Getting a flickr following

PaulStat

PaulStat

PaulStat

Soldato
Joined
1 Mar 2003
Posts
5,508
Location
Cotham, Bristol
How long does it take to get a following at flickr? I comment quite frequently on other peoples pictures, add my photos to groups etc. etc.

But I only ever get a few comments. Do you get more comments if you sign up to a pro account?

Of course it could be people don't like my stuff, but that seems very unlikely :p
 
PaulStat said:
How long does it take to get a following at flickr? I comment quite frequently on other peoples pictures, add my photos to groups etc. etc.

But I only ever get a few comments. Do you get more comments if you sign up to a pro account?

Of course it could be people don't like my stuff, but that seems very unlikely :p
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I've just gone pro and haven't noticed anymore comments :p

I think the only way to do that would be to produce some awesome work.

Add me on flickr (in sig) and i'll make sure to comment on some photos for you :p

I've also joined a few groups and shared my photos which should generate some popularity.
 
am tending to use Devart now as i seem to get more feed back and favorites than i do on flickr, posted lots of photos on flickr only to get a couple of views even if i put them in to 10 groups for example i still on get a few views and no comments its annoying
 
PaulStat said:
shared your photos? how do you mean?

oh added you by the way, you like cars don't you :p
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Cheers. Yeah I do!

An example of groups, I like cars so i've joined a Professional Car Photography group and on my photos I have the option of sharing these shots within that group. That way you are sharing your photos with people who like the same shots as you.

I've also joined the local newspaper group and even had a photo published in the paper because they've seen it on Flickr.
 
TBH most of the photos i've seen with loads of comments have been ones that have neen added to a load of "post one, comment 2" groups, in other words, yeah loads of comments, but a bit pointless.
 
Amp34 said:
TBH most of the photos i've seen with loads of comments have been ones that have neen added to a load of "post one, comment 2" groups, in other words, yeah loads of comments, but a bit pointless.
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Agreed.

I used to do them then stopped as they feel rather soulless. I also use to do post 1, comment 3 if it's good, ok or meh. Those are more dipping to see what the joe public think, not quite as good as 'Plus/Minus' groups where they actually give constructive crits and not a lot of spams.

Now I just stick with commenting my contacts and following people who have shots I admire or similar to mine. I comment, they comment - at times it feels like a pat on the back for a nice shot, and at times it's more 'why not try this' to make it better / improve on shot. Much more satisfying than seeing my comments get spammed with .gifs and shameless self promoters.

Just stick with posting in relevant groups (e.g. macro / spiders e.t.c.), local groups (e.g. Hull / Bristol / East Yorkshire e.t.c.) and camera groups (e.g. Olympus / Canon / Film e.t.c.). You get some exposure and you'll make new friends. Also, be active in some group discussions, not those post the picture above you blah blah threads, but like local group competitions or meets. Very good way to learn and meet new people :)
 
I purposely limit my tags and contributions to groups to try and avoid getting any serious kind of flickr following, you could try doing the opposite! I'm very sporadic in adding things to flickr, I don't want people waiting on me.

I'd like to see your stuff that's displayed at the moment, what's your flickr name? I may comment :p
 
I'll add you, I make the odd comment when I can. I'm not able to give detailed criticism though as I'm not particularly good, but I do know what I like and don't like!

(Flickr name jj_glos)
 
But 98% of flickr comments are complete crap anyway. I've seen terrible pictures with positive comments just because they want them added to a group etc. Seems like everyone is afraid to say "nah mate, that's ****, you should have done this instead..."
 
I see what people are saying with the crap comments/spam. Would still be nice to be deemed worthy of spam though :p

Oh and to be featured on explore as well, that would be nice :D
 
PaulStat said:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulstat/

I'm very much the kind of person who seeks approval from their pictures, if I can't give others a kick out of my pictures it depresses me :p

Shallow perhaps but meh!
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Nice shots of the Lizard (I was supposed to be there the other day but never got there. :() however some of the PP leaves a bit to be desired IMO, specifically the Housel bay and Lizard lighthouse shots, a bit to misty and low contrast(HDR'd?) and not as good as your usual. :)

I know exactly what you mean, i'm the same, it's nice to see others appreciate yous shots and the only way most of us can get that is by posting on the net (bit difficult to sell landscapes).:p

AHarvey said:
But 98% of flickr comments are complete crap anyway. I've seen terrible pictures with positive comments just because they want them added to a group etc. Seems like everyone is afraid to say "nah mate, that's ****, you should have done this instead..."
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Yup, I agree, which is why I use my flickr as my photo storage (my website is now just for my best shots) and consider any comments a bonus, then post them up on here and TP for actual comment and critique.
 
Pretty much what Mr Jones said above. Post in relevant groups, add people who post photos of a similar subject to yours and comment regularly on your contacts images. Dont join those 'post 1, comment 3' type groups as this will ruin your chances of making it into 'Explore', if thats what you want to try and acheive. Apparently the Explore algorithm takes into account the fact that the massive amount of comments your image received has been mostly through these type of groups which in turn lowers your 'interestingness' score. I've only had 2 images in Explore, 1 of which made the front page, but i wouldn't deem those images as my best images. Basically just stay very active within Flickr and i'm sure you will soon see an increase in your comments and faves. I read somewhere that the whole 'Explore' thing is being removed from Flickr so get in there quickly mate :D Oh and i added you on there too.
 
