App Review: Flickr

Since last month’s Instagram debacle, I decided to review alternative apps. My requirements? There had to be versions for both iPhone and Android. (While my requirement is that it has to be available on both of the main platforms, these reviews are for Android only, since I don’t have access to an iOS device)

I already reviewed EyeEm, a new social platform based out of Berlin for adults. I’ve continued using it- I like the filters and ease of use… though it does attach a location if you have GPS on, and that’s a little annoying.

Next up, the mainstay Flickr. Now, I used to put up all my photos on Flickr and had a pro account for years. Currently, they’re offering free users three months of a Pro account just for installing the mobile app and linking it to your account.

The good:

• Flickr has a great community, which you can access from your computer and from your phone.
• You have a lot of privacy settings, and even the ability to post how you want your photos to be shared (via Creative Commons settings, though that’s done on their website, not the app).
• There are plenty of filters to choose from, and you can post to a wide variety of social networks (FB, Twitter, Tumblr, Blogger, Livejournal, and to email).

The bad:

• The overall design of the app is a little clunky. While the opening screen puts the social stream up front and personal (with comments and contact requests), some of the features are buried. To share a photo in the Android app, you have to click on the camera button, which then asks which camera you want to us. In most apps, this prompt allows you to choose either a camera or to upload from a gallery. It’s only IN the next screen that you can click on an icon that vaguely looks like a stack of pictures to pick the photo you want.
• When sharing a picture, the app doesn’t automatically pull through your caption for the picture. Instead, you’re prompted to post a secondary “message” to go with your social network posts.
• If you’re a high volume photographer, you’re going to have to pay for Flickr Pro. With Flickr’s free account, you can upload 300 MB of photos per month, as well as two videos. But you’ll only be able to see the last 200 photos/videos in your photostream. It’s $24.95 for a year of Flickr Pro.

I really wanted this to be a great solution- and I only hope that the app gets some attention now that people have started to leave Instagram. But the price of the Pro account, and the design of the app makes me say that it isn’t an Instagram replacement right now.

If you have an app suggestion, let me know!