Flickr (Should I Join)

[KeenTeen17]

I have had Flickr recommended to me by a friend. I think it looks like a pretty good site, but photos uploaded to Flickr get shown in Search Engines like Google. The same happened to my Blogger but I used a robots.txt file to stop the Google Crawler finding my images. I'm not so sure I want people stealing my images and it takes too much time to put a signature onto every photo (I have thousands!)

[glsammy]

In which case don't join.
I have a flickr account, and just about every shot I take I load there. It depends what you want to load them there for. I use it as a kind of loose security blanket, especially as I now don't bother to backup my shots onto disc any more. You can of course make your shots only visible to you, or you and a selected few you nominate if you wish.
There again I haven't got the slightest concern re having my shots nicked.
If anyone can make money from my shots my attitude is go ahead, it's more than I can be bothered with. I'm not at all concerned about my old shots. I regard them as targets to get a better effort the next time I try.
In fact I'd get a real kick out of seeing one of my shots nicked and published! There's a challenge for someone if they can be bothered. I expect no payment, just a tiny comment that the shot wasn't taken by them.
Marking your shots serves no real purpose. It certainly doesn't stop them from being used elsewhere and I've yet to see a visible mark that can't be removed, unless it's the type that defaces the image completely.

[poschiavanus]

For me one of the neat things about Flickr is free-format tagging: if you don't want Google to find your photos then you won't want to use this.

However, I've just checked and Google images does a pretty lousy search job (you have to put Flickr in the search to even begin to see some of the Flickr images). It also only caches a small gif file (which is all that non-Flickr members see anyway). If you post thumbnails in threads here they also appear in the Google search (about 1530 in your case). So I think your concern is probably misplaced.

I started using Flickr before I got broadband when it was a real pain trying to attach even quite modest photos to an email for ID or sending in records. So I liked the idea of posting one photo and sending the link (actually I still like this idea: I don't like huge emails filling my in-box). It's suited my needs, so I haven't changed. I find it quick, simple to use and it gives me reasonable control over the images. It's not a fancy photo Gallery: my impression is that pbase does that kind of thing better. So think about what you want out of it: does it give you more than WAB for instance.

Remember it costs money for hosting over 200 photos on Flickr.

HTH

posch

[diggleken]

I do pretty much as Graham, for storage and agree with his sentiments and advice too - just label for friends and family viewing if you are bothered about privacy though.
It is good fun and I use it to store my better shots mostly.
You can only store so many - but - if you run BT Broadband, you get unlimited storage as a 'pro' account, as it runs via Yahoo, by BT.
I would, its free and a good, well run site.
You dont have to mess with reducing size to store or show either!
HTH
Ken

[Mungo]

I feel the same way as Graham.

I have just joined Flickr and think it's a great place to keep my pictures, plus I join groups that interest me or are places I visit in real life.

Go for it, I for one would love to see your pictures

[squishy]

even putting a signature on an image is easily got around... unless you spoil the photo by putting the sig right on the subject, people can just crop it out of the image.

i use webs.com for my Gallery, as the photos dont show up on google and you can alter the design of the page to your taste very easily. (plus, the free accounts they do only have a very unintrusive .webs.com in the URL, which makes it easy to remember)

[Geoff F]

I looked at a few sites then opted for Pbase which, to me, appears more professional looking and, as far as I can see, possibly attracts the more serious photographers. But there is a small annual charge.

Not worried about people seeing my photos, at least not the ones posted there. So if you want to do a comparison have a look crustacean's Photo Galleries at pbase.com

However, I do limit the image size to 800 pixels by 96 ppi so they won't make good prints.

Before making my choice, I looked at Flickr but had difficulty accessing the site (struggled to even find the door!) and Pbase seemed much easier. But a lot of people use Flickr so this might just be stupidity on my part. I admit to struggling with a lot of things on the internet.

[col188]

I happily use Flickr too, for public viewing of my pics. Unpretentious and a lot of fun.
You can of course keep them private for family, friends, likeminded etc.

I've used a few others, photbox, photobucket, pbase, epz all slightly differing emphasis.

Don't think you can protect from downloading, but worthwhile using a visible copyright if it's bothering. Personally, not being a pro tog, gives me a buzz if downloaded.........just nice to be asked, and credited.

[Hobjob]

I'm with Graham too - other than I don't load many wildlife photos there, more family, occasions etc.

I don't use it as my backup service though.

I use Photobox for events when people are likely to want prints - just done some family groups at a garden party. Much easier ordering system.

For sharing snaps amongst the family, my kids have taken to FaceBook, though as often as not they email them too. My missus is a bit technophobic (though actually quite competent!).

[diggleken]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

For sharing snaps amongst the family, my kids have taken to FaceBook, though as often as not they email them too. My missus is a bit technophobic (though actually quite competent!).

Looking over your shoulder Hobjob?

Its interesting that this week one of mine on my Flickr account has beeen selected for publication, but they kindly asked first, even though its marked as a public pic.
By the way KT, have you decided yet??????
Cheers
Ken