Jack Carlson Photography

Autumn Photo Workshop at Mettawa Manor

Mettawa Manor and the Kurtis Conservation Foundation (KCF) has invited the Chicago Botanic Garden to offer courses set on the extensive grounds of the Foundation and at Mettawa Manor and Gardens. Built in 1927 and now the part-time residence of Bill Kurtis and Donna LaPietra, KCF and Mettawa Manor offers 75 acres of land with formal gardens, woodlands, ponds and prairie.  Photo students are actually spoiled-for-choice of subjects due to the ponds, vegetable and flower gardens in addition to the manor house itself. What an honor it is to again have been selected as one of only 5 courses to be offered at this dramatic setting!Mettawa-Autumn Color 2279

The Autumn Photo Workshop at Mettawa Manor is a one-day offering, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on Wednesday, October 2.  Lunch is included in the registration fee.  Register early because class enrollment is limited to 10 students.

A map to Mettawa Manor will be sent to registered students in advance of the class.

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Weekly Photo Tip

Filters can make a difference

18mm, f8 @ 1/30, no filter

18mm, f8 @ 1/80 with 3-stop ND Grad

I received a 3-stop, soft-edge ND grad filter from the Camera Clubhouse cats. They decided to purchase from Breakthrough Photography since I mentioned that one of my students brought Breakthrough Filters to a recent class and, on inspection, the filters seemed to be very well made. An ND Grad filter starts dark and fades to clear so the placement of the dark portion is determined by both the bright part of the scene and the photographer. This filter made quite a difference in holding down the sun in the upper part of the image. Check out the “no-filter” image and ND Grad image. The difference will amaze you. Please note: I have no affiliation with Breakthrough Photography and chose them only based on student referral. 

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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.

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