Just what is "Flickr" ? - DPChallenge Forums

02/18/2009 07:48:49 AM · #1

I just discovered Flickr. Well, not really -- I've been linked there before, of course, so the name is nothing new. But apparently it's a bigger thing than I realized. I'm looking at cameras again, and Flickr's an excellent place to see samples of what different cameras are capable of. For that matter, it's an excellent place to see anything imaginable. And I see many of you have accounts there, so...

I opened an account myself and threw a picture out there with a dozen or more tags to see what would happen. So far, nothing. One view and it's me from another computer. I thought I'd do a tag search to see if the image would come up and it doesn't. I must be missing something.

Another thing I'm not getting is -- what attracts people like you to it? It seems like so much more than picture hosting. I see references to groups and pools and pictures that get "promoted" based on popularity. What bells and whistles am I missing? What makes it cool? And are the forums any good?

I'm easily overwhelmed, obviously. Thanks for listening.

FireBird

02/18/2009 08:51:30 AM · #2

What? No link to your account?
Here is mine, I think. :)
//www.flickr.com/photos/73766535@N00/
There seems to be an art in promoting your images over
on flickr. I obviously don't know it. Or more probably
my images just don't make the cut. I just use the site
for photo storage so others can view images I make. As
you see I take shots of rocket events and in the future
probably other events. (If I don't have to sell all my
equipment due to the depression) :( Check out their
user groups and I believe you'll find at least one dedicated
to learning how to best make use of the service.

02/18/2009 09:05:01 AM · #3

Consider it social networking for photographers. It's greatest attraction for me is the specific user groups. I belong to groups for my cameras, and another one for PaintShop Pro.

The best for me, though, are my local groups. We have an overall D/FW metro group, and another one for arranging monthly meetups. The meetups are a lot of fun. A lot of my challenge entries were taken on meetups. We get together, take photos for a few hours, then meet for lunch and run home to see who can make the first upload to the group pool. It's interesting to see what different people can do with exactly the same subject at the same time of day. We've had meetups at a Renaissance fair, an antique mall, the zoo, and even an auto junkyard.

Getting attention on Flickr is not unlike over here. If you just post your pics, it is unlikely that you will be noticed. If you post them in some group pools, participate in forums and comment on others posts, many of them will come over and look at what you have. A handful of recent members here on DPC have joined after seeing me post my challenge entries over there for a while, and curiosity finally got the better of them.

(Warning: shameless plug follows) Oh, and there is also this great group called The Upgraders Feel welcome to join.

One suggestion though. Be careful about posting your challenge entries over there once you have a lot of DPC people in your Flickr contacts. I sometimes will post a challenge entry for feedback, but I set is as private for friends and family, leaving the DPC people as regular contacts. That way I don't kill the anonymity of my entry.

Message edited by author 2009-02-18 09:15:53.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/18/2009 09:07:53 AM · #4

Here's the official Post your Flickr link here thread. You can find a *somewhat* complete Flickr to DPC name list in that thread. I update the master list periodically. I will admit it is much easier to keep track of when people use the same name on both sites.

paynekj

Pentax K10D

02/18/2009 09:22:23 AM · #5

As the others have said, if you want your pictures to be seen on Flickr you need to join some groups and add your pictures to the group pool. Some groups have limits on the number of pictures you can add to their pools. Some are moderated, most are a free-for-all. In the more popular groups your images can become part of the noise very quickly.

Oh, and unless you pay Flickr money, there is a 200 picture limit.

Message edited by author 2009-02-18 09:23:42.

02/18/2009 09:35:00 AM · #6

One thing you will notice on Flickr is a lot of "awards" or "invitation" groups, where someone who sees your photo gives you an "award" for your outstanding image. You are then asked to post it to the group and comment and/or invite others in return. I know some people who like to participate in these, but I make a policy of not participating in groups that have such requirements, especially the pyramid-plan of being required to invite others. I do my share of commenting, but I have enough groups and contacts to keep me plenty busy.

FireBird

02/18/2009 12:00:46 PM · #7

Originally posted by yospiff:

I see you keep your shoehorn in a drawer in the pc for quick access. LOL

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/18/2009 12:13:27 PM · #8

Originally posted by FireBird:

I see you keep your shoehorn in a drawer in the pc for quick access. LOL

It's quite convenient.

Art Roflmao was the one who suggested documenting the assembly of my new PC.

Message edited by author 2009-02-18 12:13:48.

Spongetoast

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/20/2009 12:50:27 AM · #9

im in alot of teenage photographer groups

//flickr.com/photos/photosbyshirley/

mobster

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/20/2009 02:12:59 AM · #10

Here is my flickr page

On a related note, is anyone here on DeviantART?

Prash

Nikon D90

02/20/2009 03:29:34 AM · #11

This is Flickr to me.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/20/2009 07:16:23 AM · #12

Please go here to post your Flickr link. This thread is more like Flickr for Dummies (like me!).

