Winterlight Nature Photography Workshop February 8 2014 in Hocking Hills Ohio

Join Professional Photographer Jim Crotty as he leads a small group workshop on the art of winter nature and landscape photography amongst the sandstone gorges, frozen waterfalls and woodlands of Hocking Hills State Park.

Learn the tips and techniques behind Jim’s award-winning images. This workshop will be a balance of classroom and field instruction with the group exploring subjects such as ice formations, the landscape in winter and still life in winter window light. Open to all levels of skill and experience with the DSLR camera. Minimum equipment required. Fee includes buffet lunch at The Inn at Cedar Falls, guided instruction and workshop handouts.

Limited to first 20 registered participants.

$89 per person. $20 deposit to register. PayPal to "jim@ohiophoto.org" or check to Picture Ohio, LLC 2581 Trebein Rd. Xenia OH 45385

Call 937-896-6311or email jim@jimcrotty.com for more information. PDF printable gift certificates available for Christmas.

In the Providence of Light and Faith

The beauty of natural light in photography is that it often speaks of what is not seen just as much as the subject being illuminated. What is happening that makes it fall on a subject in the full range of gradation between brightness and shadow? How and what is reflecting the light as it filters through a winter window or bare branches covered in snow?

The photographer is the composer who connects notes beyond merely subject and background but orchestrates the finer instruments that set the subject to the beauty of its true character. In that regard light is like faith. It's spirit-filled. I lose myself to it when it brings into alignment subject, feeling and expression. Whether the subject is arranged or a landscape presented, it calls and I answer.

Winterglow | Hocking Hills Secret is Out

"Winterglow" and the peaceful beauty of the snow-covered landscape at The Inn & Spa At Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills, Ohio. And the secret is getting out about the subtle and spirit-filled beauty of Hocking Hills with a notable mention on the following bucket list of "must-see" locations, worldwide! http://www.buzzfeed.com/adamdavis/destinations-to-add-to-your-bucket-list

The Photographer's Journey | The Deeper Connection

There's an article that popped-up on my web browsing radar this morning (I gave up on TV news long ago) that tells the sad story of Canon Inc. cutting their annual profit forecast due to declining sales in the face of the rise popularity and capabilities of "smartphone" cameras. From the perspective of a professional photographer this would at first appear to be sad news with the assumption that everyone with a camera phone now can do just about everything a pro could do with a DSLR and several lenses. 

True there's some impressive imagery coming from shooters just using an iPhone. The new apps are amazing. Personally I've been having a ball with my iPhone 4S, Snapseed and Instagram . . . but . . . my iPhone won't be replacing my DSLRs with those nice lenses. And it's not a matter of greater technical capabilities of the equipment. It's more of a case of making the most of the tools that are at my disposal. 

The paintbrush and canvas don't define the artist. The pen and computer do not represent the soul of the writer. What is more important is what is achieved with the tools available in representing in visual work how and why the photographer interacts with life and light around him or her and more significantly, if that work touches and moves the viewer - even if just one person - in a way that is affirmation in the positive and heartfelt. 

It's the connection that matters and from my experience it must be a connection that is honest, respectful and reflective of a gracious nature. Can that happen with a pic from an iPhone ? Sure can. Not often, but it does happen. 

Camera manufacturers adapt to the changing market. New, easier to use cameras come out to meet market demand. "Smartphones" get smarter. People shoot away. It's all good. It's all fun and once in a while very creative and inspiring. The one consistent will always be the grace and beauty found in the balance of light and subject and that hard-to-explain reason why we are all pulled toward artistic expression through the visual interpretation of our life experiences.

Sometimes I fight the urge to get a bit perturbed at the fact that the one thing I was (and hopefully still am) good at - photography - has now become so mass produced, mass marketed and mass consumed that I worry that I will be lost in the crowd, insignificant and meaningless. But in spite of all the noise and mass image snapping out there, the sense of accomplishment still remains when I touch and move just one viewer in a positive way. 

It's not about the gear. It's not about the apps. And honestly it's not about me. It's about what I can accomplish by allowing my time, talents and tools to be used as vessels for reaffirming the blessings all around us and encouraging others to do the same. It's about gaining the greater wealth when letting flow and letting go and to connect deeper and higher, in the sacred honesty of love, light and life.

The nice equipment and accolades are temporary. The connection is forever.

A Beautiful Mess | Leaving The Leaves Where They Fall

A Beautiful Mess. Of leaving the leaves where they fall and letting go of expectations.

