IMG_8420_L

Stone by John Caruso

Gear: Canon 5D Mark II, EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Exposure: f/5 at 1/2000, ISO 1000, -1.67 Exposure Compensation, Natural Light

Recently, Karen and I took a trip to a hidden gem in Chicago: the Osaka Garden in Jackson Park, just behind the Science and Industry Museum.

Originally built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Osaka Garden is a formal Japanese Garden that is tranquil and beautiful. Although not large, it is easy to spend a goodly amount of time lingering and taking it all  in.

On the day we went, we were lucky to be the only visitors for the majority of out time there. Naturally, I had my camera in hand and made several photos.

This scene called out to me to photograph it because of the way the brightness of the stone played off of the darkness of the water. I deliberately adjusted the exposure compensation to give me a darker exposure, further deepening the darkness of the water and bringing out the subtle grain and texture of the stone. From there, it was just a matter of finding a pleasing composition and then clicking.