Photoworks is great for the private user for many reasons. Easy functions, such as sharing, uploading and ordering make the site quick and painless. They do not expect you to know about resolution or uploading programs or any other technical details. Photoworks provides true service: they figure out the details for you and do not bother you with technical information you do not need. There is nothing to learn or download or upgrade. All functions are available with only the free service and everything is self-explanatory.
Unlimited storage allows all photos to be stored and organized in one place and products and prints are available to suit any occasion and any age. Prices are competitive, especially with print packages. For those who love to show off their photos, Photoworks has multiple ways to do so.
If you are a digital imaging rookie, you may want to check out the glossary for descriptions of general features found on photo and video sites, and for some insight into basic industry terms.
[#Unique#]
Large selections of photo cards in many sizes, shapes and designs
Beginner friendly functions
Truly unlimited storage and no need to ever upgrade
Simple language for quick reference and easy use
[#Membership#]
Free membership allows you to store, share, organize, order and edit an unlimited amount of photos and photo products.
[#Drawbacks#]
Photoworks offers all the basics, but it does not provide image hosting.
Organization not provided in the desktop application at all but uses straightforward drag-and-drop arrangement in the site.
There are no public galleries or forums for the photo enthusiast.
[#Uploading#]
Uploading with basic uploader or ActiveX drag and drop is user-friendly. Speed is only average, but full size images are uploaded and saved for high quality product creation and file backup. Photo Stream desktop application is available for uploading, but provides no real added features. The application is basically a convenient way to order prints. Photos added to the application are not automatically added to the online account, which can be confusing when trying to track progress and what has been added.
Upload Speed*
Very
Fast
Fast
Average
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*Under
upload speed, modem is a T1 modem.
[#Storage#]
Photos are stored in an unlimited number of albums which can be sorted by name or date.
Alternative methods of adding photos are available, such as mailing in the memory card, 35mm film or a photo CD.
[#Products#]
Diverse and quality photo merchandise sets Photoworks in the class of excellent product sites like Photomax and Shutterfly. Classy photo books and large selection of greeting card designs make Photoworks stand out.
Photo books are linen or leather hard covers and professionally bound. Each page is customized with design themes, picture layouts and captions. Photo books can also be bound into a leather clutch for portability.
Photo cards are some of the best in the business. Fully personalized and choose from many layouts for many occasions, including some occasion layouts you do not see often, like general romance, Hanukkah and New Year’s. Photoworks is the only site we have found that sells poster size cards. These unique greetings fold out to 11 x 17. Cards for every occasion are available in many different shapes and sizes, including the every unique “Roundabout,” three circles bound together that swing out to reveal greetings and photos!
[#Prints#]
Prints are developed with Kodak processing.
Prepaid print plans are available for 4x6 and 5x7 sizes. A package of 220 4x6 prepaid prints is $29.95, that’s $.14 each; 1000 are only $.09 each. Prints do not have to be in the same order.
[#Sharing#]
Sharing is done through email invitations only. Guests must create a (free) account to view the photos. Only entire albums can be shared. (Although, this is not a major problem, just a small inconvenience. You can create an album with only one or two photos.)
[#Privacy#]
Photoworks does not provide public access. Photos can only be viewed through links in guest invitations.
[#SiteNavigation#]
This site is very easy to use. It has basic functions with a standard navigation design.
