The Crazy Crap in Flickr Explore

[NaChase]

Anytime I look through the "Explore" section of flickr I find crazy stuff like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/edelwen/6890612941/
I have no idea why, but some community out there in the nether regions of flickr elevates this kind of thing to explore status with startling frequency. I just don't get it!

 

[swoop]

It's the internet.

Speaking of exploring work, I took a walk over to the Leica Gallery in NYC and found some great stuff on the wall.

 

[Araakii]

I don't find it as crazy and crappy as you did. Explore just implies popularity. Even if I might not appreciate it myself, I can understand why some people like it.

If you think that Explore should only contain things you like then you came to the wrong place.

 

[Prest_400]

Agreed, it's just a popularity indicator.

My bad, you just reminded me back in time when some popular photos were flooded with commentaries; cheesy gifs and "I'm the admin of xxx group..." always hated to see that, it got to my nerves.

I've never got to upload my work into there, and really used much more the forum features of groups. Aside of that, not having a scanner limits any uploading on the net.

 

[aad]

If you have lots of contacts who comment, most of your pictures will hit Explore.

 

[Bobfrance]

I don't really understand explore either, but to offer some balance, I've had maybe fourteen images 'explored' and I mostly shoot B&W film. No over saturated dolly pics.

Still don't get it though...

 

[Araakii]

If you have lots of contacts who comment, most of your pictures will hit Explore.

I think Flickr's algorithm actually addresses that. So if all the comments were left by your contacts, they count much less than ones from strangers.

For me personally, it's nice to have your work explored because that means more people will see it. But it has nothing to do with the quality of your work and it's no big deal if you don't make it.

 

[Archlich]

Call it kitsch. One day (or maybe already) it'll be real art.

 

[Bobfrance]

I don't think it fair to be overly judgemental of what people like. Each to their own.
Whilst there are a huge number of people on Flickr I think by finding the right groups for you, people who's work you like, and seeing who their contacts are, you can find inspirational material. I know I have.

An 'explore' is nice as it can expose you to a wider audience and help you find more good 'contacts' but it certainly isn't a measure of quality or otherwise (whatever that is).

 

[DanOnRoute66]

Flickr isn't just about photos as art or documentary or photojournalism, it's about people posting photos of their interests. That's not a great "product shot," to be sure, but for some people it's about the subject of the photo, not the photo itself.