Ohio Photog

Scenes of the Season Soon To Be

2008-09-06T15:30:00.003-04:00

Looking for some great stock photographs of autumn and Halloween ? Most of the images displayed below are available for limited use, non-exclusive licensing rights, perfect for either print or web publication. Email me or call 1-877-JCrotty for more information on availability and pricing.

Jim Crotty Publishes New Photography Book

2008-09-05T14:40:00.001-04:00

PHOTOGRAPHER JIM CROTTY PUBLISHES
"IN THE EYE OF THE EAGLE"

DAYTON, OH, SEPTEMBER 5, 2008: Photographer Jim Crotty, who owns and manages the Picture Ohio photography studio and business from his home office in Centerville, recently completed his third self-published book, "In the Eye of the Eagle," printed and sold online through Blurb Books. Prior to "Eye" Crotty published "Found Light: A Catalog of Images" and "First Impressions – Commercial and Freelance Photography." All three books can be previewed and purchased at http://ohiophoto.org/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=9193146015082702532/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=1469623318198957848/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=6269425866874038046/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=2764748304273856822/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=3185917160114719130/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=13796655851506657.

This past year Crotty also contributed his fine art nature and landscape photographs to a joint publishing project with local Dayton poet Stephen Emerick, titled "Poems from The Inn at Cedar Falls."

"In the Eye of the Eagle" is a 62-page 10"x8" full-color book that is available in both softcover and hardcover formats, with a retail price of $34.95 (softcover).

"This book is a culmination of a yearlong journey of visual discoveries that includes some of my best work yet with nature and landscape photography," commented Crotty. "The photographs included within the book include incredible natural beauty found right here in Ohio as well as Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Utah and Arizona.

Crotty added "what truly makes these images and book unique is

the fact that nearly all the photographs displayed were created using a new digital imaging technique known as High Dynamic Range, or HDR photography. The original digital capture is not 'altered' nor is anything digitally added. HDR photography is simply a process that combines three or more different exposures of the same scene, each at different settings. The tone of the merged image is then adjusted to bring forth a much greater latitude of color and detail, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights. In effect, my HDR more of what is present in the scene beyond what a single exposure can capture or what the human eye can first detect. The end result is unlike anything ever seen before when it comes to fine art nature prints. I found this technique to be the perfect match for how I like to capture nature within photographs."

On August 19, 2008, Crotty was invited to attend a special reception at St. Rita's Hospital in Lima, Ohio recognizing the grand opening of a new addition to the facility which features artwork centered around a common theme of the healing effect of nature. Crotty has 22 large-format nature and landscape prints included with the installation.

"It has been an incredibly busy and productive summer for me. In addition to all the activity with the nature and landscape part of my business I have also completed a number of commercial and freelance photography assignments."

Additional information about Crotty's nature photography, commercial photography services, lessons, workshops and presentations, as well as samples of his photographic work, can be found on his main web site at http://www.JimCrotty.com and his business blog at http://ohiophoto.org/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=9193146015082702532/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=1469623318198957848/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=6269425866874038046/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=2764748304273856822/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=3185917160114719130/photographynews/photographynews.php?id=4773622968960774904.

Photographs of Dayton

2008-09-03T17:41:00.003-04:00

I’ve taken 37 of my favorite Dayton photographs, including skylines, cityscapes and historic subjects, and put them all in one gallery for your viewing (and hopefully shopping) pleasure. Also included in this selection of original photographs of Dayton are a few of my “PosterPrints,” a montage of several images based on a central theme. A low-res. preview of my most recent Dayton PosterPrint is posted below.

The Dayton online gallery and storefront is hosted by SmugMug. All of the print products ordered securely and safely through the gallery are printed from high resolution digital files that have been carefully adjusted and edited for optimal quality in all print sizes offered, which include:

11″x14″ matte - $19.22
16″x24″ lustre - $83.97
24″x36″ gloss - $125.97
16″x20″ canvas gallery wrap - $314.83

4″x6″ Postcard - $3.98
Mousepad - $15.90
15 oz. Mug - $21.90
Luggage Tag - $15.90

High Res Download for Commercial Rights License - $300.00

Fellow employee or manager retiring or being transferred ? Employee awards or anniversary ? Need some artwork of Dayton scenes in your lobby or conference room that was created by a professional and not a part-time amateur ? This is where you can do all of your shopping.

Food Photography

2008-09-02T12:29:00.002-04:00

Here's some lunch on me. Well, at least for the eyes.

