Web-based image libraries

Web-based Image Libraries
by Derek Forrest and Kurt Rodenhizer, MS, MBA
eProcess Development, July, 2007

Introduction
There are many web-based image programs available to help organize a person’s image libraries. Most programs are available at no or minimum cost. We decided to review five of the most popular image libraries: SmugMug, Picasa, Flickr, York PhotoShow, and Kodak EasyShare.

SmugMug

SmugMug is an online photo album program that is primarily used by photographers who require the option of billing for photo downloads. They have 100,000 users and store over 100 million photos. The program can be used by non-professionals for $40 a year. SmugMug allows users to customize their site using pre-designed themes or user created CSS and HTML editing. This includes adding custom banners and custom page layouts. In fact, users can actually have a different “look” for each category. This program is perfect for both individuals who wish to make a little money selling their photos and photography businesses that only generate income off of photo sales. Albums can be private, public, or password protected. A couple other benefits of SmugMug are that your page is guaranteed to be ad-free, and you have the liberty of adding an infinite number of photos. Interested users can also opt to keep themselves updated on new photograph additions via RSS feeds. There are 3 account types (standard, power, and professional) that allow the users to choose their capabilities based on increasing levels of administrative and shopping cart functionality.Picasa
Picasa is cost free image library program available from Google. The program application is easily downloaded to your computer and once activated, scans the user’s computer for all photos and organizes them into a Picasa series of folders. User options at this point include file/folder management, photo editing (cropping, light settings, red eye removal) and numerous image effect options. Picasa allows the user to generate slideshows that can be played and embedded into personal webpages without the need to purchase Internet hosting services. Albums can also be exported as HTML, so that you can easily add selected photographs and albums into your website. Picasa can also be used to create CDs, share/view other online photos, forward selected images via e-mail and order prints. The account limit for photo storage is 1GB.

Flickr

Flickr is Yahoo’s free image library program. It allows for upload of images to a personalized web address where photographs can be organizational, shared with other account holders, or sold as prints. The free version of the program is supported by advertisements which will appear on user Web pages. To order prints, Flickr provides an option to either pick them up at Target Stores or having them mailed to your home. Other special features include a map in which you can place images to show where they were taken, a slideshow tool, a tagging system that allows for search/filtering functionality and a tool which places your photograph on a legitimate US postage stamp. Using the Standard account, users are allowed to upload photos that are less than 5MB in size, however with the Pro account, users can upload photos as large as 10MB. The Pro account upgrade costs $24.95 a month, and allows the user to upload unlimited photos, have unlimited bandwidth, and have ad-free browsing.

York PhotoShow
York PhotoShow Express is a free program that provides a downloadable tool used to organize photographs and create slideshows and includes an option to add audio tracks. York’s offline program can be connected to an online photo album for photo uploading to personalized Web pages. PhotoShow allows for numerous options such as creating desktop wallpapers and screensavers. Upgrading to York PhotoShow Deluxe for $39.99 a year unlocks many more useful tools such as advanced photo editing and publishing tools.

Kodak EasyShare
Kodak’s EasyShare is a free online photo library program that features useful organizational tools that allow for photo editing and file/folder management. EasyShare directs you to the Kodak website where you can upload photographs, share photos with others and order prints. Their services allow for ordering of photos that have been printed into various gifts, stationary and decorations.