Wild
SH01D7This is a shutterspot. A shutterspot is a GPS game. It is similar to virtual geocaching, but it stands it on its head. Instead of being provided a set of coordinates to locate a plaque, statue, etc., one is provided a photograph (or two or three). The challenge is to determine the exact spot the photograph(s) was taken.
One is provided a 100m grace to account for variances. This has been an extremely rewarding activity. I encourage you to give it a whirl.
The two photographs here were taken from the same spot. Get yourself there, take a set of coordinates, and a photograph of you at that spot and post it on the shutterspot page. If you are within 100m of the recorded coordinates, your log is accepted.
It can be more challenging than it appears.
Also blogged on this date . . .
- The Lost Art of Logging - 2008
- Chris Matthews' Leg: Now An Award - 2008
- 12 of 12 Baker Dozen-Style - 2007
- Long Posts - 2007
- Where Did I Go Wrong? - 2007
- Budgets, Sales Tax, and a Challenge - 2006
- Marlins' Willis Shuts Down Phils Offense - 2005
- Hunter S. Thompson - 1989
Tags: GPS Games, New Jersey, ShutterSpot
By Zoooma on Apr 14, 2008
***Location edited by Bob.*** If I was in the area I’d go and log it. I’m a little far away, though. Then again, I kinda cheated to find out the location. Is that okay?
Looks like a fun game. I checked for Fairbanks Shutterspots… nearest is Vancouver, like 2200 miles away… again, a little far. If I was to start some for Alaska, well, I’d just be playing with myself.
By Zoooma on Apr 15, 2008
Whoops, sorry, Bob… glad I didn’t mention what street it is, as well!
By Bob on Apr 15, 2008
No problem. I meant to send you a quick note, but got wrapped up in some things last evening. It isn’t like it is difficult to solve this one, but might as well make folks do a little work on it.
I’ve noticed that the difficulty of my spots has lessened over time. I think that is to encourage others to log them.
Not many people play the game, but a lot of that has to do with not knowing about it. If it were known, I think folks would like it.
Shutterspots solve the issue with urban cahing in that knowing physical needs to be had. That means that permission, looking out of place, and bomb squads are not an issue. It’s more like sightseeing, which folks do not have an issue with.
By Zoooma on Apr 18, 2008
That’s interesting that you mentioned bomb squads. Have there been problems with that with geocaching? I never thought it would happen but an ammo-box in the woods? Wow, that could contain a bomb for sure. In the woods wouldn’t do much damage except to a person or two maybe, but still. And after 9/11 it would be legitimate to call any box in the woods like that suspicious. Anyway, I like the Shutterspots game, well, since I’m not actually playing it looks interesting from a distance. If I lived back in Jersey I’d have tons o’ fun with it!
P.S. big serious starting tonight: Mets-Phils! ESPN Sunday night (afternoon here) means I get to watch at least one. Am hoping (praying) for at least 2 of 3 from ya! A sweep would be nice!
By Bob on Apr 18, 2008
There have been plenty of bomb squads called over the years. You are correct, an ammo can in the woods does not really pose much threat, even if it weren’t benign. Even so, some of those have been blown up.
It is mainly the urban ones, however. Placing a concealed container in the middle of a city in a mailbox, phone booth, etc. is poor form.
My Phillies suck. I haven’t even geared up for the season yet. I lamented to someone just this morning that I haven’t watched a Phillies game yet this season from first pitch to last. I haven’t scored any game yet. There is just so much going on.
By Webfoot on Apr 18, 2008
Thanks for the “push out the door” toward GPSgames.org. While I haven’t gotten any shutterspots, nor posted any, I actually have one in mind for the local area near where I work in Rancho Cucamonga. I guess I have to start somewhere, and while the GeoVexilla I find more interesting mainly because there are flags out there to be had all the time, the shutterspots is more intriguing because of time it takes to create the shot or shots. As a photographer, that’s the grab for me.
Because not too many people around here tend to do shutterspots, they tend to be few and far between. I guess if we were to get more people involved, it would eventually grow.
My Angels are doing OK. I would have liked to see them do better against Seattle last weekend, since they appear to be their main challenge in the west this year, but I’ll take what they’ve done thus far.
By Zoooma on Apr 20, 2008
Ahhh, a fan of the California Angels, um, I mean the Anaheim Angels, umm, I mean the Santa Monica Angels of Anaheim near Los Angeles up the road from San Diego (or whatever they’re calling themselves now) … saw that Torii Hunter had an amazing catch the other day. But being an N.L. fan, well, not necessarily a fan of the whole league but of an NL team, I don’t really follow the AL too much… and west coast teams almost always seem to get forgotten about, or at least less attention gets paid to them by ESPN.
As far as Mets-Phils — 2 out of 2 so far! HA HA! Sorry… all in the name of friendly competitivism (<–that’s a new word, don’t question it.)
Don’t worry, Ryan Howard will catch fire eventually. After the sweep tonight, still like 12 or 13 more against the Mets. It’s a long season. Still early yet.
By Bob on Apr 20, 2008
No problem. You have turned me onto two games (Where’s George and geocaching). It’s the least I can do.