FLORA MILESTONE - Pat Sampson

I dubbed the Flora gallery the finest Flora forum on the planet some time ago. Initially that was a little tongue in cheek but I think we've legitimately earned the title now. One of the reasons for our growth is the steadfast posters and commentators in the group who encourage and spur everyone to an ever improving standard. I've decided to give these folks a little NPN-wide recognition as they reach some posting milestones. Pat Sampson just passed the 5000 comment mark. Since registering in May 2007 Pat has been a very faithful contributor. His comments are unfailingly insightful and helpful and the quality of his images has elevated steadily. Take a look at his portfolio of current postings if you want a little treat. Thanks Pat, you've earned it. >=))>

Way to go, Pat!

Very nice to hear. Some really excellent work, both on number of comments as well as the inspiring body of work too.

Congrats, Pat, for bucking the trend on most forums that quantity is usually not quality.

Way to go, Pat! Your comments are helpful, and your work is superb!

Congratulations Pat. Thanks for your insightful comments on my images. They have helped me tremendously. Always enjoy observing your work.

Kudos, Pat. So glad you have received some very special and well deserved attention. Way to go...

Carol

Kudos, Pat. So glad you have received some very special and well deserved attention. Way to go...

Carol

Good on you, Pat! It's been so much fun watching your skills develop by leaps and bounds. And I always look forward to hearing what you have to say. Your critiquing skills have advanced right along with your photogrpahy.

Delighted to read this, Pat. You have been so helpful to me and others- your comments are indeed always so thoughtful and your images a great pleasure to view. Long may it continue !!

Bill, thanks for posting this. Pat, thanks for your exemplary participation!

Fantastic Pat!

wonderful job.

Excellent portfolio, Pat. Your thoughtful comments are always appreciated and given a great deal of consideration. Thanks.

Congrats, Pat...reaching the 5000 mark on comments in under 2 years is simply outstanding! I always look forward to your critiques and they are much appreciated!

Thanks Bill and company. I really appreciate it. I picked up the photography as a hobby about two and a half years ago now. A friend at work suggested that If I was interested in nature photography, I should go look at NPN. It was certainly the best advice I could have received. I know I'm a better photographer today than I was two years ago and I attribute 99% of that improvement to this site.

As a software developer during much of my career, I discovered fairly early on that the best way to learn to code was to look at other folks work. Code reviews, where you could discuss and critique the code were particularly helpful. When I got a little more serious about math, the same applied to proofs.

To comment on images, I have to look at them, try to do some analysis and then try to verbalize what I'm thinking. The repetition of that process allows me to improve my skills just like it would in programming or math. I do it to repay the folks that have tutored me but also somewhat selfishly because I think it will allow me to improve my skills.

Thanks again to all.

Pat

Great work Pat! The impressive thing here is that your comments are far from a 'Great job' comment - they are insightful and helpful. Thanks for all of your contributions!

Nathan

So are you the Cal Ripken of Flora forum? Wow, 5,000 posts. That's amazing and so is your work and your insightful comments.

This is an inspring example of what an eager learner can do when given access to great resources. I offer a toast to Pat, NPN, the Flora gallery and life in general.



Pete D.