Advice, From Me?

by UnknownMami on October 5, 2009

I am about to share a tale of loss, disappointment, and eventual fulfillment with choices.

You see, I do not have a fancy camera. I have a digital point and shoot and it takes decent photos. On Sundays, I like to post photos for SIMC. I’ve been sharing the photos by uploading them to Flickr and I’ve been happy with the results. Unfortunately, I have reached my limit of uploads for the free Flickr account.

My friends I am not only cheap, I am broke. Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? What to do? Well, I tried uploading straight to Blogger and was terribly disappointed.

(Blogger Upload)

Do you see this? It looks out of focus and flat. Also, this is the largest option from Blogger and I’m sorry sometimes size matters and I think this is puny.

So I decided to try Photobucket. Well, I was able to get a larger size, but my friends sometimes size is not enough.

(Photobucket)

This still looks out of focus and underwhelming to me. What’s the point of larger if I am still unsatisfied?

You see I’m used to Flickr. I’ve grown accustomed to it’s charms.

(Flickr)

Can you honestly tell me that this doesn’t look better than the above two examples? But I don’t want to pay for it when I’m used to getting it for free.

I searched and searched and I found other options, but was underwhelmed by the sizes and the sharpness…until…

(Webshots)

I found Webshots! They offer the size I want and although not as sharp or colorful as Flickr, I’m pleased. The best part is they are free. You can upload 1000 photos for the free account and then an additional 100 every month.

I thought my quest was over, but then a few bloggers mentioned that they use Windows Live Writer and they love it. Why not explore my options?

Well, I love that you can choose just about any size you want and you can also choose different borders. Nice!

But I didn’t think the image was as sharp as in Flickr or Webshots. Until, I found an effects option that let me sharpen the image.

I can live with this.

And how cool is it that you have so many different border options? For free!!!

I think I’ll use both Webshots and Live Writer depending on what I want. It’s just nice to have choices.

Having a hard time leaving a comment? Email me.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/09862459438694060262 Stacey

Your timing for this post was perfect! I was just searching for the same thing! I actually downloaded Live Writer yesterday and am still trying to decide if I like it. Thanks for sharing the tip.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/10836376588710862173 Joanna Jenkins

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.xo
http://www.blogger.com/profile/17208746635976950728 Little Ms Blogger

I can't believe the differences in photos caused by where you saved them online.Webshots was great, but I loved all the stuff you could do with Live Writer.Thanks for sharing.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/05081037978656372933 La Belle Mere UK

Ooooh thanks for the tip off. I use Flickr and Photobucket but the free versions.I, too, am a budding photographer but my camera is STILL in for repair. Can you believe it??!!! (Do you remember the day it broke and I couldn't do SIMC with you?) I'm losing the will to live. I HAVE got a fairly fancy camera and it takes LOVELY images, when I've got it! And I keep seeing all sorts of lovely Autumnal colours and things I want to take pictures of and I can't. Boooo….Anyway, I'm rambling…. Hopefully my camera and I will soon be back for SIMC with you.LBM xxx
http://www.blogger.com/profile/02996772324484385959 DysFUNctional Mom

Very nice! I also love picnik.com, check them out.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/14594526663480442855 JennyMac

I have never tried any of these…I am going to test them out. The bottom pics look SO crisp and clear. Love the info.Thanks for sharing.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/05761053284958179696 Drahdrah

I love that you can use different borders on Windows. I didn't realize how many options were out there for photo uploads. Thanks for sharing !
http://www.blogger.com/profile/12798890008067408048 Frau

great tips…love anything free!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/03423338804699507007 mrs.notouching

I've never heard of them before – thanks!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/17769459644006578253 magda

Funny post. I will dedicate today to discovering flickr first. Then maybe I will commit to taking some worthy pictures and the culmination of these to tasks will be a blog post with a photo. I would like to upgrade my template. If anyone has suggestions for how to improve it. I am all ears. It needs to be EASY though. Mami, I love yours. But I sense that because you are younger and much more hip and techno savvy this was a snap for you.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/18138745092234541349 Tammy Howard

I would have never guessed you were using a point and shoot…
Steven Anthony

so size does matter….I knew it! lolthanx for the info;)
http://www.blogger.com/profile/02403591745140342689 L.

Me either!!!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/08467559879411862783 Yelena R.

I LOVE Live Writer! I's the best thing ever. Since My posts are mostly photos, it's so nice not having to take the extra step and uploading them somewhere else! Oh, and I also have a pro Flickr account, but just as a place to put my thousands of photos…seriously, I have close to 6,000 photos and videos there right now!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/07253819006203588174 M

OH my goodness, thank you SO much for those tips! It's amazing how different the quality of the images are when you look at them directly next to each other. I never imagined, even though I have to admit that there have been numerous times that I was questioning the quality of my photos once I saw them on blogger (I upload them directly). Wow, I can't wait to try out Live Writer, and to put some snazzy new, high-quality images on my page! Thanks again UM!!M http://Mandthe2Henrys.blogspot.comhttp://HomemakerPhD.blogspot.com
http://www.blogger.com/profile/11802418508966206933 Scrappy Girl

Thanks for the tips! I lvoe the polaroid border!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/05279848731673828058 yonca

great tips! Thanks for adding my button in your blogroll!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/00922503471058295662 Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com

I think the Windows Writer shots are GREAT! Thanks for the tip
http://www.blogger.com/profile/10804271783316686349 Lisa Anne

I'm lazy I just upload my pics from my computer straight to blogger. LOL
http://www.blogger.com/profile/02290572982051495084 Kris

Awesome tip!! Thanks for sharing–now I have to go check 'em out lol…WOOHOO!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/03552572705763406197 cinner

