About Global Sojourns Photography

China Sojourns Photography (作客中国摄影) is a simple project that started where I would post photos from China and around the world.  From a small town in the USA (Pendleton, Oregon) to living in international cities (Hong Kong, Beijing), there were many different paths I have taken with much to do, to see, to contemplate, and, in the end, to experience. The name changed to Global Sojourns Photography when my work took me to the Czech Republic in 2017.

While the focus is on photography, there will also be occasions when the mood strikes that philosophy via photography will be combined.  Often, I believe that while writing & photography are both solitary pursuits, it is the inspiration of others that allows me to create: the sharing of ideas and learning.  A mutual exchange of ideas and inspiration.

As such, the theme for this site will be “us” ~ two souls dancing and learning as we move forward in life.

Us Dancing

The definition of “Us” in this blog can be explained by the Chinese word 缘分 (yuan-fen).

There is no direct translation of 缘分 (yuan-fen) to English.  It is often linked to Buddhism and karma and defined as ‘pre-ordained affinity/fate/destiny,’ where destiny awaits your action when opportunities arise.

This means that while it may be fate two people should meet, whether they stay together is up to yuan-fen and destiny.  Yuan (缘) brings two people together, and Fen (分) is the work necessary to fulfill this destiny.  When you choose to take or forego an opportunity, 缘分 (yuan-fen) has arrived and becomes a part of your life forever depending on your commitment.

In this blog, I hope to expand on the 缘分 (yuan-fen) between us, increasing our value and happiness.

Through contemplation & through the lens of a camera are where many of my ideas of life are created.  The constant search to find a choice moment in time where an idea will transpire via words or a photo to bring inspiration is a daily goal.  I see inspiration every day in the people I know.  Ideas are what keep us dancing.

Email address: dalo2013@me.com

My blog is award free.  So much thanks and a great amount of respect and admiration for those who read & share with me.  It is a great community of inspiration and understanding.

257 responses to “About Global Sojourns Photography”

  1. AinaBalagtas Avatar

    Hi! I just wanted to thank you for your kindness, and for the amazing talents you have been sharing to us. I can’t wait to see your next post. Keep shining!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Aina!

      1. AinaBalagtas Avatar

        The pleasure is mine. Thanks too!

  2. chouchamelle Avatar

    Thanks for stopping by! I’ve just spent a long time looking at your blog…. and photos are stunning!! I can’t wait to see more!

  3. wandererjingting Avatar

    I’m a Singaporean and I enjoy sprinkling some chinese in my blog posts. Glad to see chinese characters in yours too! Great photos by the way! 🙂

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      非常感谢!Chinese characters are so beautiful/meaningful. Singapore is one of my favorite places 🙂

      1. wandererjingting Avatar

        That’s great to hear! Which part of China are you from?

      2. Dalo 2013 Avatar

        I’ve lived in Xi’an, Beijing, Hangzhou and now Hong Kong…four of my favorite cities.

      3. wandererjingting Avatar

        I’ve not been to Xi’an but I’ve visited the other places. Hang Zhou is very beautiful but I love Hong Kong the most (for its shopping of course! – 买东西、吃东西) 🙂

      4. Dalo 2013 Avatar

        吃东西最好!下次到香港跟我联系,一起去吃最好的点心 🙂

  4. Getaway Journal Avatar

    Just spent some time reading through your blog. You are an awesome photographer. All the pictures are breathtaking, especially the ones with long exposure.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you very much, the long exposure shots are to me a perfect way to practice patience and enjoy the scenery & lighting…so very relaxing 🙂 Cheers and wish you a great weekend.

  5. pussyhasfurballs Avatar

    Wait for it, wait for it…

    It’s spammer time!

    I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Award http://pussyhasfurballs.com/2014/06/09/vampires-beware/

    You may refuse and that will definitely be okay.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Ha, ha…thank you for the warning (and award!). Cheers!

  6. Head Out West Avatar
    Head Out West

    Beautiful introduction. My heart is also forever in the Pacific Northwest!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you, once the PNW grabs you it never lets go.

  7. neverclipmywings Avatar

    Wonderful work! Congratulations!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you, enjoy spreading your wings in your adventures!

      1. neverclipmywings Avatar

        Thank you! Keep on the great adventures too!

  8. bluebrightly Avatar

    Thank you for the follow – I’m humbled!

  9. Rajiv Avatar

    Love your blog..

