mine wasn’t priced in the low-end promo department, but the effects it creates are both enjoyable and worth the price. Get one and see for yourself.

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About Jack

A classically trained musician since childhood, Jack Carlson always had the “ear” of an artist. It was only a short step to develop the artist’s “eye” as well.

The portfolio of this certified photographer reveals images that emphasize mood and composition. Their purpose is to present a feeling in addition to portrayal of person, place or thing. Sometimes that feeling is nostalgia; other times it is serenity.

Each photograph tells a story.