"How To" Guides > Sharing Images
Sharing Possibilities Expand With Digital Images
As more images are being captured with digital cameras and older paper images are being scanned into digital images, the range of digital image sharing possibilities continues to expand. This article describes some of the newer, easy, and creative ways to share images.
There will always be a place for the local photo shop. Most offer good neighborly advice and can meet a range of needs for equipment, supplies, scanning, and printing.
However, over the past few years, in reaction to rapid growth in digital imaging and the ease of transferring these files over the internet, a robust and technologically savvy online marketplace of digital image services has evolved. This article will describe some of the possibilities for sharing images using the most popular of these services.
Free Online Photo Albums and Share Sites
Digital image technology, and the ease with which we can now transfer digital image files, has given rise to several specialized online printing companies.
In order to encourage you to upload your images to their site for future printing order potential, many online printers offer unlimited free storage and the ability to share your images with family and friends via the printer's website. Typically your images are uploaded to an "album". You can then specify who has access to the album, and you are provided a means to notify family and friends when new images are available for viewing online.
Some printers provide you with a more sophisticated "share site" that has the look and feel of a dedicated web page. With share sites, you can add notes, commentary, notices, and many other template features. These share sites are available to individuals or organizations, such as a youth sports team or community historical or genealogical society. These "share sites" have a very professional look and will no doubt continue to evolve.
I recommend
Shutterfly.comas the best overall online printer
for free image album storage and its share sites. In addition,
Shutterfly.com
appears to
be most committed to expanding its offerings, as a growing independent
and public company.
Visit a description of Shutterfly's Share Site offering by using the
link to the right.
If you have not used the large online printers, it is useful to note that they do provide consistent high quality printing in a broad range of print sizes and paper finishes. In addition, these printers offer a long list of other products that make use of your images (cards, mugs, puzzles, etc., etc.), many of which can be ordered as creative and unique gifts.
If you wish to
explore some other online printers that provide free album storage and
image sharing ability, I recommend that you visit Snapfish.com by HP
and Kodak Gallery.
