FocalWorld's 1st Anniversary!

[JimFox]

Happy Anniversary!

It's hard to believe it's been a year already. What started as a dream and an idea, came into being. With lot's of hard work from everyone, we have created a rather unique environment. Every single member, each of you have been valuable in helping to make FocalWorld special.

We have an awesome Staff that helps to steer FocalWorld. Our goal was to have a community that was genuinely a community that was helpful, friendly and fun. Among the staff we have discussed this on many occasions, so a huge thanks to them and all that they do to help FocalWorld tick.

We have Alan and Kyle as moderators to help out with any issues with threads and posts. They often help out with new members as they learn the ins and outs of FocalWorld.

Alan also manages our very successful "Waterfall Wednesday", and getting that started every Wednesday.

Kyle also helps out when I am out shooting and off the grid as he will help start "Friday's Focus" or help out with the Weekly Photo Contest.

Doug has been a huge help since he came on board as a staff member. Always encouraging, he is full of great ideas, and he has helped so much in sharing and spreading the news about FocalWorld.

Then there is Ben, who has such a heart to help others grow and he manages the bi-weekly "Let's Play" in the Critique forum where he posts a photo that all members can then download and edit and "play" with. It's a great opportunity to learn and grow as we play with processing a photo.

Also in the background is Barry, Craig and Jeff. Together, I think we have a really solid group of people that help form the core of FocalWorld!

And of course, there is all of the wonderful members who have joined us over the last year. Many of whom daily post awesome photos and comment on other peoples photos. Their consistency is awesome and really help to make FocalWorld what it is. I wish I could mention you each by name, but this post is getting too long as it is, just thank you so much! Your being a part of FocalWorld is truly appreciated.

Now.... I didn't think what I was going to write would be so much.

As part of our First Anniversary Celebration, we are asking 2 things.

1. Post a few photos from this last year that you have already posted on FocalWorld that are among your favorite.

2. Take a moment and share with your photos what it is you enjoy about FocalWorld. Maybe something you have learned and appreciated.

Thanks again everyone!

It's our community that makes us different, and each of you are that community.

Jim

 

[JimFox]

Here are a few of my Favorite Photos from this last year. (This is really hard to narrow down)


1. Death Valley

2. Laguna Beach

3. Trona Pinnacles

4. Ice Lake Basin in Colorado

5. Bisti Badlands

6. Yosemite - Tuolumne Meadows Moon Set

 

[Bob]

Wow Jim,
It has been really great to be part of Focal World. I enjoyed all the helpful hints and comments.
Here are some of my favorites. Not sure what I have posted before but these are the ones I like best.
Bob

 

[Kyle Jones]

I felt honored when Jim emailed me about Focal World, asking me to help it get going. My mission early on was to post an image every day to generate activity when the membership was small. I've valued the chance to see everyone's images over the last year and get some good feedback on mine. You've helped make me a better photographer. I've also been blessed with the chance to visit some great places in the last year...

1) My first visit to Zion in Autumn and some nice light in the Subway

2) An amazing sunrise at 3rd Vermilion Lake on a cold January morning in Banff

3) After striking out a few times, finally getting clear ice and some sunrise light at Abraham Lake

4) The chance to visit beautiful New Zealand and #thatwanakatree

5) A beautiful evening at Glacier Point

6) Meeting Jim in person for a shot I'd planned for a year

 

[AlanLichty]

Not easy to pick out the ones I like best from all I have posted but here's a few that stood out for me.

Carter Falls - Rainier NP

Carter Falls

• AlanLichty
• Sep 9, 2017
• 1
• mt. rainier np wonderland trail

Carter Falls along Paradise Creek. Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

Panther Creek Falls area

Above Panther Falls

• AlanLichty
• Sep 11, 2017

A small water feature just above Panther Creek Falls in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest...

Silver Falls State Park

Fall in a Rain Forest

• AlanLichty
• Oct 18, 2017
• 3

A small scene from along a trail in Silver Falls State Park, Oregon.

Silver Falls South Falls

• AlanLichty
• Nov 22, 2017
• 6

A fall panorama of the South Falls at Silver Falls State Park, Oregon.

