Sweet November | Nature Photography at Hunting Island

Even before moving to Hilton Head Island I had already learned about - and visited - Hunting Island State Park, just east of Beaufort. It is one of those rare places along the coastal sea islands that has been kept almost completely in its original, natural state. In other words, a beach full of wonderful, weathered drift wood and a maritime forest environment free of development. Hunting Island is a nature photographer's dream location. Each and every visit yields images that rank in my top personal favorites representing the South Carolina "lowcountry."

Recently I was blessed with another opportunity to visit and photograph on Hunting. In the beautiful light and pleasing temperatures of a November morning I explored both the wider landscape of beach and sky as well as the smaller details and shapes provided by a treasure trove of subject matter found at my feet.

Even though my visit to Hunting was just for a few hours one morning last week the outing resulted in images that I was happy to add to my growing stock library of South Carolina nature photographs.

Welcoming September | The Photographer's Season on Hilton Head

September 10 2012 Sunset Over Broad Creek by Jim Crotty, originally uploaded by jimcrotty.com.

Those who've been following my photography and who've participated in my workshops know that I am all about autumn. And it's much more than just the trees turning nice shades of red and gold (of which there is not much of here in coastal South Carolina). It's about the shadows lengthening, the days and nights returning to a right balance and the graceful light of a southward sun. From the hills and woodlands of my home state of Ohio to the lowland maritime waterways of South Carolina, I find that life is renewed when the high humidity and blah light of summer depart the stage.

In some ways I feel bad for the crowds of summer visitors to Hilton Head Island. They miss out on what I consider to be (at least from an artistic viewpoint) the most beautiful time of year in this area. With cooler, tolerable temperatures the air is cleared making way for almost daily shows of spectacular light at sunrise and sunset. The skyscapes over saltwater marsh and beach are jaw-dropping gorgeous, a living prayer set to dancing light. Out I go with camera, a few lenses, tripod and a welcoming, grateful heart. I think it's because the landscape of the coastal area is all basically without the undulating dynamics of hills or mountains is why I'm so drawn to the sky as my primary subject for landscape photography here on Hilton Head.

I will take fall. This is the time of a feeling spirit and it has been well worth the wait. For me autumn brings not only a return to balance but also a more honest approach toward light and life. Something arrives on the cleansing north wind like an old, trusted friend who embraces the soul. In autumn light peace settles-in and fills the painful void left from the quick departure of summer's illusion. I am home and I am thankful.

A Season To Try A Photographer's Soul | Photography In July

Take me back to June or jump me forward to late August, because July weighs heavy on me. It's a photography/nature lover thing. Light and energy. This is the month when the light goes overbearing across the landscape, usually under a brutal blanket of relentless humidity. The days go out of balance and wear-on. The hot-blooded twin of dreary January. July. What's a photographer to do ?

Endure and get through it by looking for the opportunities. It can be tough. Here on Hilton Head Island July is prime visitor season. It is the season of family portraits on the beach. The best light is much more limited to perhaps an hour before sunset, and during sunset, which can stretch the limited patience and dinner time appetites of the kids. But the best portrait photographers make use of what's available during those sessions by optimizing camera settings, additional light and most important of all, eliciting heartfelt emotion from their subjects (no matter how hungry, hot and/or tired!).

And there are pockets of opportunity for nature and landscape photography as well. I like to watch weather patterns because I've learned that even in during the dog days of summer a good storm front can still result in a dynamic sky with pleasing light, particularly here on the coast when a setting sun breaks through on the backside of a passing storm.

Here some of my tips for photography and where to look for good photo ops during July:

* Shoot early. Shoot late. As in pre-sunrise early and post-sunset late. Unfortunately this time of year there's not much sleep time in between.

* Lenses in air conditioning suddenly exposed to high humidity will immediately have condensation. It's best to acclimate cameras and lenses gradually so you don't have to miss the shot while waiting for the "fog filter" to dissipate.

* Less is more when it comes to gear. Struggling with too much camera equipment while trying to take advantage of moving light is frustrating enough, but added weight in high heat and humidity only makes things worse. Stay cool, travel light. One of my favorite walk-around lenses is a 50mm that weights just a few ounces.

* If your subject is hot and uncomfortable it will show in the image. Get them under a tree and in the shade. Spot meter for skin tones when shooting against bright backgrounds outside of the shade. Go ahead and let the background get blown-out but get in close. Squinting eyes are only photogenic with big game predators, not people. Bright sunlight in July can be so harsh that even with it bouncing off off beaches, parking lots and buildings it is still way too much.

* Summer scenes in woodlands photograph horribly on bright, summer days. Green in direct, summer sun goes almost yellow and the range between shadows and bright spots is too far to effectively manage via camera meter and in exposure. Wait for subdued, more even light.

* Early morning visits to the garden with a good macro lens and little to no wind are always worth the effort. Get in close and fill the frame with color, texture and pattern. Always go with what it is that first catches your eye and then edit, edit, edit.

* Visit the mountains.

* Move to the mountains.

There is a reason for July. It's times like these that help us appreciate spring and fall. For everything there is a season and good light always returns. Patience, a lot of fluids and air conditioning and we will soon be back in those times of the good light.

Spring Nature Photography is Best in the Rain

Bad weather is the nature photographer's best friend, especially during spring. Well maybe not real bad weather, but just enough rain and mist to make landscapes, close-ups and macro subjects saturated with soft light that falls on and off the subject versus the harsh directness and hard shadows resulting from direct sunlight. This was one of the more important lessons I was teaching and demonstrating during the field workshop I presented the weekend of May 11 - 13 2012 in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio.

I traveled back up to my Ohio home - from Hilton Head Island, S.C. - for the opportunity to share my passion for both nature photography and the beauty of Hocking Hills with an enthusiastic group of 19 workshop participants. About half the group had also attended a similar workshop I presented last October, also at The Inn at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills. I am very thankful for their support and once again reaffirming my love of teaching photography.

On Sunday my group was welcomed by a slow, steady rain. With a supply of shower caps (effective and inexpensive way of protecting cameras) we ventured down to Cedar Falls.

On the Monday morning following the workshop I had just a couple of hours to get out on the trail by myself before the long drive back to South Carolina. I was glad I did because Hocking Hills always delivers with a variety of beautiful subjects. It truly is the place where there is an almost seamless connection between subject and photographer.

Hilton Head Photography Workshop | Moonrise at Sunset

This is a field photography workshop, May 5 2012, on Hilton Head Island for small group limited to first eight people who register. I will be leading the group and providing instruction on photographing the moonrise and sunset at high tide at Burke's Beach, including camera settings, composition and best lenses. Cost is $45 per person, payable check or cash the evening of the workshop. In the event of rain I will announce a rescheduled date for the program. To register please call 843-842-9200 or email jim@jimcrotty.com.