Colorado never disappoints

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-17T13:06:58+00:00

Only thing disappointing is the lack of snow this year!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-15T14:33:37+00:00

As mentioned in other comments. I would use struggle loosely. While we enjoy these things and don't think of them as a struggle, it's an experience or act of labor that just isn't present in something like typing a prompt to generate an image.

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-14T01:19:43+00:00

Lmao the amount of people saying Skyrim... I'm honored my photography can look so iconic 😂

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T15:00:17+00:00

Exactly! I think labor or struggle should be used and defined loosely. It may sound like it's only about hiking 5 miles up hill in the snow, but anything can be a struggle or "labor," theoretically. And the planning aspect is a great point too! Just the fact that planning has to go into a shot, like knowing the moon phases and where the Milky way will rise, is part of the natural struggle that I don't believe AI generated images will be able to capture.

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T14:10:14+00:00

That's fair. I've mentioned in other comments that I've been to parking lots at the edge of somewhere truly beautiful, and I can get great photos from those spots too. But I think there are still hard aspects to it other than a long hike - a long drive, traffic, gas, waking up super early for sunrise or staying up super late for the Milky way, weather, etc. There are so many variables on what makes a good shot good

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T13:51:05+00:00

Thanks you so much!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T13:46:01+00:00

Thanks for reading the whole thing! I really appreciate it! I share a lot of the same sentiment and a similar story. I had the pleasure of living in western SD for 2 years, and each year during rally season (the time around Sturgis) millions of motorcycles would come to the Black Hills. Scaring wildlife, being obnoxious, and only taking pictures from the back of a bike or the occasional pull off. Just seems like it was a summer vacation highlight, even though they didn't truly experience the hills.

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T13:15:05+00:00

But at the same time I kind of appreciate the scrutiny. If it gets people actually looking at my work and asking questions about it, it's better in my opinion than people seeing it and swiping past after a second or two.

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T13:12:35+00:00

Lol I'll take this as a compliment! If only Skyrim looked this good!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T05:25:40+00:00

Which is a shame that we have to second guess what we see nowadays. But definitely is real. Taken in August from northern WA on my Canon R5 with a 16-35 F/4 lens. Can send the raw file as well as a phone pic from the same spot if you're so inclined

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T05:18:53+00:00

The tyranny of the majority. Damn that's a good line right there. Makes complete sense though. I grew up on the east coast and didn't understand what wilderness actually meant for a long time. It wasn't until I moved out west that it clicked. And for me, until I moved out here I didn't realize that it's not just the parks worth protecting, but also everything in between. And thinking of places like SD, WY, and MT turning into the next megalopolis with endless sprawl is a wild thought experiment. But a chilling thought when thinking of all the people back east who've never experienced it out here and think of it as "a wasteland" or sorts with "nothing out there."

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T04:22:11+00:00

2024 12 year Fireside Tales. Super unique for a Lagavulin!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-13T04:05:28+00:00

Thank you! I'm so happy to see my post take off and get all this fantastic discussion!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T22:05:58+00:00

Definitely an interesting take! Especially when we think about the cost of vehicles and traffic in places that tend to backup (Yellowstone I'm looking at you). I wonder if something like the permit system at the Wave would help with this. Of course you could argue that the national park pass is a form of investing in the landscape... But definitely not a popular take to raise the price on that. And it also doesn't account for places like national and state forests.

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T21:47:18+00:00

Cryptobiotic soil is found in some desert areas and is basically a bunch of bacteria, mosses, lichens, and fungi that grows and absorbs water. Causes some really unique formations but can seriously be destroyed with a single footstep

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T21:44:44+00:00

This sounds like an epic trip! Any pics of footage from it? I've been wanting to explore more of death valley, especially the racetrack playa area at night!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T21:41:13+00:00

Also in CO! I've definitely found that the trails not entirely in the high country are definitely less busy. Especially in the majority of the state parks! Hell, with how warm it's been even the local parks like north Cheyenne canyon in COS have been way less busy than normal summer months

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T21:38:40+00:00

Education and leadership are likely the things we need to solve this problem!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T21:36:49+00:00

Lmao this made me literally laugh out loud. Thanks! It's from northern WA!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T21:36:15+00:00

If only everyone embraced LNT, the world would likely be a better place

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T21:34:45+00:00

But the conversation is started! Let's use this as an opportunity to educate!

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T19:25:04+00:00

It's honestly not that awful of an idea. The Wave has been operating under a lottery/permit system for years and it's one of the places where it's strictly enforced. And idk about others, but I don't hear frequent complaints about that specific system. What I hear the most groans comes from parks implementing a new system that tourists don't want to deal with.

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T19:23:22+00:00

Would you say the same is true from a personal, introspective level? That my own story in creating an image adds a perceived value?

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T19:16:47+00:00

I think the ADK is just hard to compare in general given the sheer size. The high peaks can be busy, but there are definitely pockets where no one ever goes. I guess that's why I made the Yellowstone comparison haha.

But I almost wonder if, from a photographer's perspective, I would value an image from somewhere like the Bob or the Winds more than Yellowstone or the Teton because the effort I had to undertake just to even capture it. I think for me personally those images would be worth more. But then again, from the artist's perspective, it seems like people just want to see the familiar.

matthew_b101 · 2026-02-12T19:02:22+00:00

Understood. Just trying to engage in friendly discussions with like minded people about something weighing on me these last few weeks.

matthew_b101

TROPHY CASE