Spring in Ohio | Renew a Right Spirit

It would be an understatement to say I am thankful for the arrival of spring in Ohio. This past winter was just brutal. Sure, there were days of beautiful snow and wonderful winter window light, but you never fully realize just how hard winter in Ohio can be until you experience it from the vantage point of a 115 year old farmhouse on eight acres of farmland, one which isn't connected to all those great utilities we tend to take for granted. Don't ever allow someone to convince you that propane is an inexpensive way to heat a house during winter!

But spring has sprung and perhaps the best month for nature photography in Ohio is upon us - beautiful May. April was pretty awesome too. I posted this note on my photography Facebook page providing a recap of my experiences during the 2014 Shoot the Hills weekend event in Hocking Hills, Ohio.

More than just an event, Shoot the Hills has become a celebration of spring of sorts, where photographers of all skill levels come together to shake-off the last of the winter blahs and relish in the beauty that is spring in our beloved Hocking Hills State Park.

This had me thinking too. Isn't the act and art of capturing a photograph just that, a "celebration?" The image that moves both photographer and viewer becoming the visual proof of emotion expressed in appreciation of a moment that will never be repeated again, with that unique harmony and flow of light, subject and setting with the universal need to express beyond what words are capable of describing. The photographer. The subject. The viewer. Expressing, connecting and celebrating.

Spring is much more than a change in the weather. It is a rebirth of creative energy and the lifting of the hopeful spirit. It's a time to get up, get going and start anew again. Our energy reflects the energy of change that takes place around us, and for me at least photography is representative of that connection between creative spirit and environment.

I'm grateful for spring. All is new again within the elegant mystery of the divine constant.

Prints Recognized with Awards at PPO Conference

I'm honored and thankful to have all six of my print entries juried and scored high enough to be shown in the print display at last weekend's annual conference of the Professional Photographers of Ohio, held in Lewis Center, just north of Columbus. Five of the entries were additionally recognized with awards including Award of Achievement and Honorable Mentions.

Four of the images were captured in and around my home and farm in Beavercreek Township, Ohio. Another was a favorite from my time living on Hilton Head Island, SC and one image was captured this past February in Hocking Hills, Ohio.

The juried competition at the PPO conference is particularly strict in scoring methods. All judges are accomplished professional photographers. There is an emphasis on attention to detail as well as artistic merit.

Showing an impressive image on a mobile device or other screen is one thing but producing a true, fine art print is another. I am thankful to the help and support of one of the best pro print labs in the Dayton area, TI Graphics.

Spring Camera Photo Workshop | Dayton Ohio

Celebrate spring with Professional Photographer Jim Crotty as he leads a small group workshop on the art of nature and landscape photography amongst the gardens, fields and woodlands of Cox Arboretum MetroPark near Dayton.

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 spring flowers as well as a portion of the workshop devoted to outdoor portraits. The classroom portion of the workshop - presented in the beautiful and comfortable Meadwestvaco Theater Room - will emphasize digital file management and editing tools as well instructor reviews of student images.

Open to all levels of skill and experience with the DSLR camera. Minimum equipment required. Fee includes box lunch from Panera Bread, guided instruction and workshop handouts. Limited to first 20 people who register.

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

Email jim@jimcrotty.com or call 937-896-6311.

Winterlight Workshop in Hocking Hills Rescheduled for March 1 2014

The new date for the Winterlight Workshop is Saturday, March 1 2014 at The Inn at Cedar Falls. Same price, same schedule. The only difference is that we are more likely to have strong, flowing water to work with when photographing the streams and waterfalls, due to late winter thaw following a very snowy winter. Some of My best images of the falls in Hocking were captured in early March. I've included one of those images with this post.

The other added benefit is that The Inn at Cedar Falls has graciously extended a 20% discount off of accommodations for those workshop attendees wishing to stay at The Inn on the weekend of the March 1 workshop. Please mention that you are attending the program when making reservations.

The fee to attend this workshop is $89 which provides professional, guided instruction, hand-outs and lunch at The Inn. To register please email jim@jimcrotty.com or call 937-896-6311. There is a $20 deposit requirement to register which can be paid via PayPal to "jim@ohiophoto.org" or check to Picture Ohio, LLC  2581 Trebein Rd., Xenia OH  45385.

To make reservations for accommodations at The Inn at Cedar Falls please call 1-800-653-2557 or go online at http://innatcedarfalls.com. Please mention the Winterlight Workshop with Jim Crotty when making reservations.