Calm Photos

Recently I’ve had the pleasure of doing a number of photography shoots for Battelle and Battelle, a large CPA firm based here in Dayton, Ohio. This client was in need of a wide range of both formal and informal portraits of their associates and executives, to be used on their company website, in marketing materials and with various press releases.

The challenge was scheduling so many people for the shoot while not interfering with their daily business. A benefit that I provide for commercial clients is that I am able to travel and set-up at the customer’s location. All of my backdrops, lights and other equipment are completely portable. All I need is a big enough space and I can have my portable portrait studio set-up and running in no time.

I’ve since returned to Battelle and Battelle to do follow-up portraits for their executive group. I was given a newly-printed recruiting piece, completely written and designed by Amanda, their own, in-house marketing communications professional. It was a very unique brochure, both well-written and designed, so much so that it looked like something you’d see from a creative agency with a staff of people. What was particularly rewarding for me is to see how well the photographs were put to effective use in this recruiting brochure.

I think this case study is symbolic of the trend toward in-house creative professionals effectively utilizing individual specialists, such as professional photographers. Thank you Battelle and Battelle for providing me with this great opportunity.

Perfect Perspectives Aerial Photography

One of the many benefits of being a small business owner is the opportunity to network with other professionals. Commercial photography is no exception.

Leisa and Wendel Atkins of Perfect Perspectives Aerial Photography provide a unique method for capturing aerial images of property and building projects. They utilize radio controlled helicopters with high-resolution digital cameras, enabling them to photograph properties from lower altitudes and in most cases more attractive angles as compared to aerial photography conducted from conventional aircraft.

And their equipment is a bit more expensive and involved than what you’ll find at the local hobby shop, as is their training and certification.

Leisa stopped by my studio a few weeks ago to show me samples of their work. I was very impressed. When I saw her print of the low-altitude print of Dayton’s 5th Street, I knew right away that they had a unique product and service. Check them out.

eMartShops | Gifts For Every Occasion

eMartCart is my service provider for processing of online print orders, via VISA or Mastercard. Recently the homepage of eMartShops has included a link to my online gallery of photographs for purchase. I think part of the reason why is due to the fact that I’ve recently added more online order options below my nature, landscape, wildlife and cityscape photographs, not only listed on my Best Selling Photographs page, but also both pages in the Main Gallery, Black and White Gallery and Handcolored Gallery - all of which can be accessed at ohiophoto.org or jimcrotty.com.

I also added individual “Alamy” links to some of the photographs displayed within my various galleries. What this means is that Alamy - the stock agency that represents some of my work - will process requests for purchasing limited, non-exclusive licensing for that particular photograph. This is entirely different than ordering a print, however, I thought it to be beneficial to show interested viewers exactly which photographs are available for licensing (such as on a company website, brochure, annual report, yellow page ad, etc.) through Alamy and which ones are still licensed directly through me. In effect what I’m doing is marketing my nature, landscape, wildlife and cityscape photographs through two different channels on the same web page gallery - one for the retail purchase of decorative prints; the other for licensing (aka stock) of images for commercial use.

I enjoy using eMartCart for processing of my online photograph print orders. I’ve never had a problem with security and their service makes it easy to process payments through my PayPal Pro account. I’ve also enjoyed the level of service and support provided by Alamy.

Thank you eMartCart, and thank you Alamy.

Shop here:

Jim Crotty Fine Art Photographs of Ohio nature, landscapes, wildlife and
cityscapes Picture Ohio, LLC Dayton Ohio

Thanksgiving Day 2006, Hocking Hills, Ohio

Don’t go to the mall tomorrow. Instead get thee over to http://www.ohiophoto.org/gallery.htm for some original Christmas gifts: fine art photographic nature and landscape prints, signed and dated by Jim Crotty, in sizes from 11″x17″ to 24″x35.” Order online for free shipping.

3H041 Sunset Ridge by Jim Crotty

Originally uploaded by jimcrotty.com.

The day before Thanksgiving. November brown. The final glory of October’s autumn is now over. The calm blanket of chill white has yet to arrive. It’s one of those times of the year that lies between here and there. Not fall, but not winter.

There is always good light in a November sky. Crystal-clear sunrises and sunsets shine behind branches laid bare, casting the long shadows of the late hours of of life.

I awoke this morning and watched the eastern horizon alight just outside my window. On the ground was the thin layer of last night’s frost. Grey branches filled the ridgeline. The a quick flash of black and white with a dash of red. A Pileated Woodpecker was at work.

I walked to the edge of the pine forest trail that leads to Rose Lake. At first the only sound was the “scratch-scratch” of dead leaves still on the branch, moving with the morning breeze. It reminded me of the skeletal fingers of an old man at twilight, sending his final signal before going to rest. Then came the usual call of a gang of crows, on the prowl for mischief, no matter what time of year or day. Above the pines came the silent shadows of the few remaining vultures. The first big snow would be their final push southward.

The endless cycle of the seasons. Birth, life, fading and then death, and birth again. Now it was time for dark days and long nights to take their turn on nature’s stage.

November brown covers the hills. An early sunset provides a final splash of red against a blue-black sky. Following the setting sun is the whisp of a crescent moon, and it too falls below a thousand bare branches, all reaching into the cold night to come. I depart another November day with collected images as millions of digital pixels on my camera’s disk and a hundred thoughts and hopes that have passed through my mind. Thoughts of what was and what could have been. Of love lost, doors shut and walls built.

But just like that soft glimmer cast by the setting of a bit of moon, and the stillness of life beneath the brown leaves, I hold on to the hope of what still can be for the seasons to come.

In honor of Ohio State University and the big win over Michigan: