http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grant-Collier-Photography/62802351775 Lakewood nature photographer Grant Collier is in a heated race with Estes Park nature photographer Erik Stensland to become the first Colorado photographer to reach 1,000 fans on Facebook. I recently joined Facebook, says Collier, and found that Erik Stensland had more fans than any other Colorado nature photographer. I was, of course, determined to change that. So Collier challenged Stensland to a race to 1,000 fans. Grant has promised to donate $100 to the Nature Conservancy of Colorado if he beats Erik to 1,000 fans and $1,000 if he beats Erik to 10,000 fans. Erik responded by promising a like donation to Global Business Assist should he prevail. This race is all in good fun, says Erik, but were happy that it will also help a good cause. Both Grant and Erik say that the web evens the playing field with Colorados most famous nature photographer, John Fielder. Although Fielder has long dominated mainstream media, he trails both Collier and Stensland in web site traffic, according to statistics compiled by Alexa.com. The web has changed the game for Colorado photographers, says Collier. With the loss of the Rocky Mountain News and the decline in coverage of local artists by the mainstream media, a solid web presence is vital for photographers today. Grant Collier is the author of six Colorado photography books and he produces a yearly Colorado wall calendar. Erik Stensland owns a gallery in Estes Park and he is the author of the book Images of Rocky Mountain National Park. Grants Facebook page can be seen at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grant-Collier-Photography/62802351775
