 |
1933 Packard Twelve No. 1
16" x 24"
 |
1935 Chrysler Airflow
16" x 24"
 |
1936 Cord 810
16" x 24"
 |
1938 Pontiac 4-Door Touring Sedan
16" x 24"
 |
Cloud Factory No. 2
24" x 16"
 |
Exhausting - 1935 Duesenberg J Torpedo
12" x 36"
 |
Franklin St.- Detroit
20" x 30"
 |
Hurlbut Dawn - The Glory of ̶R̶o̶m̶e̶ Detroit
20" x 30"
 |
Spirit of Detroit No. 2 -
24" x 16"
 |
Super-charged: 1935 Auburn Boat Tail Speedster 851
16" x 24"
 |
Wishbones
16" x 24"
 |
Zug Island Idyll
16" x 24"
Photography has always been a part of James Ritchie's life, but it wasn't until after he retired that he was able to devote himself to serious photographic endeavors. He has since taught himself traditional and digital photography on the fly and progressed from snapshooting to pursuing it as art. During the last decade and a half, Mr. Ritchie's work has become increasingly popular. His award-winning work is enjoyed by an international audience, exhibited regionally and nationally, and is owned by a growing number of corporate, commercial, and private collectors.
"My job as an artist is to help you see what you're looking at."James C. Ritchie
It's about art.
There is no deep spiritual, philosophical, or political message, meaning, or commentary in anything I do. Every scene or subject I shoot has an underlying connection to one - usually several - of my own interests that I'm passionate about. Every shot is intended to capture, convey, and artistically portray the fascination, spirit, and passion I have for that scene or subject.
It's about art.
Art that I find in simple things and places most people encounter every day, but usually never consciously recognize, or take the time to actually "see" and appreciate.
I am not a photojournalist or documentarian. I am an artist who has taught himself to use photographic equipment. Hence, I don't feel bound by tradional "rules and conventions" of the equipment or medium. In fact, I rarely present an image the way it "ought" to be. It isn't about what something is.
It's about art.
Each one of my images is individually assessed and processed, or more accurately, interpreted. Only rarely are any of them ready for display "out of the box." All are processed using digital versions of traditional wet darkroom methods, each according to its own situation. Some subjects and scenes deserve further treatment and interpretation to effectively convey the atmosphere that best suits them.
Using new digital methods and tools, I am able to infuse my passion into the images in ways that would never be possible with traditional processing and presentation. It isn't about equipment, methods, or tools.
It's about art.
When others find a personal connection with my work - even if the subject is completely foreign to them - I know I've succeeded.
That's what art is about.
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CV
Exhibitions
Nicole Longnecker Gallery - 2625 Colquitt St., Houston, Texas
2017 Industrialism in the 21st Century
New York Center For Photographic Art (NYC4PA)
2018 Portals
Paint Creek Center for the Arts - Rochester, Michigan
2018 Biennial Members Exhibition
Grosse Pointe Art Center - Grosse Pointe, Michigan
- 2018 80th Annual Members Exhibition
- 2018 "After the Sun Goes Down" Fine Art Exhibition
- 2017 "Our Rivers, Our Lakes" Exhibition
- 2017 "Cars & Trucks" Exhibition
- 2017 Annual Members Exhibition
- 2016 "Our Rivers, Our Lakes" Exhibition
- 2015 "Fun & Games" Exhibition
- 2015 Signs & Symbols Exhibition
The Community House - Birmingham, Michigan
2016 Our Town Annual All-Media Exhibit
Scarab Club - Detroit
- Annual Photography Exhibitions, 2016, 2014, 2013
Detroit Artists Market
- 2008 - 2017 Juried Group Exhibitions
Lawrence Street Gallery - Ferndale, Michigan
- 2018 Annual Photography Exhibition: Exposures
- 2017 Annual Photography Exhibition: Exposures
- 2016 Annual Photography Exhibition: Exposures
- 2014 Best of the Best - Exhibit of 2013 Winners
- 2013 Annual Photography Exhibition: Exposures (1st Place B/W)
- 2009 - 2012 Annual Photography Exhibition: Exposures
Starring: The Gallery - Northville, Michigan
- Featured Artist, November 2012 and 2014
Books
James C. Ritchie: Photographic Art (Blurb, 2017)
Published in conjunction with "Industrialism in the Twenty-First Century",
Nicole Longnecker Gallery, Houston, Texas
February 25 - April 1, 2017
Photographic Art by James C. Ritchie: Selected Works, Volume 1
(Blurb, 2015)
Publications
The Faygo Book
By Joe Grimm - Wayne State University Press, 2018
ISBN: 9780814345856
5000 Ways You Know You're From Detroit
By Chris Edwards and Elaine Weeks - Walkerville Publishing, 2017
Thirty photos
Friends of Bodie Calendar, 2006, 2007
BODIE: The Mines Are Looking Well
By Michael H. Piatt - North Bay Books, 2003
ISBN 9780972520003
Four photos on the cover and dust jacket
Awards
New York Center For Photographic Art (NYC4PA)
2018 Portals - Juror's Selection, Darin Ching, Juror
Lawrence Street Gallery
1st Place Black & White
2013 - Annual Photography Exhibition
"Silent Player"
Gold Award (First Place), Still Life Single Image
COLOR Magazine - Special Issue No. 7, May 2010
Collections
- PNC Bank, PNC Tower, Pittsburgh, PA
- PNC Bank, Fairlane Plaza, Dearborn, Michigan
- Cooper Standard Automotive, Novi, Michigan
- Commercial installations, and commissions
- Private collections
Memberships
- Houston Center for Photography, Houston, Texas
- Edward Hopper House, Nyack, New York
- Detroit Artists Market (Founded 1932)
- Grosse Pointe Artists Association, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
- Paint Creek Center for the Arts, Rochester, Michigan
Representation
Xanadu Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona
Nicole Longnecker Gallery, 2625 Colquitt Street, Houston, TX 77098
