Friday, November 18, 2016

Regaining Your Soul | When November Calls

The quiet of November. The cold of night slowly releasing to the remaining warmth of the day. Morning mist filling the valleys. Frost-covered leaves and bare branches silhouetting the oranges and purples of early sunsets. There's a calmness to November; an ease of being, a peaceful disposition before the arrival of winter.

November has always been a welcome respite; that quiet and beautiful month of transition. It is an opportunity to return to my photographic roots among the towering Hemlocks of Hocking Hills and along prairie trails in twilight.

There's a soft and slightly melancholy feel to the early nightfalls and horizons set to hues between orange and pink and migrating flocks overhead. I welcome the change and I've learned not to dread the arrival winter for it is in all the seasons and the in-between months when we are reminded that life is in a constant state of change. The soul was never designed to be a stationary object but flows with tides and the waxing and waning of the Moon.

Change is to be embraced. It's good. It's necessary. It's how we grow. What remains consistent is the energy of love and grace that stays with all the winds of change. Let us all be fully and completely present in all that change brings along our paths.










Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Night Sky Workshop in Hocking Hills Ohio | November 4-5 2016

There's now a "workshop only" option for the Night Sky Photography Workshop set for November 4-5 2016 at The Inn at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills Ohio. $50 for Friday evening only and $89 for Friday evening and Saturday morning. The full package that includes meals and two nights accommodations at The Inn starts at $524 for two people. I'm looking forward to returning to the 'Hills and sharing my love for nature photography and the beautiful, dark sky of Hocking Hills. To reserve your spot please call The Inn @ 1-800-65-FALLS.


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Two Ohio Photo Workshops Coming Up Soon

Two great photo workshops coming up. Find Your Creative Zone with the DSLR camera at Cox Arboretum in Dayton on Saturday August 27 and Night Sky Photography at The Inn at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills on November 4-5. More info on how to register at http://jimcrotty.zenfolio.com/photography-workshops


Thursday, June 09, 2016

Find Your Creative Zone | Dayton Photo Workshop Announced for August 27 2016

Find Your Creative Zone | Summer Photography Workshop in Dayton Ohio

Saturday August 27 2016 @ Cox Arboretum MetroPark near Dayton Ohio. Full day workshop. 8AM to 5PM




Cost: $89 per person which includes Panera box lunch and refreshments. Transportation and overnight accommodations are not included. Payment is made the morning of the program, by cash, check or VISA/MC. All that is needed for registration is your email address for pre-workshop notifications. Email jim@jimcrotty.com.


Late summer in the gardens at Cox Arboretum offer a wide variety of nature subjects, from butterflies to sunflowers and tall wildflowers of the Ohio meadow. With this workshop I will be providing my best tips and tools for capturing nature and landscapes images for fine art photography using the DSLR camera, guiding students in the journey toward gaining more creative control with their cameras versus relying on automatic settings. This workshop will be a balance between classroom instruction on digital editing in the MeadWestvaco Theater room and field instruction on the trails and in the gardens of Cox Arboretum. We will be photographing both wide and intimate landscapes as well as natural details discovered within the park.


The Takeaway:

* My top ten tips for best results in landscape photography

* Pro techniques for optimal results with close-up (macro) nature photography

* Move into the creative zone and away from full auto

* The “zen” of fulfilling nature photography

* Learn to “see” the light
* How to “work” a location with proper approach and patience

* Best tools and lenses for pro results

* The benefits of working from creative angles
* Best practices and software for outstanding digital editing

* How to get your images noticed and ultimately sold and published

Plus my workshops are just plain FUN. Learning the art and craft of nature photography does not have to be tedious and stressful. Far from it. It should always be a fun and rewarding experience.

I have been leading and teaching photography workshops in Ohio since 2009. My emphasis is on my students, providing both small group and individual attention and instruction based on what I observe as current skill and knowledge levels and potential for growth in both artistic vision and technical knowledge. What I DON’T DO is photograph for my own portfolio while leading and teaching workshops. The only photography that I engage in during my workshops is when demonstrating technique, camera settings and composition for the students.

