Jack Carlson Photography

October Afternoon in Galena

Former Illinois Central tracks curve toward Visitor Center.

Former Illinois Central tracks curve toward Visitor Center.

Went to Galena, Illinois this week for a (very) short time. Walked down Main Street and was going to take pictures of store windows, but decided against it since they are mostly stuff  filled with autumn/Halloween stuff all of us have seen at sometime. Continued walking around (former Illinois Central) railroad tracks.

Very warm welcome extended by staff at Visitor Center/President Grant museum.

Visitor Center/President Grant Museum

Visitor Center/President Grant Museum

A partial interior view of the President Grant museum.

A partial interior view of the President Grant museum.

Bridge over tracks connects Civil War commemorative park with the retail district on Main Street.

Galena is a quaint old town that’s a thriving tourist mecca during the runup to Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Located some 157 miles from where I live, it’s definitely too far for a bike ride, so you will need a car to get there.

An old town prefers that old visitors arrive in an old car. I didn't.

An old town prefers that old visitors arrive in an old car. I didn’t.

Walking bridge over troubled train tracks.

Walking bridge over troubled train tracks.

Stairs leading to top of protective flood embankment.

Stairs leading to top of protective flood embankment.

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Weekly Photo Tip

Just because you’ve filled the frame…

Too much light reduces interest. Like here.

There’s more to think about than just finding a frame-filling flower or any subject for that matter. Yes, I filled the frame by using a 190mm focal length, with an aperture of f8 (what else?) at 1/10 of a second shutter speed. Yes, the ISO was dialed down low (ISO 64) and the camera was on a tripod. So after having thought about all of that, why is this picture not a keeper? Because I didn’t check the light level that was bouncing off the flower so it’s really too hot (aka bright). Use the live view setting on your camera to assess the light, then dial it down if/when it’s too bright. Like here. See–Think–Act.

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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.