Thoughts of Fall

Best Ohio Nature Photography by Jim Crotty 21, originally uploaded by jimcrotty.com.

This always happens right about this time of year. I start to get anxious for autumn. I'm a creature of the light. As a photographer that's what it is all about. I also know the light of the seasons in Ohio lack the back of my hand. This time of year is what I often refer to as 'the dead of summer.'

Hot, hazy and humid doesn't do a thing for me when pursuing outdoor subjects. But as soon as the calendar shows August, and the light begins to angle just a bit lower in the sky, the artist within awakens once again and I begin to plan my autumn outings.

I'm especially excited about this coming autumn because I will be presenting a two-day, field workshop - "The Season of the Good Light" - in my all-time favorite location for autumn landscape photography in Ohio, Hocking Hills. The base location for the workshop, which will be a combination of both classroom and field shoots, will be that magical place of creative spirit, The Inn at Cedar Falls.

The workshop will be limited to just 25 attendees. There are only 10 openings still available. If you are interested in participating, please see http://ohiophoto.org/public_html/twodayphotoworkshops.html.

aha moment: rediscovered my love.

aha moment: rediscovered my love.

Print Arrangement Previews and Consultation

A client recently purchased a number of my nature and landscape photographs, as gallery wrap canvas prints, for her home. Part of the process in assisting this customer in making the decision as to which images to purchase was providing her with a digital and print "preview" of how select photographs would look arranged together on a neutral background, thus providing a good look at how a particular composition within one landscape photograph will work with another.

In capturing and creating my nature and landscape photographs I love to work with flowing and directional lines within the frame that will enhance the primary subject by directing the viewer's eye to that particular point of interest that speaks of the sense of place being visually represented. But with two or more prints arranged together it's important to select and arrange the photographs so that the impact of one composition is not distracting to the other. Sometimes arranging artwork - such as on a large, open wall space - requires the same artistic eye and touch used in the creation of the individual pieces.

The customer asked if I could make a "print-out" previewing a grouping of four prints she was considering for a particular wall within the great room of her home. Her selections were based on wanting to visually show the four distinct seasons of the Ohio landscape. It was no problem at all for me to put this preview together and send it to her via JPEG attachment (below). For this composite I used the Moodboard app on my iPad, which was very simple to do. Truth be told just about any other word processing and/or slide presentation program could have been used as well. And of course there's always Photoshop.

In the past I've also suggested particular arrangements of my photographs to various commercial art buyers and consultants. I love my art, but I love customers even more. This customer was very pleased with her purchase. She commented afterwards that it was the time and attention I took in helping her decide on prints - and print arrangement - that made the most impact.

For more information on purchasing fine art prints of my nature and landscape photography, please see http://ohiophoto.org/public_html/fineart.html.

New Workshop for August 3 2010

I'm pleased to announce a new workshop for August 3, 2010 at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Unlike my previous full-day programs, this will be an evening workshop from 6 to 9 PM. It is an introductory level program designed for those new to digital photography with an emphasis on settings and features of digital SLR cameras and basic digital workflow for optimal printing and web posting of all types of photography. It will be strictly a classroom-only workshop in the MeadWestvaco Theatre room. The first half of the workshop will cover learning camera settings and features of the digital SLR camera with no emphasis on a particular brand or model but rather a complete overview.

The second half of the program I will be demonstrating my basic digital workflow for image archiving, editing and adjustments for optimal print-making and publishing to the web. The primary software program I will be demonstrating is Apple Aperture, the same basic workflow can be applied with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. The cost of this evening program will be $39 per person, payable at the workshop, cash or check. Soft drinks and bottled water will be provided. This workshop will be limited to the first 25 people who register by calling 937-432-6711 or email jim@ohiophoto.org.

Ohio Seasons in Canvas Gallery Wraps

Welcoming July