Australian Travel Photography and Writing group at RedBubble

By Darren Stones

On Sunday, December 28th, 2008, the Australian Travel Photography and Writing group was approved and launched at RedBubble.

The idea for the group was mine and it's one I'd been contemplating for 12 months before submitting my thorough application to RedBubble. Given my increasing knowledge in this field, I believe I can provide encouragement and inspiration to those who have an interest in this area.

After 11 days of the group being launched, there are 109 RedBubble accounts listed as members of the group. A healthy start I believe to what could prove to be a successful group.

There are literally tens of thousands of Australian travel photographs displayed on RedBubble, so, therein potentially lies an opportunity to market these works both within RedBubble and outside to a larger audience. I have made comments on various works and invited members to the group. The group is open to all RedBubble members.

I initiated the group's first challenge, which is currently underway, and it's titled: It's all about Australia. The challenge requires group members to submit one of their favourite photographs for voting. All RedBubble members will have an opportunity to vote on this challenge when entries close. Currently, 31 images have been submitted to the challenge.

The It's all about Australia challenge also provides an opportunity for writers to participate. The challenge requires writers to write a poem to a specific theme. The theme I chose is designed to inspire writers to highlight the effects of drought in Australia. To date, we've received two entries for the writing challenge. I'll be judging the winner of the writing section of the challenge.

The photography and writing challenges are both sponsored by anonymous sponsors.

The Australian Travel and Writing group at Redbubble is hosted by me, the Australian Photographers Alliance and the dedicated Australian Travel Photography and Writing group account. The three accounts are administered by me.

As time permits, I'll be approaching group members for an interview, and if they agree, I'll be publishing the interviews in my journal at RedBubble. The interviews will be Q & A style due to my work, study and personal commitments. I believe this style of interviewing is suitable to the RedBubble membership, given the way the site is operated and how members use the site. My judgement is based on being a member there since March 2007.

The group has dedicated forums, which I've developed, and accepts suitable photographs, journals and writing.

The Australian Travel Writing and Photography group.