Ohio Photog

My Best Nature and Landscape Photographs Now Available for Online Purchase

2008-08-14T16:10:00.004-04:00

Fine Art Nature and Lanscape Prints by Photographer Jim Crotty- powered by SmugMug

Many of the images available for sale as prints within this storefront were taken within the past year, at locations that include the U.P of Michigan, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah, the Antelope Canyons near Page, Arizona and of course, Hocking Hills, Ohio.

But before you say “not more of Hocking Hills” you may want to take a look, because the autumn ‘07 and spring ‘08 images captured there are landscape images in High Dynamic Range. This technique, also known as HDR, is more commonly applied to older building interiors and objects. However, I love using for my favorite landscape locations, especially in very low light. The visual results are pure magic, revealing tones and texture not normally apparent in a single frame image or by the naked eye. With HDR I am not digitally adding visual elements that did not exist in the actual scene. I am merely bringing forth colors, hues and tones that have always been there, yet perhaps unnoticed. Check it out.

What is truly eye-popping is to view these images as 30″ x 40″ (and I can go even larger with special orders) on canvas mounted as a gallery wrap (the print surface “wraps” around an internal frame), giving the print a two-dimensional look that can more than hold its’ own in gaining attention without the weight and expense of the traditional mounting-mat-frame-glass combination.

Jim Crotty Photographs as Canvas Gallery Wraps on display

New Pictures You Can Hear: The Rites of Summer

2008-08-11T22:11:00.000-04:00

Summer Prairie

2008-08-05T11:45:00.004-04:00

The rites of summer on display in the prairie at Sugarcreek MetroPark near Dayton, Ohio.

The Colors of Summer

2008-07-21T15:17:00.002-04:00

Scenes from last week’s Butterfly Festival at Cox Arboretum and MetroPark.

Five Rivers MetroParks of Dayton does a wonderful job of organizing this and many other family-friendly events that celebrate the joy of nature and the natural beauty that’s located all around us here in the Dayton area.

Although the butterfly activity within our local woodlands and prairies is just getting started, the event at Cox was a great opportunity to get excited about the visual treasures associated with late summer and then autumn. This is when the light goes back into proper balance, evenings lengthen and cool and everything falls into place for this Ohio photographer’s favorite time of the year.

And guess who won the first prize given away at the kids dance contest at the Butterfly Festival ? Yup. That would be my little seven-year-old pop star, Chloe !

Another Man's Treasure

2008-07-18T11:06:00.002-04:00

HDR photography of found items at the Ft. Ancient Relic Store near Oregonia, Ohio:

Published Work - Stock and Assignment Photography

2008-07-14T13:49:00.001-04:00

It’s still just as exciting to see my photography published today as it was when I first started Picture Ohio, LLC over five years ago, in April 2003. Whether it be in a book, magazine, newspaper or company brochure, there’s a tremendous feeling of self-satisfaction - as both an artist and a photographer - when I see the end-result of my work.

My most recent work that has been published is posted below, including the cover image of the July/August ‘08 Issue of Over the Back Fence Magazine and the new, full-color brochure for Dan De Vol Custom Home Builder.

Crazy Busy

2008-07-10T12:00:00.003-04:00

It has been a crazy-busy two weeks for me - new home, new office/studio, daughters here with me for the summer, several large print orders and a few assignments as well.

I never realized just how much goes into putting a new household together from scratch. It’s always, always something. And I’m still not finished with the moving-in process.

But it will all be worth it.

The following are my favorite shots from three recent photo shoots, all within the last week. Corporate portraits for Battelle and Battelle, event photography of the President’s Club Brunch at the University of Dayton and home exterior photography for custom home builder Dan De Vol, of his strikingly beautiful Mariner home at the 2008 Homerama.

And I have several more exciting photo assignments in the pipeline, including a garden shoot for Housetrends Magazine, an event shoot for the Miami Conservancy District and more follow-up portraits for Battelle and Battelle.

One Photographer's Creative Vision

2008-06-17T10:40:00.001-04:00

Spring Celebration 2008

2008-06-12T15:14:00.001-04:00

The Native Americans of Ohio

2008-06-10T13:55:00.005-04:00

During many travels throughout rural areas of the Buckeye State I have had the good fortune of visiting several locations that provide glimpses back through history and how the original Ohioans (the pre-European settlers from 10,000 BC through to the 18th century) lived and worked the fertile flood plains of the many river valleys and hunted in the woodlands that at one time covered nearly the entire area now known as Ohio.

Miamisburg Mound, Serpent Mound, Sunwatch Village, the Newark Earthworks, Mound City Group in Chillicothe and Ft. Ancient in Oregonia - these are sites I have walked and photographed and represent just a few of the hundreds of archaeological sites scattered throughout Ohio. Many of these sties were built and occupied first by the Adena cultures, followed by the Hopewell and Ft. Ancients. Their ancestors - the Shawnees - were the last native people to occupy Southern Ohio prior to their populations being decimated by the eventual contact with the European Settlers, beginning in the 1600's.