So much of the stress we place on ourselves resides in the inheritance of the self-imposed pressure of meeting unrealistic expectations - of not disappointing those who will never be willing to freely release their approval in the first place, no matter how hard we try. Why is it that we so willingly give over the power of approval to those who are reinforced by this negative energy when God has already released us from such binds ? There is a beauty to the simple grace that arrives when we not only learn to let go of our own pride-filled expectations of others but also when we regain the rightful inheritance of peace based on an unconditional and all-powerful love. There is never a need to earn what has already been given. Declare today to stop the cycle of the sinful inheritance, embrace the gift that has already been given and just enjoy the beauty of all the simple graces of each day, including a yard full of fallen leaves!

Best of Summer 2013 | Photography by Jim Crotty

Best of Summer 2013 | Photography by Jim Crotty, a set on Flickr.

Before this past summer slips too far behind us, a look back. It was incredible.

From both personal and photographic standpoints, this past summer - the summer of 2013 - was full of incredible blessings. It began with my move from Texas back home to Ohio where I began the process of reconnecting with the place where I've previously experienced the greatest amount of personal and professional fulfillment and of which I have the strongest emotional and family connections. I will always, always be thankful to have found Raptor Ridge - my eight acre farm in Beavercreek Township - where I have the blessings of beautiful nature all around me, everyday. It's amazing. But there were even more incredible blessings that arrived this summer as well, ones that I did not see coming. To celebrate life in the grace of gratitude. To be able to capture images along the way is just icing on the cake. I am so thankful. Peace.

One Day Workshop Announced for September 28 at Cox Arboretum

Join me as I guide and teach the art and craft of nature photography in one of my favorite locations in Ohio - Cox Arboretum MetroPark, just south of Dayton. Some of the reasons I love teaching at Cox include the beautiful and comfortable theater-style classroom and the variety of outdoor subjects to work with when teaching camera settings, lighting and composition. This will be a great opportunity to finally master the exposure settings on that new DSLR camera or pick-up new tips on working with directional lighting and digital editing. This workshop is open to all levels of skill and experience.

The best part about my workshops is that they are fun ! I am there to teach and help all learn and gain in our shared passion for photography. I encourage open discussion and sharing of tips and information amongst the students. The only photography I do on my own when teaching these programs is when I am demonstrating how I "find" a scene, work with the light and compose the capture. My role is to teach and encourage and honestly I have just as much fun with presenting these workshops as I do when I am actually photographing.

During this workshop I will cover the basics of exposure, the most important settings on the DSLR camera (if you have a point-n-shoot, that's fine too), lenses, lighting, composition and basic digital file editing/workflow. Toward the end of the day I always like to allow for some time for students to share a few images for group/instructor critiques based strictly on positive reinforcement. All of us are constantly learning and growing in photography, whether just starting out or with many years of experience. The most important thing to remember is to shoot and have fun!

This is a full-day workshop starting at 8AM and finishing around 5PM. The $89 fee per person includes instruction, handout materials and box lunch from Panera Bread. I ask for a $20 deposit to register and reserve a seat for the program. The deposit can be paid by check to: Picture Ohio LLC  2581 Trebein Rd. Xenia OH  45385 or via PayPal to "jim@ohiophoto.org."

For those looking for more of an in-depth workshop experience please consider my weekend workshop I will be presenting on October 25-27 2013 at The Inn at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills.

For more information or questions please email jim@jimcrotty.com.

New Price for October Workshop in Hocking Hills Ohio

The price for the weekend workshop at The Inn at Cedar Falls, in Hocking Hills Ohio, is now just $280. This is my most popular workshop. The program will run from noon Friday October 25 to noon Sunday October 27 2013. I will be guiding the group to my favorite locations in Hocking Hills for fall nature and landscape photography, demonstrating camera settings, lens selection, composition techniques and awareness of optimal lighting conditions. The group will be limited to just 20 participants so that all who attend receive personal attention and instruction.

OPEN TO ALL SKILL LEVELS, beginner to advanced. I provide a valuable learning experience to all who attend as well as a learning atmosphere that is fun and inspires rather than intimidates. Just ask anyone who has attended one of my workshops in the past. The only photography I do of my own during my workshops is for when I am demonstrating a technique or tool. I am there for my students. Not to impress, not to capture new material but to teach, guide and encourage in our shared journey of capturing the beauty of nature in the incredible, haunting landscape of the Hocking Hills.

The fee includes expert field and classroom instruction, custom workshop booklet with maps and handouts, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday (the food at The Inn at Cedar Falls is excellent) and a learning experience that will make a positive difference in your photography.

To register call 937-477-9324 or email jim@jimcrotty.com. There is a $50 deposit requirement to reserve a spot for the workshop, payable via PayPal to "jim@ohiophoto.org" or by check to: Picture Ohio LLC  2581 Trebein Rd. Xenia OH 45385. More information about the workshop available @ http://jimcrotty.zenfolio.com/photography-workshops