Let's try to remember why we're here.

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mdboatbum

Master of the Pit
Original poster
OTBS Member
Apr 22, 2011
4,121
548
Washington, DC
Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed more and more posts that just seem to contain a few photos and basically just say "lookee what I did!!". I've been guilty of the same thing. I mean yeah, we get excited about a smoke and want to shout from the rooftops, " WOOHOO, I am the master of the smoke!!".
I totally get it.
BUT
The point of this forum is to share knowledge and experience with others so we can all learn and grow in the art of smoking meat.
The photo police with their subtle reminders of "this thread is worthless without pictures" or "pics or it never happened" have a point, but threads without even the most basic details on how the beautiful food in the photos came to be are just as worthless.
So the next time you're sharing pictures of that supermodel pork butt, take a second to type out how you made it. What rub did you use? What temperature did you smoke it? What wood? Did you wrap it? Etc...
Then when somebody new to smoking happens to come across your post, they'll not only be amazed at your prowess as pitmaster and photographer, but they'll also learn a little bit and be more likely to give it a try on their own.
Here endeth the lesson.
 
MD, while I agree that a little bit of information on how something was cooked and prepped goes a long way to accompany the photos of said cook, but a thread without that explanation that only contains a short blurb (or nothing) and then photos is FAR from worthless. 

This forums is big...I mean real big. Not everyone has the time or desire to provide a full write up of what was done. This forums purpose is to share...period (at least this is my view). You want to share some photos of your smokes only and tell us what cut it was? Fine. You want to write up an article on how you did it along with those photos? Fine also. You want to write up an article on how you cooked something and tell us how amazing it was an not post any pictures at all? Even that's fine! The photo police might have to get involved though ;)

We can't expect 70K people to share the exact same way, and it's unfair to expect everyone to do so. 

So I'll say this, as long as what you post about it pertaining to the forums section your posting in, post away! And if you want to show us some pictures and maybe a short blurb about what you did and how...you'll get some real love from everyone here. Either way, thanks for sharing!
 
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Maybe "worthless" was a bad word choice. I do agree that sharing pretty pictures is fun. As I said, I've done it too. My point was that if that's ALL you're doing, you might want to rethink the purpose of this forum. Even the most basic description of the process might help somebody make the leap and try for themselves. Most of us have landed on this site because we googled something like "how to make pulled pork". It's the posts containing the recipes and processes that kept me coming back. The Q-view was a big part of it too, but without the shared knowledge I don't think I would have even joined.
 
I guess what I was getting at is why is the only way to post on this forum to include a write up? And why can't this forum just be used for fun and place to share some photos of your cook? If I see a thread with just photos, I still enjoy viewing them. If I want to know more, I'll ask. If the OP answers then great...if not then oh well. There are PLENTY of others than do write up there smokes and answer questions. There is no shortage of information on this site.

We're free to post whatever we want and in whatever manner we so choose (as long as as it pertains to smoking and doesn't advocate unsafe cooking etc). 

I think trying to manufacture a posting template or "how to organize your post or don't" plan would drive people away. This site is educational enough even with the threads started with just photos. 
 
I am afraid I already post to many pics now.
Haha! Your posts are really informative and helpful. The pictures add to the whole experience. I was just talking about people who post only pictures and never share anything else.
 
Haha! Your posts are really informative and helpful. The pictures add to the whole experience. I was just talking about people who post only pictures and never share anything else.
Which is their right as this is a free forum. Until the forum owner adds rules on posting (which would never happen), I'll advocate everyone post however they please as long as it pertains to forums section/sub-section you're posting in.

And c farmer, I do enjoy your posts!
 
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I'm not really trying to add fuel to either side of a debate, as I believe Rickey's points of view have merit...however I tend to agree with much of what Boatbum says. I have always tried to post the details of methods, recipes, cooking conditions, etc. in my qview threads...mostly because I believe, as a veteran member here, its a responsibility of mine to share information and to tutor those who are newer to the art of smoking foods. But also because that's how I myself learned my skills - by reading the threads and methods of the masters who came before me. I'm sure I couldn't consider myself a pitmaster if it weren't for these forums. Personally, I still enjoy reading everyone's techniques, learning from them, and occasionally offering constructive advice. But that's just MHO...and I don't really have a problem with posters who choose not to do this.

Red
 
Red, that is a very open view and I 100% agree. I personally enjoy posting how I did something, if not for everyone else's sake and mine to remember. 
This is all I'm really getting at. No one should be told to post more information or rethink posting at all. Not on a free forum at least.
 
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I guess what I was getting at is why is the only way to post on this forum to include a write up? And why can't this forum just be used for fun and place to share some photos of your cook? If I see a thread with just photos, I still enjoy viewing them. If I want to know more, I'll ask. If the OP answers then great...if not then oh well. There are PLENTY of others than do write up there smokes and answer questions. There is no shortage of information on this site.

We're free to post whatever we want and in whatever manner we so choose (as long as as it pertains to smoking and doesn't advocate unsafe cooking etc). 

I think trying to manufacture a posting template or "how to organize your post or don't" plan would drive people away. This site is educational enough even with the threads started with just photos. 
Let's dial this back a minute. My SUGGESTION as a member of this community was merely that folks take a few seconds to include a few rudimentary details on how they made the food featured in the photos they post. That's all. No one said anything about templates or required content. It was a suggestion based on my opinion. Clearly it rubbed you the wrong way, and I'm sorry for that.
 
Going to try and stay out of the argument as well, but will note that it doesn't take much to say  "seasoned with S&P, smoked at 250 for 5 hours with some hickory."
 
MD, it does seem to have rubbed me the wrong way...I'm not sure why actually. I will take my advice and say your opinions are free to be posted (as long as they're in the right section as they are ;)). 

I guess the root of my frustration initially is that I don't think constricting a person posts would be beneficial. And again, I 100% agree that it doesn't take much time/effort to add a bit of background to the picture. Many of us feel a responsibility to do so. But, within the 70K+ here many also don't. 

So with that, I'd like to bring the level down as suggested and say think about MD's suggestion when posting. On that note, if you don't want to post a write up, don't feel that you have to.

Maybe we could get a "This Thread Is Useless Without An Explanation" emoji? 
jedismily.gif
 
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Personally I try to include as much detail as I can,some times dirty hands do not let me take some shots. Main thing here is this is the best site I have ever found,so lets all just do what we can to help each other.Plus I like the fact that if I post a recipe here I can find it no matter where I am. Just my 2cents 
 
I'm a total noob to smoking but not food and the grill. While pics are great and posts with not pics are helpful, the ideal post would have both for sure. As I have perused the site and seen some excellent food with no method I am bummed because I can't replicate it and am left to guessing or reviving an old thread or PMing the OP with the hope that I get a response . On the other hand a post with no pics doesn't capture my attention and in this day and age of images and tech it's inevitable that pics will do just that.
 
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Since I use Tapatalk for probably 95% of my posts, I hate typing with my phone, so I typically first post pics with my phone, then when I have a moment, I'll find my laptop and then add text.  Sometimes it may be10 minutes to 2-3 hours before I am able to get to a phone for I might be on a boat fishin'.   I am probably adding fuel to the fire.  If so, sorry. Ah I do try to remember to type in  "will add text shortly" at the top of my phone posts.
 
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