Calm Photos

It was a great opportunity to be able to show my work and share a few tips at the Orvis Days event, held at the new Orvis Store at the Dayton Mall on Saturday. I’m hoping my daughter Emma walked away feeling just a bit more inspired about her dad’s work.

Even though by the time we returned home Emma was more interested getting outside and playing with her friends (I know her inspiration will come out someday), I was inspired to photograph some of the regular backyard visitors:

Seth’s Blog: iPhone Challenge: Marketing pundits unite

I agree with Seth on this one. The iPhone will be huge, and not just with short-term results.

Welcome to www.limacompanymemorial.org

Anita Miller, who is an accomplished visual artist who lives in Westerville, Ohio, has undertaken a project that will honor the memory and service of the Ohio Marines of Lima Company, 25th Marines, United States Marine Corps Reserve, who died in Iraq during their deployment in 2004. There were 23 Marines in that company who never made it back home, and their story has been the subject of a special that aired last year on A&E. They were one of the hardest hit Marine infantry companies to serve in Iraq since the war first started in 2003, not only with those killed in action but also a large number wounded.I’ve been trying to make an effort to stay away from politics and stick to photography, but Anita’s work with this project is just too special to ignore. She needs all the help and support she can get. Her work represents what one artist can do when he or she applies her talents to honor her neighbors, her community and those who quite simply can not be forgotten.

Every one of those names on the ongoing casualty lists has a face, a family, a hometown. Here in Ohio we hold a special place in our hearts for our Marines of Lima Company. Thank you Anita.

Blurb | Fine Art Nature and Landscape Photography : A unique artistic vision. : Books : Jim Crotty : Arts & Photography : Civil War : Jim Crotty : black and white : Gettysburg : Ohio : art : cityscape : flowers : images : landscape : nature : photographs : photography : prints : seasons : waterfalls

I finally finished it. A comprehensive catalog of my favorite and best-selling images. This is a large format coffee table style book with 72 pages that include over 850 images, each cataloged with an item number and description and grouped according to subject, including autumn landscape, waterfalls, flowers, winter landscape, avian, aviation, wildlife, Civil War battlefields and more.

Although intended primarily for art dealers and buyers (of whom a few select will be receiving complimentary copies), this book is available for retail purchase at blurb.com, for the wonderfully cheap price of $84.95 and would be a great addition to a customer waiting area, corporate lobby or home library. Also, please note that you can preview the first 14 pages in PDF format via the web page link listed in this entry.

Orvis Days - Spring 2007 - Dayton, Ohio Event Schedule

Tomorrow, Saturday April 28th, I will be presenting at the new Orvis Store at the Dayton Mall as part of their “Orvis Days” event which features many other speakers presenting on a variety of outdoor sports and activity topics. My program will emphasize my work in nature, landscape and wildlife photography. My talk begins at 2:00 PM, go about 30 minutes, and then I will be available afterwards to answer questions. I will also be presenting several large format prints showcasing samples of my photography as well as going over the equipment that I use when in the field. My assistant Emma (my oldest daughter) will be there as well, helping me set-up and hopefully, having fun while being inspired.

Hope to see you there.

Chris Humphreys: Essence

I’m not a wedding photographer and I don’t intend on becoming one, at least not in the near future. But through my work I am exposed (no pun intended) to the wedding work of many very talented photographers who are the top players in this field, both locally and nationally. I would say that the work of Chris Humphreys rates right up there with the very best. He also has a great blog where I offers insight and advice that can easily apply to all areas of photography, whether commercial, model, editorial or fine art nature and landscape. Chris also serves as an excellent example of how success can be achieved when the artist stays true to his or her craft and talents and never loses sight of his or her passion.

Perhaps someday I will make the leap and test the waters with weddings, but not today. Those photographers who succeed in this area develop a systematic approach to this type of “unique” client, clearly communicating with the customer and establishing some clear ground rules regarding pricing, services, image use, approach, style of work, expectations, etc. way before the first frame is shot. It also takes a bit of a tough skin and patience working such a highly charged, emotional event. After a few bad experiences (which inevitably happens with wedding photography) it’s easy to develop a cynical attitude toward the wedding client. But the successful wedding photographer - such as Chris Humphreys - moves past those experiences, learns and still stays true to his or her vision and what it is that he or she can deliver in the way of images and service that can not be found elsewhere.

With nature there are no lies. There is no deceit. No manipulation. No hatred. No greed.

Nature simply is. Nature heals. Nature calms.

With nature there is peace.

And that’s why I go there.