Sunday, September 27, 2009

High Dynamic Range Photography

In presenting my first, full-day workshop on nature photography, yesterday at Cox Arboretum, the topic that generated the most interest was my work with high dynamic range photography. This slide presentation was created from the images I used at the workshop to illustrate this particular creative technique with digital photography. I like to emphasize that HDR photography - the merging of two or more exposures of the same scene - is NOT digitally adding or altering the image. It simply brings forth a much greater tonal range amongst the existing elements within the photograph. The trick is not to be too "heavy handed" when applying the various settings for gamma, white point, luminosity, etc. when using the tonal adjustment tool.

The September 26 workshop at Cox Arboretum in Dayton went very well, despite it being my first time presenting a full-day program. I limited the attendees to just over 20 people. This was a good, manageable group. I will be presenting another full-day program on a Saturday this January, at which time I will probably concentrate more on digital workflow using Apple Aperture and various digital techniques using both Photoshop and Photomatix.

Favorite High Dynamic Range Photographs




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Saturday, September 12, 2009

New Book and Magazine Published Featuring Nature and Landscape Photography

My most recent release via the Blurb.com bookstore - "Renewal," featuring spring photography of landscapes in both Hocking Hills State Park of Ohio and Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee. This volume is available in both softcover and hardcover formats as an 8"x10" coffee-table style book, perfect for office lobbies or home. In addition to presenting stunning nature and landscape photographs from these scenic areas of Appalachia the book also includes an introspective essay titled "Life's Lessons Learned on the Trail to Ramsay Cascade." This was an article I drafted shortly after my May excursion to The Smokies and provides some insight on how life experiences are often paralleled in the most simple journeys through the natural landscape. The price for the soft-cover version is $29.95, not including shipping.

Cover image of Renewal nature photography book by Jim Crotty

I'm also pleased to announce the first issue of what I hope to become a regular series of self-published magazines, titled "The Poet's Eye." This 24-page, 8.5x11 publication includes a brief introduction about the work presented and select images representing a particular subject, location or photographic technique. This, the first issue, features my recent work with converting high dynamic range photographs to monochrome - black and white - fine art images. The cost per issue is $7.84.

The Poet's Eye Photography Magazine by Jim Crotty

If you're a regular user of Facebook there is a group page for Jim Crotty Photography. I often post new images and information regarding published images, commercial photography assignments and my photography workshops to this interactive group page which also allows followers to post their information and comments. Check it out.

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Thursday, September 03, 2009

Four Image Poster Prints of Fine Art Photography by Jim Crotty

Photography by Jim Crotty : FourImagePosterPrints

The rule of four. Selecting just four photographs that best represent my artistic vision of a particular location. That's what I had in mind in the creation of four image poster prints. Fine art nature and landscape photography that I've taken in locations such as Dayton, Hocking Hills, New Mexico, The Smokies and more.

Each of these four image poster prints are now available for online purchase on my Imagekind storefront. Customers are presented a variety of options including print size, frames and paper. Imagekind does an exceptional job in both print quality and packaging (see YouTube video with this post), and the prices are VERY reasonable.

I'll be adding even more selections to the four image poster print storefront in the weeks to come, including my photography of Zion and Glacier National Parks.



Jim Crotty presents four image poster print of Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Ohio Photographer Jim Crotty presents Sugarcreek Four Image Poster Print[

Dayton Photographer Jim Crotty presents Seasons of Ohio

New Mexico Four Image Poster Print by Ohio Photographer Jim Crotty

Landscape Photography by Jim Crotty of the South Carolina Lowcountry

Photographer Jim Crotty The Inn at Cedar Falls

Gettysburg Four Image Poster Print by Ohio Photographer Jim Crotty

Dayton Four Image Poster Print by Jim Crotty