WGPC Photo Sharing Trial – New Dropbox & Flickr Workflow
Simplifying Photo Sharing
Since we started over 3 years ago WGPC has used shared Google Photos albums for members to upload and (to a very limited extent) discuss photographs. This has worked reasonably well in many respects and has enabled us to build a very active online club community but, as time has gone on, a number of problems keep coming back..
We use a wide variety of devices including iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Windows PCs and Macs, often running different software versions. Google Photos itself is also constantly evolving, with differences between apps and browser versions. Those who only upload occasionally can easily lose track of how to contribute photos or become confused between the Google Photos app and accessing Google Photos through a web browser.
The result is that a very small number of regular contributors now dominate uploads while many others ,understandably, struggle to keep up with the technology. Increasingly, too much of my time is being spent solving IT problems rather than enjoying photography.
After a great deal of thought I conclude that trying to fix Google Photos fpr everybody is not going to happen. We need to change so I have decided to run a two-month trial of a new workflow designed to simplify uploads while improving image quality and preserving metadata.
The New Workflow
Step 1 – Upload Originals via Dropbox
All you will have to do is upload photographs using a simple Dropbox upload link.
Importantly:
You do not have to have or log into a DropBox account. Dropbox account is required
No special app is required, it all works in your standard web browser,
Photos can be uploaded from phones, tablets or computers
Original image quality and metadata are preserved
The process is simply:
I will publish a link in every email I send to you.
Click the upload link
Select your photos
Press upload
This will become the club’s master submission system.
Step 2 – Viewing and Constructive Criticism via Flickr
Your uploaded images will then be curated into WGPC Flickr albums for viewing and constructive criticism.
Flickr remains one of the few photography-oriented platforms designed around:
photographic discussion
image comments
albums and themes
constructive criticism
high-quality image display
You will be able to view galleries through a simple web link but to add comments or participate in online discussion you will need a free Flickr account.
Why We Are Trying This
The aim is not change for the sake of change. The aim is to:
simplify photo submission
reduce technical frustrations
preserve image quality
retain metadata
support constructive criticism
improve long-term archiving
spend more time on photography and less time on IT support
The Dropbox/Flickr combination also improves the club’s long-term archiving workflow. Uploaded images can more easily be organised by photographer and month before being added to our portfolio and archive systems.
This Is A Trial
We will run this new system on a trial basis for two months and then review:
ease of use
member participation
quality preservation
commenting and discussion
overall club experience
As always, your feedback is essential, let me know if it works ir what problems you have.
Further instructions and upload links will follow shortly.