Easy Online Photo Sharing

Organizing and sharing your digital photos can be a tricky proposition--especially when you are dealing with high-resolution images. The new OurPictures Deluxe 2 software and services package tackles both problems at once.

I tested a shipping version of the software, which lets you browse through thumbnails or search by file name or keyword. The photo editor allows you to crop, adjust brightness, and reduce red-eye.

If you worry about losing your photos, you'll appreciate the app's PictureSafe feature, which automatically backs up your collection online. Users of the Deluxe Edition, which costs $30 per year, get 250MB of storage space. (The free Starter Edition does not include the backup feature.)

The program's appeal lies in its ability to share full-size photos. Select the images to share, and enter an e-mail address; within just minutes those images appear in the recipient's copy of OurPictures. If the recipient doesn't use OurPictures, they'll be directed to a Web site to view and download the images.

You can also print directly to a local photo store. There are 25,000 participating locations nationwide, and prices vary. (My 4-by-6-inch prints cost about 30 cents each.)

OurPictures is still relatively new to the online photo game. It's off to a great start, but we found a few flaws. Since the service supports only JPEG images, it can't handle RAW-format files. And though you can tag photos with keywords, the process is about as much fun as querying a database.

Once the company smooths out these rough edges, however, OurPictures will be a compelling choice for anyone who is looking for an easier way to organize and share photos.

OurPictures Deluxe 2

OurPictures

Application makes it simple to organize, edit, and share your high-resolution photos.
Price when reviewed: Starter Edition free, Deluxe Edition $30 per year
Current prices (if available)