Part of providing commercial photography services is doing food photography. These are fun shoots, but I wouldn't advise doing it on an empty stomach.

These are just a few sample images from a food photo shoot I did last week, for a pizza and sub chain located in Ohio.

Late Summer Light at Sugarcreek

2008-09-01T12:39:00.003-04:00

Summer waning at the tall grass prairie of Sugarcreek MetroPark, Sugarcreek Township, Ohio.

Every Vote Counts

2008-08-29T20:05:00.002-04:00

For the People's Choice Awards in the Blurb "Photography Book Now" competition.

I was too late in finishing my most recent Blurb photography book, "In the Eye of the Eagle," but I was able to enter my first Blurb book, "Found Light: A Catalog of Images."

Vote for my book simply by clicking the orange banner below the image of the cover of the book.

And I promise I won't raise your taxes or increase the national debt. I will keep on creating great photography for you to enjoy.

My Best Nature and Landscape Photographs Now Available for Online Purchase

2008-08-14T16:10:00.004-04:00

Fine Art Nature and Lanscape Prints by Photographer Jim Crotty- powered by SmugMug

Many of the images available for sale as prints within this storefront were taken within the past year, at locations that include the U.P of Michigan, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in Utah, the Antelope Canyons near Page, Arizona and of course, Hocking Hills, Ohio.

But before you say “not more of Hocking Hills” you may want to take a look, because the autumn ‘07 and spring ‘08 images captured there are landscape images in High Dynamic Range. This technique, also known as HDR, is more commonly applied to older building interiors and objects. However, I love using for my favorite landscape locations, especially in very low light. The visual results are pure magic, revealing tones and texture not normally apparent in a single frame image or by the naked eye. With HDR I am not digitally adding visual elements that did not exist in the actual scene. I am merely bringing forth colors, hues and tones that have always been there, yet perhaps unnoticed. Check it out.

What is truly eye-popping is to view these images as 30″ x 40″ (and I can go even larger with special orders) on canvas mounted as a gallery wrap (the print surface “wraps” around an internal frame), giving the print a two-dimensional look that can more than hold its’ own in gaining attention without the weight and expense of the traditional mounting-mat-frame-glass combination.

Jim Crotty Photographs as Canvas Gallery Wraps on display

New Pictures You Can Hear: The Rites of Summer

2008-08-11T22:11:00.000-04:00

Summer Prairie

2008-08-05T11:45:00.004-04:00

The rites of summer on display in the prairie at Sugarcreek MetroPark near Dayton, Ohio.

The Colors of Summer

2008-07-21T15:17:00.002-04:00

Scenes from last week’s Butterfly Festival at Cox Arboretum and MetroPark.

Five Rivers MetroParks of Dayton does a wonderful job of organizing this and many other family-friendly events that celebrate the joy of nature and the natural beauty that’s located all around us here in the Dayton area.

Although the butterfly activity within our local woodlands and prairies is just getting started, the event at Cox was a great opportunity to get excited about the visual treasures associated with late summer and then autumn. This is when the light goes back into proper balance, evenings lengthen and cool and everything falls into place for this Ohio photographer’s favorite time of the year.

And guess who won the first prize given away at the kids dance contest at the Butterfly Festival ? Yup. That would be my little seven-year-old pop star, Chloe !

Another Man's Treasure

2008-07-18T11:06:00.002-04:00

HDR photography of found items at the Ft. Ancient Relic Store near Oregonia, Ohio:

Published Work - Stock and Assignment Photography

2008-07-14T13:49:00.001-04:00

It’s still just as exciting to see my photography published today as it was when I first started Picture Ohio, LLC over five years ago, in April 2003. Whether it be in a book, magazine, newspaper or company brochure, there’s a tremendous feeling of self-satisfaction - as both an artist and a photographer - when I see the end-result of my work.

My most recent work that has been published is posted below, including the cover image of the July/August ‘08 Issue of Over the Back Fence Magazine and the new, full-color brochure for Dan De Vol Custom Home Builder.

Crazy Busy

2008-07-10T12:00:00.003-04:00

It has been a crazy-busy two weeks for me - new home, new office/studio, daughters here with me for the summer, several large print orders and a few assignments as well.

I never realized just how much goes into putting a new household together from scratch. It’s always, always something. And I’m still not finished with the moving-in process.

But it will all be worth it.

The following are my favorite shots from three recent photo shoots, all within the last week. Corporate portraits for Battelle and Battelle, event photography of the President’s Club Brunch at the University of Dayton and home exterior photography for custom home builder Dan De Vol, of his strikingly beautiful Mariner home at the 2008 Homerama.

