The Surprising State of Photography: Flickr’s 2024 Year in Review

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. Rob Grimm @rggphoto 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.