Since beginning my photography workshop programs over seven years ago there have been a number of other professional photographers in Ohio who have attempted to imitate my style of instruction and within the locations that I know and photograph so well. But here’s the difference - I know how to communicate, how to teach and how to connect with my workshop groups. Just ask anyone who has attended one of my programs in the past.
Prior to beginning my career as a professional photographer in 2003 I worked in management level positions in human resources, marketing and public relations in several different industries. I’ve also taught at the college level classes in public speaking and journalism. There are many talented professional photographers but few who can successfully connect with, guide and encourage others, particularly those who are just beginning their own creative journeys in the beautiful world of nature and landscape imagery.

I am a Certified Professional Photographer, earning this rarely achieved designation amongst other pro photographers in Ohio through my involvement with the Professional Photographers of America. My work has been recognized with numerous national and state awards as well as published in Outdoor Photographer, Nature’s Best, Smithsonian, USAToday and Professional Photographer magazines. I’ve photographed book covers for internationally published authors and installations of my fine art prints are found in several of the largest hospitals and medical centers in Ohio.


To register please message me through Facebook or email jim@jimcrotty.com. Please provide your name, a preferred return email address and some information about your current skill level and what camera equipment you currently own.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Ethics and Value in Nature Photography

Ethics and Value in Nature Photography

“I wanted to find out from you a few things. What kinds of situations have you run across that brings this to mind? Have you conducted photography lessons and made sure the students are aware of possible ethics? What are your thoughts?”

Well once I get started on such a great subject I can’t just simply provide a couple of brief example and answers. This is one topic which I feel the urge to elaborate. One, because it’s so timely, and two, because photography has been my passion for quite some time now, long enough to notice and experience trends, developments and impact the medium has had on society.

Ethical conduct in nature photography should be a priority. I’d venture to say so much so that one should establish personal, ethical guidelines long before advancing to the latest and greatest DSLR camera, those big lenses and all those ninja-like software editing techniques. Ethical conduct in any art medium and line of work first must have a foundation of kindness, fairness and respect for the sanctity of subject and environment. Yes, that’s something that’s honed upon and learned over years of experience but there’s the simple fact that part of such a foundation is rooted in personality and upbringing.

The vast majority of people are decent human beings who make an occasional mistake of bad judgment, true, but there is that small minority who will go after what they want no matter what the possibility of negative impact it will have upon others, other life we share this planet with and the environment. They’re capable of justifying anything and everything they do. Nothing I can write and share will encourage a change in their behavior.

This response and article is not for them or about them. My thoughts are directed toward the large majority who already have a sound moral compass and just need a few reminders of what not to do when in the field, involved and pursuing that wonderfully rewarding medium of expression known as nature and landscape photography.

The allure of capturing that one image that garners the most “likes,” lead to that book cover and result in that 1st place award at the camera club can be intoxicating, can’t it? It always has been but what has truly amped-up the enticement of this kind of competitive notoriety is the explosive growth and impact of online social media. It’s caused nearly all photographers to drift into the realm of the quick fix of online fame. It’s worth mentioning here because I think it does have a great deal to do with the importance of ethical conduct in this particular artistic medium. It’s served as “added fuel,” so to say, to forces at work that can push good, decent people over that borderline and away from what is right toward not-so-good behavior. Our collective ethical conduct has been watered-down by the gods of the internet and everyone aiming to be that rock star photographer.

By my very nature and the nature of my work I am an observer; a student of cause and effect within the environment. With my work it has to do with light, subject and setting. I tend to apply this same studious approach toward people. I look for the root cause. I believe strongly that the insta-fame of social media is what is driving a lot of questionable behavior of nature photographers these days. Herein lies the source of my examples. And I will add this - I am not been immune to it, that pull and temptation.

