Social networking on such sites as MySpace and Facebook has become so popular with everyone who has access to a computer, or even a well-equipped cell phone, that it hardly matters whether the user is a teenager or a senior citizen. Just about as many people today are taking photos with their cell phones, their Blackberries and web cams as with their digital cameras.
Why not just use photo storage sites like Flickr, DotPhoto, Winkflash, and dozens of others? These are popular sites, where customers can upload and save photos from digital cameras and print them, or turn them into accessories such as calendars. However, while these are communities in a sense, they are not as fully featured or as popular for networking as the mega-site, Facebook. Some charge a maintenance fee, or limit the time period that photos can remain in the account.
Facebook enables its members to upload photos from digital cameras and from their cell phones, which surely is the quickest route from live experience to network sharing that currently exists. Combining the photo storage capability of Facebook with the networking feature that it's based upon, results in the Photo Album tool that every Facebook member can access easily.
Assemble a Digital Photo Album in a Few Steps
To create a Photo Album, first log on to your Facebook account and go to your Profile.
- There is a tab labeled Photos at the top of the page, and another very small link at the bottom of the page (in the "taskbar") – click on either one to go to the Photo page for your account.
- On the upper right side of the screen, there is a button that says "Create a Photo Album"
- You will be taken to a screen where you can give your new album a name, identify where it was taken ("location"), and describe it briefly.
- You can limit the scope of viewers for this album, to ensure privacy, or allow all of your friends ("everyone") to view it. Click on the drop-down menu to choose.
- You can, in fact, limit the viewing to yourself and no one else! Choose "customize" and pick "only me" and none of your networks.
- When you have completed these steps, you will then click on the button labeled "create album" – and proceed to upload your photos from your computer files.
- You can download a "simple uploader" tool if you feel less confident about doing it manually, but once you have uploaded your photos from your files, you can organize, edit the information or delete them by choosing the tabs at the top of the page.
- There is also a second tab at the top of the page for Mobile (cell phone) photos. This process is very easy, and utilizes the e-mail feature of your cell phone. The instructions open in a quick new window.
Tips from Facebook's Help Tools
- There is a limit of 100 photos in the Mobile Uploads gallery; 200 photos are allowed in an album.
- Only upload jpg, gif, bmp, and png files.
- Maximum file size is 15 MB.
- Share photos with friends on Facebook by clicking on the "Share" link located under a photo or photo album.
Creating a Facebook picture gallery is an easy and quick way to let everyone in your social network know what's going on in your life. Follow these guidelines and tips, and in no time it'll be a habit to upload your photos to the Photo Album tool on a regular basis.
Barbara Bell - Suite101 has been my home away from home for over 12 years. I began as a writer covering antiques, collectibles and interior decorating, ...
