Whats the alternative to Flickr and 500px?

[MiqsPix]

Having subscribed to Flickr and 500px for some years I now feel they have deserted the photographer for gimmicks and useless "photo aids"! Is there a similar alternative to these sites for showing images and use as a showcase for other users to comment and learn, and not just as a means for the site holders and admin to make more money? The cost yearly is approx £50 for Flickr and £40 for 500px for pro membership. Are they really worth that?? Interested to hear your thoughts on this. There is of course the free option for both sites but I feel it's all gone downhill!
There is Viewbug and Pixoto of course. Anyone use them?

 

[droj]

I think that the value of something like Flickr is personal - it's not suited as a site for business, and neither is its culture geared to crit or learning. Essentially, it's a variety of social media where photographers can share their work, and for that it's invaluable. I haven't noticed any 'gimmicks'. There's remarkable stuff to be seen there, and you can both focus your intention regarding what you see, and form your own social circle(s).

But if its crit you want, you could try Talk Photography ...

 

[the black fox]

Been down this route many times ,there are no alternatives

 

[droj]

I could have added - to whom do you want to show your images, and why? If the purpose is clear, then the answer might be more apparent.

If it's to learn in a structured way, there are dozens of courses. Informally, there are forums! If it's just for 'likes', then there are all the 'free' social media outlets ...

Generally, if you're going to spend £50 a year, then you should feel that you're getting something back, otherwise it's a silly spend. With the likes of Flickr / 500px, what comes back to you is gauged by what you contribute - there's no free lunch. But tuition isn't in the mix.

 

[Harlequin565]

You could try Ipernity.

It's changed quite a bit since I tried it a few years ago, and the UI is very 90s, but it was created (IIRC) when Flickr removed their unlimited storage for free users and "Updated" their UI (10 years ago? memory failing).

It's a not for profit community run thing so that might appeal to you more.

As others have said, the value of Flickr & 500px is very subjective and depends quite a bit on what you want to get out of it.

 

[Cobra]

Been down this route many times ,there are no alternatives

This comes up about once a year, when Flickr put up their prices, and yet the answer is always the same...
At less than a quid a week its good value for hosting images

 

[droj]

Roger, the OP, said

for showing images and use as a showcase for other users to comment and learn

There are tons of methods for the first - essentially you just stick your images up there somewhere (which to me seems a bit unfocussed, but can be done at low cost if not free). The second requirement is a bit more specialised, and I don't know of anywhere except this and probably other photo forums. Don't they fit the bill?

If Roger is still there, maybe he'd like to engage with his own thread and respond?

 

[Cobra]

If Roger is still there, maybe he'd like to engage with his own thread and respond?

"Last seen Today at 1:42 PM"
So yes he is still checking in.