The situations that come to mind most often pertain to wildlife subjects but I’ve observed it in landscape photography as well. I’ve seen Black Bear cubs harassed up trees in Great Smoky Mountain National Park and raptors baited with store-bought mice. I’ve seen crowds of photographers fighting and clamoring for the same scenic vantage point. If seen photographers put themselves and others in danger in stopping along roadsides with traffic flying by, inches away (ok I’m kind of guilty of that one). Gardens have been trampled over, subjects posed on active railroad tracks and garbage and domestic animals brought out on trails where both are clearly prohibited. I’ve also seen bird nesting sites destroyed and alligators approached with nothing more than camera phones. In general, just a lot that leaves me walking away and shaking my head.

It would be easy to list simple tips on what not to do when actively engaged in nature and landscape image-making. There are the obvious - don’t unroot plants, don’t harass animals to the point of stress or abandoning territory, don’t trample through protected areas, etc. I think the better way to offer helpful suggestions is simply adapting an “approach of honor and respect,” which must first be grounded in solid, positive self-image, and then applying that approach into what I consider the five key areas of consideration within the medium and pursuit of nature photography - subject, setting/location, audience/viewer, fellow photographers and finally, the resulting photograph.

1) Subject: I briefly touched on this earlier but it is important to go into more detail here. Honoring the subject, with respect and appreciation, is absolutely essential. Whether animal, plant or landscape. The sanctity of the living space and life of the subject should always be maintained and not sacrificed in the name of the “good shot.” Besides when an animal is scared and stressed it will show in the resulting image. Here’s the true value of a good telephoto lens when it comes to wildlife photography, other than the obvious amazing optics. For birds and other wildlife I recommend at least a 300mm telephoto lens. The zoom lenses that come with DSLR cameras offer some telephoto capabilities - usually up to 200 or 250mm - but it really is not enough to fill the frame with your subject while maintaining a safe distance, unless with a very tame animal. Be a brief visitor and not an intruder. Go quietly and gently toward subject. Understand its behavior. Invest the time needed to observe before photographing.

2) Setting/Location: The natural setting could be just down the road at a nearby metro park or somewhere in the vast beauty of a National Park. Regardless here too I recommend slowing down and spending time to be quiet and observant rather than rushing onto a location, shooting away and moving on to the next spot. The rush will show in your images. I always find it more productive to spend time within a particular area, allowing the images to come to you, versus chasing one often photographed scene after another. There is so much more to be explored when being patient with a scene and allowing the light to change and unfold before you. Time and time again I’v witnessed groups of photographers constraining themselves with time and schedule limitations, rushing their image making and then returning with average photographs at best. Respect the process and the location well enough to let it bring the photograph to you. Established trails (and operating hours) are there to protect flora and prevent ground damage. Be careful with tripods because often legs are spread out to where they could possibly harm other plant life.

3) Audience/Viewer: Ansel Adams once said “there are two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” And he was referring to landscape photographs in response to a critic who complained about the absence of human subjects in his images! By way of the photographer approaching his or her subject with honor and respect the image also communicates honor and respect for the viewer. There is a dynamic of visual storytelling taking place that should not be taken for granted or glossed over. That dynamic should be positive-amplifying. If you should have the opportunity to listen to any one of the top pro nature photographers in the industry, such as Art Wolfe, you will leave with strong sense of his appreciation for both his subjects and you, a member of his audience. The best artists know to honor this dynamic - this “conversation” - between artist, subject and audience.

4) Fellow Photographers: Now this gets a bit more nitty gritty because I’ve noticed a disturbing trend over the last 15 or so years with the advent of digital image making and DSLR cameras. Nature and wildlife photographers are poaching the heck out of each other and are becoming entirely too focused (no pun intended :)) on outdoing each other, to the point of feigning online friendship for the sole purpose of gleaning information on locations, techniques, inside tips, etc. Yes, it’s good to be friendly and helpful but when one is continuously “pumped for info” it becomes easy to see the difference between honest connection and community and just being used for information, and then seeing one of your images duplicated. It might just be me but it just brings a negative energy into the medium that takes away from what makes an excellent landscape image so special in the first place. It detracts from the intimacy. Respect the work of your fellow photographers. Respect each other when photographing together or at the same location. Develop your own eye and approach and have enough confidence in your unique way of image making that you don’t feel the need to constantly imitate others. Yes, it’s good to learn and be inspired, but then apply it to your own unique vision.

