Over the years, David Ritchey has explored a variety of occupations. His initial academic training was in economics. This was followed by a five-year stint as a naval officer during the Vietnam War. After his discharge, he entered the business world, but soon decided his inclinations were more of the artistic sort, and he took up Fine Arts Photography. Becoming fascinated by the psychology/neurology of creativity, he returned to school to train as a psychotherapist. After 15 years of clinical practice, he wrote a book, The H.I.S.S. of the A.S.P., about people who are highly sensitive.

That done, in the early 2000s, he returned to what he considers his "true vocational calling" – Fine Arts Photography.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he received more than sixty awards for photographic excellence, including winning the prestigious "Expo III" national juried exhibition. He was represented by Mussavi Arts Center of New York City, Galerie Triangle of Washington, DC, Art Masters of Princeton, NJ, and Lasting Impressions Gallery of Bucks County, PA.

His photographs have been described as "definite yet yielding, detailed yet ethereal, subjective, emotional and profound". In his own words: "My energy is directed toward capturing the emotional impact of what I see. I'm looking for the 'soul' of my subject, whether it is animate or inanimate. What is important to me is the quintessential being, not the tangible reality, of whatever it is that I happen to be photographing."

After a number of years in New England, in 2007 David returned to live in Bucks County, PA, where, he says, there is sufficient subject matter to keep him clicking for many years to come. He is especially enthusiastic about having the opportunity to again explore his photographic roots.

  SELECTED NEWS ARTICLES

2/28/09 (Bucks County Herald): "An Artist Returns"  Fine arts photographer David Ritchey has brought his meticulously tuned, creative eccentricities back to Bucks County after having been out of the area for two decades.

8/12/04 (Provincetown Banner): "Ritchey shares his photographic take on altered reality"  Fine arts photographer David Ritchey has pursued more careers into his middle age than many people get the chance to explore over an entire lifetime.

11/7/83 (The Trenton Times): "David Ritchey - a photographer who 'goes for the gut'"   David Ritchey was raised to follow another destiny.  Success and money were expected of him, preferably achieved through a career in the world of banking and business.

11/2/83 (Time Off): "Ritchey clicks with photography career"  David Ritchey did something many secretly dream of.  After going down the straight and narrow business path, he gave it all up to become an artist — a fine arts photographer.

12/12/82 (New Hope Gazette): "Ritchey's photos show 'nature at its finest'"  Photography as a fine art is a continuing controversy in many circles.  A careful study of the work of David Ritchey, fine arts photographer, certainly quiets many of those questions.

BOOKS BY DAVID RITCHEY

David is currently retired and spends most of his time writing about a variety of subjects that have historically fascinated him.  His books are listed below and can be purchased from Headline Books or your favorite bookseller.

The H.I.S.S. of the A.S.P. (www.hissofasp.com) — This book is an exploration into the neurology and psychology of people who are anomalously (unusually) sensitive.  Their sensitivities manifest in multiple realms — physiological, cognitive, emotional, altered states of consciousness, and transpersonal (metaphysical) experiences.  Published in 2003, 7” x 11”, hardcover, 400 pages, price $19.95.

The Magic of Digital Fine Art Photography — This is a collection of 90 of David’s favorite photographs that he has created.  Published in 2010, 14” x 11”, hardcover, 112 pages, price $49.95.

26 Card Tricks — This is a book about performing magic tricks with playing cards, and, while written specifically for the intermediate level magician, can be mastered by just about anybody.  Published in 2011, 5.5” x 8.5”, paperback, 96 pages, price $12.95.

Something About SCRABBLE — This book presents a minimalist approach to excelling at the game of SCRABBLE.  By studying it, the average living room player should be able to add 50 – 100 points to her/his average game score.  Published in 2011, 5.5” x 8.5”, paperback, 112 pages, price $12.95.

Other books that David is now working on include:

Why We Are Fascinated by Dogs — An inquiry into the consciousness, intelligence, temperament, and extraordinary abilities of canines.  Publication is planned for winter, 2012.

A Sense of Betrayal — David’s recollections of, and reflections on, his military service in Vietnam.  Publication is planned for summer, 2012.

Understanding the Anomalously Sensitive Person — This book is a rewrite of The H.I.S.S. of the A.S.P. that has been specifically tailored for the layperson.  Publication is planned for winter, 2013.