HikeArizona.COM

WOW - We are well on our way to surpassing the prior record for quantity of photos - and - I feel that we are well on our way to surpassing the record for quality of photos. Keeping up with these photos is like drinking from a fire hose. Great job everybody. This is just incredible. I only wish that I had more time to look at all of these photos. Please don't get mad at me for not rating your photos - there is just not enough time in my day. I hope I am not insulting anybody by not having the time to rate your photos. :sorrry:

ps If you look at the stats you'll see what I'm talking about.

hey, im officially out of the running. I soaked the camera in West Fork (the reason no attached photoset) and I hear that is a "right of passage" anyway. So, ya'll have fun with the calendar. I have, though, witnessed some pretty boring photos (of deer, for instance) given high marks by someone and then a great shot - and a dangerous shot as well - of a rattlesnake given very low marks by the same rater. Fear of snakes should by no means be basis for photo quality. (or maybe Im imagining it all?)

jhodlof wrote: In the end, I don't care about critics, raters, or really what people think about my sets at all. I mostly post so friends and family can access the site and see them, or because I'm saying, "this is what I did and this is how it looked". Thats why you'll never see a photo of a wildflower in my set, its about where I've been, not scoring kudos.

I don't think most of us care about the critics and raters but it's nice to see that others find your/our photos nice or interesting or fabulous or have a question or comment about a photo or triplog. We're not always going to get the perfect shot but as you say "this is what I did and how it looked".... sometimes that's going to include great pictures of wildflowers or waterfalls or fauna and sometimes not so great pictures. I believe many of us also post so that we can share our triplog and photos with family and friends too. I don't think most of us care about scoring but when there's a great photo that merits a "kudos", what's wrong with that?

You've been taking some great photosets and it really helps describe your trip with your triplog. We can see and feel where you've been which is the wonder of HikeAZ.... we get to go with you on hikes many of us will never ever be able to take. And surely there is a wildflower, fauna or waterfall here and there that we'd love to see because as you say, "this is what I did and this is how it looked". So shoot on and please continue to share. I am certainly one of those in awe of the hikes you do.

Nothing is wrong with giving kudos, I'm simply stating that its not why I post; I'm not posting to get them.

I will say this though, I have gone into a few photo sets hoping to find some good pics of the hike and what I might see on the trail only to find that out of a set of 8 photos all but 1 or 2 of the pics are up close shots of flowers or a squirrel. I don't rate things low, but when I see those kinds of sets I really want to make all 2's. OK, you saw a flower, or a tree rat add a picture or two of them, but to have entire sets devoted to them is worthless for a site that has photos of the hike. Its personal opinion though and I realize some people love to see squirrels and Indian Paintbrush from 2 feet away.

Haha, jhodlof, I feel the same way as you about the excessive close-up flower photos sometimes, but you have to realize photography is an art form along with a way to document hikes. A close up photo of a flower or interesting mushroom can be very aesthetically pleasing, and although it might not tell you a whole lot about a hike, that's not necessarily the purpose. Most photo sets have enough grand scenic photos to balance out the macro shots, and if not, chances are there is another set for the same hike that will give you all the info you need. With that said, my personal preference is the same as your's. In order for me to truly enjoy a close up shot of something it has to be done really really well, and that's rare (in my opinion). Either way, I love looking at everyone's photography.

There are a few hikes that don't have more than one or two photo sets, and then to have a set devoted to all close-ups, well what ever. Its all just diversion anyway. Lifes really about the hike.

In addition to flora and fauna, Joe used to have a category called landmarks or something that you could tag geographical features. I don't think anyone ever created any landmarks, so he probably got rid of it.