Amp34 said:
Nice shots of the Lizard (I was supposed to be there the other day but never got there. :() however some of the PP leaves a bit to be desired IMO, specifically the Housel bay and Lizard lighthouse shots, a bit to misty and low contrast(HDR'd?) and not as good as your usual. :)
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Yeah I know what you mean, and I do have some better more contrasty versions just not on flickr. And nope not HDR
 
I ....

1. Comment on other peoples photos because I like them.
2. Stay clear of groups with any sort of stupid graphic or post 1/spam 15
3. Never add contacts who have more than 150 contacts themselves as it means they are highly unlikely to comment regularly on your stuff.
4. If someone adds me as a contact, they need to have commented on my work otherwise I won't just immediately add them in return.
5. When I do add a contact, I put the effort in to comment on their work.
6. Look at local groups to where you live; add contacts based on that.
7. Anyone adds a graphic in a comment, or even a self promo graphic ... its toast ;-)
8. Maintain a manageable balance of contacts. Anyone who I have known for a long period of time gets promoted to a 'friend'; anyone else a 'contact'. I regularly comment on most shots that are in my friends thumbnails list. I periodically comment on the stuff that is in my contacts, again this is based on me liking the shot.
9. Negativity - I have many contacts who I can critique with no awkward reaction. This is something you kinda adopt once you know your contacts for a while. When I started, I had someone really fly off at me and was really quite abusive, as I said the 'horizon was wonky' on one of his shots. I had to block him in the end.
10. Meet up with some contacts; I have a few really good photo buddies as a result of Flickr.
11. I know it sounds odd, but its also about how frequently you post to Flickr. I try and keep the momentum going, so not going more than two weeks without posting. This means you maintain contacts; so they don't forget about you. If you are a contact that appears in someone elses thumbnails every couple of months, then you will just get forgotten about.
12. Spend some time going through the photostreams of those who you do add as a contact. I generally always do this. I will spend some time commenting on the older stuff too.
13. If you do the above, you will naturally recognise your contacts contacts. They will recognise you (as you will comment more regularly) and then in turn you add each other as contacts. I have many contacts of contacts of contacts. When someone adds you as a contact now, the email you recieve shows you who/if they/you share contacts. This also helps with building up a little following.
14. Don't let it take over from actually taking photos.

Hope that helps matey. If you ever fancy an afternoon/evening/day out taking some shots, give me a shout.
 
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martinturner said:
I ....

1. Comment on other peoples photos because I like them.
2. Stay clear of groups with any sort of stupid graphic or post 1/spam 15
3. Never add contacts who have more than 150 contacts themselves as it means they are highly unlikely to comment regularly on your stuff.
4. If someone adds me as a contact, they need to have commented on my work otherwise I won't just immediately add them in return.
5. When I do add a contact, I put the effort in to comment on their work.
6. Look at local groups to where you live; add contacts based on that.
7. Anyone adds a graphic in a comment, or even a self promo graphic ... its toast ;-)
8. Maintain a manageable balance of contacts. Anyone who I have known for a long period of time gets promoted to a 'friend'; anyone else a 'contact'. I regularly comment on most shots that are in my friends thumbnails list. I periodically comment on the stuff that is in my contacts, again this is based on me liking the shot.
9. Negativity - I have many contacts who I can critique with no awkward reaction. This is something you kinda adopt once you know your contacts for a while. When I started, I had someone really fly off at me and was really quite abusive, as I said the 'horizon was wonky' on one of his shots. I had to block him in the end.
10. Meet up with some contacts; I have a few really good photo buddies as a result of Flickr.
11. I know it sounds odd, but its also about how frequently you post to Flickr. I try and keep the momentum going, so not going more than two weeks without posting. This means you maintain contacts; so they don't forget about you. If you are a contact that appears in someone elses thumbnails every couple of months, then you will just get forgotten about.
12. Spend some time going through the photostreams of those who you do add as a contact. I generally always do this. I will spend some time commenting on the older stuff too.
13. If you do the above, you will naturally recognise your contacts contacts. They will recognise you (as you will comment more regularly) and then in turn you add each other as contacts. I have many contacts of contacts of contacts. When someone adds you as a contact now, the email you recieve shows you who/if they/you share contacts. This also helps with building up a little following.
14. Don't let it take over from actually taking photos.

Hope that helps matey. If you ever fancy an afternoon/evening/day out taking some shots, give me a shout.
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I always know your work from your pictures, i dont know if thats a bad thing or not, but i see a picture on my contacts list and think its you, 80% of the time, it is.

I want to meet you and go for a shoot together round bristol way at some point, but i need a tripod first and a ballhead and theres so many out there. I know the expensive ones such as arca are great, but no idea on the £100 range ones.
 
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