How to Smartly Store and Share Photos in the Cloud
The cloud has all the answers. When we talk about the cloud, we refer to online services that save your images on servers available from almost any device connected to the Internet. For example, you can upload images from your large desktop computer to online storage space and then share them with a friend via your smartphone.
Storing photos in the cloud offers several great benefits. First of all, you will be able to share your images almost anytime, anywhere you have access to the Internet. Second, cloud services regularly back up their data so that you don’t permanently lose your irreplaceable and priceless images, even if your computer gets damaged.
Freebies Can Be Frustrating At Times
Most cloud services limit their free storage option, which is often around 5 GB. Once you reach the memory limit, however, the attraction of a freebie loses its luster quickly in the face of annoying limitations.
For instance, Internet Photo Flickr does offer free storage. However, you are limited to 300 MB of data monthly. Depending on the file size that your camera generates, they may be less than 100 images. Also, Flickr allows you to display up to 200 images for public viewing. This is just an example of a company that flaunts its free offers, hoping that you will opt for a paid service.
However, if you’ve been planning to push your photos to the cloud for years, you’ll probably end up opting for a paid membership. The good thing is that storage prices are usually very affordable; the average annual fee for most is between $100 and $50 or even less.
Automation
Most people often forget to make a backup for their files. Therefore, services with backup options and automatic synchronization are ideal. Not only do they detect when you’ve transferred new images to your hard drive, but they automate the upload process.
Google Drive, Dropbox SugarSync, and CrashPlan are four examples of services, which automate uploading new photos and videos to the cloud. So if you’re the type that tends to forget or procrastinate on backups, you need platforms with auto-sync capabilities.
Sharing
There is a surplus of cloud services built for direct data storage. You’ll never lack a place to save important data files and documents from Amazon Cloud Drive to SkyDrive to DropBox to Google Drive. But not every service allows you to share photos easily.
Most cloud services offer ways to share images, but you may need to try two or three before finding a sharing method that suits you best. The best way to achieve your desired sharing style? Upload few photos to each platform and use their services for a few days to see if the interface is fun, friendly, and easy to use.
Mobile
With millions of people capturing tons of photos on their mobile phones, cloud services make inroads to meet mobile requirements. In some cases, the type of phone you use will influence your cloud options.
If you use a Windows Phone, for example, your pictures are automatically synced with Microsoft SkyDrive. Also, an Android phone will easily sync with Google Drive. Do you have an iPhone? You can channel images directly to the Apple iCloud.
Your Rights
If there’s something you should know about sharing and storing photos online, services and options are changing as fast as the weather. Likewise, do terms of service, which can be a sticky and confusing mess, leading other people to use your photos for their own benefit.
Protect yourself by going through the terms of service or looking for TOS complaints about certain sites. One positive is that these types of TOS are more common with social networking sites than storage-based platforms.
Final Thoughts
Bear in mind that there is no all-in-one features photo storage and sharing system. Your needs can even change depending on a project. Also, Facebook is incredible for random snapshots, but Flickr is sleeker for a thriving holiday photo album.
Regardless of the path you take to the cloud, you should be excited about the future of the digital photo experience. As these services grow and companies change their business models, your options will continue to grow exponentially.