idealflyer

First, I can say my photos online have gone through phases. I enjoyed Webshots, but when they started charging for storage, I made a mess by opening multiple accounts as I needed storage.

Since I could not download easily, I have since moved to Image Station by Sony. This website has been great but as all good things must come to an end, now I am wondering if Shutterfly is just as good or better.

Will I easily be able to share photo albums, download or copy images and of course, order photos for those old fashioned friends and family who still enjoy the flipping through glossy paper of prints?

This month I will lose many upload features on Image Station and in February, the site will be shut down completely. Mind you I have about 500 photo albums now pertaining to either time and date or geographical locations of trips or hometown events.

CPRich

I've been with SmugMug for several years and have been very happy (G171UaFcXSOjA as a coupon code will save you $5). Zenfolio is the only one that has emerged over the past year that seems to be comparable, but SM just introduced larger display sizes and is updating its sizing algorithms to dynamically fit monitor sizes, which was the main advantage Zenfolio had.

If you're looking for a free one, the market seems to be shaking out - only those that require visitors to sign up for accounts, or that require you to make periodic purchases, view ads, etc., seem to be surviving. I'd rather pay a small annual fee and avoid all of the nonsense.

gglave

>I'd rather pay a small annual fee and avoid all of the nonsense

I agree - I'm a flickr "pro" user and I'm very happy with it. I upload my hi-resolution images quickly and easily, tag them, sort them etc.

But I have to pay.

I think the age of the 'free' services that provide good features, a lot of storage and a lot of bandwidth are over.

SpaceBass

I use Flickr too. ... a pro account is $24 a year....thats feels like such a bargin to me.
I like knowning that I can upload full rez images too...its almost like having an online backup in that regard. It also means that any friends or family who want to print or otherwise use them have access to the orignal quality. Theres nothing worse than when I get an email full of 640x480 images that I can't end up doing anything with.

Hartmann

I use Flickr as well.

I will say this, if you don't need the ability to view the thumbnails of photos and basically just need the space to back them up, I'd go with Amazon S3.

I use to store images for my websites, backup important e-mails off site, and any other files I deem as important.

CaptainMiles

I use Phanfare. No limit to the # of photos, can upload and download hi-def photos, and redundant backup using Amazon S3. It has worked quite well for me,and I recommend them.

If you want a referral link to save $7 off of their membership PM me. In the spirit of full disclosure, I should let you know that I do get some kickback too if you sign up based on my referral.

ScottC

I tried loads of them.

Save yourself the hassle and just go with Smugmug

Nothing even remotely comes close to it.

t-rev

Another vote for Smugmug.....

CPRich

Interestingly, Smugmug runs on top of S3 storage. Given their press releases on size and growth rate, they should be approaching half a petabyte by now.

mrmakochan

If your DSL is from SBC Global/Yahoo, then a flickr pro account will be free.
Unlimited uploads.

mikey1003

Web sites come and go. Some are bought up, others just close down.

I have been very reluctant to store files online because I don't know if the site will live on.

How do you all feel about this issue??

Bestbob

I've been using Smugmug for about 2 years... love it.

whitearrow

Another smugmug fan here! It's fantastic, easy to use and very customizable.

tim iridium

I signed up for my smugmug account a couple of years ago and have never reconsidered. Love the features and the customizability....

Tim

nmenaker

go smugmug, ask anyone here for a discount. Should be 19.99$ a year