Photography and Digital Imaging

SHOOT - EDIT - POST - PRINT

Session One: Photo Walk - The Beach at Sunset
Saturday Evening
February 18 2012
5:00PM - 7PM
$45
Burke's Beach Hilton Head Island South Carolina

Join local professional photographer Jim Crotty on a photo excursion at Burke's Beach on Hilton Head Island. Jim will be guiding a small group and providing field instruction on the basics of nature and landscape photography with the DSLR camera. Emphasis will be placed on capturing the beach and sky at sunset and in twilight. There will also be instruction on close-up photography of natural subjects on the dunes and on the beach. A DSLR camera, zoom lens and tripod is highly recommended. Group size limited to eight people. Images captured during the photo walk at Burke's Beach will be utilized in session two for instruction on digital workflow and editing.

Session Two: The Digital Photographer
Thursday Evening
February 23 2012
6PM - 8:30PM
$45
Studio/Gallery @ Village Exchange
32 Palmetto Bay Rd. Hilton Head Island South Carolina

Session two will be presented at the studio location for Photography by Jim Crotty at The Village Exchange shopping center on Hilton Head Island. Here Jim will walk workshop students through his process for image editing and digital workflow using Aperture, Lightroom, Photoshop and Photomatix Pro programs. Images edited and enhanced will be those captured during the Photo Walk from Session One, however, attendance in Session One is not required for participating in Session Two. Workshop students will learn the most important steps for properly editing and managing digital image files for optimal results in printmaking and posting to web.

Attend both sessions for $80

Workshop limited to first eight registrations

Call 843-842-9200 or jim@jimcrotty.com

December 2011 Update: Workshop pics, video, student gallery and participant review @ http://calmphotos.com/?p=4101

October 13, 2011 Update: The Return to the Hills Workshop is now full, however, I do have a waiting list in the event of a last minute cancellation by a current registrant. Please email @ jim@calmphotos.com if you'd like to be added to the wait list.

Return to the Hills Fall Photography Workshop
Photography Workshop by Jim Crotty
October 21-23 2011
The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls

Workshop Description

Rediscover the mystical beauty of autumn in Ohio amongst the scenic hills, hollows and sandstone gorges of Hocking Hills State Park with Professional Photographer Jim Crotty. Jim will be returning to Hocking Hills from his residence and location of his studio/gallery on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where he teaches a regular program of monthly workshops. The eye-catching visual treasures of autumn color, rural landscapes at sunrise and sunset and flowing streams and waterfalls over leaf-covered rock formations will be explored and photographed along trails throughout the Park. With expert guidance, coaching and 30+ years of nature photography experience, Jim enjoys sharing his passion for an area that he calls home of his creative spirit. This weekend-long workshop of learning and developing autumn nature photography skills is open to photographers of all levels of experience.

From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, workshop participants will discuss, learn and apply techniques for optimal results in the photography of fall nature and landscape subjects. Jim has carefully prepared a weekend getaway program of learning and enrichment that is a balance of both classroom and field instruction. Because the workshop is limited to 20 participants, the emphasis is on quality of instruction and individual attention.

The base location of the Return to the Hills Workshop is the beautiful and inspiring facilities of The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls. Classroom instruction during the workshop will be conducted at The Inn's welcoming and comfortable "Gathering Space" conference facility, complete with large LCD screen for easy viewing of digital image editing instruction, wi-fi network and a big, roaring fireplace to welcome photographers as the group returns from the various trips to the fall woodlands throughout the weekend.

Participating photographers should come prepared for a shared learning experience where they will be encouraged to see the autumn landscape and natural subjects from the perspective of the visual artist - the artist who is attuned to the fine nuances of changing light and often overlooked details, crafting photographs that visually communicate the story and spirit of place and season.

Some moderate hiking will be involved as Jim leads the group to his favorite locations within Hocking Hills for photography of fall nature subjects. However, no trails will be taken that are considered too dangerous due to overly slippery conditions. The longest possible hike during the workshop will be no longer than one mile to two miles, round trip. Possible locations to be explored and photographed within the Park include Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Old Man's Cave, Conkle's Hollow and the incredible parade of fall color along the shores of Rose Lake.

