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

The earlier, the better for soft light

Soft light, f20 @ 1/800, 180mm focal length

There was more light than heat outside the Camera Clubhouse yesterday morning which made a perfect setting for some close-up flower pictures. I decided that an ISO of 400 would work well–especially in the shaded areas–and provide hand-holding shutter speeds. That plan worked quite well with only a few images that needed to be tossed into the garbage can. I had enough time to consider the options for camera settings which were mainly focal length and aperture. You’ll remember that these are the two controls that control both image sharpness and background blur. White Balance is only for changing the color from the light source so I set the full sun mode and forgot about it even when shooting into shaded areas. The images surrounding this article are from the morning shoot. Here’s my advice when the sun is out: Get UP and Get OUT with your camera. On days when the sun sleeps in, Get UP and Get OUT to find locations that are good shooting spots on sunny days.

This is more inclusive. F11 @1/250, 70mm focal length.

Be more inclusive. f11@1/400, 122mm focal length.

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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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