Jack Carlson Photography

Hidden Gems Class is GO! Gems are still hidden.

On the way to a Hidden Gem at the CBG in 2025.

On Saturday, September 26, we’ll begin exploring unexplored and often inaccessible areas of the Chicago Botanic Garden. This class is always great fun since we’re in a different location each week. There’s still time to enroll so visit www.chicagobotanic.org/adulted. Click on the Photography section and scroll down to the class. While the class is limited to DSLR or Mirrorless cameras, tipods are welcome–and encouraged. Welcome autumn each Saturday morning. You’ll be glad you did!

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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.