Sweet Creek - Siuslaw National Forest

Sweet Creek Framed Falls

• AlanLichty
• Nov 8, 2017
• 1

Probably rapids rather than falls most of the year but they take on the appearance of falls when...

Harris Beach State Park

Harris Beach South Beach Sunset

• AlanLichty
• Jan 25, 2018
• 3

Last light of the evening at South Beach.

Bandon, Oregon

Bandon Sunset

• AlanLichty
• Dec 22, 2017
• 1

Late evening light at Bandon's Coquille Point Beach

It had been while since I had posted images on the internet when Jim first sent out invitations to join FocalWorld and I had a quite a number of images I had never processed so this was a fun opportunity to jump back into being online with my photography once again.

Thanks to Jim for having the ambition to start up a new photo web forum so all of us could have a nice sandbox to play in

 

[Jim Dockery]

Thank you for your vision Jim & all your work other helpers! This is a pleasant little web space, that feels more like a family than many larger sites most of us have participated in. The photos already posted on this page are testimony of the quality to be found here too! I hadn't seen that Tuolumne Meadows Moon Set shot yet Jim - fantastic - I agree that's one of your best.

I'm getting deeper into black and white over the years now that digital conversion makes it so easy. I often feel like it distills a picture down to it's essence, taking it into the fine art realm.

Denali (118) Copy

• Jim Dockery
• Feb 16, 2018

Clearing Storm Over Mt. Foraker, AK

Denali (183)

• Jim Dockery
• Feb 15, 2018

Skiing on Denali. As a climber/skier I seem to include people in my landscapes more than others on this site.

West-Face-Grand--Chimney-BW

• Jim Dockery
• Feb 7, 2018

Climbing The Black Ice - West Face combo on The Grand Teton, 1979. I enjoy reliving my past by scanning old slides then converting them to B&W. (BTW I can't believe he isn't wearing a helmet!)

Maui-Snorkeling-4.19.2018-(329)

• Jim Dockery
• May 6, 2018

Sea Turtle, Maui. Using a little digital powerhouse like my RX100 in a simple underwater housing enabled me to shoot hundreds of shots a day, then toss out the majority of bad ones and process only the keepers.

 

[JimFox]

Wow Jim,
It has been really great to be part of Focal World. I enjoyed all the helpful hints and comments.
Here are some of my favorites. Not sure what I have posted before but these are the ones I like best.
BobView attachment 10919View attachment 10920View attachment 10921View attachment 10922View attachment 10923View attachment 10924

Bob, it's an honor having you as a part of our community! And what really great photos you choose, the are all awesome with the Milky Way with the Grand Canyon really standing out.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Focal World has been a great experience for me. In fact I was very surprised when Jim invited me, as I never saw myself as an A lister at FM. And that’s a big difference here where people are not segmented into groups of best and not so good. In fact a poster seldom has the dreaded “zero replies” or gets dumped on with negative comments, or worse yet, gets into a food fight. It’s just a friendly place with some really good photographers.

This year has been a slow year for me due to health issues which I hope are behind me. But I did manage to get out a few times. Here are my favorites.

Mesa Arch

Hedrons Pond

Schwabacher Landing

Skyline Overlook

Yachats Oregon

Anticline Overlook

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Congratulations Jim on the anniversary. I have enjoyed the site and got to know several of you through your images and the narratives that go with them. The quality of work from all the posters here has been top notch and more importantly the conversations are very friendly and civil. Would love to meet up with some of you if opportunity presents itself.

This year has been extremely slow for me photography wise due to many work and family commitments. That said I managed to squeeze in some time to capture some images as well as process some from previous trips that were put on the back burner.

First is my avatar image which I never posted. It is from a couple of years ago taken in Vermont during fall.

A few from my first trip (and hopefully more to come) to the eastern Sierra.

Convict Lake

Mono Lake

Owens Valley

Mt Shuksan

Upper Lewis River Falls

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Before I post any thing I have to say a few things about Jim Fox. He is a tireless contributor here posting every day and commenting on everyone's posts. I frankly don't know how he does it. His energy is also reflected in his trips when he will drive many hours to get to a new destinations. On top of all of this, his photography is outstanding.

