Jack Carlson Photography

Hearing vs Seeing

During a very recent breakfast with a friend who is a great photographer, I found myself describing one of the most beautiful areas I’ve personally seen. I could have spent several days exploring this moss garden  at the Saiho-ji Temple that’s just outside of Kyoto, Japan. it’s the perfect place for using a medium format camera or sheet film.  Sadly, I had only a full-frame DSLR with the 28mm f1.4. Guess my description of the area worked since you know how many words a picture is worth. As we were leaving, I promised to post some shots. For you camera-settings people, all shots were taken with a fixed 28mm, f11, various shutter speeds, ISO 160, WB Sun. As most of you know, none of the images have been subjected to post production. The most difficult part of getting these pictures is getting to the site. Here then, as promised, are some images.

Moss Garden at the Saiho-ji Temple.

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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.