These are the 15 most popular Flickr photos of 2017

Do composites count as a "photo"?
Interesting images there but as i looked again, too many are just massively over- photoshopped.
Title "Best Photos" throws me i guess.
I dis-like many of them. Just my opinion obviously.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

Read the title again, SLOWLY. It doesn't say "Best Photos" but "most popular" (and on Flickr the title says "Top 25 Photos", which means same as most popular).

Dec 11, 2017*permalink

You mean where it says Top 25 Photos?
Yeah i saw that. If i had missed that it wouldnt have caused me to think it was about Top Photos.
If it said Most popular Images, I wouldnt have been thrown by the weird composite.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

Is this gibberish answer supposed to be witty? You claimed the title was "Best Photos". It's not - neither here nor on Flickr. "Top" and "most popular" doesn't mean "best". Simple as that.

Dec 12, 2017permalink

As to the "composite" issue - even if there are any composite pictures there (hard to tell for sure), they are still made of two or more photographs, and not computer drawn or generated elements. So, they still count as photographs, like other photos made of a number of photos, e.g. stitched panoramas, multi-frame HDRs, sensor-shift high-resolution photos etc.
Personally, I share your dislike for mixing composites with other types of photos. Unfortunately, with each passing year it will be more and more difficult to tell them apart. Adobe Sensei AI software already generates rather convincing composites at a click of the button.

Dec 12, 2017*permalink

Photos is the keyword dude.
Semantics but that first image is not a photo. Maybe a photo of the kid with a flood lamp pasted into 2 or more photos. Certainly not a single photo.
Yes I said 20yrs ago it would be impossible to tell CGI from a photo soon. It happened many many years ago.

Dec 12, 2017permalink

Edit: Did the math, it was 27 years ago. People didnt believe me. Some were family so they remembered I had said it and apologized for scoffing haha.
An image is an image i guess. But yeah if someone says photo, I just expect to see a touched up single photo. Stitched or multi-exposed would still count.
Someone said over-cooked or composite. There is an imaginary line we all have i suppose.

Dec 12, 2017*permalink

Graham Meale

Some stunners there. One or two a bit overcooked.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

What is the first image supposed to be saying? Has the kid been abandoned? Why is he allowed that close to trains unsupervised?

Unless the idea behind it is to be disturbing then it fails, I suspect it's popular simply because of the schmaltzy appearance.

A lot of the rest seem overdone but the astro work looks fine to me as they use technology to reveal a deeper truth about nature.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

A good photo generates conversation. What the child is doing is a reflection on the viewer.

Dec 11, 2017*permalink

A good photo can answer it's questions or leave you pondering. This one seems to be implying cuteness but is actually disturbing. I don't think that was intended, does that make it a bad photograph?

Dec 11, 2017permalink

As I said, how someone interprets the photo is a reflection on them. I see a child getting ready to go on an adventure.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

Idiot. My comment refers to what the photograph is trying to say not whether there was anyone else there. As a family snap it might be pleasant for them but it isn't a great photograph due to how confusing the subject is, just saying you can read into it whatever you like is a cop out. Luckily these shots don't represent anything anyone is trying to put forward as art.

Dec 12, 2017permalink

Subject isn't confusing for me. The child is about to go on an adventure, maybe by train for the first time; that's how I interpret it. The fact that you see it as an abandoned child is how you interpret it. Saying its not art because you are confused by the photo is kind of a copu out.

Dec 12, 2017*permalink

I'm not "confused" by it. The photograph is confused because it's sentimental and mawkish but also making a disturbing statement - or not making a statement at all if you don't like thinking about things. People "fave" it because it's a cute kid and not because it's a good photograph, it's the shallow age we live in. Bresson would have binned it in a second.

