SWU Shoots is born

If you go back in time, you will find that I was the founder of NEO Shoots, an organization that existed in NE Ohio to help enthusist photographers gather together for to field shooting excursions and fellowship. In it’s day, that orgainization was a big hit.

I now live in SW Utah, so it is time to revisit this concept.

Without any further babbling, I invite you to visit www.swushoots.com for the main webite. There you will also find a link to our Facebook page where you can join and enter the discussions.

Here is an explanation of our purpose…

SWU Shoots is a group of people that get together at somewhat organized photo shoots in the SW Utah region. Since 2009, we’ve been open to ideas and having more fun going to cool places and shooting photographs (and the breeze) than holding meetings and competitions. This web site is the glue that holds it all together. We’re somewhere between a camera club and a recurring, roaming field workshop. If you are so inclined, we welcome your participation.

Our events are an opportunity for enthusiastic photographers to gather to share insight and techniques while getting an opportunity to spend a morning in a picturesque outdoor venue when the “time is just right”. These “birds of a feather” sessions will not be instructional per se, giving you the freedom to maximize your photo yield. On the other hand, if you need some specific help, you will be amongst folks that will be happy to share their knowledge.

We are not charging any guide or instructional fees for these events. Organizers will be like any other participant. We will be shooting and exploring right along with everyone else. The locations we choose are productive photo venues. We try to optimize the timing of the visits to suit the subject matter.

Due to the lack of any organized general training curriculum, SWU Shoots events are intended for intermediate and advanced photographers.

Many of these events are planned for early mornings. It’s a sacrifice, but the magnificent light is worth the effort. We generally provide map links and venue details on this web site ahead of time (and via email to those that sign up). Members sometimes organize car pools and plan nearby meals through our discussion forum. A little drizzle won’t deter us, but the event will be cancelled (and possibly rescheduled) if there is an obvious downpour. Watch the web site calendar for late breaking details.

We hope this casual approach establishes a group of like-minded individuals that will continue thrive. The goal is great photography and fellowship. If that sounds like your cup of tea, let’s give it a try.

Main Website Updated

I am pleased to announce that my main website www.bobkulonphoto.com, has been updated today.

Changes made:

• (12) new gallery photos
• additions to shows
• revisions to training

No Pain No Gain!

OK, many of you have wondered about the summer heat in St. George. It is here. I am fine with it; actually embracing it. Perhaps I have acclimated sooner than normal. This morning, at roughly 9:30 AM, the temp is 105 and rising, the humidity is is 17% and going down. It actually feels tolerable, if not comfortable. Call me nuts but I am digging it. Given the benefits of locating here; I’ll take the heat any day. No sweat!

Off to the Sierras

I will be away for a few days on a photo expedition to the Sierras. Specifically, Bishop, CA (Alabama Hills, Patriarch Grove) and Lee Vining, CA (Yosemite, Bodie Ghost Town, Convict Lake, June Lake Loop). I will be camping and “roughing it”. I hope to share some new images when I return.

Mailing List resumes – with a Utah! slant

I use email to deliver timely announcements and messages. This is not spam, but individually addressed emails that are designed to be small and concise. They generally announce special offers or events.

Since I have moved to Utah, I am taking this opportunity to revamp my mailing lists in a more organized, targetted manner.

Please take a moment to go to this link: http://www.emailbrain.com/RWCode/subscribe.asp?SiteID=49544 and re-enroll.

You now have the option to join several different mailing groups to limit the nature of the emails you receive to match your desires.

Eventually, I plan to close the old Ohio-based mailing list altogether.

Thanks,

Bob

New Website!

Friends, my new website is up and running. Please visit it and let me know your impression: www.bobkulonphoto.com. While you are there, you will note…

• My current commercial gallery is presented.
• My show listing has been updated. The current count is 7 with more announcements coming shortly.

All the best,
Bob

The main website returns!

Since relocating, I have put redesigning and presenting my professional website on the back burner. I was waiting for fresh images, a bit of inspiration, and a focus for my enterprise. I am now past that and the new website has officially rolled out. A fair amount of it will be grown over coming days and weeks as I have time to add the content, but I think you should visit now to get reacquainted and bookmark it.

http://www.bobkulonphoto.com/index.html

If you have any comments, feel free to share them here.

Take care,
Bob

I have arrived!

After 4 days of slow driving (because I was towing a trailer) I pulled into St. George yesterday morning. As the day matured, I began to realize the scope of opportunity open to me. The weather was magnificent. The skies clear with a few puffy clouds, snow covered peaks everywhere, many more cosmopolitan features than I imagined, culture, endeavour, and a sense of grounding. I will not spend the time to dis where I came from, but the change is gonna do me good.

My email remains bkulon@hotmail.com

My cell phone remains 330-635-7557

If you would like my new address or land line phone, please email me with a request. That is not public.

More to follow.

Drove 2-1/2 days so far

Tonight I am in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. That is about midway between Amarillo and Albuquerque. Tomorrow I plan to drive to about Page, Arizona (near the Antelope Canyons) and spend the evening. The next day I will take the winding road through the Mt. Carmel tunnel and cross Zion via the southern route. This requires daylight and fresh concentration, so I will save it for Monday morning. So far the towing is slow, steady, and expensive. I am averaging about 11 mpg in the winds; keeping the speed at 55-60. The trailer handles well. I am getting used to backing it. It’s big, but completely filled. This will serve me well during show season. Much better than the Chevy Venture van.

I have no pictures to share yet; but the pace slows tomorrow and the scenery improves so maybe I will grab a few.

Fred is having a ball; but he’s not eating much.

Don’t get me started about Oklahoma. People are still rude; roads are despicable, the food sucks everywhere, and they have the nerve to charge $15 to cross the state on the Will Rogers Turnpike. To top it off, Oklahoma is ugly. They actually have a sign on the Turnpike: DON’T BADMOUTH OKLAHOMA. Seriously.

Boku’s Travels and Trevails

By January 30th I will be on the road to my new home in St. George, Utah. The cross-country movers have already departed. The 6 days of moving sales are over. My buddy Craig and his family have helped me muscle the heavy personal items. My buddy Jerry is on the other end to make the move-in easier. Countless of you have communicated well-wishing sentiments. The “money” (AKA ca$h) is already in escrow. I am pumped, excited, confused, cautious, and ache from head to toe.

The only thing missing, in my view, is a dog/buddy. So I invented one, imaginary. Fred, a beautiful, happy 5-month old chocolate Lab and I will make the 2300-mile journey this week. Remember “Smokey and the Bandit”? “Hold on yer ass Fred, we’re pushin on through.”

Fred - my imaginary chocolate Lab

I’ll be towing a trailer, taking the Southern-most route to avoid mountains and weather. My plans are to spread the journey over 4 days with stops in Nashville, Oklahoma City, and Albuquerque. I hope to do some updates to this blog in the evenings. I will be offline for a few days since Time Warner is pulling the service out on 1/28, but I can monitor email on my Blackberry.

See ya, Bob