And I have several more exciting photo assignments in the pipeline, including a garden shoot for Housetrends Magazine, an event shoot for the Miami Conservancy District and more follow-up portraits for Battelle and Battelle.

One Photographer's Creative Vision

2008-06-17T10:40:00.001-04:00

Spring Celebration 2008

2008-06-12T15:14:00.001-04:00

The Native Americans of Ohio

2008-06-10T13:55:00.005-04:00

During many travels throughout rural areas of the Buckeye State I have had the good fortune of visiting several locations that provide glimpses back through history and how the original Ohioans (the pre-European settlers from 10,000 BC through to the 18th century) lived and worked the fertile flood plains of the many river valleys and hunted in the woodlands that at one time covered nearly the entire area now known as Ohio.

Miamisburg Mound, Serpent Mound, Sunwatch Village, the Newark Earthworks, Mound City Group in Chillicothe and Ft. Ancient in Oregonia - these are sites I have walked and photographed and represent just a few of the hundreds of archaeological sites scattered throughout Ohio. Many of these sties were built and occupied first by the Adena cultures, followed by the Hopewell and Ft. Ancients. Their ancestors - the Shawnees - were the last native people to occupy Southern Ohio prior to their populations being decimated by the eventual contact with the European Settlers, beginning in the 1600's.

I have always been intrigued with Native American Culture, particularly here in Ohio. My interest probably started with the stories of human bones discovered in hillsides near where my grandparents once lived along Tait Road in Moraine, not too far from Sunwatch. Construction of a home was delayed while archaeologists were brought in to carefully mark and exhume the sacred remains.

The land of Ohio is not only rich in natural beauty, but infused with human history - a history of a people who learned to live in harmony (or as close to it as possible) with the ebb and flow of nature and the skyward journeys of the sun, stars and Moon. Similar to the ancient Celts of Western Europe, the Adena, Hopewell and Ft. Ancient people worshiped and respected all that the 'Great Creator' provided, recognizing the divine in every animal and plant they came in contact with and the wonder and beauty of the light of the never-ending circle of the seasons.

By no means do I have a background in archaeology. For that I highly recommend Brad Lepper's book, Ohio Archaeology: An Illustrated Chronicle of Ohio's Ancient American Indian Cultures, published by Orange Frazer Press in 2005 (you might also see a few familiar Jim Crotty nature photographs in there as well). What I do claim is my interest and respect for Native American Culture, which is why I was excited to hear about the annual inter-tribal powwow held every June at Ft. Ancient. This year's celebration was held during the weekend of June 7th and 8th. I was there on the 7th to capture a few images of "A Gathering of Four Directions."

The color and movement of the dancers were wonderful to photograph and the atmosphere of the event was great to take in - from the beats of the drums, to the chants and songs within the center of the circle and even the background chorus of cicadas - all combined to re-awaken the spirits of those who danced on this land before.

Historic Home in Lebanon Ohio

2008-06-06T16:48:00.003-04:00

Lebanon, Ohio - a small town located between Dayton and Cincinnati, is known for its historic buildings, restored homes and antique shops. It is everyone’s vision of what small town America is all about. Lebanon’s claim to fame includes the historic Golden Lamb Restaurant and Inn, a favorite stop for U.S. Presidents dating back to Abraham Lincoln, and serving as the stage and backdrop of the late 1970’s movie, Harper Valley PTA.

Most people who grow-up in Dayton have fond memories of Lebanon, primarily because it was the little, scenic town you’d drive through on the way to summer camp at Camp Kern, a evening at a Red’s game in Cincinnati or a day of fun at Kings Island.

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to photograph the formal portraits - both individual and group - of the Lebanon City Council. That was around the holidays, so afterwards I captured some classic, decorated storefronts along Main Street.

Just last week I re-visited Lebanon and photographed the interior of the historic Nixon-Brant House, a restored home that is open to the public which dates back to 1808.

It's Summer and the Livn' is Easy

2008-06-02T15:50:00.004-04:00

The unofficial start of summer - Memorial Day Weekend. Go-cart races, car show and perfect weather at Lincoln Park in Kettering, Ohio. A great opportunity for some fun photography with lots of color and movement. My temporary living quarters is at the Residenz Apartments, right next door to all of these fun events. Another reason why I always have my camera gear at the ready.

Peace and Dogwood Blossoms

2008-05-29T14:56:00.001-04:00