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Basic Jones: More Than TV | Outdoorphotographer.com

Pro Nature Photographer Dewitt Jones writes about how photographers can use Apple TV as a great way to display their images, especially if there is a studio or gallery location. I started doing this when Apple TV was first introduced, which I think was about a year and half ago. I run continuous slide presentations, set to music, on a Sony Bravia flat screen HD, connected to the Apple TV unit and managed via iTunes on my MacBook Pro and Apple AirPort Extreme wifi system.

Once visitors to my studio notice the show they don’t want to leave, including unsuspecting sales people who often forget why they first came in.

Compared to prints on the wall, my nature, scenic, wildlife and cityscape images on the Apple TV/Sony Bravia combination literally pop with color and sharpness and jump off the screen. I also customize slide presentations for private and commercial clients, reviewing architectural and portrait shoot proofs.

Dewitt Jones makes a good point in his article indicating that the Apple TV unit was never originally designed for pro photographers, but rather consumer use of video. This is why I love my Macs. My favorite program for creating slide shows posted on YouTube and elsewhere is iMovie - once again a program that was originally designed for display of digital video. The versatility of the Apple system and software is pure nirvana for all of us “creative types,” photographers included.

A Visual Celebration of Spring 2008 in Ohio by Jim Crotty

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 (pictured below). 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.

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.

My apologies to a few of my local competitors, but guess what ?!?  I’m staying in Dayton ! Yeah !

Yup, despite the challenges I’ve faced over the last five years (I started Picture Ohio, llc in April 2003), I have worked hard to build my reputation as a professional photographer here in Ohio. If anything, I think it has become more clear to me recently that I’ve been selling myself short when it comes to my reputation and the quality of my work.

Previously I announced that I was going to relocate to Dallas, Texas. But all those plans have changed.

I will still be moving out of my current retail space at the end of June. At that point I will be relocating my photography business to my home (which I’m currently searching for) somewhere in the Dayton area. From there I will continue to grow and develop my assignment and editorial photography services for publishers and corporate clients, provide on-location portraiture services, sell licensing rights for my stock images and begin marketing and conducting regular scheduled photography workshops, to be held in the field and at different venues throughout Ohio.

Sales of fine art prints of my work with Ohio nature, landscapes, wildlife and cityscapes, as well as other scenic locations throughout the United States, will continue by way of my online storefront, for retail customers, and direct purchase, for commercial art dealers.

Cool. Now I don’t have to change the name of my business to “Picture Texas.”

It’s not the best choice when it comes to a web site name (but I guarantee you, the site is probably at the top of all Google photography searches), the following is great resource of information and inspiration for all photographers, whether pro or amateur:

60 Photography Links You Can’t Live Without at CameraPorn