9: Flickr

Photo sharing websites have been around since the 90’s, but it took a small startup site called Flickr to catapult the idea of “sharing” into a full blown online community. Flickr has arguably become the best photo sharing site on the Web and is known as one of the first websites to use keyword “tags” to create associations and connections between photos and users of the site.

Before we take a look at Flickr, let's look at the value of online photo sharing (~3 min).


The best way to learn about Flickr is to create an account and upload some photos. But here are some protocols to follow before we get started:
  • When posting identifiable photos of a person, it is advisable to get the person’s permission before posting his/her photo if you plan to make it publicly accessible. In terms of students who are minors, parents would need to give permission.
  • Don't upload pictures that weren’t taken by you (unless you have the photographer’s consent). 
  • Respect the rights of the content creator when considering using the photo of someone else on your blog or another public place on the Web. Searching for photos licensed under Creative Commons makes it easy for you to know what you can and cannot do with an image. Creative Commons licenses provide a flexible range of protections and freedoms for authors, artists, and educators.
Discovery Exercise:
In this discovery exercise, you have two options…

Option A
  1. For this discovery exercise, you are asked to take a good look at Flickr and discover what this site has to offer but you don't have to sign up for an account. Learn about tags, groups and other interesting features of Flickr. Take the Magical Feature Tour. Explore the site.
  2. In your blog post discuss any aspect of Flickr that interests you, and discuss how Flickr might be useful to you personally or professionally.
  3. Optional--Find a Flickr image to include in your blog post. Used the advanced search tool and then check the box to only search within Creative Commons-licensed content. Download the image. Then use Blogger's photo upload tool to add your image to your post. Give attribution as required by the Creative Commons license in your blog post. (It's easier to include photos in your blog post if you have a Flickr acccount.  See the next option.)
– OR –
Option B
  1. Create a free account in Flickr. (Note that Flickr is part of Yahoo! If you have a Yahoo! account, log in with that. Otherwise, you will need to create a new Yahoo! account.)
  2. Upload some of your pictures to your Flickr account.
  3. Add one or more of your images to your blog. Flickr has a "Blog This" button (right above a picture) to add a photo to a blog post.
  4. In your blog post discuss your photo and Flickr experience. How might you use Flickr in your personal or professional life?

Bonus Material--Photos for Projects
Compfight - allows you to search for Flickr images that are "Creative Commons." Be sure to set the creative commons toggle to "only" at the top of the page.
Morguefile - provides free to use images as long as you credit the photographer when possible. They have a tool to allow you to add photos to blog posts.


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