Flickr/Pix.ie are rubbish dumps or positive sites? Discuss

Simplicius

I have heard many arguments about photo-sharing sites, a lot of established photographers diss them as rubbish and full of non relevant material. So are they a breeding ground for endless reams of rubbish snaps or it is a constructive and creative breeding ground that encourages photographers to develop through the feedback they get? Like some sort of online Petri dish for potential photographers.

I know what hooked me about 3 years ago was I saw one of those digital composites where the person pastes themselves in the same picture 3 times talking to themselves by putting the camera on a tripod and taking multiple shots. I played around trying to do this and had fun. Did a darkroom course and the rest is history.

So what do you think? Are they a load of toss or a great place for encouraging the hidden photographer out of people?

Corkfeen

I've seen plenty of brilliant shots on flickr and sure it gives you a chance to show some of your work too. So its positive for me.

Cabaal

Photosharing sites are a mix of both plain and simple, they will have ****e as well as excellent stuff

humberklog

100% positive for my vote.
The nay sayers are snobs, gear geeks and elitists.

I'm mostly around the film groups and love to see a huge interest in it still and still finding new ground and pushing abilities. If even the stuff you don't like can really work in it shows you clearly what you don't want to do.
I think these sites are a great celebration of a pretty damn fine hobby. Years ago without these I'd be lugging scraps books and pieces of crap around to people that weren't interested. And it isn't a romantic notion, that was hard work that mostly ended in both parties being disappointed.

Also without flickr I would never of happened across who I consider to be about the best photographer that I've ever seen: a mr. Weasteman from Salford. Guys like this would never have the chance to get their stuff out into the big world.

stick-dan

humberklog wrote: »

100% positive for my vote.
The nay sayers are snobs, gear geeks and elitists.

I'm mostly around the film groups and love to see a huge interest in it still and still finding new ground and pushing abilities. If even the stuff you don't like can really work in it shows you clearly what you don't want to do.
I think these sites are a great celebration of a pretty damn fine hobby. Years ago without these I'd be lugging scraps books and pieces of crap around to people that weren't interested. And it isn't a romantic notion, that was hard work that mostly ended in both parties being disappointed.

Also without flickr I would never of happened across who I consider to be about the best photographer that I've ever seen: a mr. Weasteman from Salford. Guys like this would never have the chance to get their stuff out into the big world.

You can double that for me too minus the film bit which humber seems to have down to a tee

It's great to have a resource where you can indeed aspire to mimic the work of others you admire, enjoy others photography freely and most of all get and receive advice from members of a friendly community. I've learned much from the advice of others. I also find it gives a perfect platform to approach those who take the same type photographs as yourself and share ideas, hints and tips.

I do find that these sites can be about getting the highest rating and most views possible which can lead to comment spamming, etc. I don't like this aspect. I don't appreciate the competitive side of these places because they can become very daunting for beginners who are only starting out in the photography field.

I do think the pro's outweigh the cons though so it's 100% positive for me.

MagicMarker

The likes of flickr are used for all kinds of people, from pro's to people who just stick up snaps shots.

There's no doubt about it there are some incredible shots on Flickr. Although you have to really ''network'' to get the most out of it, something which I'm way too lazy to do.

Personally, I don't like Pix.ie, it's just a horrible site that makes my eyes bleed. Flickr is much more 'clean' looking.

Calina

The photosharing sites are what you make of them. If you do something that not a lot of people around you are interested in, they are a goldmine of help and information. When I started taking kite photographs, the first guy who gave me any sort of support at all was a guy in New Zealand.

But by the same token, you should give the same amount of support back if you can.

Dragan

Simplicius wrote: »

I have heard many arguments about photo-sharing sites, a lot of established photographers diss them as rubbish and full of non relevant material.

Lots of established photographers talk a lot of complete and utter bollix.

Ghost Train

positive for me... there are a few groups I watch and every now and then its good to play a slideshow of new items in the group

great the way flickr indexes and tags by keywords, locations or any other info you could want

of course you need to put in some effort to find the content you want

Ricky91t

pix.ie ftw

xia

I like those sites, well I only use flickr. But it makes me look at my pictures in a different way when I decide which ones I want to upload. And then it's kind of a test, if others like the same like I do. Knowing, that it also depends on me in which and how many groups I add them and what tags I use. But still it has a good learning effect.
But I use flickr as well like a diary for me so it's easy to look back and see what I did and to bring back my memories with that moment.
As of standard of pictures: That's up to everyone themself what they are interested in. I mean if someone believes the others are below their own standard, well then they don't have to look at them. But then they miss out the chance to see how other people look at the world they live in.
And like some already mentioned: With sites like flickr you get the chance to know people you wouldn't meet otherwise.

AnimalRights

I am against large fonts to get a point of view across.

humberklog

AnimalRights wrote: »

I am against large fonts to get a point of view across.

Oh no you're not :pac:.

AnCatDubh

Complicated question - not single dimensional at all.

Dont matter whether flickr or pix.ie, the signal to noise ratio will be high as with all forms of self publishing - however that doesn't matter tbh. The purpose of such sites aren't to enable anyone to excel - they are to share. It may be a by product that some people will get better through the interaction but their corporate mission statement will have little in it about making you a better photographer. It is highly unlikely that they are passionate about you as an individual. I think pix.ie is a little different here but that may be through chance and bias in so far as our little community here has quirky access here to Marcus. I mean how often do the flickr owners come and individually take up an issue, or put something on the todo list as a result of your feedback, or change an album setup on foot of a personal email from you?

Do they improve you as a photographer? They can assist by tickling your curiousity - the 'how did they do that?' type of motivation. If sought out - then perhaps the groups can give you genuine constructive criticism. Unfortunately the human condition is such that (with exceptions) most people will want to hear what they want to hear. You've gotta be up for it to receive real constructive criticism.

