A Look Back
In January 2020, I shared a post about my most viewed photo—a shot, pictured below, I dubbed my “star photo.” As you can see in that original post, the “star photo” was often a happy accident of the algorithm but it didn’t always reflect our best work. This was the spark that started this whole journey.
By July 2020, while many of us were in COVID lockdown, I launched a leaderboard for these most-viewed photos. Within a month, the interest was so massive that with the number of participants the post hit the then 100,000-character limit on Connect! I had reached the technical limit of a Connect post. But the community’s enthusiasm was just getting started.
The Pivot: A Living Gallery
For the 6 years since, we’ve tracked the data. We’ve seen which photos get the most views. But lately, you might have noticed a change on our leaderboard covers. We’ve started featuring incredible, hand-picked photos from our community members:
- February Movers & Shakers: @tony_b
- March Points: @Rednewt74
- March Reviews: @katydarhel
- March Photos: @JustJake
- March Country: @Peadar
- March Videos: @Annaelisa
These aren’t just photos; they are windows into our global impact. The caption of each cover photo on these leaderboard posts links directly to the photo on Maps, creating a seamless bridge between our Connect community and our contributions on the ground-a bridge between data and story.
A "Wild" Idea: The 100-Lens Vision
But why stop at one cover photo? I’ve had a “wild” idea brewing: What if we showcased 100 featured photos at a time? This is where the “Wall of Fame” steps in. It’s a visual engine designed to turn a data-heavy leaderboard into a living gallery. So for some time now, I have been architecting the tech to make this a reality, and we’re now at launch stage.
The Inaugural Theme
Today, we take the first step. This is your chance to share the photo that you contributed to Maps and that you love—not the one the algorithm picked for you. Here is an outline of how this will work:
- Step 1: Selection – Go beyond the algorithm. Pick the photo you love most from your Maps contributions, regardless of its view count.
- Step 2: Write the story - Why does this shot matter to you? * Every masterpiece needs a narrative.
- Step 3: Engine room: - Head to the Leaderboard System’s main menu and select WoF Maps Photo under Data Entry.
- Step 4: Submission: - Enter some basic details about your most loved photo and the story behind it.
- Step 5: Lift off – Once submitted, you will get a badge with a unique ID and your photo will be transformed into a high-res, dedicated Spotlight view—a cinematic experience for the community to enjoy.
- Step 6: The Wall – Finally, on correct completion of all the steps, your avatar joins the 10x10 Most Loved Photo Wall of Fame. Your “brick” on The Wall becomes a trigger to your personal entry in our interactive global mosaic of “most loved” photos.
A Sneak Peek
To give you a glimpse of what’s possible, take a look at the Spotlight and High-Res views of Mt Everest below. This is the level of quality we are bringing to your favorite shots—moving beyond a simple thumbnail to a full, immersive experience that honors the “Story Behind the Shot.” Following this, you can take the journey into the interactive global mosaic of “most loved” photos, with the first “most loved” photo added and vacant cells in the 10x10 grid waiting for yours!
Caption: The spotlight view of a photo I contributed to Maps and that I love most.
Caption: The High-Res view of my most loved photo contributed to Maps.
Caption: As well as direct links to your most loved photo
contributed to Maps, links to the associated review,
if added, is also provided.
The Live "Most Loved" Photos: The Wall of Fame
To see the “most loved” photos Wall-of-Fame in action, simply select the avatar of the first participating Local Guide. By selecting the various buttons on the screens that you land on, you will see the powerful integration of Connect and your “most loved” photo contribution on Maps.
Over to you!
So now it’s over to you! Go to your Maps contributions, find that one hidden gem, and show the community the world through your eyes!
Feedback
I’m already seeing some heart-warming reactions, and I do want to clarify one thing: This isn’t just for the professionals or the “big players.” Whether you’re using a high-end DSLR or just a smartphone you pulled out of your pocket, this is for everyone. It’s about the meaning behind your most loved shot. You don’t have to be a top Local Guide or need a million views to have a photo that we’ll all love!
We’re all now waiting with baited breath to see your most loved photo contributed to Maps and the story behind it.
What’s next?
While the inaugural theme is simply “Most Loved,” we have plenty of room to grow! In the future, we might dive into specific themes like:
- “The Hidden Gem” (Places only locals know)
- “Nature’s Peace” (Your favorite quiet outdoor spot)
- “Street Soul” (The character of your city’s architecture)
- “Night Lights” (The world after dark)
I’d love to hear from you: What themes would you like to see featured on the Wall of Fame? Drop your suggestions in the comments—this is a gallery built by the community, for the community!
We all have a “most viewed” photo (you know the ones we all call our star), and we all will have our own “most loved” photo and a story behind it. That’s what this is all about so jump in.
