How Do I Make a Photo Web Page

Reasons to Post Photos Online

Whether they are snapshots or artistic photos, there are many reasons to share photos online. Instead of sending printed photos to many different people, a photo web page offers a single convenient location where larger groups can view photos easily. Printed photos can also be expensive, particularly for high quality, large prints. Online photos, on the other hand, are more cost effective even at higher resolutions. Another popular reason is for safety: photos that are archived online are protected from damage, loss, and deterioration.

Several types of photos are perfect for online portfolios, including:

• Special Events: Wedding, graduation, family reunion, and other special occasion photos can be posted online to share with individuals who were not able to attend the event.
• Snapshots: A quick snapshot is easily shared among friends when it is posted to a photo web page.
• Organization Events: Pictures of a school carnival, charity marathon, or annual festival can be posted online for newsletters, event updates, or other purposes.
• Portfolios: A professional photographer may post his or her best work online as a virtual portfolio and enhanced resume.

Guide to How Do I Make a Photo Web Page

There are many types of photo web pages. Some are best for novices, while more advanced designs are suitable for professional sites and portfolios. The type of page, specific photos, and overall page design will greatly influence the look of your photo web page.

=Type of Page

The first step to understanding “how do I make a photo web page” is deciding which type of photo page is best for your digital album. There are three basic types of sites to choose from:

• Blog: Most blogging platforms have easy photo tools that allow users to post one or more pictures to their blog. This is a great option for individuals who want to upload photos on a regular basis without extensive formatting or specialization.
• Photo Sharing Site: There is a wide variety of specialized photo sharing sites that let users post their photos into preformatted “albums” that can either be made public or shared with designated users. Terms and conditions of use vary, though many free photo sharing sites are exceptionally useful and convenient. Popular sites include:
  • Snapfish
  • Webshots
  • Photobucket
  • Smugmug
  • Flickr
• Independent Sites: Anyone who already has a personal web page can easily add photo web pages to their site. This requires the most design expertise but also offers the greatest range of customization.

Choosing Photos

Once you have decided on the type of photo gallery website you would like to create, the next step is choosing which photos to showcase. Low quality, inferior snapshots can make a page look bad, while better photos will catch the eye in a positive way. Choose photos with a proper light balance, minimal blur, and good composition to make a truly superior page.

Simple photo enhancements can greatly improve the pictures you post online. Consider investing in photo retouching software such as PhotoShop or PaintShopPro to learn how to sharpen, brighten, and crop pictures to make them more suitable to share online. Adding a simple border or caption can also make ordinary photos more attractive.

When choosing photos to share online, remember to respect the copyright of the photographer. Professional images may not be scanned and posted online unless the photographer has given specific permission to do so or the subject of the photos has purchased electronic photo rights. Similarly, do not choose photos from any retail sites or other professional sites to post on your photo web page without permission.

Page Design

How you design your web page can have a great impact on the quality and convenience of your online photos. Photo sharing sites and blogs generally do not offer more than basic customization, but if you are posting photos on a personal web page remember these tips:

• Use thumbnails for larger photos so they do not crowd the page or take too long to load.
• Limit the number of photos on each page to avoid overly long or graphics-intensive sites.
• Arrange large numbers of photos in directories or online albums with descriptive titles so specific images can be easily located.
• Remove old or unpopular photos to conserve bandwidth and storage space.
• Add captions to photos so guests can easily identify the picture.

Safety for Photo Web Pages

Photo web pages can be fun, but they can also be dangerous if used improperly. When posting online photos…

• Do not post identifying information (full name, address, telephone number, etc.) with any photo.
• Avoid posting pictures with clearly identifiable landmarks, particularly house numbers, street signs, and other personal information.
• Remember that a boss, teacher, clergy member, or parent may see the photos. Do not post any pictures you would not want them to see.
• Do not post photos of anyone without their permission, particularly if the photos may be embarrassing or misinterpreted.

Advanced Pages

Once you have mastered the online art of creating photo web pages, you can consider more advanced photo sharing techniques. Photo album software such as FlipAlbum and Jalbum can let you make interactive pages and slideshows, or you may want to experiment with photo maps, frames directories, or online video sharing. These touches can turn a regular online album into a fun photo sharing experience.

With careful preparation and an understanding of what makes a good photo, anyone can learn “how do I make a photo web page” with ease. From sharing snapshots to creating detailed photography portfolio slideshows, creating online albums is an easy way to share your pictures with family, friends, and the world.