Jack Carlson Photography

Water Lily Workshop enrollment keeps climbing

Some of the students at the 2020 workshop

Just when you thought that it wouldn’t be possible to enroll in the August 21st Water Lily Workshop, we have taken the lid off the enrollment. This one-off  is great fun and you’re certain to get images that you’ll send to my friend Igor at the VIP Photo Lab in Park Ridge to get printed. While you don’t necessarily need a macro lens, all of my close-ups were taken with a focal length of 150mm or more. Use a wider focal length to capture more of these vivid floral friends. If you ever wondered whether (or not) a tripod would be your friend, this time, you shouldn’t leave home without one. Hope to see you Saturday, August 21st. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org/adulted/photography to register. Let me know if problems arise.

Students confer on lily camera settings.

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Weekly Photo Tip

Get an Infrared Filter to create snow

 

Infra-red filter creates eerie snow effect.

Magnus, the faithful camera clubhouse cat, thoughtfully dropped a B+H gift card in my Christmas stocking. I used the card to order an Infrared (IR) filter which, as you will remember knocks out all wavelengths of light below the filter rating. In this case, all light below 930nm doesn’t make it through the filter, and the wavelengths that do make it require 2 1/2 minutes of exposure time. This filter is so dark red, the composing and focusing must be done before the filter is attached to the front of the lens. In addition to a tripod and ballhead, it helps to have gloves and a mug of some type of warm liquid to keep hands and insides warm while walking around behind the camera for those 150 seconds while the shutter is open.

IR filters come in varying strengths which affect the price. Mine wasn’t priced in the low-end promo department, but the effects it creates are both enjoyable and worth the price. Get one and see for yourself.

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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.