Tag: photography

I have explored and written about several image storage and sharing sites. LifeSnapz is a new addition to this list. Each time I take the time to experiment with a new service I try out the features and consider what unique role each might serve. If I understand the unique characteristics of LifeSnapz, I would suggest the unique focus is on group collections over time.

By a group image collection, I mean that multiple participants generate a collection. The host invites the participants and as far as I have been able to tell there is no way to offer others “veiwing” priviledges without a specific invite.

The second interesting idea is the focus on “events” that are time-linked. If you imagine a situation in which grandparents might begin to collect images from “family events” (Summer at the lake, 2006; Christmas at home, 2008; etc) over time, you would have some idea where this might be going.

I typically explore by creating a demo. In this case, my demo was based on a collection of images I had from our summer vacation. The events in this collection consist of identifiable activities from each day of the vacation. You see the LifeSnapz timeline below. The timeline is set to the most micro level view because I am exploring events across a week and not years.

A description of each event and related photos can be created and the event can be geotagged.

Of course, viewers are also able to explore the individual images and associated descriptions organized within an event.

Yes, it was a nice fish!

Consider how a classroom teacher might use this tool. First, the controlled registration system might be useful in dealing with the security issues teachers must address. The event option might also be a way to organize collections of photographs added throughout a year.

I must say that I know little about this company or exactly where it is heading. With all new companies, I always wonder about the funding model. No ads were evident during my exploration. So, the company will likely eventually attempt to charge for access or at least offer a premium version of the system (something like Flickr) or perhaps resort to the inclusion of ads. I tend not to invest a huge amount of time in a service until I have a better feel for the “final product” and until the service has been around for a little while.

At this point, I am willing to say LifeSnapz is worth exploring.

Google has released a 3rd rev. of Picasa. Picasa is both a desktop application (windows only) and an online photo sharing site similar to Flickr.

See a YouTube video describing the new offering.

The potential of photography as a generative learning activity has always appealed to me. I am mostly a Macintosh user, but I realize that not everyone shares my choice in equipment so I try to keep up with options for the Windows OS. You can use the online photo sharing site whatever your choice in operating system. What I have searched for is a low cost alternative for collecting, organizing, and annotating images similar to iPhoto. Picasa is such an application. Actually, iPhoto is low cost, Picasa is free

I found the newest Picasa sluggish, but I am guessing my old hardware was at fault. The YouTube video linked above showed a much more responsive experience. The layout is very similar to iPhoto and I was able to duplicate what I saw in the video without difficulty.

There are some things in Picasa that are not available in iPhoto. The opportunity to organize a collection of images as a collage offers a nice way to present images associated with a theme. Organizing the images within the collage is what caused me the most difficulty with response speed, but the product is of high quality. The collage appearing below is approximately 50% of the size of the original.

Picasa the app and Picasa the photo sharing site do work together and it is easy to upload an album. I have attempted to match a set of photographs and one Flip video to allow comparison. I realized after completing the process that it is impossible to unconfound the application from the social site, but a more straight forward comparison will have to wait.

Picasa (online) album

Flickr (online) set

I seem to be working on a theme of being responsible for your own learning lately.

Here is a useful link I encountered that offers practical suggestions to improve your digital photography. The 60 second leader may be a little misleading, but the suggestions should improve many aspects of your photography should you commit 60 seconds to each feature.

These type of suggestions always sense to me when I review them. The problem is that two weeks from now when I again get my camera out will I be able to remember these ideas. Memorization may be required.