Who Should Attend: The Return to the Hills Photography Workshop is open to all photographers of all levels of skill and experience. However, the emphasis of the instruction will be on learning the basics of camera features and settings, exposure, lighting and composition as it applies to those just starting out with 35mm DSLR camera systems. Past participants of Jim Crotty's photography workshops have ranged in age from college students to those who are now retired yet have a strong desire to take their interest in nature photography to the next level. Participating photographers should be able photograph comfortably in outdoor, fall conditions of morning frost and/or rain, and carry their photographic equipment on short hikes over varied terrain.

Workshop Fee and How to Register: The Workshop will be limited to the first 20 participants who register. The fee per person is $195 which includes both field and classroom workshop instruction, workshop booklet with all handouts, buffet style breakfast and lunches on both Saturday and Sunday and class web gallery for image sharing and feedback. There is a one day option for those participants wishing to attend either all day Saturday or all day Sunday. The fee for the one-day option is $135 per person.

To register and reserve a seat in the Return to the Hills Photography Workshop, a $20 deposit is required. This amount does apply to the total fee of either $195 or $135 (one-day option) per person. Deposit payments can be made via PayPal to james@picturesqueohio.com, or by check to Photography by Jim Crotty and mailed to 32 Palmetto Bay Road, #3A, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928.

Balance of fee is due at the beginning of The Return to the Hills Photography Workshop, cash or check. In the case of participant cancellation the deposit is 100% refundable up to October 1, 2011. In the case of the instructor canceling the workshop, due to a lack of minimum registered participants (15) by October 1, 2011, or unforeseen circumstances, all deposits will be refunded within 30 days of cancellation.

Custom gift certificates are available for those wishing to buy this workshop as a gift to family members or friends. Contact jim@jimcrotty.com for more information.

The workshop fee does not include transportation to, from and during the weekend program, accommodations and evening meals. Workshop participants are welcome to stay at accommodations throughout Hocking Hills State Park and in the city of Logan, Ohio. The Inn at Cedar Falls offers several choices in accommodations including rooms, cottages and cabins. Participants considering staying at The Inn are encouraged to make their reservation as soon as possible, and please mention The Return to the Hills Photography Workshop for a possible discount. To reserve accommodations at The Inn at Cedar Falls, please call 1-800-653-2557 or via web www.innatcedarfalls. For help with travel directions and recommendations with other choices in accommodations please call Jim Crotty at 843-842-9200 or jim@jimcrotty.com.

What to Bring: Workshop participants should come prepared for outdoor fall photography in Ohio. Daytime temperatures in mid to late October in Ohio can often be only in the 50's. Also, inclement and rainy weather is often viewed by Jim Crotty as optimal for fall nature and landscape photography.

Minimum camera gear recommended is a 35mm DSLR camera body, one normal range zoom lens (i.e. 35mm to 100mm), tripod, cable release, camera bag or backpack and sufficient SD or Compact Flash memory cards. Laptop computers are not required, however, Sunday afternoon will be devoted to class image sharing and critiques. Students will be asked to prepare and edit their five best images from the weekend workshop to be uploaded to the instructor's laptop computer and projected to the classroom screen for viewing. Students participating in this exercise will be asked to deliver their images in JPEG format and titled with his or her name.

What to Expect: A weekend experience of learning, inspiration and shared passion for the art of nature photography. Jim Crotty's teaching style is always positive, encouraging the artist that is inherent in every photographer. Jim also recognizes and appreciates the fact that students often learn just as much from each other as they do from the instructor. The workshop schedule is organized in such a way as to encourage open discussion and sharing of tips and ideas. Jim Crotty's emphasis during his workshops is on the student learning experience. The only times during the workshops when Jim is actually behind the camera is when he is actively demonstrating a shooting technique for his students are capturing images of the class in action. The vast majority of his time is devoted to helping each student do better and achieve more with both their camera equipment and develop his or her unique creative vision.