Calm Photos

First, a disclaimer regarding the photos in this post. These shots were taken with my iPhone, so please keep that fact in mind when viewing the images.

I took these images a couple of days ago during a meeting I had with a local art dealer here in Dayton and one of the staff members of the administration of Miami Valley Hospital. The location was the lobby entrance to the emergency room at the Hospital’s main location, between Main and Brown Streets in downtown Dayton.

Here was another installment of a number of my nature and landscape photographs, most in the 30″x40″ print size. This installment went into place about a year ago, but this was the first time I actually had an opportunity to go view it. These iPhone pics do not do it justice. The framed prints look fantastic.

The visit a couple of days ago was also my first time back through the emergency room entrance to Miami Valley Hospital since that cold, dark day in mid-December, 1994. I won’t go into detail about that day. Besides, I’ve written enough about that experience already.

I will just use a few words to describe that bleak, gray day: rock-bottom, despair, darkness, humiliation.

Get the picture ?

How uplifting it is to return and view my artwork lining the walls of a place that witnessed such a dark time in my life. To see my artistic vision of beauty and spiritual renewal found in the gifts of nature, rediscovered after years of absence, now playing a role in helping others find calmness and hope during times of pain and darkness is so much more rewarding than making a sale or gaining artistic exposure or chalking up another credit listing.

I love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I am truly blessed, and I am grateful.

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.

Last night I had the pleasure and honor of attending a special reception recognizing the “healing arts” at the new addition to St. Riga’s Hospital in Lima, Ohio. I can’t stress enough what a thrill it was to see 22 of my prints displayed in such an impressive facility, as well as to serve such an important visiual purpose. Not only that, but all the other art and photography displayed was some of the most impressive nature-based artwork that I have seen in one location. What St. Rita’s has going on with their “healing arts” rivals most local gallery displays that I have seen in Dayton. At times it was hard to believe that I was in an actual hospital, which is exactly the idea.

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.

A new gallery of fine art photographs has been added to my storefront at ImageKind.com. Titled “Hallowed Ground” this gallery of photographic images represents my work at capturing the haunted light of consecrated land where so many fought and fell in a conflict that perhaps had more to do with our identity as a country than any other event throughout American history. The first images added to this gallery include April in Gettysburg and May in Appomattax. More will be added as I continue to prepare and upload select digital files, including autumn in Gettysburg and spring at Antietam, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Brandy Station and New Market. Through the ImageKind storefront visitors have the option of purchasing the highest quality prints possible of all these photographs, with a wide selection of sizes, papers, mats and frames. ImageKind also recently added the option of purchasing greeting cards.

Since July 2006 I have been using ImageKind.com as my primary resource for managing online sales of fine art prints of my original nature, landscape, wildlife and cityscape photographs.

Before ImageKind I tried to manage order fulfillment by myself here in my studio. The following are the steps that took place:
1) A visitor to my main web site would see an image that he or she wanted to purchase a print of
2) They would select and purchase using my previous service for online credit card orders via buttons and size choices listed below the image
3) I’d receive a notification from my online credit card processor that a purchase had been made as well as the image #, print size selected and shipping address
4) I would fire-up my Epson 7600 large format printer, making sure I had the correct 24″ roll paper loaded and plenty of available Epson Ultrachrome ink cartridges
5) A typical 16″x24″ print, at high resolution and at the top of the line print settings, would usually take about an hour to run
6) I’d manually prepare the print for shipping, rolling and packing it in a shipping tube and then placing that package within a FedEx triangular shipping container
7) I’d go to my online FedEx account and que for a package pick-up
The print would be shipped to the customer along with their receipt as well as some of my promo material

Now here is a lesson in basic economics. Look at all the steps above. Each one has a price tag. Either in the way of my time, material, and/or fees. There was no way I could price my prints high enough to 1) recoup my costs, and 2) allow for a profit margin. Also, the customer has very limited options. They get the print, and that’s it. No mounting, mat or framing. No choices in paper and maybe three size selections.

The process wasn’t much less expensive for me when it came to local walk-in and phone customers. In fact sometimes it would be even more of an expensive proposition when I would hear those dreaded words “can you get it framed for me.” Uuuugggghhhhh !

Now enter ImageKind.com.