I used to post on FM where Jim was the moderator. At that time I didn't post much because I was working on a book but Jim remembered me and sought me out on pbase. I was skeptical when he first contacted me because I didn't want to have any significant obligation to post and comment. He kept after me and I finally relented. It was the best decision I ever made. The staff here is outstanding and the photography is consistently top notch. It is a pleasure to get up each morning to find excellent images here.

Thanks for everything, Jim, all of the other staff members and to those of you that contribute so much to this forum.

Here are a few from some of my favorite places this year.

The Ridges Sanctuary:

Southeastern Utah and Arizona:

Birds:

 

[MonikaC]

Happy birthday Focal World and may you have many more! Thanks to Jim Fox, all the moderators and to everybody who contributes & enriches not only FW, but the lives of all who are members & those who lurk! The amount of time that is put into this by Jim Fox & the moderators is truly a monumental labor of love and I deeply appreciate each of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Unfortunately, I have a Focal World folder for pictures to post, but then delete them from the folder after posting so I don't duplicate them.... Here are some that I'm quite sure I've posted (& shot) this year.

 

[Darcy Grizzle]

Ya know this year I don't have any favorite photos yet that I have taken, but as far as meeting all of you through this place....that is priceless. Thank you for all you all do for all of us & a very Happy Anniversary!

 

[Zeph]

Thank you Jim, may this anniversary be the first of many...

Here’s a challenge for want-a-be photographers, myself included, start participating here at Photo World, if nothing else, participate with your camera. You took the time to sign up, now start posting your shots! There are almost three hundred members and only 20% are submitting or commenting. Jim, Ben, Alan and Kyle a few others can only do so much, they are contributing their time, knowledge and vast photo libraries to make this site relevant.

Most people with cameras try to make interesting images that communicate something relevant that other people might appreciate. It’s OK to document your history, but you joined Photo World to learn how your images stand up in the eyes of your peers, not your friends who shared the experience, but strangers who are willing to be supportive and critical.

How does one learn how to communicate through photography?

Understand why it is that you love photography. For me it’s an expression of beauty that I find in this world and to create an image that truly moves the viewer. For some it’s an expression of art or for the brave ones it’s photo journalism, but for whatever reason we take photos, we need to put our work out there so we can learn and get better, but to do that one must understand what it takes to be good at what you do. What better place to do this than Focal World? There are other great sites, but chances are you will get lost in the multitudes of images and many of these site don’t offer any education or critique of your images. Sure we all like getting positive comments, but really, who is keeping score ?
So hey lurkers, please join the conversation, what do you got to lose?

Upper Proxy Falls

• Zeph
• Sep 2, 2017
• 3

North End of the Big Island

• Zeph
• Sep 5, 2017
• big island hawii sunset zva

Laupahoehoe Park at Sunset
Yes, I know it's over saturated, baked to a crisp...

From the Top of the Rock Pile

• Zeph
• Oct 27, 2017
• alberta morraine lake zva

Moraine Lake

Before the Snow

• Zeph
• Jan 5, 2018
• colorado maroon bells zva

The year was 2010, my dear wife and I had been out for a couple of weeks of truck camping and...

Painted Hills, Oregon

• Zeph
• Aug 7, 2018
• desert oregon painted hills zva

A cleaner version.

PJG

• Zeph
• Sep 30, 2017
• 3
• pjg tree zva

Portland Japaness Gardens

Wooded View

• Zeph
• Jan 19, 2018

 

[Kyle Jones]

Great thoughts Zeph. The photos are pretty darn nice too.

 

[JimFox]

Great thoughts Zeph. The photos are pretty darn nice too.

I agree, Zeph has some very encouraging words, and also has given some of our members who really are not posting their photos to go ahead and share their photos here. For some, maybe there is a bit of a fear factor. No one likes to feel rejected. But trust me, this community here is both accepting and helpful. So yes, if you are lurking, take this time to step up and share.

 

[JimFox]

One thing that has come to mind with all of the great photos being posted is that I am going to be able to use this thread as a pick list to choose some new locations I want to go shoot this next year.

 

[MonikaC]

Thank you Jim, may this anniversary be the first of many...

