Grand Reopening of Sojourns In Nature

G’day Everyone, 

Yesterday evening, January 10, 2010, Rob launched the reincarnation of our website, Sojourns In Nature.  It’s the most comprehensive overhaul of the website since it’s inception over ten years ago.   The front page and the fine art galleries now feature the music of my long-time friend, the noted Celtic musician and composer, William Jackson.  We hope that you’ll take a few moments at the end of your busy day to relax and experience the new Sojourns In Nature web site and we invite you to leave your comments and let us know what you think of our new presentation. 

Especially gratifying for me is the close, albeit virtual, association that the new site provides for Rob, Billy, and myself.  With Billy back in Ireland again, it’s become even more difficult for us to present the collaborative, live version of our multimedia presentation, Sojourns in The Wild.  The website, in a fashion, allows us to continue “performing” together, though I will miss those standing ovations.    All of the music on the new Sojourns website are William’s original compositions and you can order CD’s from Billy by simply clicking on the links to his website provided wherever you see his name on the Sojourns site. 

I’ve said this to Rob and I don’t mind sharing this admission with you that, were it not for my friendship and working relationship with him and his invaluable contribution to Sojourns, I’m not sure that I would still be photographing, at least professionally.  The digital transition, over the last decade, what with the pressure on photographers from editors and stock agencies to stay on top of the most recent technological advances in cameras and having to spend upwards of $5,000.00 nearly every year on a new body with the latest bells and whistles and greater resolution, the expense of computers and imaging software, not to mention the learning curve, in particular for the more computer illiterate among us, the cost of developing and maintaining a sophisiticated website…has caused a number of otherwise outstanding nature photographers to take pause and assess what they can afford to invest in this endeavor, either professionally and certainly as a hobby.   I know several who ultimately decided that it’s not worth it.  Nature photography is not something one gets into for the profit; it’s a passion driven by anything but a love for money.  Without Rob, my cost / benefit analysis would long ago have forced me to get a real job and I am eternally grateful to him for allowing me to continue in such a grand fashion.  

Additionally, Rob has launched his own website: Visions In Nature.  No, he’s not leaving Sojourns but his superb photography and unique style certainly merits a stage of its own.   Rob also recently published an article on the web’s finest nature photography forum, www.NatureScapes.net on his own approach to handheld macro techniques.  You can read the entire article here:  http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/articles/381.  It seems that Rob is entirely on the map as a standout nature photographer.   

As you browse through the new Sojourns website, you’ll notice that we’ve eliminated quite a bit of the old clutter to provide a more streamlined experience for visitors and because we’ve chosen to focus or efforts on some projects and for various reasons…Billy’s moving back to Ireland, for instance…set others aside for the time being.  We’ve done extremely well, especially during the summer art circuits, with our print sales so we’ve given that more of a spotlight.  Enjoy “strolling” through the fine art print galleries and listening to Billy’s enchanting music while you consider a print for your home or office or as a gift. Drop into our store for one of our books.   I was, by the way, very taken by the response, so far, to the announcement of my memoir, Nesting Behavior, and the reviews I’ve recieved from those who have read it.   Here’s just one comment from Kristin Camp about the memoir:

Certainly, the tours and workshop itineries which continue to take us all to some of the most spectacular natural environments on Earth will remain a principal component of Sojourns so long as, well, you know, the light is with us.   We’ll be spending time aboard the Barbara Frost again this summer with Capt. Andy Patterson to photograph seals, puffins, and breathtaking seascapes on the Tom Jordan Memorial Boreal Coast Tour.  It’s not too early to sign up for the 2010 Green Mountain Workshop because that one fills up fast and don’t wait any longer to join us out west on the Arizona Color and Light Tour in early spring of 2010.  I’m happy to report that the Kenya Photo Safari is full, but sad for those of you who didn’t make it on board this time around.  As they say in Kenya, “Hakuna matata”, that is, no worries – we’ll offer it again in a year or two.   I will post the Fall Foliage Magical Mystery Tour and the Moose Tour itineraries shortly but they will take place in late September and early October again as usual.  And finally, consider joining us on what I find to be one of the most productive and exotic tours we have to offer in 2011 and travel with us to Newfoundland! 

The new website makes it easy to stay current with what’s happening at Sojourns.  Simply visit the News page  and read about the latest updates and subscribe to the monthly Sojourns newsletter so you can read our blogs and learn about upcoming exhibits and new tours and to be among the first to see brand new images as we bring them home from the field.   And if you visit the new Contact & Bio page you’ll see that Rob finally convinced me to update my photo there.  I’m really going to miss that older photo of younger me with the cowboy hat and flowing locks.  So what if it was a quarter century old photo! 

Once again, Rob, Billy, and I hope you enjoy the new Sojourn In Nature and that you’ll use the comment option at the end of this blog or drop into our inbox to share your thoughts with us.  Now, have a sip of your beverage, grab another cracker or cookie, and click right through here to the new website:  www.SojournsInNature.com. 

May the light be with you, 

Gustav

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