After much thought and consideration, I decided to discontinue using the name Digital Photography Mastery for my website. Going forward, my blog is simply my name, Wes Gibson – Travel and Wildlife Photographer with the web address of wesgibson.com.
This is actually the third name for my blog. Beginning in 2009, it was originally called Wes Gibson Photo and was designed solely as a way to share photos with family and friends.
At the time, I was a student of the podcast Internet Business Mastery. Listening to that podcast, I decided that I could make some money by going a different direction with my blog. By adding some photography tips, techniques, stories, and product reviews into the blog and linking to some affiliate companies, the money would start rolling in. In theory, at least. But no one out in the world was doing keyword searches for Wes Gibson. I needed to come up with a blog name that was being searched for. Enter the name Digital Photography Mastery.
I was never thrilled with the name. It always sounded conceited and presumptuous to me. To be at peace with the name, I would remind people in my writings that Digital Photography Mastery was a journey and not a destination.
My visions of grandeur as a blogger never did come to fruition. While others I trained with on Internet Business Mastery went on to become A-list bloggers and influencers, earning millions along the way, I picked up pocket change. It’s my own fault. Putting fresh content online consistently over a long time is paramount to ranking well in Google searches and earning some decent money. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not consistent. Writing is a chore for me, and I’d much rather be doing just about anything else.
Having my blog named Digital Photography Mastery has trapped for the past few years. As many of you know, I now travel full-time in an RV seeing and photographing the sights, visiting friends, enjoying life, and trying to avoid cold weather. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about RV life, have made many upgrades to my rig, and caught up with long lost friends. It would be nice to be able to share some of these stories. But, how can I post articles about RV life in a blog called Digital Photography Mastery?
I take my blogging and photographic inspiration from several other photographers. Almost all maintain a blog under their own name. A few have a second website under a different, keyword rich name where they offer books and courses.
One photographer I started following just a few years ago is Jim Nix who maintained the blog Nomadic Pursuits. His website is wildly more popular than my own due to his consistency in putting out good photos, how-to articles, and having a very active YouTube channel. Despite the popularity of his blog, Jim recently made the move to discontinue using the Nomadic Pursuits name and now only uses his name. Well, I figure if Jim can pull that move off, then so can I. Thanks for the unintentional kick in the pants, Jim.
Going forward, my blog will be called Wes Gibson – Travel and Wildlife Photographer. Or more simply, wesgibson.com. Travel and wildlife photography, my two passions, will still be at the center of the stories I share with my readers. Additionally, I will share stories from the road and about RV life.
I still own the names digitalphotographymastery.com and wesgibsonphoto.com. Using either of those will redirect you to my site’s new name, wesgibson.com.
In the future, I have hopes of producing some YouTube videos about my adventures and life as a RV based photographer. Having spent the past 40-some years behind the camera, being on screen is just scary to me. If I can find the inspiration and courage to step outside of my comfort zone, I’m confident that I can make some videos that some of you will find interesting.
Wes since Kentucky is not warm now, don’t expect to see you. When you get closer to home let me know. Would love to visit💜. I ❤️ your blog.
Will do Sarah. I typically spend the summers (May thru August) in Indiana visiting the parents and helping them out. They live about an hour from you. Will let you know when I’m up that way. Would love to visit and catch up with you.
Hi Wes and thanks for the mention, I appreciate it and of course have fun out there taking photos and sharing them here. Congrats on the blog update! Feels good doesn’t it? Best, Jim
Yes, it does feel good Jim. Was as expecting to lose a few subscribers, but so far they are all hanging in there. Hope your Iceland trip went well. Looking forward to reading about it and seeing the photos.
Looking forward to your photo-blogs from the road, Wes.
Glad to hear it. Thanks.
You are still master digital. I still recall my chemical mixing on the Indy when Renfroe taught me chemicals QC and I thought I was the chem master since looking at a negative or slide and tell of correction.
Today I am still learning digital and photoshop
Renfroe? Do you mean PH2 Rondeau? I only remembered Rondeau’s name cause I looked it up in the cruisebook. I remember he was married to a French woman at the time. I wonder what happened to most of the PH1’s and PH2’s from those days. Am friends with Mike Hill on facebook. Talked to Mitch Hubbard several years ago. And of course, we lost Mark Ball in the late 90s. Other than that, I don’t have a clue where the rest are.
As far as still learning digital, it never stops. About the time you start figuring out the software, they upgrade. Even though I have Photoshop, it’s been years since I’ve used that. Use Adobe Lightroom (Photoshop spinoff) and Skylum Luminar and Aurora mostly. I’m listening to podcasts and reading almost daily to keep up with digital photography.
Glad you are doing well, let me know if you are in the area again.
Will do Cyndy. Was hoping to pass through your area this winter on the way to New Mexico. But, looks like I’ll spend most of my time in Florida this year.