The Surprising State of Photography: Flickr’s 2024 Year in Review
Podcast: Download (Duration: 45:33 — 20.9MB)
In this episode of TWiP, I sit down with my good friend and commercial photographer Rob Grimm to explore Flickr's fascinating 2024 Year in Review.
We unpack some surprising insights about the photography world, including Canon's continued dominance in the professional camera space and the unexpected staying power of the iPhone 13. Rob and I dive into the statistics that caught us both off guard – from the mysterious September 30th upload spike to the impressive 30% surge in street photography.
We also discuss the revival of community-driven photography challenges and what these trends might mean for photographers in 2025. Whether you're a gear enthusiast, a street photographer, or simply curious about how the world of photography is evolving, this conversation offers valuable insights into how photographers worldwide captured their world in 2024.
Below are a few findings from the report. Head over to the Flickr blog for more!
Most Popular Cameras
- Canon dominated traditional cameras, securing 6 of top 10 spots
- iPhone 13 was the most-used camera overall on Flickr
- Surprisingly, 900 users still actively used the iPhone 3G
- A total of 7,000 different image capture devices were used
Photography Trends
- Street photography saw a 30% increase in popularity
- Color-themed tags (especially red and green) were among top 5 used tags
- “Friendly Challenges” became the most active discussion group
- “World Photography Day 2024” was the fastest-growing group
Notable Dates
- September 30th: Highest number of photo uploads
- January 1st: Most photos taken
- May 11th: Special surge in photos due to rare Aurora Borealis visibility (as far south as New Mexico)
Popular Locations
- Times Square
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Empire State Building
- Vatican City (2,300 unique users uploaded photos)
- Mammoth Cave National Park (most photographed U.S. National Park)
Community Activity
- Art and cultural institutions drew major photographer interest
- The British Museum was among top photographed locations
- Active engagement in challenge-based photography groups
- Strong focus on community feedback and learning
Conclusion
The 2024 Flickr Year in Review shows us that great photography transcends equipment choices, from professional Canon cameras to legacy iPhones. The surge in street photography and community engagement demonstrates photography's enduring power to connect people across the globe.
As social media platforms come and go, Flickr's steady presence and community-focused approach continues to provide photographers a place to grow, share, and inspire one another—reminding us that at its heart, photography is about capturing moments and building connections, not just chasing the latest trends or gear.
Join us for an engaging discussion that goes beyond the numbers to explore what really matters in photography today.
