Dotphoto is an all around useful and user-friendly site. The site is easy to navigate with clear instructions. Albums can be organized then added to the personal URL for public viewing or password protected. The button to download the full size version of a photo back to a hard drive is right in the list of album functions.
Dotphoto Go free software application contains editing and organization tools. This software interfaces directly with printers and digital cameras for easy at-home printing. One small issue arose during the first use: the application automatically added all photos in the My Pictures folder of the hard drive without asking the user first. Removing the unwanted photos was a huge and unexpected task. (This bug will most likely be fixed as soon as Dotphoto is aware of it.) Navigation of the software is more difficult than the website and is not easily synched. Many of the functions are icons instead of text, making it more difficult to navigate quickly.
Galleries are filled with professional photos, organized and searchable by keyword.
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#]
Featured Pro Portfolio where products such as framed posters can be ordered.
Photos are not altered at all with upload. They retain original size, format, etc.
Dotphoto Show allows the creation of slideshows with music and themes. Similar to Snapfish Photoshow, but advanced functions from Dotphoto, like adding mp3s from a personal collection and sharing are free. Invite friends to see the show as well.
Monthly print plans and bulk rates
Customize a personal URL where guests can view albums or watch slideshows and videos.
Pictavision: mobile portfolio/albums
[#Membership#]
Dotphoto has many membership options available to the common user, including a video package with 500MB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth per month. Monthly rates are available depending on the quantity of prints the user expects to purchase. With any monthly package, browsing is ad free. All membership packages include a personal URL, photo sharing, unlimited storage and access to the photo gift and print store.
The professional services offered are comprehensive and provide all services necessary to profit from photos. Public users can search portfolios by the photographer’s name, an event name, a date or keywords. Pros receive commission and the ability to set their own prices.
[#Drawbacks#]
Editing tools are not available on this site. They advise users to make all image modifications before uploading.
Ads are present with the free membership, but are not too overbearing. Ads are not present on the personal URLs.
[#Uploading#]
Basic uploading through a browser and drag-and-drop options are available and work at an average speed. FTP uploading is also available, but the FTP server was down when we tried to test it.
Uploading from the desktop application was slower than uploading directly from the site.
Upload Speed*
Very
Fast
Fast
Average
Slow
*upload speed was analyzed using a T1 modem.
[#Storage#]
Storage is on the site and can be displayed on the personal URL. Add captions, tags, dates to photos for searching.
[#Products#]
The products from Dotphoto are of similar quality to other photo sites. They do offer some unique products such as evening bags, towels and blankets. Frames ordered from Dotphoto come with a free print. Gifts items are categorized by event and recipient as well for easier browsing.
[#Prints#]
Prints are on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Bulk rates for prints drop the price per print to $.10, less than many sites. The $.15 for single prints is average compared to other sites. Bulk print rates can be especially useful for special occasions, families and groups.
[#Sharing#]
Photos or entire albums can be shared by sending an invite to someone’s email. Personal URL can be given to guests and password can be applied.
[#Privacy#]
Personal URL for displaying photos is optional and can be password-protected. Photos are submitted to galleries upon the user’s selection. All public sharing, tagging, etc. is done through the album properties after the album is created. Nothing is submitted automatically.
[#SiteNavigation#]
Clean lines and sparing use of color make this site easy on the eyes. Adding, organizing and sharing albums are provided in a Font sizes are a bit small and may not be great for older users, but screen adjustments can fix that.
