Jack Carlson Photography

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Photography
  • Classes
  • DIY Challenge
  • Tips
  • Contact

Holiday Lights Photo Workshops @ CBG

November 11, 2013

Nighttime in the Heritage Garden.
Nighttime in the Heritage Garden.

Almost before you know it, we’ll have worked off (or walked off) that Thanksgiving dinner, and it will be time to get to the Chicago Botanic Garden for the Holiday Lights Photo Workshop. What fun we had last year on two Goldilocks evenings (not too hot, not too cold, but just right) that were perfect for a photo shoot. This year promises to be even better since the workshops will be separated by photographic knowledge and experience, tanks to the welcome suggestion of last year’s students.

December 2–New Photographers Night–6:30 pm, Design Studio

If you’re new to photography, or the camera is new to you, December 2 is your night. We’ll meet in the Design Studio and begin by defining and discussing camera controls and terms. Once everyone becomes familiar with camera controls we’ll practice focusing the camera manually, then combine camera and tripod and proceed to use that newly-acquired knowledge to capture images from the decorated parts of The Garden. We’ll return to the classroom and enjoy some images if time permits.

December 4–Intermediate Photographers Night–6:30 pm, Design Studio

Now that you know about things like ISO, shutter speed and f stops, we’ll have just a slight mention of those things just to be certain.  Our orientation will show the lighted parts of The Garden which are great photo subjects. One of the least photographed sites is the area around the Visitor Center main entrance.

Visitor Center entrance framed in night lights.

Visitor Center entrance framed in night lights.

Seems that most students are eager to get to class and hurry under the portico without a single photographic thought. In actual fact, this area is bright enough to present challenges for exposure. It’s also both low and wide which will provide compositional questions.  This area presents a great learning experience so you know it’s a stop on our photo journey around The Garden.

The Esplanade with its lighted rows of Commendation Elms leading to The Great Tree is also of interest. You’ll need some time to find just the right perspective for an all-inclusive  shot.

Commendation Elms and The Great Tree.

Commendation Elms and The Great Tree.

 

                                                                       

  To register for either section, call 847.835.8261.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Weekly Photo Tip

Adding Foreground Blur and Soft Light

Focus behind the closer material.

There’s a fair bit of garden around the Carlson Camera Clubhouse which means an ample supply of weeds. I often find myself out with assorted pruners, bags  and rakes. There just happened to be some tulips growing fairly close this afternoon’s designated work area that began calling my name as the sun dropped. Deciding I’d done enough weeding, and have taken few, if any, pictures since returning from a trip, it didn’t take long to put a macro lens on one of the camera bodies, grab a short tripod and head out for tulip close-ups in soft light. I shot in Manual mode and was careful to set the ISO just high enough (320) to provide a nice selection of f stops.

Manually focus on the subject while keeping the intervening material in the shot. I’m not certain that this will work with auto focus, so don’t bother using it. Confine the depth-of-field sharpness to the selected subject and you’ll get blur at any f stop between f 5.6 and f 11. Yes, it takes a bit of getting used to shooting this way, so allow enough time to not feel rushed.

Soft afternoon light: always good for flowers.

Focus between two subjects.

Read more tips

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.

Upcoming Classes

Sep 30
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Beginning Digital begins September 30 for 4 Saturday mornings

Oct 6
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Photographing Trees in Autumn Color on October Fridays

Oct 11
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

NEW! Macro Photography in Autumn

Oct 28
9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Intermediate Digital Photography, 6 October Saturdays

View Calendar

ALL PHOTOS Copyright © 2012 - 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED · Website by With A Voice Like This