Dec 13, 2017permalink

jwasturias

I have a small selection of photos on my flickr account.
I remember submitting on two occasions a macro shot. And only put it in a few standard groups without trying to over-marketing them. To my surprise people started congratulating me to having a photo on Flickr Explore. I did not even know it existed.
There is one chap I had the misfortune of "following" in my early days of membership.
Every photo he takes is an over the top HDR landscape/seascape. But it seems he has 100 faves before he even posted it. Nor sure how he manages that. I use flickr more to show and share a few pictures among some friends and work mates.

Dec 10, 2017*permalink

Thomas Rose

It is more of the bull that passes for news and interest these days. I look at many images on Flickr and these are in no way exceptional. Not that any of these 15 is a bad image (apart from that first, obviously heavily manipulated and rather disturbing effort). It is that popularity on Flickr depends a lot on what equipment was used, the subject matter, the groups in which the images are published, how they are key-worded, whether or not you need to zoom in to assess them, and how effectively they are marketed in other ways.

The one thing popularity (views, faves, comments) does not reflect is the inherent quality or interest of the images.

Anyway, however "good" they are, none of them would get close to my personal top 100 Flickr images.

Dec 10, 2017*permalink

Is that first Image(boy and train) a photo from a camera?

It looks like CGI.

Really bothers my eyes, all the weird OOF areas not matching.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

VadymA

Typical Flickr. I knew exactly what I am about to see when I read the title. This is an equivalent of pop music in photography. Nothing wrong with that, they certainly deserve to be best in this category. You want something less pop-culture or mainstream? There are other venues and awards for that.

Dec 10, 2017*permalink

I agree that these are like winners of a mainstream pop music festival. However, I assure you that you can find all other styles on Flickr, too: ballad, punk, country, classical, electronic etc. (to follow your music genre analogy).

Dec 10, 2017*permalink

VadymA

Yes, I actually wanted to mention this but didn’t want to make it too long. One can certainly find something appealing to any taste on Flickr or Instagram, just maybe not among top 100 sweet eye candies shown here. I like pop music or sweet deserts, but in strict moderation. Same here - seeing one or two a day of those samples make me feel good, but flipping through all 15 of them almost made me nauseous.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

Zdman

I suppose you want shots of suffering in some war torn environment or some old people in traditional garb? I'll tap my feet to my pop music while you wallow in self pity listening to the latest hip musician.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

PeteQuad

I like these images as much as the next person, but don't get upset and attack people because you can't understand or appreciate other work.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

whtchocla7e

I like them. Precisely because they are opposite of the dull everyday imagery of life. I don't understand some of the comments. There's a grain of truth even in a highly exaggerated image. If your standard of truth is limited only to what our own poor visual system can detect then it's not really very much truth at all.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

jackspra

Fantastic shots.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

String

I completely agree! I would think anyone would be very proud to have taken any of these shots

Dec 9, 2017permalink

martindpr

Braving the Weather... No. 1

Dec 9, 2017permalink

tinternaut

All great photos. But I see great photos on Flickr every day. I wouldn’t use number of views (or even faves) as a guide. I’ve observed that some are very good at getting plenty of both, and it’s not always proportional to how good the photos are*.

* To be clear, I don't level that particular criticism at any of the photos above.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

the very artificial and painfully staged photos of the boy and girl are uncomfortably perverse for me to view and in my opinion, demeaning to children everywhere. these photos carry with them the stench of child exploitation as the children in question are treated as mere props in the cold calculations of the photographer's business plans.

i've taken thousands of photos of children as a professional over the decades and always encouraged them to express their true feelings despite the parents' demand for artificial props and poses. most of the parents later thanked me for true photos of their children. let children be children and not pawns and props for some cold, calculating money-hungry adult.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

dharmagreg

That is little bit harsh Stigg. You make the photographers who took those images out to be monsters.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

daddyo

You've got issues dude.
Please post a link to some of the "thousands of photos of children" you've taken as a professional over the decades -- or for that matter, how about any professional photos you've taken over the decades. Your gallery on this site belies your 'professional' claims.
Like it or not, most professional portrait photography involves posing and props -- using those does not constitute exploitation and 'cold calculations' by the photographer.
I'm not aware of any emotional scarring of my clients' children over the years due to 'staged photos'.
In my opinion, this site has an over-abundance of 'wannabe' photographers who are long on critical opinions and short on honest, practical experience.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

Nick Brundle - Photography

Your comment reminded me of the limitations a photo has in telling the story "before the shot" and the pent up issues people have when they look at an image. The same can be said of your photos, however good they are, as long as the person looking at it has some mental baggage. You'll surely feel unfairly judged as well.