5) The Photograph - Honor it. Always. Artists always have a tendency toward devaluation and trust me, there are many people who know how to profit from that type of self-devaluation. I know. All too well. The photograph is the culmination of our work and if you’ve been at it as long as I have you have less and less tolerance for those who want to assign value based on their own intentions toward profit down the road. How does this apply to nature and landscape photography and ethical conduct? Easy. Honor and respecting the final image will always increase its value because by doing so you communicate honor and respect for yourself and your subject. People react to that kind of energy. By appropriately valuing that photograph of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in beautiful morning light you are also maintaining respect for that species and its environment. Always carefully manage your copyrights and usage of your images.

Anyone involved in the artistic endeavor of nature and wildlife photograph should understand his or her role as a steward in the protection of the subject, the medium and the relationship between artist and audience. Honoring and respecting the sacredness of stewardship in the art and craft of photography will help ensure the variety and vitality of beautiful and inspiring subjects for generations to come and the amazing stories to be shared long after all the “likes” are done and the awards forgotten.

As we approach and capture the essence of our subjects - with honor and grace - so we accept and respect the honor and grace in each of us. Let no one detract.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Spring Photo Workshop in Hocking Hills Ohio | Saturday May 14 at The Inn at Cedar Falls

I am happy to announce that I will be leading and presenting a one-day nature photography workshop at The Inn at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio. This program will be limited to the first 20 people who register (by emailing me @ jim@jimcrotty.com) and will be a nice balance between classroom instruction on digital editing and field shooting locations to include the beautiful waterfalls and woodlands of what I consider the most scenic location in Ohio. The cost is $89 per person which includes lunch at The Inn. Transportation and accommodations are not included but I am happy to provide some excellent suggestions as to where to stay in the area. Of course The Inn at Cedar Falls is always my first recommendation.

May in Hocking Hills is spectacular and I look forward to leading the group to my favorite locations and providing instruction on composition, lighting, equipment, settings for best results using the DSLR camera and even offering my best tips for nature photography with the iPhone and other camera phones. My workshops are open to all levels of experience. One thing I don't do is my own shooting while teaching my workshops. I am there for my students! For more details please see http://jimcrotty.zenfolio.com/photography-workshops


Monday, February 08, 2016

The Healing Grace of Nature

The reason we seek so much solace in nature is due to our desire for the purity of free will, balance and harmony. True, we can't live without each other and there is no life without love, but we become easily overburdened in our mess and mix of expectations and emotions, especially when the darkness of manipulation sets in. There is no manipulation in nature. It just is. Nature always renews what is right so that we can go on with our best despite constantly tripping over the mess we make of ourselves. It's in the mountains, on the ocean, in the woods, where, when we are quiet enough the healing begins in repairing all the wear and tear of want and ego. Church? Nature is where you will find the most reverent of chapels and the most magnificent of cathedrals. It's not un-holy. It's exactly the opposite.


Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Winter Reveals the Truth

The bare rawness of winter has a way of revealing character, a stripping away to what is perhaps hidden in the grandeur of the other seasons. There is a quiet beauty to it too, like the hush between falling snow and nothing but the whisper of cold night air under winter stars. We need winter where the heart speaks loudest. Not in want of the other seasons but in the truth made known in fortitude, patient endurance and the revealing of what resides on the base layer of our being.


Friday, January 22, 2016

Harmony of the Seasons | The Light on the Landscape of Ohio

The harmony of heart, spirit and soul. There are moments and places where all is joined in the seamless, singular expression of being fully present, aware and receiving. Perhaps not in perfection but yet in the pureness of beauty joined with peace and longing. I marvel in wonder of what is arrayed before my eyes and suddenly all is meant to be.