By MICHAEL MILLER
Features of Online Picture Services
Posted: 2007-06-27 15:53:02
Most online picture services offer similar features.
It's the quality and price of those features that help you to choose a particular site.
Here are some of the features to look for:
Storage capacity. All picture-sharing sites let you store your photos online. Some differ in how much storage space you get. If you have a lot of photos to upload, look for a site that offers unlimited storage capacity.
Price. The best sites offer free photo storage. The best of the best offer unlimited free storage. Some sites offer limited storage for free, and additional storage and services for a monthly subscription price. Compare plans carefully, so you don't paying for something that another site will give you for free.
Fast and convenient uploading. When you have a lot of photos to upload, you don't want to take more time than is necessary. Some sites force you to upload one picture at a time; others offer a bulk upload tool.
Camera phone picture uploads. Take a lot of pictures with a camera phone? Then make sure the site offers a way to upload all your camera phone pictures.
Picture-sharing capability. One of the primary reasons to store your pictures online is so they're easy for other people to view them. Make sure the site offers decent photo-viewing capability, either one-at-a-time or in an automated slideshow. Equally important, make sure that others can easily view your photos, typically by you sending them the URL for your online photo album.
Photo editing services. Some online photo sites let you perform basic photo editing on any picture you upload. Check out the site's photo editing tools -- how powerful they are, as well as how easy they are to use.
Photo prints. Almost all picture-sharing sites let you order photo prints of the pictures you upload. Make sure the site offers a range of different print sizes, and prints on quality paper. In addition, you need to compare print prices between sites; for example, pricing for an 8" x 10" print can range from $1.99 to $3.99.
Other photo products. Prints are great, but what if you want to put your picture on a t-shirt or coffee mug -- or turn it into a giant-sized poster? Make sure the site you choose offers the kinds of photo-related products you're likely to want, in addition to normal photo prints.
File formats and resolutions supported. Not all sites accept pictures in all file formats. While most sites support the popular JPG format, fewer sites let you upload files in the higher-quality TIF or RAW formats. (Or, if they do, they might charge extra for these high-resolution photos.) Also check to see if your uploaded photos are stored in their original format and resolution. You don't want to upload a high-resolution TIF photo, and then have your friends limited to downloading a lower-resolution JPG version of that file.
Speed. Price and compatibility aren't the only things to consider. You also want to compare the speed of a site -- how fast you can upload a group of pictures, as well as how long it takes to get any photo prints you order. When you need prints in a hurry, look for a site that offers next-day service.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
It's the quality and price of those features that help you to choose a particular site.
Here are some of the features to look for:
Storage capacity. All picture-sharing sites let you store your photos online. Some differ in how much storage space you get. If you have a lot of photos to upload, look for a site that offers unlimited storage capacity.
Price. The best sites offer free photo storage. The best of the best offer unlimited free storage. Some sites offer limited storage for free, and additional storage and services for a monthly subscription price. Compare plans carefully, so you don't paying for something that another site will give you for free.
Fast and convenient uploading. When you have a lot of photos to upload, you don't want to take more time than is necessary. Some sites force you to upload one picture at a time; others offer a bulk upload tool.
Camera phone picture uploads. Take a lot of pictures with a camera phone? Then make sure the site offers a way to upload all your camera phone pictures.
Picture-sharing capability. One of the primary reasons to store your pictures online is so they're easy for other people to view them. Make sure the site offers decent photo-viewing capability, either one-at-a-time or in an automated slideshow. Equally important, make sure that others can easily view your photos, typically by you sending them the URL for your online photo album.
Photo editing services. Some online photo sites let you perform basic photo editing on any picture you upload. Check out the site's photo editing tools -- how powerful they are, as well as how easy they are to use.
Photo prints. Almost all picture-sharing sites let you order photo prints of the pictures you upload. Make sure the site offers a range of different print sizes, and prints on quality paper. In addition, you need to compare print prices between sites; for example, pricing for an 8" x 10" print can range from $1.99 to $3.99.
Other photo products. Prints are great, but what if you want to put your picture on a t-shirt or coffee mug -- or turn it into a giant-sized poster? Make sure the site you choose offers the kinds of photo-related products you're likely to want, in addition to normal photo prints.
File formats and resolutions supported. Not all sites accept pictures in all file formats. While most sites support the popular JPG format, fewer sites let you upload files in the higher-quality TIF or RAW formats. (Or, if they do, they might charge extra for these high-resolution photos.) Also check to see if your uploaded photos are stored in their original format and resolution. You don't want to upload a high-resolution TIF photo, and then have your friends limited to downloading a lower-resolution JPG version of that file.
Speed. Price and compatibility aren't the only things to consider. You also want to compare the speed of a site -- how fast you can upload a group of pictures, as well as how long it takes to get any photo prints you order. When you need prints in a hurry, look for a site that offers next-day service.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
2006-06-18 11:10:00