I suggest you just take the image for the moment it wants to convey and don't overthink it.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

bwana4swahili

A good selection from the billions of "popular" photos taken in any given year!

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Most of them are really good photo's. Those that say otherwise need to drop photography and take up gardening instead.
Stop criticising other people's work and show something yourself if you can do better.
So much negativity in the comments

Dec 9, 2017permalink

negativity? your comment exemplifies that attitude perfectly. your hitlerian command to either fawn over these photos or be banished from photography is the essence of negation.

the essence of photography is to take photos and if published, receive criticism from all quarters without flinching. to do otherwise negates the art. if you don't want criticism, don't publish.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Peak freak

Nick; It strikes me as something of a paradox: They are 'popular' photos, which would also suggest the are 'good' photos. But because of that popularity, (to me) they look a bit ordinary rather than extra-ordinary.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

ZoranHR

Nick,
They are published so they are open for critics. We have every right to express our thoughts about everything public. Photos, paintings, music on the radio, movies, literature... and government of course. Except, maybe yo do prefer a mouth shut, a dictature instead?!

Dec 10, 2017permalink

Personally Nick, I would be very happy to produce an image as good as these. Photography and art are totally subjective if you don't like it move on. I don't like the winner of a recent UK landscape competition, but other people obviously do. It would be crass of me to pass any comment on it. I agree with you here.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

RawBob

Stigg references Hitler in a comment. He's a very angry individual for reasons I don't understand. Perhaps he's just miffed because most of us here think many of these images are really good, and he hates all of them, and we are all wrong. He's entitled to his opinion, although I wish he would go and voice it somewhere else. I like those photos, especially the wildlife images. They are tough to capture, I know from personal experience. Facebook would be a good alternative for Stigg, there are lots of hateful people just itching for a fight in that environment.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

Nick invoked Godwin's Law. LOL

Dec 11, 2017permalink

https://www.flickr.com/groups/nothingbutthebestofthebest/pool/

One thing I do like about Human units is their ability to take "reality" and to transcend it by the use of imagination and creativity.

Regardless of PP, Excellent images!

Dec 9, 2017permalink

fyngyrz

Here are some that caught my eye over the years:

Dec 9, 2017permalink

DominicVII

Women are the worst photographers; all too prone to kitsch of the most embarrassing kind. The pictures by Shumilova and Podlasinska are cringeworthy.

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

drewle

Cringeworthy, perhaps, depending on the subjective opinion of any individual, but to blanket-statement women in this manner is entirely unfair and sexist. Some of the most accomplished photographers in this world are, and have been, women.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Nick Brundle - Photography

Completely crass and sexist comment.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

sh10453

I just took a look at your gallery and was impressed. Found it to be truly cringe-worthy as well. :)

Dec 9, 2017permalink

DominicVII - Such a sad sexist comment. You embarrass yourself dearly. You sound better with your mouth closed.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

DToole

The only thing “cringeworthy” is your comment. You must be a real dick!

Dec 9, 2017permalink

a generalization, an opinion, but one with much objective evidence to support it - especially within the time span of the digital era.

i advised many of my female students and seminar participants to avoid thinking of a photo as a birthday cake to be decorated. many were innocently unaware of this tendency, while others with a hardened attitude insisted on applying clown makeup to their frames.

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

Peak freak

Disregarding gender ability (because I have know idea), I agree the child photographs are painfully contrived and make me want to vomit, and yet they are obviously extremely popular. It pays to be aware of what 'we' consider good, and what the masses think.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

jackspra

Ignorant comment.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

... and that's probably why your own wife and daughter will silently keep images they took of you--- which will have the side effect of lessening the feeling of your existence.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

Do you think he would let his wife and daughters drive a car?

