Flickr is a popular website that allows users to share and utilize photos, as well as interact with other photo enthusiasts. Launched in February 2004, Flickr has become the destination on the web for photo sharing, beating in popularity such sites such as Photobucket and Shutterfly. In 2008, Flickr expanded into video sharing, even allowing those who are signed up for a “pro” account ($25 per year) the ability to upload high-definition (HD) videos. Other Flickr features include Flickr Map, a tool that enables users to find photos based on location and Picnik, Flickr’s very own photo editing tool.

One of the mainstream uses of Flickr is the ability for users to search the site for images to incorporate into their own marketing pieces or personal collections. Since images are tagged with relevant keywords, it's easy to find images with specific subject matter. Depending on the photo-sharing settings that the photographer has selected, you might be able to use the image without worrying about copyright infringement, as long as you give credit to the photographer. Flickr’s Creative Commons License details the terms of agreement for sharing or adapting another user's photos. According to the Flickr website, “You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).”

One of our very own Torti has experienced firsthand the joys of Flickr. Alison West, a Tortus web designer, has watched her treasured photos take many unexpected journeys across the web. Since creating a Flickr account to showcase her photography portfolio, Alison has witnessed the following:

Hercules the Liger Photo Courtesy of Alison West

• A digitally enhanced spooky Halloween photo she created was picked up and featured as an e-greeting card.
• A series of photographs of Hercules, the world's largest Liger, has been used in many articles, including one on geneticsevolution.com (Check out her credit when you click on the image!)
• Alison recently received a request to allow one of her photos to be featured in an upcoming book. Her photo of a pair of kittens will be included in the next "LOL Cats" book, published by Ulysses Press of Berkley, CA.
• Alison has been contacted numerous times by people who are planning a trip to an area that she has photographed and would like the inside scoop or instructions on how to find the setting they saw in the photo.

Check out Flickr for yourself – you never know where one of your favorite photos might end up!