remind me again why I bought SmugMug?

babygodzilla

This is not a thread to complain on SmugMug. I actually want to be reminded why I chose SmugMug, cause my memory is terrible (and that's why we take lots of pictures) and I can't remember why.


I was just browsing Flickr and found out that for $25 I get unlimited storage, compared to $60 for my current SmugMug account. Also, Flickr's limit per photo is 20 MB, whereas SmugMug's is 12 MB, which is the one thing I really have a grudge on.

The one awesome thing about SmugMug is I can use my own domain name, and I really like that.

Other than that, I'm not sure if Flickr lets people other than owners to view full-size images, and SmugMug's navigation sometimes is just clunky.

so can anyone sell SmugMug back to me? thanks

Andy

Sure - would love to see your site, too.

Let's start here:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/photo-sharing-features/

everything under customization - you have at SmugMug. Then look at the privacy options, service and support, unmatched speed and delivery of your images, and the print products we offer.

Would love to hear more about navigation and if we're foiling you....

jamaiz

I have a flickr account and just recently got on board with Smugmug, so I maybe able to provide a few pros and cons for each. I like flickr as it brought me in contact with a large number of local photographers. Flickr is a very busy social hub. What concerns me with flickr is the lack of control over my images. Photo theft is a common topic of Flickr. One user had a family vacation picture being used on a commercial billboard in another country.
I'm new to Smugmug but the attraction so far are the many features that Flickr is lacking. What I prefer with Smugmug are the security features, the photo vault, the ability to customize appears to be endless (though I'm not developer), the shopping cart feature. And above all the presentation.

My Flickr

My Smugmug

Regards
James

Qarik

The one major thing I really dislike about flickr is the navigation and presentation of photos. I mean that should be the easiest most intuitive thing to do on pohot site right? instead I have to think about where to click and such. It's very perosnal I know and maybe after some extended use I could get used to it..but blargh.

Malte

Qarik wrote:

The one major thing I really dislike about flickr is the navigation and presentation of photos. I mean that should be the easiest most intuitive thing to do on pohot site right? instead I have to think about where to click and such. It's very perosnal I know and maybe after some extended use I could get used to it..but blargh.

I agree fully with this. I've never really used Flickr as an admin, but the wiewer's UI is horrible in my opinion. You should not have to figure out how to navigate a site. However the same can be said about Smugmug's admin UI, you have to learn it and it took me quite a while.

What I love about Smugmug:

Video
The staff and community
Super fast loading of photos, all but originals, really.
"Your photos looks better here", they do.

Malte

Edit: I just tried some originals, they're screaming fast too.

RogersDA

babygodzilla wrote:

This is not a thread to complain on SmugMug. I actually want to be reminded why I chose SmugMug, cause my memory is terrible (and that's why we take lots of pictures) and I can't remember why.


I was just browsing Flickr and found out that for $25 I get unlimited storage, compared to $60 for my current SmugMug account. Also, Flickr's limit per photo is 20 MB, whereas SmugMug's is 12 MB, which is the one thing I really have a grudge on.

The one awesome thing about SmugMug is I can use my own domain name, and I really like that.

Other than that, I'm not sure if Flickr lets people other than owners to view full-size images, and SmugMug's navigation sometimes is just clunky.

so can anyone sell SmugMug back to me? thanks

Max image size allowed is a bad parameter to key on - times change, cameras change, and SmugMug will (IMO) increase that limit to keep up with changing technology and user requirements. I do not work for Smug, but that is just my guess.

Also, with SmugMug you get a whole host of Heros and other volunteers to help you with just about anything (at SmugMug, at Dgrin, or even non-photo-related issues).

david-low

You ask a question and replies/help pouring in.

BigAl

Qarik wrote:

The one major thing I really dislike about flickr is the navigation and presentation of photos. I mean that should be the easiest most intuitive thing to do on pohot site right? instead I have to think about where to click and such. It's very perosnal I know and maybe after some extended use I could get used to it..but blargh.

The thing I hate about flickr is the speed at which images download. If I'm on a forum and I find that the images are slow on loading, if I glance at the status bar, 9 times out of ten the pic is coming from flickr.

As said by Malte, Smug's speed is worth its weight in gold

Thronsen

Pros:

Best site for photos.
Best customer service. I mean really great.

Cons:

For the home user, having HD video is much more expensive then other sites, with fewer features. E.g. Smugmug charges $90 for HD video and they dont keep your actual file, Vimeo charges $60 and keeps your original file. There are many other examples.

ianspector

It comes down to personal preference, so if Flickr is a better fit with your needs then go over to the cluttered side. All you can get is responses from people who are here because Smugmug meets their respective needs better. Some people may like the very slow download times of Zenfolio, it heightens the suspense (it's coming, it's coming) and does not startle the viewers like Smugmug does with its images flying down the wire at you all the time. Smugmug allows people to see your work with the minimum amount of getting in the way, I am amazed by the number of truly great photographers displaying their work on Flickr, it just detracts. I find Smugmug to be fast, flexible and friendly.

Ian

Malte

ianspector wrote:

It comes down to personal preference, so if Flickr is a better fit with your needs then go over to the cluttered side. All you can get is responses from people who are here because Smugmug meets their respective needs better. Some people may like the very slow download times of Zenfolio, it heightens the suspense (it's coming, it's coming) and does not startle the viewers like Smugmug does with its images flying down the wire at you all the time. Smugmug allows people to see your work with the minimum amount of getting in the way, I am amazed by the number of truly great photographers displaying their work on Flickr, it just detracts. I find Smugmug to be fast, flexible and friendly.

Ian

To be fair, Zenfolio had speed issues a while back, but no more.

If we're comparing Smugmug to Zenfolio, you could say that Zenfolio hasn't got video. You could also say that Smugmug's Easy customizer pales in comparison to Zenfolio's equivalent.

Malte

ianspector

Malte wrote:

To be fair, Zenfolio had speed issues a while back, but no more.

If we're comparing Smugmug to Zenfolio, you could say that Zenfolio hasn't got video. You could also say that Smugmug's Easy customizer pales in comparison to Zenfolio's equivalent.

Malte

That is interesting because here in the UK I have been reviewing clients' Zenfolio sites all week and the downloads have crawled. Perhaps they have set a bias for US downloads that gives you fast transfers.

Ian

phillybikeboy

babygodzilla wrote:

This is not a thread to complain on SmugMug. I actually want to be reminded why I chose SmugMug, cause my memory is terrible (and that's why we take lots of pictures) and I can't remember why.

Because life is short and flickr is so damn sloooooooow.

There are so many great shots on flickr I will never see because the pages take forever to load, and I just get tired of waiting. Want people to look at your shots? Make it easy on them. Don't assume they're going to suffer through slow page loads, and a crappy interface. They probably won't.