I have always been intrigued with Native American Culture, particularly here in Ohio. My interest probably started with the stories of human bones discovered in hillsides near where my grandparents once lived along Tait Road in Moraine, not too far from Sunwatch. Construction of a home was delayed while archaeologists were brought in to carefully mark and exhume the sacred remains.

The land of Ohio is not only rich in natural beauty, but infused with human history - a history of a people who learned to live in harmony (or as close to it as possible) with the ebb and flow of nature and the skyward journeys of the sun, stars and Moon. Similar to the ancient Celts of Western Europe, the Adena, Hopewell and Ft. Ancient people worshiped and respected all that the 'Great Creator' provided, recognizing the divine in every animal and plant they came in contact with and the wonder and beauty of the light of the never-ending circle of the seasons.

By no means do I have a background in archaeology. For that I highly recommend Brad Lepper's book, Ohio Archaeology: An Illustrated Chronicle of Ohio's Ancient American Indian Cultures, published by Orange Frazer Press in 2005 (you might also see a few familiar Jim Crotty nature photographs in there as well). What I do claim is my interest and respect for Native American Culture, which is why I was excited to hear about the annual inter-tribal powwow held every June at Ft. Ancient. This year's celebration was held during the weekend of June 7th and 8th. I was there on the 7th to capture a few images of "A Gathering of Four Directions."

The color and movement of the dancers were wonderful to photograph and the atmosphere of the event was great to take in - from the beats of the drums, to the chants and songs within the center of the circle and even the background chorus of cicadas - all combined to re-awaken the spirits of those who danced on this land before.

Historic Home in Lebanon Ohio

2008-06-06T16:48:00.003-04:00

Lebanon, Ohio - a small town located between Dayton and Cincinnati, is known for its historic buildings, restored homes and antique shops. It is everyone’s vision of what small town America is all about. Lebanon’s claim to fame includes the historic Golden Lamb Restaurant and Inn, a favorite stop for U.S. Presidents dating back to Abraham Lincoln, and serving as the stage and backdrop of the late 1970’s movie, Harper Valley PTA.

Most people who grow-up in Dayton have fond memories of Lebanon, primarily because it was the little, scenic town you’d drive through on the way to summer camp at Camp Kern, a evening at a Red’s game in Cincinnati or a day of fun at Kings Island.

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to photograph the formal portraits - both individual and group - of the Lebanon City Council. That was around the holidays, so afterwards I captured some classic, decorated storefronts along Main Street.

Just last week I re-visited Lebanon and photographed the interior of the historic Nixon-Brant House, a restored home that is open to the public which dates back to 1808.

It's Summer and the Livn' is Easy

2008-06-02T15:50:00.004-04:00

The unofficial start of summer - Memorial Day Weekend. Go-cart races, car show and perfect weather at Lincoln Park in Kettering, Ohio. A great opportunity for some fun photography with lots of color and movement. My temporary living quarters is at the Residenz Apartments, right next door to all of these fun events. Another reason why I always have my camera gear at the ready.

Peace and Dogwood Blossoms

2008-05-29T14:56:00.001-04:00

Jim Crotty Photography Staying in Dayton

2008-05-21T15:33:00.000-04:00

My apologies to a few of my local competitors, but guess what ?!? I’m staying in Dayton ! Yeah !

Yup, despite the challenges I’ve faced over the last five years (I started Picture Ohio, llc in April 2003), I have worked hard to build my reputation as a professional photographer here in Ohio. If anything, I think it has become more clear to me recently that I’ve been selling myself short when it comes to my reputation and the quality of my work.

Previously I announced that I was going to relocated to Dallas, Texas. But all those plans have changed.

I will still be moving out of my current retail space at the end of June. At that point I will be relocating my photography business to my home (which I’m currently searching for) somewhere in the Dayton area. From there I will continue to grow and develop my assignment and editorial photography services for publishers and corporate clients, provide on-location portraiture services, sell licensing rights for my stock images and begin marketing and conducting regular scheduled photography workshops, to be held in the field and at different venues throughout Ohio.

Sales of fine art prints of my work with Ohio nature, landscapes, wildlife and cityscapes, as well as other scenic locations throughout the United States, will continue by way of my online storefront, for retail customers, and direct purchase, for commercial art dealers.

Cool. Now I don’t have to change the name of my business to “Picture Texas.”

Architectural Photography Featured in May/June 2008 Housetrends

2008-05-14T14:16:00.002-04:00

Home and architectural photographs that were taken on assignment are once again part of Housetrends Magazine, including the cover and feature article. This is the second issue in a row where one of my images was used for publication on the cover, this one being the May/June 2008 issue of the magazine.

