2012 Dailies
112 May 11/12 Not really a stick, more of a branch, but one of my favorites in the spring, a willow tree catkin (Pussy Willow).
This will be the last post for me in the daily community. Perhaps for awhile or perhaps permanently. I joined this group on September 7, 2009 and have made many Smugmug friends. If I were to visit, I hope I would be welcomed in Houston, the Carolina's, England, Ireland and Russia. If any of you were to visit Alberta, I would go out of my way to try and show you the province. I have spent many hours looking at your photos and seeing the world through your eyes. I seen little Maeve grow from a baby to a young girl and I've shared with you the loss of our pets. Knowing that when I take a shot, I would be sharing it with you all has helped me to become a better photographer. I have learned about pp, composition and special effects from many of you and for this I will be forever grateful.
However, lately this group has become more about the standings of photos. Popular photos in the group are a funny thing. I have seen some spectacular shots in the #1 position and I've seen some really bad shots ranking high due to a photographer's popularity. I've had my share of photos in the top 10 and it really is a special treat to see them there. I don't know why I'm not getting any negative comments from the "Guest". If my photo appears with a higher ranking than your's with less comments, I did not give you a red thumb. I'm not sure if I've been targeted by the red thumbs, as I usually don't have the time to follow my photos and see it's position during the day, but I can assure you, that I am not the "Red Thumber". I may have not made a comment on your photo in the past due to lack of time or perhaps you've already received 6 pages of comments and there's nothing more I could say or maybe I just can't find anything nice to say about it. If that's the case, I just move on. I can honestly say that the only time I have used a red thumb is on one of my own photos. It was not appearing in the dailes, so I thought I would give it a green thumb to see if that helped, but hit the red thumb instead. That was the first and last time I used the thumbs. Any of you who have become my "Smugmug" friends, would surely know I would not be targeting anyone with the thumbs. I don't understand why the rankings of photos appear as they do any more than I understand why on Flickr a photo can appear in the top 50 in Explore and during the following week, the more people comment on it and favorite it, it drops off the Explore list, but that's life on Flickr. Perhaps it's the same on Smugmug, as I no longer see a thumb option on any of the photos.
I'm going to miss this group and I'm sure I'll be going through withdrawal, as posting a daily has become an addiction. It was the first thing I did during the morning with a first cup of coffee. I have always carried a camera with me whenever I leave the house, just in case that perfect daily came along. I have fretted and stressed in the evening when I haven't taken a daily. Perhaps I'll keep doing a daily and concentrate more on my blog. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
I wish you all good luck with your photography, as the dailies on Smugmug is a great place to grow and learn.
Lorna
on May 12, 2012This is an exceptional photo. Sad that you feel you must leave the daily group because of another's negativity.
100987laurajohnson
on May 12, 2012Awww, I'll miss you! :-( I wish you weren't going, I like your posts. This one here is very nice. Keep shooting, my friend! (By the way, what's your flickr identity?)
Tom Scherer
on May 12, 2012A beautiful capture. I can see why it's one of your favorites. I am saddened to think that this could be your last post. I have always enjoyed your work. I especially liked your grocery store bought flowers that you would transform into a work of art with your textures. Hopefully, the situation in this community will get straightened out soon. Maybe, you just need a break and then return in the near future. I hope that you do return. In the meantime, I wish you the best.
webstersway
on May 12, 2012Rats, hate to see you leave, such a brilliant photographer...I've really appreciated your talent and the comments you've left for me...great shot to be exiting with, extraordinary detail and fabulous bokeh!!! Wishing you the best in your future endeavors, and, if you happen to be out and about with your camera and you bump into something or happen to trip over anything, think about ol' KP, probably doing the same thing...
Byron Fair Photography
on May 12, 2012Beautiful
58952oldaccounthenryklepc
on May 12, 2012Very nice picture.
Happy Tree
on May 12, 2012A lovely parting shot! Sad to see you will be leaving, I have always admired your work!
irishmurr
on May 12, 2012I'm so sorry to hear you're leaving, although I can certainly understand it. I was part of the daily community for years, when it was just a small little group. It's nice to see how popular it's become, and all of the incredible photographers who share their photos each day -- but it's just not the same. I'm still usually taking a photo (or more ..... lol!) a day and pop in here when time permits to view everyone else's photos and comment. That inspires me to keep going. I will certainly miss your contributions to the daily community, but there's nothing to keep me from checking out your other posts, so I hope you keep those available to us. And, if you're ever in northeast Ohio, you're more than welcome to come and see our Miss Maeve, live and in person!
papamugger
on May 11, 2012Beautiful shot, don't leave - I am happy to get a few comments and amazed if my photo in the top 10, being #1 is not a goal, it does seem like the ones who are making a big deal out of this are getting hit the most, perhaps it is best just to post and enjoy and not worrying about how many comments one gets, I usually make many more comments than I get which is not a big deal. My goal is to be one of the best Scientists in Texas, not the best photographer on smugmug.
Lgood
on May 11, 2012This is a beautiful photo. I am saddened and stunned that you would leave. I for one never thought you were the red-thumber, but I've seen many fine photographers leave because of the abuse. You're very talented, and I for one love the Daily Community because I learn so much from the members photos - and that includes you. I really wish you wouldn't leave, I enjoy your work. will you post on SM, but just not in the Daily community - if so, I'd like to know so I can check your work periodically because it's great. Best of luck.