Dec 10, 2017permalink

jorepuusa

Like the world would be only nice, beautiful and HDR americana from dusk till dawn. Bright colors and cool sunrises...but not a single image of real human life, nothing about the truth billions of people go through every day.
For some reason photography is the biggest liar nowadays.
Then.
A nipple in a picture and deletion process starts.
A nipple is far more terrible and frightening thing for google, instagram facebook etc than all the killing and destruction in videogames and tv series and plain street etc.
The most natural visual things are denied cause US churches have this tremendous power to regulate lives of also those who do not believe in stories and lies.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

KevinSB

"The most natural visual things are denied cause US churches have this tremendous power to regulate lives of also those who do not believe in stories and lies." You have no clue what you are talking about.
You are missing another point as well :real human life" are sharing their vision and sometimes that may or may not include death and destruction..

You are absolutely wrong in that photography is the biggest liar in fact it can or does revel truth.
Sounds to me you have some personal issues to work out in your own life !

Dec 9, 2017permalink

@jorepuusa, I think you should keep your bigoted ideas to yourself.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

First there many of nude on flickr if you look for them. There actually picture of everything. Lot of picture of human, including what they go through everyday for every meaning you could imply from the rich to the poor, beautiful and ugly and so on.

Now we speak of popular photos. Photo that people liked more, viewed more, commented more and shared more over the net.

You may not have the same state as the majority... I don't see how this is problem for your or for the majority and why you should complain.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

I couldn't agree with your basic premise more: photography has now reached a peak in its power to exclude and portray a skewed and manufactured reality. Its not just the case in war jingoism photography and the denial of the reality of widespread human suffering. Commercial advertising and marketing is what most photography has become and that mindset has invaded the ranks of the amateurs with the tendency seek guidance and security through conformity to so-called "leadership."

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

RawBob

Stigg, if you hate what photography has become perhaps you should find a more discerning hobby that fits your mentality. It is becoming quite clear from your comments that you have lost the proverbial plot.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

Bart65

It are the most popular photos, but the best ??
Ok the pics r good but i know one of the photographers, about 1.5 year ago i had 200 followers on 500 px.. he had about 400-500 followers.
Today i have about 600 followers and he, he has more than 15000....not that his pics r so super...
I c many people on 500px just liking pics...same on flickr...facebook....etc....looking 4 followers....friends....the score you get on 500 px and other sites doesn 't depend on the quality of the pic..only on the amount of so called friends...likes you've got.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Now where in the title did you read that these claim to be or are purported to be the best photos?

Dec 10, 2017permalink

There is often a big difference between "most popular" and "the best".

Dec 10, 2017permalink

Hitler had millions of followers.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

MShot invokes Godwin's Law.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

Overcooked and formulaic. All of them.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Can we see some of your photos that are neither overcooked and formulaic?

Dec 9, 2017permalink

That's the stupidest, most unfortunate argument anyone can use. Do I have to be a writer to have an opinion on a book? Or a musician in order to have a say about a song?

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Emmanuel Diver

I think out of them all, the one of Mont Saint Michel is my fav, closely followed by the Volcano. The pic of MSM has a personal nostalgia, I went there as a 12 year old and it was as close to being in an RPG as I could have had. The volcano shot is amazing, the sheer fact that it's spewing molten rock from the veins of the earth miles underground just shows how small we are on this planet. What's not to like about that?

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Okayyy.... don't apply journalistic / reportage photography rules on these photos where everything is almost SOOC. The other genres have a looser set of guidelines.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

So easy to be a critic, so hard to be a photographer.

Dec 10, 2017permalink

MShot, as I said before: "That's the stupidest, most unfortunate argument anyone can use."

