Good post Rob. Flickr has a major potential. Housing so many talented photographers its great for inspiration and learning. But what i miss the most is not a better layout that is more streamlined. What i feel is the drawback on flickr, is the lack of critical viewers. Its simply not an environment for critique. As have been said before, crappy photos gets tons of "great's", "marvelous's" and "fantastic's". Its a disgrace for photography!
Im a newbie on flickr. ive been a member a couple of months, posted some pictures so that my friends can see them in a decent resolution and received a couple of those "great's" and "fantastic's" along. So my question is: does anybody actually know of any groups that facilitate critique? If so, im that groups next member!
Another thing i miss about flickr: the possibility to post additional versions of a picture. this would be a fantastic way to motivate critique and give feedback to the received critique.
Ole
I think one of the worst things on flickr is the *#Post 1 Comment 2!!#* groups. Well, they are great for getting lots of views and comments (did this also ) though the only thing these groups encourage is useless comments. The best thing would be a proper comment group, though when obliging you would get the same problem.
I think sets work if you don't create too many of them. Besides I use Flickr as kind of portfolio anyways, I have a photobucket account which I use as place for uploading whatever I might need.
No. At least not now. It took a while for me to become used to the place however.
I guess it's kind of what you want to get out of it that really is the key. I think for the majority of users it's a cross between somewhere to store their photos and a social networking site. As for making contacts and joining groups it's a fine line. I'm quite choosy as to who I'll add as a contact as most people are just fishing for comments and faves to propel their pictures into "Explore" (Don't get me started :-)) As for the groups, it depends where your interests lie. If you just want to specialise in one area, there are hundreds of groups in each photographic catergory. There are also many groups where you can just have a bit of fun and blow off the days steam.
I've made some fantastic friends (many of whom are professional photographers) and met many of them (I've been on five flickrmeets so far, brilliant fun)
I've had the privilige of helping people. I've watch a pure amateur turn into the ultimate studio pro.
So if anybody wants a "leg up" to the ins and outs, flickrmail me, :-), here,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/istartedafire/
Edit; Also I forgot to add, I've pointed out this site to many a "newbie" looking for the excellent technical advice given here, which I believe is second to none on the web.
Last edited by The Blue Boy; 13th May 2010 at 07:53 PM.
Thanks Dave! I will definitely give it a go. Actually, I've been using this page for over a year now without being active. The tutorials offered on this page are very inspiring and educational. This is where I started to learn about exposure, colour space, levels etc. So to say it simply: a fantastic resource for any photographer.
Anyway, I will give it a go on the forum as well! Its always fun to share experience and discuss with others. I will definitely mark my signature on more threads here as time goes by
Best regards,
Ole