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Rajiv!

  10. Steve Schwartzman Avatar

    Like you, I find photography primarily a solo pursuit. I can spend half an hour in one spot, so I don’t expect other people to wait for me. When I participate in a nature field trip, which has the advantage of being with an expert who identifies things, I always struggle to keep up because of the pictures I take.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Yes, I am really the same way. Cheers!

  11. april4june6 Avatar

    Dear Dalo, I have nominated you for a “very inspiring blogger” award! I hope you are not tired of awards! Please check the link: http://april4june6.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/july-9-very-inspiring-blogger-award-nomination/
    Love,
    April

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you April, wish you a great weekend!

      1. april4june6 Avatar

        You’re welcome, I think the award is justified. Have also a great weekend and week!

  12. Jos Reimering Avatar

    Hi Dalo, I really enjoyed watching your work, I really love it. Hope to see much more in future.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Jos.

  13. Chris P Avatar

    Wow, your photos are beautiful! I’m glad I stumbled across your site. Keep up the great work! 🙂

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Chris!

  14. Noeline Smith Avatar

    Fabulous photographs – and compulsive reading too! I’m struggling for time at the moment but will definitely revisit.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thanks Noeline, you have an incredible site yourself ~ great to be able to see your shots & learn!

  15. Bruce Goodman Avatar
    Bruce Goodman

    So how come I have only discovered your blog?

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Ditto, isn’t is great to be able to discover something when least expecting? Cheers!

  16. Simone Avatar

    Hi Randall, I´ve just discovered your photography and blog when looking for Bagan photos. Congrats for the beauty
    and depth of your posts! Really lovely stuff.
    I´m a freelance writer from Brazil, looking for an image for a book cover — a fiction that I´m self-publishing.
    Wondering if you´re selling your pics somewhere? Please let me know.
    Warm regards,
    Simone

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Simone, if there is a particular photo you enjoy please let me know and it would be great to talk with you about those shots. Cheers!

  17. keeppicturing Avatar

    Hey Randall !!! Thank you for dropping by and following Keep Picturing. Your visit brought me here. Your work is fabulous. The colors and culture you capture is really beautiful. Truly exceptional. Would love to follow your journey. Nice to meet you. Have a good day… 🙂

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you ~ really enjoyed your India/Navaratri series, continue the journey!

  18. benvenutocellini Avatar

    Good morning, my dear.
    I am writing you today as the sad event of René Burri’s death made me think of you and your photos… why? Because he was one of the great postwar photographers, and also a very generous man. Should I say more??

    PS: I would steal your photographs and present them to Magnum… maybe one day, I will.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Hey there my dear! Just returned to HK and learned about René Burri’s death…an amazing artist, and as you said just an amazing man. Let me know how your presentations to Magnum goes, perhaps we can share the spoils 🙂 Cheers to a great weekend ~

  19. Julia Manuel Avatar
    Julia Manuel

    Beautyfull intro. You engage and inspire ☺ Many thanks for visiting my new blog, I’m honoured and grateful. Your photography is magnificent, sublime…and inspiring also. Peace, love & light, jules

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you ~ photography is such a great companion at times and look forward to seeing more of your work.

      1. Julia Manuel Avatar
        Julia Manuel

        Yes it is isn’t it. I hadn’t thought before of it being my companion…you’re right, it totally is ☺ my favorite thing to do. Thank you.

  20. yuji4091 Avatar
    yuji4091

    Dalo, can you speack in.chinese?

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      我会说汉语 ~ 在杭州工作 🙂

      1. yuji4091 Avatar
        yuji4091

        哇塞!你太强了。

      2. yuji4091 Avatar
        yuji4091

        如果您需要什么apps, 我可以 post 给你。

      3. Dalo 2013 Avatar

        非常好!谢谢您。

  21. sloppy buddhist Avatar

    lovely words and image…

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you very much ~

  22. tonyasmithauthor Avatar

    Thanks for stopping by my site and for following. I really enjoy your site. Great photos. Great blog!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Cheers and thank you Tony!

  23. katpegimana Avatar
    katpegimana

    Hi Randall,

    Great blog you have here, very inspiring. And I love your photographs 🙂
    Looking forward to read more of your posts.

    Cheers,
    Kat

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Kat ~ wish you a great holiday season!

  24. Nina María Avatar

    Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! Well deserved, I look forward to your posts : )

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Nina ~ it was fun to experience…wish you well!

