Jack Carlson Photography

Autumn in Galena, Illinois

Entrance to 1826 Dowling House & Museum.

Entrance to 1826 Dowling House & Museum.

 

I was in Galena last year at this time. My experience was enjoyable enough to prompt a return to this home of 9 Civil War generals and President U.S. Grant. Now a busy tourist town some 3 hours from Chicago in northwest Illinois,  I decided to capture a few images there before heading across the mighty Mississippi River to Dubuque, Iowa. The run-up to the holidays finds Galena in full decoration so get there as soon as time permits.

The captions sum up the trip. Click on image to enlarge it.

Galena: Home of the 18th President of the U.S.

Autumn leaves partially cover park named for 18th President of the U.S.

Welcome Center and Grant Museum.

Welcome Center and Grant Museum.

Train Station-1857

1857 Train Station now used by Galena Chamber of Commerce

Cabin in woods

Autumn color surrounds old cabin in woods.

View towards Illinois from Dubuque, IA

View towards Illinois from Dubuque, IA

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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.