Dec 10, 2017permalink

So convincing

Dec 10, 2017permalink

@ Arsetoo, Crass talentless comment and counter-argument. Using your own reasoning, do I have to know you to think you are a talentless useless dick? Obviously not.

Your sort of people Arsetoo just turn to insult because you have nothing to offer anyone. Do you even bother with photography or just Troll?

Dec 10, 2017permalink

What a characterless, low person you are, Wye.
By the way, your photographs show what a mediocre, unimaginative person you are. Don't call yourself a photographer. You'll be laughed at. (Not that you have anyone to talk to, but you get the idea...)

Dec 10, 2017*permalink

@Arseole, At least I actually have some photos. Your galleries are currently the best they will ever be. Complete trolling butt wipe .I.

Dec 11, 2017permalink

thenoilif

As far as images go they are all very nice to look at IMOP. I think the thing that I am seeing though is that if you spend a lot of time browsing pics on sites like Flickr, IG, and even DPReview and others like it, you tend to not be wow'ed these days unless its something truly unique.

When it comes to photography, I don't need to be blown away, its just nice to see so many beautiful images.

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

Stephen McDonald

According to what measure, are these the most popular? I didn't see any that I would have posted in public view, if they had been mine. As anyone can see, those that feature naked women, always get the most views, but not a one of those here. Did Flickr or DPR censor these?

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

HFLM

Maybe we all should take photography lessons by you then? Would make us all so much better ...

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

Jaakko Alatalo

Usually I don't want to be this rude but I'll make an exception as your comment was just as rude towards the photographers in question. The only reason you haven't posted any of these (or anything like them) to public view is that by judging your gallery posts you are not capable producing anything like these.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Honestly Jaakko Alatalo is right. If you were able to consistantly produce photos like the 15 there and also ensure you are more pleasant with potential clients than you are over other photographers, you could make quite lot of money out of your practice.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

brn

I need to revisit flicker.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

ggstlz

I visit flickr all the time to research certain subject matter, composition and lens performance. Some incredible images out there. Having said that I opened up a new account few months back and the experience of trying to navigate the site as well as upload images was so frustrating I deleted it. I find 500px much much easier to use and its layout is more practical.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

BigBen08

Huh?
My 14 year old niece can navigate and upload photos on flickr with ease.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

ecka84

@ggstiz - BS! You click two buttons and it's there. Being used to something different doesn't mean everything else is wrong.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

robbinsbox

My cat had trouble using flickr, so we got an ipads.

Dec 12, 2017permalink

ggstlz

I wasn't only talking about uploads but the overall layout and other functions as well. I use all kinds of media including editing software as well as having set up a website for my photography. I just dont like how the way the website works for that's all. So relax a little!

Dec 12, 2017permalink

Nojo

I enjoyed the series, though I am not much for heavily processed photos. In particular though I did like the great blue heron shot, could be that since I too do nature and wildlife photography I appreciate when someone gets that one special moment captured.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

ecka84

Yes, I've faved lots of great blue heron shots, but that exact one has left a mark in my memory. ... that poor little zero-G fishy :)

Dec 9, 2017permalink

asdf photographer

I swear there has never been better photography (in general) and photographers that (probably) weren't paid a nickel. Public service I guess. Thanks to all who create for the love of it!

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Lensmate

I like and use Flickr semi-regularly [with reduced sized images] for many different reasons. It is free to use/share either privately, or publicly. What's there not to enjoy about it....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/photosauraus_rex/

Dec 9, 2017permalink

KerryBE

I think they are all great. Some resonate more than others. Love diversity.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

loafer

Similar to last year and perhaps even more so - these are nearly all Romantic in style. Where is the gritty realism of a grizzled hobo, the beauty of a modern machine or even a post modern whimsical staged realistic fantasy? The deeper question is why do we love the Romantic style - to fill the void of the (ironically named) social network.

