PhotoReflect.com

[Tiffany]

So Ryan found these guys for his upcoming gig and I figured I would give it a test run since its free to set up an account.

Installed the software last night and so far and rather unimpressed with the way it works as far as workflow goes...you have to touch the photos 2-3 times just to get them into a gallery on the site...blah.

But this morning I get a phone call from....PhotoReflect. Apparently they are located right in the DTC and the lady I talked to said she saw my local address and wanted to touch base to let me know they are right down the street and can help with anything I need. Cool.

I told her that I had not really had a chance to use the software fully, but would be happy to call her back and give her feedback once I did so she gave me her direct number. Not sure if this is typical or not, but a nice gesture either way.

I plan on doing a full review of the site and software, but just thought I would pass along the initial response from them.

So far as I see it:

Pros:
Online proofing and ordering
Choice of 3-5 labs to print to
Numerous templates to design your site (well over 200 as I can see it)
Ability to build and sell packages
Password protection on galleries

Cons:
Must use software to do anything with your site (limits you to when/where you can set things up and transfer photos)
Software is slow
Workflow is not user friendly (they assume that you will use only their software)

Its free to set up so give it a try yourself to see how you like it.

[Rhino95]

Got a [wakeup] call from them this morning which I was also presently surprised. I asked about how shipping works and she told me that there are something like 250 different labs they use and the ship direct to the customer, which I assumed but never found the actual answer on their site. I have yet to download the software so I can't speak of its useability or lack there of. But so far I'm impressed, the phone call put it over the top....cool stuff.

[Tiffany]

Yeah just on the playing I have done so far I really like the setup, just not liking the software at all.

You say you have not downloaded the software, so how are you setting up your site? My understanding was that you had to use the software to do much of anything.

I got my site set up and started looking at the print options and this is PERFECT for creating packages for sports photos. That was one of the reasons I passed on doing team photos last season, no way to do packages on SmugMug (grrrrr!!!!).

[Rhino95]

I thought the software was only for uploading the photos...I actually forgot about it until you mentioned it...oops.

[ColoradoSkier]

Going to need to find some spare time to start looking into this.

[Tiffany]

Nope you manage everything through the software. It kind of sucks really. Once I started working through the software it did become a bit more intuitive, but its still not something that I can work in to my workflow easily so it will always be a seperate entity.

If they had an export from Lightroom plugin, now that would really make the whole thing a ton more usefull, but to have to do any editing in LR, then Export, then import to PR software, then publish...sucks!

[OFRD_GRL]

so you HAVE to download the software in order to put pictures up?
thats interesting. you would think they would have some sort of online uploader or something.

:D

[Tiffany]

Yup, I like the end result, but getting there is a pain in the ass if you already have a concise workflow.

[OFRD_GRL]

well i decided to play around with it.

i only had to touch my images once...

however it took me FOREVER to figure out how the hell to get packages made and showing up on my *site* lol

i do wish when you uploaded your own logo, that it put it on top of the page where the text is for your site.. instead of a tiny logo on the right main column thingie.

still playing with it but its not tooooo horrible :D

[Tiffany]

Yeah, if you only use their software then you touch the photos once, I use LightRoom for everything so that means LR - Export - PR software - Import - Publish...and that's if there is no additional editing in PS.

It's not horrible, but its not great :shrug:

[Tiffany]

BTW, what is your site Una?

Mine is 23photos.photoreflect.com

[OFRD_GRL]

ahhhhhhhh ya im using their software...
flashforwardphotography.photoreflect.com

i havent uploaded many pics yet (just trying to figure out all the settings crap first)
im baffled with the shipping stuff and some of the styles that require portfolio....
basically WTF is a portfolio, because i cant seem to find that info anywhere in the software/site.
and as far as the shipping.... you have to setup your own shipping costs?
so does that mean you have to get the photos from the lab you choose (if you dont print them yourself) or do they ship them to you...and then you ship them... or do they ship them for you to customer.. or what?

lol enough questions in one?

btw - i love the look of yours!

[OFRD_GRL]

*nevermind about the portfolio!!! I figured that out LOL

[Tiffany]

Yeah, the portfolio thing had me stumped for a minute...

Like your site and yeah, that tiny logo is stupid, not even sure why it's there. I killed it on mine.

[ColoradoSkier]

I signed up, but haven't dome anything with it yet (http://bullock.photoreflect.com). Maybe this weekend. I did get a phone call from them though (went to voicemail).

[OFRD_GRL]

ya i got the call the day after i registered (my site wasn't even up yet) but it went to voicemail cuz work was kickin my arse!

ok i changed the site now to something new LOL

much better. :)

[Rhino95]

So whatever lab you choose will ship it directly to the customer...I asked :)

[Rhino95]

Ugh, where do you choose a lab?

Also...mac users...how did you download the software?

[OFRD_GRL]

really? thats great... so do i have to choose shipping charges? or will it automatically populate them or what?

i downloaded the PC software.... and in the area that you setup the packages is where i chose a lab :) i picked a denver local one... but if they ship em out for you I guess it doesnt matter which you choose!

[Rhino95]

really? thats great... so do i have to choose shipping charges? or will it automatically populate them or what?

i downloaded the PC software.... and in the area that you setup the packages is where i chose a lab :) i picked a denver local one... but if they ship em out for you I guess it doesnt matter which you choose!

I think you have to base your shipping charges off of what the lab charges...thats what I was told. I haven't taken a look at it yet. Thanks!

[Rhino95]

Ok, so I'm not finding where I can choose a lab...

[OFRD_GRL]

i dunno if this helps any but this is where i did it...

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd182/UnaReno/labs.jpg

[Rhino95]

Thanks! I didn't know it was through the software.

[OFRD_GRL]

not a problem :)

[Rhino95]

Alright, running windows on my mac to get this to work. One thing I'm concerned about (which I can call them tomorrow to ask, but I thought I'd ask here first) is I chose a lab, and I'm trying to come up with pricing, but how does the lab itself get paid/charge for the prints, or is that included in the 18%?

[Rhino95]

Never mind. Figured it out. Now I just have to figure out shipping costs...oh yeah and maybe start editing some photos.

[ColoradoSkier]

So? How do they get paid?

[Tiffany]

I am sure its all part of the 18% fee...

[ColoradoSkier]

There ya go. I didn't get to fool with any of the software I wanted to over the weekend. I have some geotagging software to test and do a write up for in addition to trying photoreflect and others. Amazing how the weekend totally gets away from you...

[Tiffany]

We still meeting up for you to get these books? I need to go to Best Buy to try and find a new keyboard/mouse combo I like...

[OFRD_GRL]

Actually when you choose a lab, and start making packages, each item (wallets, 5x7, etc) tells you the cost to you to have the lab print it up. (its actually pretty reasonable for the lab I chose..)

[ColoradoSkier]

Tiff - yes. Will GM you.

Maybe it would be helpful (if they don't already provide a comparison) if you guys could post here about what lab you chose and why, along with any relevant costs for said lab.

[OFRD_GRL]

I chose:
Photographics
8110 W. Brandon Dr
Littleton, CO 80125

I liked them because they had luster, glossy, etc and their prices were cheaper than the other place in CO I found!

[Rhino95]

I chose photographics as well...it was the first on the list :)