Anniversary

It’s official. I am one-year flickr old. Time really flies, huh?

My friend introduced me to flickr a year ago, July 12, 2006 to be exact, and thinking that it is just for photo storage, I registered right away since I was joining some poetry and photography groups before -and I needed some sites to host my photos. This was my first uploaded photo. Now, I have 474 photos with a total of more than 30,000 views. I really appreciate it guys!

I didn’t know then that flickr is more than a typical photo host. It is a different world, well, for me at least. How did I discover? This photo was favorited (yeah I know, it’s a verb in flickr world) by one the members and some of my photos were invited to be posted to flickr groups.

My addiction commenced.

I joined a lot of groups and each group showcase fantastic arrays of photos. I have been an admirer for a long time and was hesitant to post to its respective pool. But the comments and encouragements of other members pushed me to explore my photographic eyes. Thanks guys!

Among these groups – I have been actively involved in:

Philippines – one of the first groups I joined in, for obvious reason I suppose. At first, I just posted my photos in the pool and left some comments on other photos. I was not participative in their discussions until their announcement for a photo exhibit. I’m glad I did because I gained a lot of friends through it. The exhibit was successful and I hope there’s more to come. Shout outs to Jolengs, Bingbing, Koolitz, Tipoy, Stitch and to the rest of the gang.

A+++ - if I remember correctly, I was one the first members of the group. At first glance its like the other groups of giving out logos to the photos you like in the pool. I was invited to be an admin of the group. Well, at first they thought I’m Japanese because of my username and the photos I uploaded during those times are taken in Japan. Shout outs to doctony, doctian, neodelphi and the rest of the group.

and of course

Challenge You – the group that catalyzed my addiction. Before I joined the challenge and didn’t mind the daily chat threads. And when I joined the conversations there, I felt welcomed and CY became my family in flickrworld. Believe me, its the most addicting, interesting and friendliest group the flickr ever had. Its not always about winning, its more on appreciating photographs with different themes. I gained friends and mentors in this group. Shout outs to JulioC, benefit of hindsight, Sharlini, bdec, vanarts, Liyen, sindala, auntie_P, Angele, fl0yd/hyp0th3rmi4, charlie and to the remaining addicts.

Aside from these three, I’ve been visiting and participating in The World Through My Eyes, Karma, Poetry and Pictures International, Flickers Photo Club. Please visit them if you have time.

And how can I forget Mr. Roadrunner (Kuya Ben) for tolerating my addiction. Few days before my 29^th birthday he surprised me with a PRO Account saying that I deserve to upload more photos and share to the community. Domo Arigato! Salamat! Thank you!

Along the way, I met photographers, enthusiasts, hobbyists that inspire me to look on things differently. My appreciation and thanks to JC, Maki_30D, maruchan313, Evening_Star57, babybee, moemoechi, kalandrakas, jepoycamboy, junmark, angelynne, lady G, Simply Shot Maui, Spiegelbild, carmeena, amelie4, h20 tubig, and to all my contacts. Hope I am not forgetting anybody. (Sorry for using your flickr IDs instead of your names).

As a way of thanking to all who have visited my photo stream I am presenting to you the 50 most popular photos chosen by you. Well, this may be regularly updated, but as of the meantime these are the photos.

Flickr has also its unique ranking system and according to its standards these are my 30 most interesting photos.

Well, I may not be that active in joining and visiting groups as of the moment due to my current work loads but I still check flickr from time to time.

I wish to have a new camera to celebrate my flickr anniversary but time runs out. Hopefully next month I have my camera. Oh, how can I forget my amazing CASIO EX-Z40 hehe.

Looking forward for another year in flickr!

totomai
07/13/07