  25. Anja Raka´s Dream Avatar

    Sometimes i feel that this is everything that we are looking for. We may mask it with other engagements in our lives but at the end of everything, it is this connection that we so desperately need. But we forget that the connection comes first from ourselves and perhaps that is the only way to achieve yuan-fen.
    Blessed be.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Anja, so true ~ wish you a great holiday season.

  26. Swav Avatar

    I’ve just nominated you for the liebster award 🙂 feel free to accept it or not. Here is the link: http://byswav.com/2014/12/19/the-liebster-award-december-2014-paintings-by-swav/
    Warm regards from sunny and a bit rainy Ireland, Swav

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thanks Swav, and the “sunny and a bit rainy” sounds a lot like Seattle right now…weather that is perfect to enjoy a pint or two ~ Cheers!

      1. Swav Avatar

        Sounds like perfect combination to me too ~ Cheers

  27. seeker Avatar

    Blog may be award free but you have been Freshly Pressed twice back to back. Very proud of your work. Keep on inspiring us.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      🙂 Thank you so much Seeker ~ it was a nice surprise, and thank you much for the kind words. Wish you a great ’15, look forward to more adventures 🙂

  28. MistressoftheInk Avatar

    I love the concept of yuan-fen you described here. Also, thank you for creating a touching feature of Tacloban in your latest post. I am Filipino and appreciate it very much. 🙂

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      The concept of yuan-fen makes meeting new people/situation interesting, more calming. The Filipino culture seems to take that to heart as well, an amazing culture. Cheers!

      1. MistressoftheInk Avatar

        True. And it answered the question I’ve been struggling with, regarding destiny vs. free will. Do you have a Facebook page of your blog or photography?

      2. Dalo 2013 Avatar

        I have FB page that shows my blogs, but not yet for photography…need to do that 🙂 Cheers!

  29. C. E. Robinson Avatar

    Randall, just met your through Eric Tonnigsen’s guest post. Love your photography and that you live in the PNW (Seattle?). I have family in the Seattle area. I found your awesome sunset photo on Eric’s post and would love to showcase it on my Welcome Page Sunset Gallery (world-wide sunsets). It’s one inspirational “choice moment in time.” Of course, full credit to you! I’m working on the gallery this morning and know it may take a while for your yes or no. If you decide no (hope not), I’ll just take it off. Happy New Year! Christine

    Before Sundown Welcome Page

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thanks Christine, yes I spend a part of every year in the PNW (Seattle & Eastern Oregon/Pendleton). Thank you very much for showcasing the photo ~ that would be great. Wish you a great New Year!

      1. C. E. Robinson Avatar

        Thanks Randall. Your sunset is there in it’s glorious showcase! Thanks also for reading and liking some blog posts. I’ll be back to see more of your site! Christine

  30. mariner2mother Avatar

    What a treat to discover your blog through Eric Tonnignsen’s blog. I look forward to looking and reading further. You have definitely inspired me to put more of my photography in my blog, as photography is my first and most enduring passion. Happy New Year!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      There is something about the blend of photography and words ~ look forward to seeing more in the new year!

  31. Barbara Franken Avatar

    So glad we met through Eric’s blog, you are an inspiration and show quite wonderfully how we can live a most sensual life if we choose… Barbara

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Very nice, there is such a good life beyond the frazzle of work/pressures that if you can take the time to acknowledge it, life is there for the taking 🙂

  32. ttwneyou Avatar

    Your pic are awesome.
    Nice to meet you.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you ~

  33. Ashlee Avatar

    Dear Randall,

    My name is Ashlee. I’m co-founder of the Youshare Project, with the mission to connect people around the world through stories. I recently stumbled across your blog and looked at/read through several of your posts. It looks like you’ve been to some amazing places, and your photos are gorgeous. I’d like to invite you to check out our website (www.youshareproject.com) and ask if you would consider sharing a story or photo essay about an “Inspiring Place”? If this sounds interesting to you, I would love to email you directly with more information and formally invite you to share your story with the project.

    You have my email address and website (although please note the site is still under development). I hope to hear from you soon.

    Best,
    Ashlee
    http://www.youshareproject.com
    ashlee@youshareproject.com

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Ashlee. I’m traveling now, but will contact you about this, as it sounds interesting.

      1. Ashlee Avatar

        That sounds great! Thank you 🙂 I look forward to your email. Meantime, I’m wishing you safe and happy travels!

