Remember how great Flickr was at its peak? It was an active photography community to share and discuss images with other photographers all over the world. While the site still functions, it's nowhere near as popular and active as it once was, and it hasn't had a decent refresh in years. Oh, how the mighty fall. Where else can we share images with other photographers?
Who else remembers posting photo sets to Flickr, joining groups, entering weekly image challenges? It was great for me at the time to have a direct line of contact with other photographers. I enjoyed a particular weekly challenge that involved submitting one image of a specific subject each week, as this forced me to go out and be creative with a subject that I might not have chosen myself. Then, there was the enjoyment looking at other submissions from all over the world and their interpretations, giving and receiving constructive feedback on the images before the next subject was announced and we did it all over again. Sadly, Flickr hasn't been getting the attention it needed to stay popular, daily users are down, and the community just isn't as active as it once was.
This video from Micael Widell discusses a few major photography community sites and how they just aren't effective as a photography community in the way that many photographers would like.
Instagram was built on the sharing of images, nothing else. Instagram also introduced the masses to photo filters; these filters just served the purpose of making up for the low quality of cellphone cameras back then. Instagram has changed focus since it started. Now, you certainly don't need to take beautiful or highly technical images to be popular on Instagram. The Facebook-owned Instagram figured out much more effective algorithmic ways to keep users engaged than simply sharing beautiful images. We've witnessed the rise of the Instagram influencer, monetization, and much more powerful image filters as cellphone cameras and processing power have improved year on year. I wouldn't say that Instagram isn't a still very popular network in 2022; it just isn't the photography-focused image-sharing service it once was.
An obvious option would be Facebook groups for photography, but my experience with those has often revealed several trolls that can dishearten newbie photographers; perhaps, this is more a reflection of the online community, as the same can be found on most social platforms. Facebook also isn't exclusively about image sharing, and their community standards can be restrictive for some types of photography.
Many creatives have been turning to Patreon or other premium subscription services for image sharing and community development. Many premium subscriptions include access to a Discord server or other online community features. The cost of entry may put some people off in 2022, as we've all become too used to getting these types of services for free, despite Flickr having a premium tier of membership in its heyday. I like the Fstoppers community features and regularly have some great interactions with other photographers on this site.
Now, in 2022, where can photographers share images with like-minded people? Where can we learn from others, help others, and see great images? Maybe the best places for this type of community are real-life camera clubs and local photography communities?
What do you think about online photography communities? Do you have any recommendations? Any to avoid? Let me know in the comments.
The concept of having a “currency” on the platform will likely put a lot of people off.
It’s doesn’t look like a pure photo sharing platform, more a game or possibly gambling platform
Brad Wendes pure sharing platforms are full of fake profiles and favouritism (like on 500px where people comment on photos just to get a like back). That's why the quality is very low.
Also, it is very easy to work the system around to boost your own photos (creating fake profiles or robots - there are many videos online that show how to do it on 500px)
The 100ASA tokens system is done to prevent that, look at their gallery, and you will see a massive difference. Look also the comments and you will never see "well done" or "great work" as you see on 500px or Flickr
Now the reality is that people have massive EGO (especially photographers), and they prefer to have 1000 fake likes than one genuine critique. As a photographer myself, I'm always looking to improve, and I belive there is also room of improvement.
Michelle Maani I think you misunderstand it. There is no need to pay. I'm a free member, and I've been using it for a while now. They offer some pay feature (like any other website), but you don't need to pay anything.
They have unlimited uploaded and three submissions per week for free members!
The
I can post an unlimited number of images on Flickr, which was a consideration when I was looking for somewhere to cost effectively put up ultimately around 25,000 images in my collection of ca. half a million that dates back to 1976. I can also browse the work of thousands of talented photographers, many of whom collect their images coherently into themed groups. I don't believe Flickr has grown long in the tooth. If you think it has, then why not check back to see how Flickr is faring today. You may well be surprised.
well said, and very true as far as I can see.
I am now exactly one year out of Instagram and have absolutely zero regrets.
I've been on Flickr with a pro account since 2007 and have never left, despite it not being the same community as it was. I do miss the group activity and discussions. That's apparently all on Facebook these days.
I work as a photographer, so it's nice that my images are searchable from outside. I've made a few nice stock licensing sales over the years as a result.
What I hate about Flickr is the lax attitude towards AI images. Last year they changed their guidelines to allow it. Now AI is taking over. I could see the day I'll leave because of it, but there has to be a good alternative.
I've been on 500px since 2011. They outright ban AI, but it still shows up - and it only disappears if someone complains. I did that with a bunch of AI images from one user and got a message from 500px saying I was harassing a member and to stop reporting him or my account would be suspended!
FWIW, I've never had a client say they saw my images on 500px, or has anyone ever contacted me to use one.
Aside from all that, my biggest gripe about 500px is that it's now owned by a Chinese company and they have a duplicate site in China with all of 500px's images. I've dealt with a lot of copyright infringers since I've been displaying my images online, and Chinese, Russian or Third World image thieves are virtually impervious to copyright infringement claims. So having my images available in China without me being able to catch infringers makes me nervous. I haven't uploaded any new images since the takeover.
That said, I do like the added security in 500px. While someone can still figure out how to download a shot if they really want it, it is made difficult for most people.
I can't say that about FStoppers, though. In my short time on it, I've had one Photo-of-the-day, but I don't like that anyone, even non-members, can simply right-click and download my image. Shortly after I discovered that, I removed all my images.
If FStopper's image security ever improves, I could be more inclined to participate more here.