To follow up, I understand about being an active, engaged, participating member to promote yourself and your profile. Still, it seems that if I upload a picture, add tags, and make it public, that it should come up in a tag search. That's not the case with the sample image I uploaded. Do I have to wait for some indexing or spider-like program to come along?

paynekj

Pentax K10D

02/20/2009 09:14:29 AM · #13

You might want to consult the Flickr help pages as it says you must upload a minimum of 5 images, and wait a few days.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/20/2009 11:20:52 PM · #14

Originally posted by paynekj:

You might want to consult the Flickr help pages as it says you must upload a minimum of 5 images, and wait a few days.

Thanks. I wish I had found that before. It's all a bit overwhelming to a newcomer. I've been spending a bit more time there and it's starting to come together for me now...

faidoi

Pentax K10D

02/21/2009 12:10:07 AM · #15

//www.pixel-peeper.com/ uses the Flickr database to find examples from certain lens or cameras.

Trumpeteer4

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/21/2009 12:14:24 AM · #16

Originally posted by mobster:

Here is my flickr page

On a related note, is anyone here on DeviantART?

I'm on Flickr and I just signed up for DeviantART a month or two ago.

onesaint

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

02/21/2009 12:36:53 AM · #17

Ive been on deviant art for quite a while. That place is an artists community if ive ever seen one.

Flickr for me is a just photo drawer I can toss stuff in and not look back. I unfortunately dont take advantage of it all that often for its more communal uses. I am in a few groups, but dont promote my photography there that much. Its got two sides as far as I can tell. One is Pop photography (through it on the wall and see if it sticks) and the other is a tad more serious. The tad more group is who the Getty people look for I guess.

I will tell you this though, Ive noticed as have others here on DPC (my DPCO team) that your images look slightly different on flackr than the do on other sites. Im not sure why, but they do.

Sony Sonnar T* 35mm F2.8 ZA

02/22/2009 12:54:21 AM · #18

Okay, I did it! Five images. I joined a group, posted to a discussion, commented on a few things... Let's see what happens.

salmiakki

Sony Alpha a7R III

02/22/2009 03:32:54 AM · #19

bvy I think flickr is not that different to other websites. you get out what you put in, so to speak. Certainly my experience on flickr suggests that if you just throw in a few images and stick them in some group pools you are not likely to get many views/comments. Active participation seems to be the best way to get your views/comments up. Of course, flickr is full of pat on the back type comments, which can get frustrating when you are browsing.

There are some great groups and some very talented photographers. Here's a handful that I think you may have some interest in! There are some really good discussions going on in some of these groups.

Streetlife
Street Photography
Real Street Photography
Just Street Photography

Sony Sonnar T* 35mm F2.8 ZA

02/22/2009 04:20:30 AM · #20

Originally posted by salmiakki:

Of course, flickr is full of pat on the back type comments, which can get frustrating when you are browsing.

True enough, especially if you participate in the invite/award groups. I make a policy of not partaking in those. I've been put off from those by seeing some stuff I considered so-so, but with dozens of invites and comments proclaiming it to be "brilliant".

My own approach is to throw it in a handful of appropriate groups (Usually 2-5, and more often the ones I actively participate in). If it gets ignored, that is itself some feedback. If I find I have a dozen comments the next day, then I can figure it is either pretty good, or has something of interest. If I see a lot of views, but few comments, then it probably had a thumbnail that made people wonder what it was.

On the other hand, DPC can sometimes be extra harsh on good stuff and make you think good photography is lousy, simply because it lacks broad appeal. The two sites make good counterparts for me.

Message edited by author 2009-02-22 04:22:28.

salmiakki

Sony Alpha a7R III

02/22/2009 04:45:19 AM · #21

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by salmiakki:
Of course, flickr is full of pat on the back type comments, which can get frustrating when you are browsing.

True enough, especially if you participate in the invite/award groups. I make a policy of not partaking in those. I've been put off from those by seeing some stuff I considered so-so, but with dozens of invites and comments proclaiming it to be "brilliant".

Totally agree, but sometimes people have one image in many different groups so it gets frustrating to see all the "awards" when you may want to make a really helpful suggestion.

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

On the other hand, DPC can sometimes be extra harsh on good stuff and make you think good photography is lousy, simply because it lacks broad appeal. The two sites make good counterparts for me.

Absolutely agree.

Message edited by author 2009-02-22 04:46:11.

02/22/2009 10:39:22 AM · #22

Thank you both. I didn't mean to imply that, "Okay, I've done the bare minimum, bring on the comments!" but that I've "passed the first gate" so to speak. I do plan to spend more time there; I especially like some of the specialized groups and discussions -- there seems to be something for every style or niche.

Thanks for the links, Sarah. I'll check them out today!

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

02/22/2009 01:09:16 PM · #23

I need to update the Flickr to DPC cross reference list. Make sure you post your profile link in that thread if you have not already done so.

jdannels

Nikon D300s

03/02/2009 11:52:24 PM · #24

A few days ago I could go to someone's profile on Flickr and I could see all the groups they belonged to, now when I go to people's profile there are no groups listed. Did I accidentally make a change in my preferences or was it a site change? Anyone else notice this?