  34. A Very Inspiring Blogger | Indrosphere Avatar

    […] China Sojourns Photography […]

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you very much.

  35. Vergielyn Cubol Avatar
    Vergielyn Cubol

    Beautiful photos!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you very much Vergielyn ~

  36. april4june6 Avatar

    Hello dear friend, I have nominated your blog for the “One Lovely Blog Award”, and in case you want to go through the process, here is the link: https://april4june6.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/january-19-one-lovely-blog-award/
    Lovely work, thank you!
    April

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you so much April ~ wish you a great ’15. Take care!

  37. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    Hello. Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting — I’m glad you did because I’ve really enjoyed reading your thoughts on this About page. I’m looking forward to more of your photos and thoughts. I find your writing very relaxing, at the same time thought provoking. Thank you for sharing this with us. Best wishes from Brisbane, Australia.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you very much Kim ~ I look forward to more posts & photos and then most importantly learning and being inspired at what you (and others) put out there. Cheers!

  38. Darcy Alexander Shillingford Avatar

    Love the philosophy, a combination of fate and the effort required to fulfill that fate. Looking forward to browsing around.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Darcy, it seems life works this way; good things happen if you let things flow instead of pressing forward regardless of nature so to speak. Cheers!

  39. Jane Lurie Avatar

    Hi- Thank you I hope you are inspired. Your blog is beautiful and I look forward to sharing more images in the future.

  40. Day 788: Turning bad into good | The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally Avatar

    […]  discover and read this amazing blog post by esteemed and admired WordPress blogger Randall Collis. […]

  41. Vlad Zaycev Avatar

    Hello! You have very beautiful and interesting blog! I enjoyed it. 🙂

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Vlad ~

  42. 2015chronicles Avatar

    Your photos are spectacular. Thanks for the beautiful blog.
    Shine On

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you very much ~ Cheers

  43. Ashtara Avatar

    Deeply inspiring words….Thank you. Ashtara

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Ashtara ~

  44. Fara Avatar

    Hi! I am currently working on a new website for a non-profit in Pendleton and, if allowed, your photos would be a beautiful asset to their new site design which will help them support Umatilla, Union, Morrow, and Wallowa counties. I am wondering if you might license your photos for something like this? Please email me to discuss in more detail. Thanks!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you Fara, I would be open to licensing my photos for a non-profit in Pendleton and I will send out an email so we can discuss further.

  45. Imagynasium Avatar

    Greetings from Romania Dalo!!! I did not written so now, because you have a successful blog with many followers and more comments, and you do not have the necessary time for talk to everyone. I kidnap shortly time from you now, just to tell, that you have a great blog, which to me is in top 3, and i follow with great pleasure. Oriental philosophy, which you presents, is interesting and exotic to me, as resident in Eastern Europe. You are so, a very good photographer, with premium equipment, and lot of inspiration. My only regret is that you do not posting more. When i found your blog, i did not think any time that you could be interested to my little (unprofessional) photoblog, from other side of Earth. It’s been two months, and still receive “like” from you. This stimulates me to posting more interesting, and more quality pictures. For that, i thank you, and remain a fan of your blog!!!

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Wonderful, and there is so much beauty in Romania ~ thank you for the great comment. It is always something to see nature whether in sunshine or rain, Mother Nature always looks great. Look forward to see more from you & your blog. Cheers.

  46. http://theenglishprofessoratlarge.com Avatar

    Your blog is a magical, mystery tour filled with beauty and wisdom and fantasy. I love each post I read and see. Thank you.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      The Magical Mystery Tour, I quite like that description 🙂 Thank you very much ~

  47. Mary Tang Avatar

    緣 has brought me to your posts; they are wonderful. I was born in Hong Kong and I always visit Tai-O when I return. Thanks for the images but also your words that give meaning to them.

  48. Marc Popelier Avatar

    Hello from Belgium. China Sojourns Photography in one word : great. Stunning photography with breathtaking sights and views. Good reads as well. Thank you for having visited my blog.

    1. Dalo 2013 Avatar

      Thank you very much Marc ~ great thing about the places I’ve traveled, the photos almost take themselves (and the culture so rich that words come pretty easily). I think you’ve experienced the same. Cheers and safe travels ~

  49. teagan geneviene Avatar

    It’s nice to meet you Dalo. Hugs and bonadventure! 🙂

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