Are there great photographers to be seen on there? This is obviously subjective but i'd hazard a guess to say that there are some - perhaps with flickr given its scale, there are a number - less so on pix.ie imo but they're more identifiable regulars on pix.ie - kinda like the camera club where you hated mickey joe because you always knew that no matter how good you would be that he would always have something better on display

The primacy of digital over film lies in the flexibility (imo. Although digital obviously loses the a certain aesthetic smoothness). Pictures taken should be seen. All the better if they are great pictures. What value is on the those on the wrong side of the signal to noise ratio? Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder and its difficult to say something is or isn't good. You can just give your opinion. Historians may find value in the vastness of the new digital archive that is to be found from sites like pix.ie and flickr.

I'm on both but prefer pix.ie.

kjt

Anything that brings photographers/more photos together is great in my opinion. I love seeing photos from other photographers, there's so much to be learnt from it. You get to see what doesn't work while also being lucky enough to stumble upon pure gems, pieces of inspiration!!!

The only thing I find tough is having enough time to update a blog, flickr and pix.ie

Thirdfox

"Non-relevant material" - well...that's just in the eye of the beholder isn't it?

My pictures of cats, dogs, paint drying on walls etc could be awfully dull to others but important to myself (or the people I want to show them to).

Images do no have to be in the National Geographic to mean something. Even the "worst" holiday snapshots can mean just as much to someone as me camping out for a few hours trying to get my "perfect" shot.

So these things are great (not least for the fact that I'll probably get some legal work out of it what with the intellectual property infringement that takes place )

SaturnV

I don't visit pix.ie so I can't comment, but i agree that flickr is a positive resource. Yeah, there is a LOT of rubbish*, but the promise of some true gems there make it worthwhile. My problem is the thought that there is some fantastic image there that nobody has found yet, but maybe I'll randomly discover someone's masterpiece and be enthralled by their vision. Hasn't happened yet. But I keep clicking. And clicking. for hours. And hours. Ah, the random discoveries of a good photo make it worth it!



*a lot of rubbish, and, for reasons I don't understand, a disporportionate amount of photos of trannies. What's that all about?

AnimalRights

humberklog wrote: »

Oh no you're not :pac:.

My colourful past has finally caught up with me.

Ricky91t

AnimalRights wrote: »

My colourful past has finally caught up with me.

I do remember only recently in the "Is it ok to kill a butterfly..."thread

But since then there's been very little colour :pac:

AnimalRights

AnimalRights wrote: »

My colourful past has finally caught up with me.

Use of purple smileys is worse then large fonts! Hang him!!!!

artyeva

photosharing sites are just that - for sharing photos. any ''professionals'' who look down there noses at photosharing websites can bite the back of my lenscap!! if they don't like it why go on it??!!

i like sharing photos. i like looking at photos. i like flickr. for me it's the opportunity to see stuff from all around the world, get tips, share ideas, and have a laugh with people who are into similar stuff. i like that community aspect. who cares if there's 40 million photos of crap on there? don't look at them if it bothers you that much!!!

however - on the other hand - i hate pixie - far too cluttered and as a previous poster has said, it makes my eyes bleed. i signed up there and added a few photos but can't be bothered going back to delete my account.

mehfesto2

I think they're for the most part positive, but I feel the pervert/pornographic members ruin an otherwise pleasant site. I mean, there's enough sites around dedicate to porn, I dont see why Flickr accomidates them at all.

Personally I find them a great way to pick up new tips or see how some shots were created ('more properties' )

Nisio

I think the combination of Pix.ie and this forum has helped my photography along a lot in the last year or so; especially since pix has started hosting some pretty cool competitions of late

ColmDawson

humberklog wrote: »

Also without flickr I would never of happened across who I consider to be about the best photographer that I've ever seen: a mr. Weasteman from Salford. Guys like this would never have the chance to get their stuff out into the big world.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/weasteman/

Are you serious?

humberklog

ColmDawson wrote: »

http://www.flickr.com/photos/weasteman/

Are you serious?

Eh...yeah. Very serious. I wasn't trolling.
I hold him up, for me, as a great example of what these sites can expose you to. I look on his site and it always cheers me up, I find I'm interested in what he writes so I think that makes him the 1st blogger that has ever caught my attention. His writing is personal, clear and uplifting. He for me underscores in the most natural way one of the most important rules of amature photography: have fun but more than that enjoy it. His work is a mish mash of personal snaps he wishes to share and artistic photographs that go miles beyond the simplicity of the image. He's one photrographer I'd hold up as really inspiring me. Not so much in changing my own course or tact but just by knowing that it's possible.
All this is of course my own opinion, which is the great thing. That doesn't make it less serious.

The bad photos on these sites are getting bad press on here I think. For me (as with music) I learn a lot more from stuff I don't like. The negative stuff, as a lesson in not what I want to do, often stays with me longer than photos I like. I haven't seen a good photo where I'd say "oh yeah I think I'll have a go at that". I'd see a good photo and say "fecking good idea- blast got to it before me".
Whereas with a bogey photo I can take that someone else's lesson in what not to do with me.

elven

artyeva wrote: »

bite the back of my lenscap!!

can we adopt this as the official boards photography insult?

artyeva

as long as i retain the copyright

elven

also, on topic...

the great thing about flickr is that it's so huge, whatever you're into, you're bound to find someone else on there who likes it too, and although we're sometimes solitary creatures and we like to be original and individual as much as possible, it is nice to find someone else who likes something simliar, especially if it's a bit 'alternative'.

The trick is, as humberklog says, not to see something you like and go out to copy it, but to just keep it in mind and also, to learn from teh mistakes of others and realising what you don't like and how to avoid it.