The Beauty of Truth

2008-05-08T11:08:00.001-04:00

This video reminds me of what drives my creative passion and desire to journey into and photograph nature.

Spring on the Rural Route

2008-05-03T16:31:00.002-04:00

Jim Crotty Photography Represented by Trigger Image

2008-04-17T14:21:00.004-04:00

Many of my recent HDR photographs are being represented and marketed by Trigger Image - a not-so-typical stock photo agency based in England that places much more emphasis on unique styles of photography versus the usual and mundane. The contributing photographers chosen by Trigger are definitely more leading-edge on the creative scale of image making. I would venture to say that my work is more conservative as compared to the other contributors, however, it is still an honor to be selected considering the quality and originality of photographic work displayed on the Trigger Image web site.

The Place to Be for Nature Photography in Ohio: Shoot the Hills

2008-04-15T12:40:00.004-04:00

Photo Competition-Shoot The Hills Home Page

Shoot the Hills Photography Competition logo

Attention all Ohio photographer enthusiasts ! This coming weekend - April 18-20 - is the time to be in Hocking Hills for the 8th Annual Shoot the Hills Photography Competition. With all the rain and recent mild weather I can almost guarantee perfect shooting conditions - from flowing waterfalls to new spring green on the hemlocks and beech trees to blooming patches of Virginia Bluebells to all kinds of Ohio wildlife - April is what I consider to be the second best month for nature photography in Ohio’s Hocking Hills (October being #1).

I will be serving on the panel of judges for this year’s event. Photographers compete in several nature subject categories in both adult and youth divisions as well as film and digital. New for this year is a print competition. Participants have a 24-hour period of time to photograph in Hocking Hills, followed by a submission deadline on Saturday and an awards ceremony on Sunday. When I served as a judge in 2006 there were close to 150 participants. This year the number of photographers will probably be double that, many of whom now come from other areas outside of Ohio. Recently NANPA (North American Nature Photography Association) sent out an email alert to all members announcing the 2008 Shoot the Hills Competition. The secret is out regarding my favorite location in Ohio for nature and landscape photography.

Best of all the proceeds collected through the modest entry fee goes directly back to supporting, preserving and protecting Hocking Hills State Park.

It is a true thrill for me to see the visual treasures that all of the participants come back with after being set loose in the gorges, hollows and valleys of Ohio’s “Little Smokies.”

Even if you are not a photographer this is a great event to visit and view the amazing photographic talent that is on display, as well as support other local artists and craftsman, many of whom will have tables displaying their works at the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge building - the center of activity for Shoot the Hills.

I hope to see you there !

Making the Cover

2008-04-11T15:17:00.002-04:00

Another fun photo shoot that I recently did was for Housetrends Magazine, a local publication here in the Dayton area that features fine homes, decorating and landscaping trends. I've always been impressed with quality of the printing and editorial content of Housetrends, which is comparable to many regional and national magazines. The photo shoot was the interior of an upscale condominium on one of the upper floors of Dayton's Schuster Center. The focus of the article was the owner's unique and impressive display of artwork. Photographing the condo and the art was a real treat for me to do. One of the images was even selected for the cover of the March/April 2008 issue. I will be having some more photographs from other interior and exterior architectural assignments completed for Housetrends appearing in some upcoming issues.

The Poet and the Photographer: A Creative Colaberation

2008-04-08T15:43:00.004-04:00

Dayton-area poet Stephen Emerick is who I have had the pleasure of working with over the last year on creating prints and books that effectively merge my visual discoveries of the nature and landscape of Ohio’s Hocking Hills with his words of quiet reflection and soulful interpretation.

One of the many personal rewards I receive from pursuing my avocation in fine art nature photography is experiencing each viewer’s unique reaction to my photographs and hearing from them how a particular image moved them in a certain way, elicited a thought or feeling or revived a long dormant memory. My photographs have served me well in reaching out and connecting with other creative and artistic souls, and in ways where words fail me.

But for some words are paintbrushes (or cameras). This is more than true for the poetry of Stephen Emerick. When those words are partnered with photographs that visually reinforce the poetic message being shared, then something even greater than each of the elements results, especially when both images and words originate from two similar artistic impressions of a “sacred place” known as Hocking Hills.

Poems from the Inn at Cedar Falls Welcome represents our first book. It can be purchased online at Blurb or in the gift shop at the Inn at Cedar Falls. Due to the success of that project we’ve created a series of what I like to call Poem Prints - fine art photographic images that combine two nature photographs with a poem. These can be purchased in print sizes starting at 8″x10″ at http://jimcrotty.imagekind.com/PoemPrints.