I guess I don't "get" Flickr - in particular, the awards.

[PhotoXopher]

Let me preface this by saying I'm trying flickr and in doing so I've stumbled across something that bugs me.

Apparently one of the following is true:

I don't understand what makes a good photo.
Flickr awards are a huge joke.

Anyone else see what they believe are crap or just snapshot photos that are praised beyond ridiculous and even receive 'awards'?

Is it just a big joke or is there a higher scale of photography that I just can't grasp yet?

Here are a few examples:
Jardin ouvrier / Allotment on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
L'arbre penché / The bent tree on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Tas de pneus / Piles of tires on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

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[Goontz]

Yeah, those .gif "awards" are ridiculous and annoying. I have to agree with the examples posted, I guess ya just have to take comments for what they're worth. There's a lot of things I see on there with endless praises that I wouldn't give a second look to.

[HikinMike]

When I signed up in 2007, the 'awards' weren't that bad and I liked it because most would comment too. Now its a joke. I let me subscription run out so I can't post anymore.

When I used to post photos there, I quit joining any group that had an award....period. I also put "Comments only. Please no invite "icons or awards". Thank you." on each photo.That said, I'm still thinking about re-subscribing just so I can get more exposure.

[PhotoXopher]

OK, so it's not just me then

I think it's decent, and a nice quick method to share photos. I use SmugMug for my family stuff but wanted a place to keep my 'photography' related stuff separate.

[itznfb]

flickr makes me want to throw away all my gear. Sorry, I just have to express my flickr hatred in every flickr thread...

[bigtwinky]

I'm sure some people use flickr to give them a false sense of accomplishment. Go there, post up the image in a place were people give you sparklies, get said sparklies and you thus feel better about your image.

You can chose to use flickr as you wish. I don't update my website every week, so I use flickr as a place to store my most recent shots and will sometimes refer people to it.

I like posting in various groups that actually give some feedback on the image. While I rarely get good feedback, I join groups that I like so I can scan through them to get an idea of what people are posting up. A good source of inspiration.

I've also met up with a few fellow flickrers which was fun.

And thats the extent of my flickr usage

[Overread]

meh most awards are not worth the binery they are made up of on flickr. However don't dispare some of the groups are well worth taking part in. The canon/nikon and other brand boards tend to get a good amount of attention and some good members making posts in their threads And if you search around there are other spcialist interest boards there which have been setup. Even many places such as zoos will have one (though most are made by photographers and have little to no input from the centre itself).

As for the awards - just don't go for those sorts of group

[Derrel]

flickr makes me want to throw away all my gear. Sorry, I just have to express my flickr hatred in every flickr thread...

Flickr is the modern urban telephone pole; loaded, simply loaded with old staples and remnants of fliers people have tacked up, tacked over, ripped off,taped up, double-stapled, push-pinned, you name it.

[PhotoXopher]

Now there's a reference I can understand!

[ANDS!]

I am not convinced those awards linked are not an actual joke. The same awards are being handed out. If its not a joke - cest la vie. As the saying goes there is no accounting for taste - this works both ways, for good art and bad art.

[Overread]

Oh its not a joke - you have ot remember that flickr (dispite the PRO lable on everyones profile who has paid for an account) is not exclusive to the photography pro or the keen amateur but to anyone.
Thus you get all sorts as well as all levels of skill and of award. Not only that but there is a lot of backpatting and further groups which have rules on voting - you post a photo you must ward/nominate etc.. at least so many photos after that

[Rekd]

I didn't even know there was such a thing as flickr awards. (Not sure how (or why) I would get into it, so nothing gained, nothing lost I suppose.) And yeah, those samples are slightly interesting, but nothing to get/give an award about.

On a lighter note:

flickr makes me want to throw away all my gear.

I here I thought it was this that made you want to throw away your gear...

Nikon
D300s | Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G

Just kidding.

I've never used Nikon and the only reason I bought Canon was because I've got a couple of old school EF's for Canon and probably would have been just as happy if I had gone with Nikon.

[itznfb]

I didn't even know there was such a thing as flickr awards. (Not sure how (or why) I would get into it, so nothing gained, nothing lost I suppose.) And yeah, those samples are slightly interesting, but nothing to get/give an award about.

On a lighter note:

flickr makes me want to throw away all my gear.

I here I thought it was this that made you want to throw away your gear...

Nikon
D300s | Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G

Just kidding.

I've never used Nikon and the only reason I bought Canon was because I've got a couple of old school EF's for Canon and probably would have been just as happy if I had gone with Nikon.

I love my gear... Go away flickr!

[KasparP]

I love Flikrs user interface and the whole concept of a nicely organized place to store all my photos. The fact that you can upload them to full resolution and then get seperate links to smallers sizes is also awesome!


Plus, you get to brag a little

[thebeatles]

Jardin ouvrier / Allotment on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
L'arbre penché / The bent tree on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Tas de pneus / Piles of tires on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I can't believe the number of ridiculous comments these photos get, (let alone the fact that these photos are "award winners".)
no offense if the award winners are on this forum, I'm sure it's not your fault, people just went crazy over the brilliance of your opus.