Happy 5th Birthday NSN

Happy Birthday NSN!

This month marks the 5-year anniversary of NatureScapes.Net (NSN). And what a five years it has been! We started with a few friends pooling their energies, talents and expertise. We worked nearly nonstop, round-the-clock. We wanted to create a thriving community -- a place where like-minded nature photographers could hang out, learn the ropes, make some connections, and most importantly, show their work.

We wanted NSN to be a resource to others who share our crazy passion for nature photography. We think we -- all of us who come here -- have done it. It has been possible only through your contributions -- comments, questions, informative articles and inspired photos. And by the dedicated daily attention of the moderators who guided their forums and commented on countless images. Across our discussion and image forums, over 750 new posts come in every day. This year we surpassed 125,000 topics posted in the image and discussion forums, and exceeded the mark of 1,350,000 comments on all topics!

The past year has probably seen the biggest set of challenges and growth for NSN in a single year. We upgraded the forum software, and are still working on making the site more cohesive and easier to search and navigate. We also completed a major redesign of the editorial section of the site and created a dynamic and attractive entry point. We have continued to build our editorial content, with over 225 articles published to date. We plan to continue bringing out an array of interesting, fun and thought-provoking articles from new and established authors alike.

While we wish terabytes of storage might be plucked from trees for free, we have yet to find that. Instead, to support the site better, one year ago we moved the store operations from Maryland to a retail center in Louisville, Kentucky, where we expanded our product line and raised customer support to a level that is unmatched. We consider this a great asset.

The images shown on the site continue to celebrate the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and occasionally the challenges to it as well. The NSN forums are rightfully known for the high caliber of nature photography posted here, and the photographers who visit, share and learn are among the most talented anywhere. Each week, our Image of the Week selections highlight just a small sample of excellent work, while every month brings a fantastic photo as our home page cover image. And the management team looks forward to the happy annual challenge of selecting the Images of the Year. Starting with the 2007 IOY awards announced earlier this year, we now showcase a gallery of 18 world class photographers and their photographs.

But after five years, our greatest asset is the community. Each day thousands of NSN members from nearly every corner of the planet share images, stories and information. Amateur and professional photographers trade experiences and advice and solve problems with others from 143 countries around the world. Lifelong friendships have been made. With almost every subject relevant to nature photography allowable for discussion, NSN as an international community remains friendly and welcoming while dealing with topics that range from the entertaining to the controversial. It is all a credit to the community.

So happy fifth birthday, NSN . . . that’s you, we, all of us!

Feel free to share your NSN birthday thoughts in this discussion thread.