Thanks for the information, I love your blog! take care.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/16142340558174089228 Sophia’s Mom

Thanks for the tip Unknown Mami!!I'll have to try them out!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/13960276167677132860 blueviolet

I had NO idea there was such a difference. Thank you for pointing that out!
http://angelcel.wordpress.com/ angelcel

I have a Webshots account but unfortunately find their site quite clunky in comparison to Flickr. Live Writer is a completely new one to me and certainly looks versatile in what artsy bits you can do. Very nice.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/10175981627284967050 Green-Eyed Momster

Your photos are always beautiful! ALWAYS! I never knew that there was such a difference.Hugs!!
Mom of Three

Oh THANK YOU for sharing!!!
http://badmommymoments.wordpress.com/ badmommymoments

You really ought to get paid for this post! Thanks for the info.
Yaya

Cool!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15813140073356995390 Margo

what great research! Being blessed with "an eye" can really be a pain in the rear – but you really do owe it to yourself to find the best. I love that photo of yours too of the leaves from last week. I just started using windows live writer, but haven't been adding photos until I post to wordpress – I'll have to check that out!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/09154777115558663250 Helen McGinn

Very nice, lass….will give it a go. x
http://www.blogger.com/profile/07598244426035959968 Single Mama NYC

I love that you can take a conversation about pictures and give it enough double-entendre that it almost sounds racy. Classic U.M.Oh, and thank you for the info. That was appreciated as well.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15356775414049249350 One Sassy Girl

This is my life, too. But then I found Mr C at somanylosers.blogspot.comHe has a photography blog and will help you fix pics up. Wonderful guy, wonderful results. Good luck
http://www.blogger.com/profile/15187273560129198423 lisleman

thanks for sharing that info. I should try webshots. I like google's picasa but like all the freebies it has a limit (btw the blogger upload goes into your picasa album). One freebie that I used for more than a year was imageshack but I don't use them anymore. They must have some type of viewing limit because I've had pictures disappear and reappear that were posted on my blog. I shared that experience recently:mini bullso what I have done now (not free) is get a URL/domain name from Go Daddy and use the included picture album service. So far it works fine but I don't know about the sizing options. BTW some those same sized pictures looked very much the same to me.I imagine many readers don't know you often can enlarge the posted photos by clicking on them.thanks
http://www.blogger.com/profile/12837452319948323930 latinmomof4punks

Good advice Amiga!Thanx!!~Amor, Familia Y Cultura~ Betty
http://www.blogger.com/profile/02357132033070346815 Betty

I always wondered how people got their pictures so big. Duh! I know! But now I´m going to check out these options too. Thanks for the tip!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/08017935216648601052 Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden

Thanks for the tips. I've been uploading pics using Blogger as well as TinyPic and I don't like either one of them. I'll have to try Windows Live Writer. I always thought your photos looked great – I love the Polaroid look frame.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/03842802592407526553 Pink Peony

try this one. you can even add moving stuff on it http://www.blibs.com/editor/
http://www.blogger.com/profile/14814595059089357806 Nori D

Oh crap! Thanks for the info!! Ive noticed that all my pictures come out butt ugly when I post them through blogger, although they look so crisp and bright on flickr (I didnt know I could post pics on my blog through flickr). Still, I dont use flickr too much, because I dont want to use up too much space, soooo thanks for all this info. Ima check it out now =o)
http://www.blogger.com/profile/10110041382116193467 Michaela

I hadn't tried either one of those two – will have to check them out. I'm stopping by from SITS and wanted to say hi!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/08572400688345132982 VictoriaArt

This is great, now I'll have to bite the dust and change my ways for good. I have thought about the size and frame so long, it's about time to explore your path!Thanks for the guiding light!XXVictoriaPS: Just found your sweet e-mail in my inbox, was to busy to check! You are so welcome!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/08879405062559613112 Court

Thanks for posting this, we're gearing up for attacking the world with new baby pictures so this will help. We are so cheap we keep buying the instamatic cameras and have yet to replace our digital. One day that pot of gold will show up on my door step, I just know it!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/01467035860922139620 Twincerely,Olga

wow! Awesomw tip!I need all the help I can get!Thanks Mami
http://www.blogger.com/profile/12802405717161236476 Amy Amy Bo Bamey

The Flickr photo was way more sharp and clear. I like all the border option too. I am gonna have to keep those 2 options in mind.Thanks for joining Georgie and I for Secret Santa this year, looking forward to getting to read some of your old posts and get to know you.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/16164130220334804366 4 Lettre Words

Great to know! Gotta check it out now.
SPEAKING FROM THE CRIB

you are such a photo diva – i suck at that crap! but your photos do always look phenomenal!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/02399300464457820101 Ocean Girl

You made choosing photo managers so interesting. Thank you for the info. I have not heard of any of them before. I always just upload photos direct onto blogger from my computer but I see the difference now. So it is time to move up the computer skill.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/04841965283594674300 Theta Mom

Thanks for the info and the mini-tutorial! Got to go check it out!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/09099392907963359422 The Royal Family

crazy how many things you can do I could edit for hourshey how do you do your titles in a different font?Thanks for visiting me on my special day, hope you had time to enter the giveaways.See you soon, Brandy
http://www.blogger.com/profile/00105847241289347457 hipchicagomom

Holy cow, that's a big difference! I think I may have to go over there and have a look-see. Thanks!
http://www.blogger.com/profile/06426176094895489541 Mrs4444

Cool finds! I do love the sharper images.
http://www.blogger.com/profile/04271264528110884129 Gibby

Thanks for the info. I've always loved your pics and wished mine looked the same, but I'm too lazy to upload them to an online site. I just upload them from my computer or my phone. It definitely makes a difference.