Hi Mike,  You're right of course.  Our eye is drawn to all things visual.  Do you know what the status is for Localism ?   I had heard that it was on hold for awhile due to so much garbage.  Thanks for your post.

 I have my camera everywhere I go. (well almost).  I have gotten some wonderful photos for my posts.  It is a lot of fun. 

Hi Mike, Very cool photo.  I agree with what you say.  A picture is worth a thousand words, but when you have an interesting photo people will naturally be drawn to read what you've written. 

Photos are the key to any good post it does attract the eye. We carry it with us always.

Terry,

Thanks for commenting, my friend.

Doreen,

Ditto! Isn't that a great car?

Joan,

I'll have to come over to your blog and see; it's been too long!

Bill,

I don't know anything about Localism being on hold.  It would be a shame to see it wither and die.

Mike in Tucson

Good afternoon Mike, Any suggestions on the camera?  :)

Don R.

Yes, that is a very cool car.

Don,

Mine is a $240. cheapie from Costco.  It has a glass lens, and is a 5 megapixel Panasonic.  It has a zoom, but I almost never use it.  I download my photos to my computer, and crop and edit them with Photoshop Elements.  That's a great program.

Mike in Tucson

Thanks for the reminder Mike.  It's funny, my web designer/marketer always reminds me to bring my camera every where I go, because "you never know what photos might inspire you to write a blog relating to that photo or situation"  I'm kind of kicking myself right now, although I'm not at home (I'm at the Historic Preservation Conference in Napa - currently in a cafe in Sonoma) I decided not to bring my camera and now I'm regretting that decision.  Oh well...live and learn :)

Eye see what you mean.

Great idea and post Mike. 

Mike, my understanding is that points for Localism photos have disappeared.  A few complained about others "gaming the system" (gaming means someone else's points) and so they were taken away.

I took a lot of photos for Localism in small towns and rural areas where there were no photos.  The local area chambers of commerce loved the idea, because it gave them a presence on the Web and made their communities visible.  Sometimes I'd look up a small, picturesque town on Localism and see that none of the local "expert" agents had bothered to upload even one photo of their town. 

Photos are the best way to communicate the flavor of a place and its history and culture.

I agree Mike that great photos catch the eye of the reader and lead them to read your post. Which is true as well in real estate listings, when buyers read and search for a home, clear and bright pictures catch their eye and lead them to want to get inside and into a showing.

Cape Cod Realtor

I love the cars. Keep them coming

Mike,

That picture caught my attention and I started to read your blog to see why you had that cool picture.  I guess your theory is correct.  I always carry my camera too, but I don't use it that often.  I'll try to remember to use it.

Mike,

Good post, and thanks for the tips!!! Thanks,   Fran

As usual, Mike. I love your post--thought provoking. I am now keeping my camera in my car with me at all times.

Hi Mike...can't do a post without em!

Mike....I'm finding this to be so true! I love my i-phone, when I don't have my digital camera the phone takes just as good of pictures.

C. Lange

Just seeing the photos on your blog is inspiration as well as proof!  My camera's my constant companion.

Kent,

thanks for your many comments today!  We'll miss you in Gilbert tomorrow, but this may become a monthly thing, and they may come to Tucson!

Michael,

I need to come check out your I-phone photos on your blog!

Joan,

Love your photos!

Karen,

Thanks for stopping by to comment.  I appreciate the encouragement!

Fran and Fran,

You're BOTH welcome!  Thanks for commenting.

Larry,

We'll do it!

Stephen,

What's SDW1?

Eric,

I wish they hadn't taken away the points for photos.  I still upload photos for places I've travelled to and through.  I think we still get points for posting to Localism.

Matt,

Thanks!

Heath,

That's pun-ny!

Jessica,

Be sure to take it with you next time!

Mike in Tucson

I totally agree with your points, photos make the  blog readable.  Plus, brevity is good too.

  Well MIKE: You did it again ! You proved to me a second time to become a photo bug. I did look at the car 1st , then I read your blog . Thank you for the reminder. 

LOL Mike, the first paragraph described exactly how I reacted to the post! That was kinda weird! Great tips.

Susan

Thanks Mike, I am learning that and I have my camera with me at all times in case a blog idea pops into my head.

I agree that your camera is the key. I have a Minolta and a Kodak. I use the Kodak for internal and the Minolta for external shots.  The wide angle does make a huge difference and the quality is awesome.

Matt,

Wide angle lenses are a plus!

Amie,

Cool beans!

Susan,

See?  It works!

Windy,

thanks for commenting!

Robert,

Brevity!

Mike in Tucson

Yes, you do post GREAT photos!  This is great, but you have a real knack for capturing the moment, even when it's just kids waving to you from the vehicle ahead of yours. 

I agree with 100%, that's why I am looking for a camera that isn't the most expensive, but will give me bang for my buck.  Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch!

Yvette Smith

Williamsburg's Preferred Realtor

Mike - You are right on track there!!!! Don't travel without your camera, you never know when you will need it!

Barbara Jo,

I was rear-ended once on a road in NJ, and the person who hit me was explaining to the police officer how I cut in front of her as she was changing lanes.  I didn't say anything, but just took a picture of the skid marks her car had made.  The photo proved that I had the right of way, and saved me a big fine.

Yvette,

My camera is a cheapie from Costco.  It's a Panasonic with a wide angle glass (not plastic) lens.

Margaret,

I loved that photo. Thanks for being such a loyal subscriber!

Mike in Tucson