Back in February, I posted to share my pride in reaching 50,000 views on Flickr. Meaning that in the previous two years, my photos had been viewed 50,000 times, by people from around the world.

At that point, I set my goal of reaching 100,000 views by the end of the year. But I've been blown away by the reception my photos have had this spring, and I've just reached 100,000 views in just 6 months :-) This means it took me 2 years to get my first 50k, and just 6 months to get the next 50k! 

Since my post in February, I've had 8 photos in Flickr Explore, which is Flickr's selection of popular photos of the day, from the tens of millions uploaded by it's huge worldwide community. It's hard to make it into Explore, and does take some luck, but once a photo is picked up the their algorithm, views start to snowball as it's highlighted and shown to more and more people.

Here are the 8 that made it recently...

It was the bluebells at the end that pushed me over the 100,000 mark. I took it back in May, and never quite got around to posting it on Flickr until now. It wasn't a great year for bluebells, due to all the rain we've had, but I was happy with the composition - The sun, the trees, and the pathway. Three of my favourite elements.

So how do I get photos into Flickr Explore?

Well I have no idea. No one knows the details of the Explore algorithm, and it changes over time too. I use Flickr as a kind of photo blog, to share what I've been up to, and my favourite shots of from a shoot. But I guess I have three golden rules, and I think they probably all help with Explore, and in increasing the number of views my photos get;

• I only post the best photos I take. I'm not nearly as strict on Flickr as I am in choosing photos for my website collection, but I still won't post photos unless I think they're interesting, technically competent, and original.
• I regularly go through my contacts' photostreams. Most days I look through to see what's been posted, and I really enjoy it. I have some very talented friends of Flickr, and I'm always inspired and wowed by their photos. I always comment on their work, and I think it really helps that we all help each other know what works, and what could be done better.
• I always take a look at other peoples photos if they comment on mine. I'm flattered every time someone takes the time to click on a photo of mine, let alone leave a kind or helpful comment, so I always return the favour.

BBC Nature

In addition to Explore, I've also had some photos picked up by BBC nature team, who featured them on their website. This was a huge boost to me too. Not only was I gettting 1000 views a day via their website last week, but it's a real thrill to have my work noticed by the BBC. I'm a big fan of the Springwatch & Autumnwatch TV series', and contributing photos to their Flickr groups is a great way to interact, and share my fondness for nature photography with like-minded people.

Thank You

I hope this post hasn't come across as a boast. The main point of the post is to try and help document my progress as a photographer, and I have to be pleased when I reach my goals. 100,000 views is nothing to some people, but it was a personal goal of mine, and I'm proud to have made it.

I doubt many of my Flickr friends will ever stumble upon this post, but if you're out there, then thanks very much for getting me this far :-) I don't think I would have persisted with Flickr if it wasn't for the community of talented photographers who encourage and inspire me in equal measure.

The best way to say thanks that I've managed to come up with is to create a Gallery of some of my favourite photos from my contacts. I have to apologise to those (the majority) who were left out, but I'm only able to add 18 photos to a Gallery.

[See the gallery here]

Next Target?

I'm certainly not one to rest on my laurels, but I'm not sure what my next target will be. It'll be 250,000 views I think, but by when - I don't know. I guess maybe a year from now. Is that realistic? I have no idea. That's what I'll say though. I have no specific tactic to reach it - I'll just keep posting, and keep enjoying Flickr, and see where it takes me. 

If you're on Flickr, come and find me and say Hi!

-

Links:
Fine Art Nature Photography | More Photos | Prints | Licencing | About Me