I'm active on four forums. Only one, ADV, allows for direct posting of pics. Even ADV didn't used to allow it so I have gotten used to using a photo hosting site. I started with Photobucket 12 years ago then switched to SmugMug when Photobucket screwed everyone. Since I post more pics than most people a photo hosting site makes sense for me. Even when i post pics on ADV I normally use SmugMug. I rarely take pics with my phone but when I do I post the pics directly on to ADV. It is a PITA to post phone pics here but I can link directly from ADV to here.
ADV does have far superior forum software and servers to host the pics but that costs $$$.
I think that most of the people on this forum are here for the rides not the ride reports.