Allow an optional proof delay on Digital Downloads
Pros would be able to set a proof delay on DD's. As it is now if a customer orders a DD they get whatever is uploaded even if it's an untouched proof. Wouldn't it be nice to approve images before they're pulled down?
Eric Piercey
shared this idea
51 comments
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Dave
commented
Yeah, it appears SmugMug would rather dictate our workflow than incorporate what we really want from them as a service.
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Russell Harrison
commented
This seems like this would be trivial to implement from a technical standpoint. Delaying digital downloads should be a business decision that each photographer makes based on his needs, not one that's forced on him by an artificial limitation in the software he's using.
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Harry
commented
i suspect this will fall on deaf ears but really this should be an option as its something that will soon cause me to leave smugmug and go elsewhere even though i dont want to..
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Sherry
commented
This should be a no-brainer if the photographer has proof-delay set for the gallery. Proof delay should apply to all purchases from the gallery--not just prints. Right now, if someone orders a dd from me, they get the unedited and then I feel obligated to email them an edited version later.
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Anonymous
commented
I totally agree! This needs to happen ASAP!
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Anonymous
commented
Please give us the option to proof delay our downloads. I hate my coustomers getting an unedited version of my shots. I take too many to eadit each one, but the ones that are purchased need to be edited before they can download them.
Thanks, Jeff
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Les
commented
Jun 30, 2009???
Yet another ancient thread without movement forward so it seems.....Anybody know of similar service in the UK has this as a feature..?
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lynne.glazer commented
Continuing to want this more than any smuggy enhancement. Unless you permit self-fulfillment, then I'll sell digital downloads that way.
Just can't buy Andy's argument to just send the customer a better copy, after the fact. Heck no--the unretouched DD will be UP ON FACEBOOK in minutes after delivery--comments made by viewers, the customer will never manage to upload the "keepsake" one I deliver later. That image would be there to shame me literally for all time. No thanks.
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AlexTiethof
commented
It kind of seems like this one got shot down...so here is my .02. Andy, I hear what you are saying about customer's wanting their digital downloads now and not in days. Being the instant gratification junkie that I am, I couldn't agree more.
The other side of the coin, which I feel is just as important, is that currently that just doesn't work with the "upload all proofs now, fix and upload purchased pics later" workflow (which is brilliant!)
At this point I only do two big events a year, and after each one I come back here to check the status of this request :)
My current process is, upload low quality jpegs which save me loads of time and it saves you guys loads of space. When I get an order for a digital download I have to quickly shoot out an e-mail basically saying 'I know the picture you just downloaded looks like ****, but I will upload a nicer one when I get home"
I have been debating putting some (more) instructions up letting people know what's up, which I may end up doing anyway, but I just don't want (more) paragraphs of instructions for people.
I personally would be happy if they got the same proof delay notification they would get from ordering prints, adding that you are welcome to download the proof copy immediately and we (smugmug) will send you a cheerful e-mail when a new version has been uploaded (when the pro has "released it").
That's all. No gripes from me, I love you guys and I am quite happy...just wanted to weigh in on this.
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Matt Rondel (mattrondel.com)
commented
Like Julie Ward I too shoot a lot of horse shows and it is critical to get the photos up and online while the memory of the event is fresh in their head. Some of these events we shoot have 100 + riders and editing before uploading just isn't an option when you need to strike when the iron is hot, if you wait then you will miss a sale.
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Rick
commented
Michael, I wouldn't say you are missing something but rather assuming that everyone has the same workflow as you. Your description works fine for you and you would continue to use it as it works now, but additional flexibility would accommodate others with a different workflow.
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Julie Ward
commented
I can post well over a thousand images from a single horse show and they are loaded and ready for my clients to view each night after the show. The is no WAY all of those can be edited and signatures placed. My event photos all go up as is, straight out of camera. That is NOT how I would choose to sell them though.
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Michael Ramsey
commented
I'm a bit confused about everyone's comments. I never upload an image to my Pro SmugMug account unless it is ready for sale. I wouldn't want it any other way. So I'm confused. If you saw a photo and loved it and purchased a download, then 7 days later you can download it and it has changed from what you thought you purchased, would you be upset? Maybe I'm missing something......
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John M
commented
This would be a great feature. I just hit this issue as a customer, and was very disappointed with the downloads I got, Thankfully Sean at Green Flash is helping me out directly! www.gflashp.com
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Steve
commented
The lack of this feature is keeping me from signing up with a Pro account. Other professional sites have this feature, not sure why this is so difficult to implement as an option.
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Paul Jones commented
Again another "no brainer" for digital downloads (along with package pricing options) that is inexplicably lacking at SmugMug, but available elsewhere. Why on earth wouldn't they think I'd want to edit my digital downloads too?! The mind boggles.
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photoscopes
commented
Any comment from smugmug on this topic ? I would love this feature and may leave for another site that has this option. Are there any suggestions for a place that has this feature? Proof delay on digital downloads?
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Rick
commented
I agree that proof delays are needed, have felt this since I first signed on. But others may not want the hassle so why not give us the option in gallery settings much like you do on prints, to decide if we want to hold digital downloads for proof delay. My vote is proof delay on digital downloads.
Thanks!
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Vincent
commented
Absolutely! Many of my customers want images to display on Facebook and will buy digital downloads only! Having the delay would allow me to not have to edit all the images until they are purchased. PLEASE implement this asap!
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Daniel Eriksson commented
I agree, really should have a proof delay would be nice. You don't always edit all photos from events 100%
