Has it become normal for the Niantic Team AI to reject hiking trail distance markers or is it temperamental based on the photograph lighting and shadows and everything?
I just got two of the trail markers on the Lake Elsinore Levee rejected by AI, appealed one, but only have one appeal for the time being. Examples of the submission I’m appealing:
And then screenshots of the two similar POIs which have already been accepted as valid Wayspots along the trail, the start of the 5k/10k walk. And then the 5k turnaround point:
Do you think my appeal will be accepted or am I missing something here?
If I had to guess, I think that the automated process is probably not sophisticated enough to tell the difference between these signs and standard road signs. I would have accepted these in review from what I can see. Let us know how the appeal goes.
Thanks, will do. I am curious to see how the markers covered in bird poop will do, since there are at least two of them which are very dirty due to all the egrets, ducks, seagulls, and other birds in the area.
Hi, to improve your chances with ML in future, I think it would be better to feature the sign more prominently in your image. Here’s how I framed a similar sign. I like a square crop on photos because I think it works best with postcards (but that’s not necessary, just a preference). I always try to get the subject of the submission bright, clear, in focus, centered, and taking up a significant portion of the image.
Thanks, I do typically try to do the same. The issue with the Turnaround signs is they’re really tall and you have to hold the phone over your head to get the close view and you can’t even see what you’re photographing on the screen with your arms up in the sky above you.
For the Mile Markers though which are closer to the ground I did try to frame them as you suggest and that’s usually how I do it:
I have yet to buy one, but I’ve been told selfie sticks can help with photos like this.
Tiptoe, phone above head, and zoom in is what I do 
Standing back and zooming in also works usually.
Hopefully your appeal goes well, I would have accepted this 
Yeah, i just keep trying until i get a shot that is centered. It might take several tries. And then i have to delete all the bad photos or trying to show off my vacation photos later is trail, trail, trail, pool, tennis court, scrolllllllllllll, scrollllllllllll, ooooh, theres Ireland!
