Why I'm Moving My Online Photo Albums Away From Adobe

For quite a long time, I've been 'maintaining' an Adobe Portfolio site that is separate from my main blog. I originally did this because, at the time, I was using WordPress to manage my blog site, and maintaining photo galleries was somewhat clunky (read that as painful). As I subscribe to the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan, a portfolio site is included, so it seemed like the best way to go. That was then. This is now.

However, Adobe Portfolios are designed (rightly so) for pro photographers wanting to tout their wares. Typically, this will be a few prime images in a small selection of subject-based albums. It's not really designed for keen amateurs who would rather just upload timeline or event-based albums. Don't get me wrong, Adobe Portfolios are great, but it adds a layer of unwanted friction. To add photos, you not only have to create and edit an album page within Portfolio but also maintain a separate album within Lightroom. I often pick a bunch of 'keepers' from a main 'session' album but also want to keep a number of images that didn't quite make the cut. I cannot sync those 'session' albums because it is 'all or nothing', so I have to maintain separate albums to be uploaded to Portfolio. It's a pain in the arse. Testament to that is the fact my 'portfolio', at the time of writing, hasn't been updated for three years!

There is also the fact that I am continually looking for alternatives to the lock-in that is Adobe. It's a monthly subscription of around £20 and, while (IMHO) it offers decent value, it's still £240 a year for something that I underuse. If I can remove one point of reliance on that subscription, it makes it easier to move if I ever find a realistic alternative to Lightroom.

So, henceforth, I will be uploading galleries/albums to this blog site. I usually export low-resolution images from Lightroom to post on Facebook and Instagram, so I can just stick the same photos in a gallery on this site. Publii (the blog management software I am now using) makes this easy, so it's a reduction in the friction I've been experiencing.

I've already created a 'Day at Paignton Zoo' album and will probably add some historical albums in due course. If I have done that by the time you read this post, they will be here: Photo Albums

Comments

You should also read:

The Ethics of AI in Photography: Enhancement vs. Fabrication

AI is everywhere. It feels as though it’s being forced upon us by big tech companies betting on the technology to drive new revenue streams. One of the primary areas of growth is image creation—producing the completely false shite that is currently colonising our social media feeds.

Conversely, AI can also be used to edit and enhance existing photos. But where should the line be drawn between ‘enhanced by AI’ and ‘created by AI’?

The Lifelong Pursuit: Why Photography Still Captures Me

There are certain passions that stick with you—the ones that endure through new technology, different jobs, and the changing landscape of life. For me, that passion has always been photography. It's been a constant companion since I was a teenager, offering a unique way to see and interpret the world.