Jack Carlson Photography

There’s something new on the old website.

Yes, it's been sometime since I added a post. Why?? A bit of shoulder pain then an out-of-the country trip have kept me away from the old keyboard but now, on a mostly gray Monday morning,I can devote some time to writing about life (from a tourist perspective) in Alsace. For those of you who don't know about this part of France, it has been both French and German over the last several hundred … [Read more...]

Wonderful photo shoot in a woods

The Documenting Nature class explored The Woods during the photo portion of Saturday's class.  In addition to providing advice, I used the camera I carry when I don't want to carry a camera. The daylight and temperature could not have been better so we were able to shoot around f8 @ 125 with ISO 100-200. Lighten your load and get to a wooded area as soon as weather and your schedule … [Read more...]

Two ways to Zoom

YES, there are two ways to control the size of the subject in an image: 1.  Optically by zooming the lens or 2. Physically by moving the camera (and yourself). I used both methods just yesterday when I rediscovered these flowers growing around and under a conifer in the front garden here at the Camera Clubhouse. Read the new Photo Tip in that section of this site. Hopefully, you'll get up and … [Read more...]

Unexpected snow calls for old shoes + polarizer

Yesterday's snow meant a trip to a forest preserve with a camera. My old shoes are perfect for tramping through wet leaves and mud in addition to snow. One lens was enough so I grabbed the 18mm and a polarizing filter along with additional batteries and memory cards. It's very tempting to begin photographing only moments after leaving the car, but I remember what I heard in a class last Wednesday: … [Read more...]

Start Documenting Nature on 5 Saturdays beginning March 29

Nature in its many forms is just waiting to be photographed, and the Chicago Botanic Garden is a fine place to begin. We've reserved 5 Saturday mornings from 9-12noon at the garden to explore just what's going on. Each week we'll discuss relationships in class, then proceed to a different part of the garden each week to photograph them. It's best if you have taken the Beginning Digital and … [Read more...]