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

TN Args

I tend to agree. Similarly to if you pick the the most popular 15 songs of 2017, it's going to end up a pop song contest, right? Not quality. All formula.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

loafer

But some eras looked forward in art and entertainment. The Beatles were high art and the most popular.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

spidermoon

And HDR look is always popular.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

"Not quality. All formula." I love these comment on every topic we got connoisseur that systematically criticize the preference of the majority. People that comment on reality TV show they supposedly never look at and never heard of because they are not interrested. People that have wonderfull musical taste and would never listen to Pop music but can criticize it just fine and people that know what is a "true" quality photo.

You know what? Many people are not that interrested by a modern machine appararently...

And honestly I don't see the issue.

Dec 9, 2017*permalink

loafer

It's more a comment on society than individuals. A society that wallows in nostalgia and worships media celebrities and social influencers may not be healthy.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Thomas Rose

"may not be healthy" ?

correction: IS NOT healthy.

;)

Dec 13, 2017permalink

doctor digi

Flickr? Is that site still going...

Dec 9, 2017permalink

NG Resonance

There really isn't a better alternative. And don't suggest Instagram.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Vlad S

The fake blur in the first one really hurts my eyes. The perspective gives one map of depth, and the blur – a very different one. Ugh!

Dec 8, 2017permalink

Ron Poelman

Interesting.
Only one B&W.
No "Vintage Film Effects".
The Herd has moved on.

Dec 8, 2017permalink

AlexisH

The herd has probably moved on to Instagram. Good riddance!

Dec 8, 2017permalink

photoMEETING

Great stuff!

Dec 8, 2017permalink

CyeJoeBob

Some great pictures and some rather boring and interchangable ones.

Dec 8, 2017permalink

whakapu

Interesting. All good, some very, none great. There are a few thousand versions of all of those on all sites that would be impossible to choose between, It's further illustration that the like/fave/follow numbers are more about networking than excellence.

Dec 8, 2017permalink

zamorac

^this comment. These are solid images but we've seen some variation of all of them before. I wonder what must one do to take truly unique photo anymore?

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Stephen McDonald

The networking on Flickr is intense. Some people, who cultivate many mutual favoriting friends, may have hundreds or thousands of favorite marks on a photo. While others with photos just as good, may only get a handful of them. The number of views and favorites is not an accurate measure of photo quality. Also, if Flickr picks your photo for their daily "Explore" gallery, that guarantees you multitudes of views and faves. Those of mine they've picked, have never been even close to being my best ones.

Dec 10, 2017*permalink

FuhTeng

How neat. What a wonderful collection of photos even if some of them could use rather less PP.

Dec 8, 2017*permalink

hfjacinto

There wasn't one in the series that I didn't love!!

Dec 8, 2017permalink

ruhell

Excellent

Dec 8, 2017permalink

RusticRiver

My goodness, y'all are some of the most jealous people I have ever seen.

Dec 8, 2017permalink

Peak freak

I think I must be suffering from photo overload.
That been said, I snoop through 500px 'Editors choice' occasionally. There are some very good photographers out there, in particular, their scene or subject vision / awareness.

Dec 8, 2017permalink

BigBen08

Oh bummer, none of my photos made it.

Just kidding, these photos are great!

Dec 8, 2017permalink

Spectro

I like flickr and still use it even when most of my college left it for just instagram. I use flickr, instagram and facebook, used to use 500px and smugmug. 500px was all about posting your best photos, some of the best quality I seen are on 500px, but no communities like flickr. Instagram is trendy, but you only see low res photo. Facebook is for the facebook crowd. Flickr got better communities to ask question if you are a newbie, plus it is my photo dumping ground (don't use dropbox much unless somebody needs a raw file) and cloud archiving.

Dec 8, 2017*permalink

ecka84

Yeah, low-res kills it for me.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

Brian D3300

Lots of great shots. I really like that Max Gor shot, very unique.

Dec 8, 2017permalink

Impulses

Yeah that one stood out to me too (#13), and not just because it was possibly the only street style shot of the bunch.

Dec 9, 2017permalink

a perfect illustration of the fact that taste and popularity are completely independent of each other.

Dec 8, 2017permalink