Here’s a challenge for want-a-be photographers, myself included, start participating here at Photo World, if nothing else, participate with your camera. You took the time to sign up, now start posting your shots! There are almost three hundred members and only 20% are submitting or commenting. Jim, Ben, Alan and Kyle a few others can only do so much, they are contributing their time, knowledge and vast photo libraries to make this site relevant.

Most people with cameras try to make interesting images that communicate something relevant that other people might appreciate. It’s OK to document history, but you joined Photo World to learn how your images stand up in the eyes of your peers, not your friends who shared the experience, but strangers who are willing to be supportive and critical.

How does one learn how to communicate through photography?

Understand why it is that you love photography. For me it’s an expression of beauty that I find in this world and to create an image that truly moves the viewer. For some it’s an expression of art or for the brave ones it’s photo journalism, but for whatever reason we take photos, we need to put our work out there so we can learn and get better, but to do that one must understand what it takes to be good at what you do. What better place to do this than Photo World? There are other great sites, but chances are you will get lost in the multitudes of images and many of these site don’t offer any education or critique of your images. Sure we all like getting positive comments, but really, who is keeping score ?
So hey lurkers, please join the conversation, what do you got to lose?

Upper Proxy Falls

• Zeph
• Sep 2, 2017
• 3

North End of the Big Island

• Zeph
• Sep 5, 2017
• big island hawii sunset zva

Laupahoehoe Park at Sunset
Yes, I know it's over saturated, baked to a crisp...

From the Top of the Rock Pile

• Zeph
• Oct 27, 2017
• alberta morraine lake zva

Moraine Lake

Before the Snow

• Zeph
• Jan 5, 2018
• colorado maroon bells zva

The year was 2010, my dear wife and I had been out for a couple of weeks of truck camping and...

Painted Hills, Oregon

• Zeph
• Aug 7, 2018
• desert oregon painted hills zva

A cleaner version.

PJG

• Zeph
• Sep 30, 2017
• 3
• pjg tree zva

Portland Japaness Gardens

Wooded View

• Zeph
• Jan 19, 2018

Zeph, ummm, not to be a wet blanket here, but you did mean "Focal World", not "Photo World", didn't you? Auto correct gotcha again?

And for you lurkers: I learned a whole lot posting for critiques on a pretty much dead now forum (when it was very lively). It was an invaluable experience & didn't hurt at all!

 

[Zeph]

Zeph, ummm, not to be a wet blanket here, but you did mean "Focal World", not "Photo World", didn't you? Auto correct gotcha again?

And for you lurkers: I learned a whole lot posting for critiques on a pretty much dead now forum (when it was very lively). It was an invaluable experience & didn't hurt at all!

Auto correct gotcha again?
Thanks for the spell check, (I read what I think)
How about "Pocal World"

 

[Timmeh]

Jim: you've really built up this community, and though it isn't as big as other forums, this is the only one I post at. It's quite clear that you're committed to building Focal World up and the people you have assembled around you are great photographers and fine people.

For those of you still waiting to get your feet wet, you wouldn't be able to find a more welcoming place to try and improve your photography. Not only that, Jim's personal mission seems to be to meet as many members of Focal World in person and bring them together.

Here are some of my favorites from the past year:

Oak Savanna Lunar Eclipse

• Timmeh
• Feb 1, 2018
• 1

Oak Savanna Lunar Eclipse

Endemic Island Paintbrush On The Bluff

• Timmeh
• Apr 9, 2018

Endemic Island Paintbrush on the Bluff

Meandering Hot Creek And The Minarets

• Timmeh
• May 26, 2018
• 1

Meandering Hot Creek and the Minarets

Bristlecones Watch Death Valley

• Timmeh
• Jun 17, 2018

Bristlecones Watch Death Valley

Eruption At Fifth Lake

• Timmeh
• Jun 21, 2018

Eruption at Fifth Lake

Streak Of Light At Minaret Lake

• Timmeh
• Jul 13, 2018

Streak of Light at Minaret Lake

Above The Shadow

• Timmeh
• Jul 18, 2018

Above the Shadows

 

[Leslie Hunter]

Congratulations everyone! It's been a great First year!