Smugmug v Flickr

Halesy

Hi All, hoping you can share your views with me about Smugmug and Flickr, and why to choose one over the other.

I've been a Smugmuger for about a year now and I like the site/interface, but I'm due to renew my subscription and I'm not sure whether to stay, or use Flickr instead.

The reason I like Smugmug is the interface and templates that I can have for galleries. Smugvault is also a good idea, although I've not signed up for it yet. Then there's the tagging that I like and cutomisable homepage.

So with all these good points, why am I considering Flickr? Well I get more of a community feel from Flickr. People have left comments on my pics, some want to use my pics, and I find this 'rewarding'. I don't get the same feeling from Smugmug. Is it because I don't interact in the right way? I can't deny that this is my first DGrin post, so is that part of the problem? And I've just joined my first community (a bit late maybe?) In virtually all other respects I find Smugmug superior, but I just miss that part.

So is it just me? Do I get more involved in communities? What's the best way?

A couple of other things... until last week I found uploading to Smugmug a bit of a hassle. The Java uploader doesn't work well in Firefox and I was craving FTP, that was until I tried Fireuploader. Now it's easy to see what I've uploaded and it's as easy as FTP to upload.

And a final point, for me Smugmug is missing UK printing, so I need to upload to Photobox.co.uk for printing. I don't suppose this'll change anytime soon?

timnosenzo

SmugMug and Flickr are really two different things. SmugMug is a really excellent way to store and organize your photos and offers an excellent viewing experience for users, Flickr does great with the community thing, but that's about it IMO. I use both, but for different things.

timnosenzo

BTW, are you driving traffic to your SmugMug site somehow? If you want to get other SmugMuggers viewing your pictures, you should start attaching galleries to SmugMug groups.

Angelo

I'm on Flicker too and enjoy some community interaction but I have never and will never post a picture there. There are few if any safeguards at Flicker for image theft and that includes their terms of service.

Also, the level of quality of the photographers at Flicker is markedly lower. It's make up is significantly more amateur.

schmoo

Hi Halesy,

We're glad to hear that you do like many things that SM has to offer. However, we know that as much as we hope, we're not the best service for everyone out there and we understand if the Flickr community is more of what you're looking for.

Dgrin is a great place to get that community feeling and I think that we have one of the best, most friendliest and helpful photo communities around. I do hope to see more of you around here, even if you do decide to go with Flickr. Dgrin and SmugMug are related, but not married! So you don't have to be a SM user to be a part of this big family.

As for the communities on Dgrin, they are a good way to connect with other gallery owners, but understand that it still may not offer you the same kind of comments and connection that the Flickr interface offers. Still, please shop around and experiment and see what you're most comfortable with.

We get a lot of questions about UK printing services and at this time our printers are located in the US. We get customers and photographers from all over the globe, but we apologize that right now any prints ordered through us will require international shipping for you. Your request is noted, however, as we always have our ear to the ground for comments, complaints, and suggestions.

Feel free to write the rest of us at any time at help@smugmug.com!

-Steph

Halesy

Well I'm glad to see these are active forums and thank you all for the quick responses. While it seems people are members of both Smugmug and Flickr I'll be sticking with only one, and at the moment Smugmug is winning. I think that maybe is just takes a bit more effort on my part to participate, and to get that traffic flowing to my pics.

I've signed up for Flickr for another year and my Smugmug subscription comes up for renewal next month. If a was asked to recommend Smugmug or Flickr by someone else I think it would be Smugmug, so I might be renewing my subsciption soon.

Re the photobox printing, they currently do Facebook & Flickr, maybe I'll give them a nudge and see if they listen to their customers...

Pupator

I think you'll find the community you're looking for if you participate in the forums.

Gone on a trip? Post a photo-journal thread in the "Journeys" section. Take a lot of portraits? Folks love to see them in the "People" area. Just want some honest criticism of your favorite shot? Visit the whipping post! You'll find all kinds people ready to compliment, critique, and discuss once you start posting some pics. So let's see em!

Halesy

Joined a few communities and will be posting some pics for comment soon.

I have however just found another reason not to use Flickr... Shortly after signing up again last week my credit card was fraudulently used in a number of transactions. Fortunately my bank picked it up and I didn't lose money. My card is now cancelled but I won't be spending money with them again!

Scotto

Hi Halesy, fellow UK'er here

I have tried almost all of the hosting services and in my opinion nothing comes close to the professionalism of SmugMug. Others such as Flickr, PBase are ok and you do get community but nothing compares to the customisation options and the professional appearance you get from SM.

However, I agree with you regarding the printing. I would LOVE for my customers to click a 'Buy' button and have the prints delivered to their door. I know the option is there at the moment but after I did a small questionaire with some of my customers out of 30 only 1 said they would be willing to order prints from the USA.

I'm with SM and intend on staying a while

Scott

Terrence

I'm a dual-user too. I tend to use SmugMug to house the collections I want to share and sell and I use Flickr to generate interest for some of that same work, plus for more whimsical personal work that I just want to be seen for the fun of it.

The dgrin community is by FAR superior to Flickr. Yes, I agree you'll get more unsolicited comments on Flickr, but it's usually a pat on the back and useless beyond that. Add galleries to groups here, participate in challenges, et cetera, and you'll see more community than you imagined.

SmugMug and dgrin are the ONLY community online I've ever found rewarding.

Halesy

Yeah I think submitting something to one of the challenges is a good idea. I think I'll also link to some of my pics from Hidden Glasgow, good for (my) local interest.