Early July in Hocking Hills Ohio

By mid-summer conditions in Hocking Hills State Park (Ohio) can be dry with hot, bright sun. Not the best for nature and landscape photography. But a short visit there earlier this week, with my daughter Chloe, proved that you should never eliminate opportunities based on what you think conditions will be based on past visits and experiences. The shooting conditions were ideal. In fact I'd say the conditions were just as good as some of my best days shooting in spring and fall.

The Moment

There are moments in landscape photography where the deeper connection between photographer, light and subject align in a way not to be repeated again - nor should they be - but instead captured with the sole intention of simply honoring the harmony between seen and unseen. The photographer finds his or her rhythm of soul and purpose of art through the expression of feeling set to light. The moment - that balance - is simultaneously internalized and expressed as if it were the very breath of being. It simply is and in that simplicity is the richness of homage and grace.

Storytelling in light. Winter sunset in Zion National Park, Utah.

Seasons of Light | Best of 2014 and Farewell to Raptor Ridge

Presenting my "Best of 2014" slideshow/video, highlighting what I think are my personal favorite nature and landscape images taken throughout the previous year. The images are presented in order, from January through the end of December, showing the progression of the seasons and the change in light. Most of the images represent either Raptor Ridge or Hocking Hills with a bit of New Mexico thrown-in during August.

This particular slideshow carries even more personal meaning due to the fact that soon I will be leaving my home on "Raptor Ridge" in Greene County, Ohio. I've sold the eight acre farmhouse and property recently and will be exploring other opportunities for my photography and photography instruction by staying somewhat flexible and free from the responsibilities of caring for a property of that size, for the time being. 

For a few weeks beginning in mid-March I will be offering field photography instruction in New Mexico, working in conjunction with New Mexico Jeep Tours. I will still maintain Picture Ohio LLC in Dayton. This endeavor is exploratory in nature.

I will always be thankful for my home and photographic experiences on Raptor Ridge. Part of me will always linger on those sunsets and with those sunrises overlooking the Beavercreek Wetlands as well as some wonderful memories shared with my kids. 

Life and photography are ever-changing and I know with me there have been more than the usual amount of changes and moves over the last few years! However one thing will always be constant and that is my passion for photography and my love of sharing my photographic discoveries with others. I am blessed and thankful to have the art of photography to serve as my main channel for expression and connection. 

Best of 2014 | Photography by Jim Crotty from Jim Crotty on Vimeo.

Dayton Photographer Has Work Published In New Book

I am pleased and honored to have several of my nature and landscape images published in the new book release, "South: What it Means to be Here in Heart or in Spirit." The photographs selected were those captured in South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas. "South" also includes the work of several other well known photographers and essays from some of the best known authors and essayists throughout the Southern United States including Pat Conroy.  "South" is published by Lydia Inglett Ltd. Publishing of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.