I’ve just added the link to my gallery which is on fotopic.net. I’ve been with them a while now, I like the galleries, the easy to use system…I’m a big fan! They are local to me, and I’ve never had any problems with them, except maybe that the presentation of your galleries is quite limited, even if you do make the most of the options on offer (which I probably don’t )

Thing is, everyone knows about Flickr…they are clearly the big name in image sharing…I’ve read so many articles about how to sell through Flickr, how to make customised impressive profiles etc. but I’ve never got on board!

In the beginning I just thought that it would be a system that people didn’t turn to for professional images, as it was massive and open, but now that’s obviously not the case . I also had issue that it’s all about the community; sharing images, posting comments – getting involved. Seems like a lot of effort to me…though I can see the point! Everyone wants exposure and if I’m honest, I always think of Flickr as a place where people go to beg for compliments on their images, or to criticise others. I know this is probably not representative of the overall community, especially not these days.

Anyway, a month or so back I decided to go for it again, and got as far as the sign-up page..but now you need a Yahoo ID to join Flickr? :S Well, I have a Yahoo ID, but I don’t want to be using it for any photography work…so I would have to get a new account? I already have 2 Yahoo accounts and 2 or 3 other emails…I really don’t want another…especially if it’ll just be full of people commenting “…it seems like it could be sharper..”

I’ve always thought that as a user rated system driven by popular appeal it’s never going to suit everyone. Personally I don’t think I have enough photos of cute kittens or boobs ever to get that much attention on Flickr hehehe

Oh well, I’m nearly done ranting. The point is, it’s becoming pretty clear to me that Flickr is essential in the arsenal, so I’m really going to have to go for it sometime soon, it’s just the whole uploading and retagging all my photo’s, getting involved with “communities”…*YAWN*….I know it’s probably worthwhile, and maybe really useful, but damn…it bores me! I already spend way too much time resizing and tagging and uploading…..

Okay then – onto other things though! I just heard of Redbubble – they sell prints and print products online, like a fair few other companies I’ve seen – even fotopic offer this service through their galleries. I’ve heard good things, and they look pretty good…I might sign up at some point, but it’s the same issue as Flickr..more resizing, uploading, tagging….I guess this is the modern equivalent of spending time printing contact sheets?

Then there’s Blurb, who print and sell custom photo books, and are offering a $25,000 prize for the best book! o.O wow…! I mean, that would be a great aim – to actually sell some copies of a photo book…although I think it would take me a good while to compile anything I’m happy with. Incidentally, if I was making a book I would hold it to the standards of my favourite photo-book – Lucha Libre: Masked Superstars of Mexican Wrestling, by Lourdes Grobet although I don’t think I could really beat that! And just…*if* I was to make a book that good, and win $25,000 I would have to spend some of it on this!

Right, I’d better wrap this up though – there are so many online options for presenting and shopcasing your photo’s these days, as well as new, innovative to promote your images in the “real” world I was looking at Moo.com who sell protional photo products, like postcards, and mini prints, at really good prices! I’m looking at their ‘100 Minicards’ boxes – for only a tenner a box of mini standing print cards with a couple of lines of text on the back – very nice!

Okay then – this has turned into a really long post – in summary – its a busy world of online image promotion!

If you have any other sites you think might be worth looking at – or if you can help me make up my mind on Flickr please comment!