Flickr or SmugMug?

[ASA 32]

I've been using Flickr for a while, but I'm starting to look at alternatives that might be more flexible. I played around with SmugMug a bit last night, and I liked what I saw. I see that SmugMug isn't free and is more oriented to photographers who may want to showcase and perhaps sell their work. And I guess the community aspect of Flickr is missing. But SmugMug does offer more options. And if I ever do want to present my work, it's miles ahead of Flickr.

So if you've used SmugMug, I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences with it, and if you've used both it and Flickr, how they compare.

 

[easyrider]

I liked Smugmug better before their remake last year. I guess they had to do it to accommodate tablets but I find it has become needlessly complicated. There are other options like Zenfolio. Actually, I would like to get out of Smugmug to something else but I am too lazy to transfer all my stuff. 🙂) Other than the overcomplication, it works well and they are helpful when you have questions.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

smugmug is run by humans and they can be very helpful. Especially if you are not asking a non-standard question.

Regards, David

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Curious as to what flexibility is lacking in Flickr for you, if we knew that it may be easier to advise alternatives.
Are you looking at a web site for just sharing like a blog or a portfolio presentation or for selling which Flickr is not designed for?

Note many of the reviews such as below concentrate on the look, others will tell you how these sites auto re-size and degrade quality for display then dump the original, I understand SmugMug does that but this changes over time. There is a difference between using a site to present and sell than one for "cloud" storage. Note some reviewed top sites from last year are now out of business, Flickr is always subject to rumour of disaster.

http://petapixel.com/2015/07/10/6-top-online-photography-portfolio-hosting-options/

You need to be clear what you want.

 

[peterm1]

I am a long time user of Flickr and while I admit it lacks something in terms of templates for different layouts it has other virtues. I have looked at SmugMug a few times and suspect Flickr is better as a photo enthusiast's social networking site. I can't say for certain because SmugMug is pretty spare in the info provided about how to use it so I am not sure if I have seen everything it does or understand fully how it works apart form being able to browse images randomly or use a simple search box.

But I have to say I like the flexibility you get with Flickr in terms of organizing and searching photos by photostream, as well as by groups (topic based assembly of images by theme which allows others to attach their photos to that group), by albums (a personal group to which only you can add images but usually viewable by others) etc and the ability to find other persons images by camera type etc using camera metadata that is embedded automatically in each image. It's also easy for other people to find me and to follow me and visa versa (the site allows you to nominate who you follow and get updates on their images). And having done so the Flickr software allows you to get reasonably comprehensive stats on image views and visits to your own stream of images. Also when I open any of my images to view it the flickr page for that image gives me lots of info about the image and who has favourited it etc. A key difference between SmugMug and Flickr appears to be that the latter is based on the concept of a personal "photostream" of images. And each user has their own photostream of images which sits on the larger Flickr site. Because SmugMug allows users to use different templates to personalize the "look and feel" of the images they display, on SmugMug an individuals images look more like a part of a stand alone web page or web site than they would do if the images were on Flickr. Which one is better depends on your needs.

Speaking personally I would prefer if Flickr allowed users to personalize their own photostream layout more than they do (there are a few basic changes you can make) but its not a deal breaker for me. Another more recent feature of Flickr is that they have an open API which allows software developers to develop apps for Flickr I have not explored this much yet but I have noted that there are some site (FlickrRiver is one, Fluidr is another) which take Flickr content and display it in different ways. Finally one other reason I like using Flickr is that if I wish to embed an image on a Forum (like here) I can do so readily. Flickr gives you multiple linking methods (thumbnail, several size versions of the embedded image etc)

One final consideration. Flickr user base seems very large. That means a lot of opportunity for people to find you especially if you attach good metadata to your images describing them

Like I said, Flickr is pretty competent in my view as a social networking tool for photographers. On the other hand SmugMug has some good display features. So it really depends on what you are looking for.

 

[ReeRay]

I liked Smugmug better before their remake last year. I guess they had to do it to accommodate tablets but I find it has become needlessly complicated. There are other options like Zenfolio. Actually, I would like to get out of Smugmug to something else but I am too lazy to transfer all my stuff. 🙂) Other than the overcomplication, it works well and they are helpful when you have questions.

Agree about the revamp taking a lot from what previously was a very easy site to work with and navigate. The biggest complaint I have is the deletion of the groups I was a member of. Previously buttons where available for instant access but now removed. The upshot is my views have reduced by 75% !!

I won't be renewing this year.

Switched to Flickr and, as stated, a great site with tons of activity.

 

[ferider]

I don't like the flickr layout. I moved off flickr when they changed it, without listening to user feedback. I tried ipernity for a while, but now my virus tracker doesn't allow me to access it - be careful. And as an interactive site, FB works better than any of the two, IMO. On FB, you can discuss photos, but also other interests (in my case travel, bikes, dogs, etc.)

Smugmug has never failed me, nice people with good support. Great for storage and access to your pictures remotely. Yesterday I uploaded 3 2Gbyte movies. Try that with flickr.

Roland.

 

[ASA 32]

Thanks, folks, for your thoughts. I'm still playing around with SmugMug and starting to see that its flexibility comes with a cost—the basic membership doesn't get you much and figuring out how to use its many features isn't easy. Also, I'm a foot-dragger when it comes to FaceBook. And Derider and Easyrider your SmugMug sites are beautiful! I can't imagine how many hours it took to put them together.

 

[isoterica]

Might I suggest Zenfolio before you commit to buy? Give it a try. It has blogging as well as portfolio options making it less like photo storage and more like a web site. The price seemed comparable when I tried both Smugmug & Zenfolio about 4 years ago and unless you want to sell your images, you can get buy with the starter package. They're having a sale right now.

 

[harpofreely]

500px might be an option too

 

[bmattock]

I've sold an awful lot of photos on Flickr. Maybe Smugmug is just as good, but I'm happy enough where I am, no plans to change.

 

[ASA 32]

And peterm1 and ChrisLivsey you've done more with Flickr than I thought possible. Very nice looking!

 

[ChrisLivsey]

And peterm1 and ChrisLivsey you've done more with Flickr than I thought possible. Very nice looking!

Your generous comment is appreciated.

BTW If you want your own site name and Portfolio type pages etc Pixelrights is highly regarded by some press photographers who have been around the block.

 

[raid]

I've sold an awful lot of photos on Flickr. Maybe Smugmug is just as good, but I'm happy enough where I am, no plans to change.

I have no clue how to sell photos anywhere.

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I use Zenfolio. You can customize it many different ways to suit your needs. You can also use your own domain name. There several different pricing tiers, based on indivdual needs. And their service staff is top notch.

 

[bmattock]

I have no clue how to sell photos anywhere.

They find me. I've just placed a photo for a book cover off Flickr. I'm careful with my tags, and it seems to help.