Calm Photos

Fishers Towers by Jim Crotty

Originally uploaded by jimcrotty.com.

Near Moab, Utah, on July 16, 2006.

The temperature at the time I took this shot was 103.

Back in Ohio I try not to step outside when it gets over 90, unless of course it’s for my cycling training (I rode this past Saturday in the Young’s Jersey Dairy Ride and last night on the Little Miami).

It’s this time of year in Ohio that I refer to as the “dead of summer.” Those who aren’t professional nature photographers assume that the worst time of year for outdoor photography would be the middle of winter. After years of experience photographing in all kinds of conditions in all types of climates, I can safely conclude that summer is my least favorite time of year for nature and landscape imagery in the Ohio Valley.

Everything goes flat. The light is entirely too harsh from about 9:00 AM till 8:00 PM. There’s rarely any nice contrast provided by a clear blue sky. Instead everything in the sky just goes a dull shade of white. Yuck! Not to mention the horrible thick, humid air. Double yuck!

When a nature photographer finds him or herself in the dead of summer in Ohio it’s best to go west, go north or go high - or all of the above. Places where the air is cleansed each night and there’s enough geographic changes in the landscape to offset the flat light of a direct sun. I’m also more tolerant of high temperatures when in a dry climate.

When I was out west for four days earlier this month the average daytime temperature was 100. I hiked and photographed in Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction and Fishers Towers, Dead Horse Point and the La Sal loop road near Moab, Utah.

The only time I actually felt a chill and had to actually put on a sweatshirt was when I drove over Imogene Pass (thank God for rental SUV’s) from Ouray to Telluride, Colorado, photographing wildflowers and waterfalls at 13,000 feet above sea level. There was even some snow pack. Dirty snow pack, but snow it was.

During the trip I was able to gather a wealth of new image material, more of which will be displayed on this blog and over on ohiophoto.org. Desert landscapes, canyons, mountains, wildflowers, old mining towns, incredible waterfalls and a little bit of wildlife. I have so much new material that I’m still in the process of editing and preparing these photographs for print production and web publication.

By the time I get through processing all these new images I will start to get ready for my favorite season of outdoor photography in Ohio - autumn! Already I see the signs, and I’m thinking that fall will arrive a couple of weeks early this year. Fields of big sunflowers, crickets and the gradual shortening of daylight.

That last one really caught-up with me last night while riding the bikepath between Morrow and Corwin. It was almost completely dark while I still had about five miles to go to my car. Good thing IPods come with a handy-dandy backlight.

Happiness is repeat business. The ultimate compliment.
A summer tradition here in Dayton, Ohio is the annual Homerama. In just about every other city it’s called the Parade of Homes. Why Dayton still goes by the Homerama term is something of a mystery to me, but regardless, it’s always a well-attended, week-long viewing of the very latest in home designs, landscaping, fixtures, entertainment systems, etc.

Two years ago, at the 2004, I was asked by one of the builders to photograph the interior and exterior of his model home, called the Bungalo. The builder was Dan De Vol and the home was a joy to photograph. Terrific use of open space and natural lighting, tasteful lines and attention to detail, with an emphasis on unbelievable woodwork. I’ve photographed many other homes since then, so I’ve come to appreciate home interiors that are designed and built by a real pro. Dan De Vol is a perfect example.

This past Monday I got a call from Dan to come photograph his newest model home, the Anaheim, currently on display at the 2006 Dayton Homerama. About an hour ago from making this entry I returned from a three-hour photo shoot of the home. As was the case with the 2004 Bungalo, it was a pleasure to photograph.

I was really thrilled when Dan brought-out his laptop to show me his recently re-designed website. On it were many of the photographs I took for him back in July 2004. There’s just something rewarding about seeing the final results of my work being put to good use. Thanks Dan, for the opportunity to photograph these beautiful homes.

Devol Custom Builders - Photo Gallery

Time to digress, again.

I wanted to give the following story a bit more attention because I think it is a dangerous sign of things to come.

There is a lingering legacy in our society. A deep-seated resentment held against those who have chosen to serve in the military (despite the volume of their current lip service) held by the generation that came of age during the 60’s and 70’s.

Marine Corps Times - Young vets joining unemployment lines

Just added to my line of montage posterprints - three new editions. Original photography of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Texas Hill Country and Mayan Mexico, each offered as custom inkjet prints crafted in the studio and gallery of Picture Ohio using Epson professional-quality archival inks and paper. These three new editions are added to the seven montage posterprints previously posted for display and online ordering on the Picture Ohio website.
PosterPrints by Jim Crotty

I love the “Press It” feature provided by Word Press. I like it so much I’m going to use it to promote another great blog entry from David Esrati.

In this post Dave mentions one of the top shortcomings of Dayton - our local media, in particular, the daily newspaper and the three local TV affiliates. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always felt that both broadcast and print media in Dayton produce and write toward the lowest common denominator. In other words, it’s as if they’re all working from the same, old demographic study of their market versus taking a chance and stepping outside the box. Something that is epidemic here in good ol’ Dayton.
ED/PR/NCR/MEDIA- and it was a short bike ride. at Esrati

I first heard about this last Friday, July 14th, while listening to NPR. I was driving out of Colorado National Monument (some great images forthcoming), back toward Grand Junction. The “Long Tail” represents a significant change in how companies and individuals market goods and services, particularly those that relate to the entertainment industry.
The Long Tail on Squidoo

2DV187 Ferns at Eagle Cave by Jim Crotty

Originally uploaded by jimcrotty.com.

A special place. Each of us should have one. A place to retreat, reflect and simply be. A place where you can listen to your spirit and soul, in peace.

I’ve named this area of Hocking Hills - which is about a 1/2 mile downstream from Cedar Falls - Eagle Cave. It’s a bit challenging to get to, which is good. You have to be willing to get your feet wet and do a bit of scrambling over boulders to get to it.

Did you know that the ancient Celts and Druids had an affinity for Aquila Chrysaetos, the Golden Eagle ? I didn’t know this until I picked-up a Celtic effigy of the Golden Eagle at the display tent for the Green Mantle Studio at Hocking House this past June. I enjoyed talking to Artist/Owner Kelly Lawrence, not only about her handmade Celtic effigies, but also about the Druid calendar and birth trees.

With my Eagle came this note:

“Eagle ‘Lolair’
Intelligence, Renewal, Courage
With the Eagle you will be able to plan your life goals with clarity and objectivity. You will find the courage to explore new territory with confidence leaving behind everyday worries. Let the Eagle show you how to plunge in to the heart at just the right moment and be rejuvenated.”

For me those moments often come at Eagle Cave.