The new video feature on Flickr has – predictably – caused a small storm with thousands of users joining a group calling for video to be removed from the site; these are Flickr purists who think the site should just be about the majesty of the still image.
But Flickr’s video is no YouTube – you’re limited to 90 seconds for one thing, which really does make it a forum for small movies that are probably – in effect – animated still images. Like Martin Parr’s BBC film of people’s houses. You’re unlikely to find TV shows or movies in 90 second chunks.
Pleasingly, a group calling itself ‘We Say No to Photos on Flickr‘ has now sprung up to mock the video refuseniks.
It’s only for pro users you know. Which is funny since obviously the more actually pro you are the less likely you will be to want to post videos.
Ooh, I didn’t realise. They must be banking on people forking out for Pro membership so they can post video clips – how odd.
And what’s slightly annoying is that the title of my photostream is now “Flickr: Photos & Video from Jon Ward” despite the fact that there can be no video there.