For a minimal annual fee, as well as a very low cost per image sold, I have unlimited memory capacity for uploading my high-res JPEG files of the images that I would like to offer for sale as fine art prints, ability to set and mange my own margins, opportunity to create and manage as many separate online galleries as I like, create custom HTML code for each image and gallery and leave the entire credit card processing and order fulfillment process in the hands of the capable staff at ImageKind. Not only that, but customers have a HUGE online selection of custom papers, mats, mounting and frames that can be applied to each and every one of my photographs posted for sale on my ImageKind storefront. In fact any online customer can preview exactly how their selected print will look with their mat and frame choices.

And here’s the best part. I love the print quality and care in shipping that ImageKind provides. In fact it is just as good (if not better) than what I was achieving with my Epson 7600 (which by the way, is for sale as part of my moving/liquidation sale prior to my upcoming move to Texas).

The following is a recent YouTube posting of a Seattle (where ImageKind is based) newscast featuring the president of ImageKind showing just how easy it can be to select and purchase artwork online. Watch it all the way through because at the end Kevin announces a special promo code for free shipping.

Big changes are in the works ! After five years of managing my photography business and retail studio location here in Dayton, Ohio, with lots of painful lessons learned, I’m finally moving onward. The Jim Crotty family is moving to Texas !

I will be continuing my photography business there, but without the expense and burden of a retail studio location. I will be doing more in the way of freelance, commercial work as well as returning to teaching part-time at the community college level.

When I began Picture Ohio, LLC I emphasized my work with nature and landscape photography, only to realize later that the true potential of the business was by shooting location and assignment work for businesses and other organizations.

This is why I have so many framed prints still sitting in my studio. I made the unfortunate mistake of investing quite a bit of resources in custom framing during my first two years of being in business. Anyone who knows anything about artwork knows just how expensive framing can be.

I have 24″x30″ prints, custom framed with black wood and double white mats, of Dayton and Ohio scenics, nature and landscapes. I also have several 16″x24″s and 8″x12″s. These framed prints have been on display in several area restaurants.

The problem is I can’t take them with me to Texas, so . . . .

My loss is your gain. On framed prints that are normally listed for $250.00 I am offering for sale at $50.00 each. 16″x24″ at $25.00. 8″x12″ at $15.00.

     

I also have many, many mounted and unmounted prints sitting in my print bins. Some the mounted prints are as large as 40″x60.” Lots of unmounted prints in the 5″x7″ to 16″x24″ range. All of these I’m offering for sale from as low as $5.00 (5″x7″s and 8″x10″s) to $50.00 for the largest mounted prints.

All these prints, and more, need to be sold. EXTREMELY low prices. Sidney my dog is not for sale, despite urgings from the wife. He’s coming to Texas too.

This is a “cash and carry” sale only. Pricing applies to just those prints, both framed and unframed, that are currently in stock at my studio in Centerville at 6372 Far Hills Ave., just a few doors down from Elsa’s.

No refunds or returns. All sales are final. No special orders. I accept cash, check, VISA or Mastercard. Ohio retail sales tax applies.

Panorama Photography by Jim Crotty

The link above will take you to my recently updated page on my static web site that features my digital panoramic landscape photographs. Before the page included a thumbnail gallery, but that just did not have the visual impact showing the uniqueness of these images. Take a look and let me know what you think. All of these panorama landscape photographs are available as fine art prints in sizes up to 24″ x 80.” Because of the unique dimensions, each is printed in my studio on an Epson 7600 using archival quality ink and Epson Enhanced Matte Fine Art Paper.

They are very impressive prints and are perfect choices for rooms and spaces with longer walls.

Once you’ve been there, you will always yearn to return. The Colorado Plateau - from Southern Utah to the four corners and back down along Northern Arizona. The mesmerizing light and the hand of nature reveal form, color and texture eons in the making.

The subtle beauty of the hills, hollows and woodlands of Southern Ohio will always be home and the point of origin of my creative vision, but the land of the Navajo, the Anasazi, the Raven and the Eagle keep calling me back.

(and the message of the Eagle continues)

Want to learn how to take photographs like these ? I’m now offering photography workshops and lessons.

Fine art prints up to 44″x54″ available for sale at: