let us choose a feature photo for (sub) categories manually instead of using the first gallery
Right now, the feature photo of a (sub) category is the feature photo of the first gallery in that category. This is not always a representative photo of the whole category, although it might suit the gallery.
Therefore, I propose that we are given the freedom to manually set a feature photo for a category as well, just as we can for a gallery.
Adam Buczynski
shared this idea
19 comments
-
John Bertram
commented
This falls under the heading obvious features which a PAID site that has existed this long has NO excuse not to have implemented.
-
Seth
commented
Please add!! as well as the password option at sub-category level!!! Please!!!
-
Jamie
commented
I see this was proposed in 2009, and as far as I can tell, has not been implemented. What gives, SmugMug? Can we please have this as a feature?
-
Char
commented
from my relational database (or simply DBMS of whatever ilk) perspective -- I agree with you. If the data describing the organization and contents of a gallery within a (sub)category is maintained in a DBMS -- to me -- this would be a no brainer. So long as the parent to a child (gallery) is known (be it a category or subcategory), then the placement of a gallery within that (sub)category and the feature pic within shouldn't matter at all. The fact that I've found a way to sidestep the issue (which I've shared) doesn't matter either. It still needs to be addressed but I fear that to do so would require a wholesale -- root and branch -- revamping of the way the data describing the organization of our photo sites is stored and managed. NOT a minor undertaking at all. In fact, I think this is the underlying basis for quite a number of the issues raised in this forum.
-
Joel
commented
I was very surprised you can't do this. Seems like an obvious feature to me.
-
Char
commented
Still would like this feature btw but let me share a technique that I've found is a way to side step this problem. Let's say you have a category (or subcategory) containing a number of galleries of photos that are related in some way (e.g., a big vacation, all pix taken during 2011, a mutli-year house project, etc). For each category/subcategory -- create a "smart" gallery -- call it "highlights of < >" or "2011 in review" or some such -- and set it up to search for a single keyword and include any photos with that keyword. Then go thru the galleries in that category/subcategory and assign that keyword to the pix to include in this "smart" gallery. Then go back to the "smart" gallery, arrange the photos however you want, then select a feature photo. At the category/subcategory level -- position this 'smart'/highlight gallery at the top left. Voila! The feature photo from the 'smart'/highlight gallery is now the feature photo for that category/subcategory. Apparently, it doesn't matter that the photo is actually linked to a gallery elsewhere in the category/subcategory. All that matters is that it exists (virtual or physical) in the first gallery of the category/subcategory.
I understand that this is a bit of extra work and may not be appropriate for all categories/subcategories but I've found it works.
-
Dan Lovell Photography
commented
I like this idea very very much! Lets add this on ASAP, and include Events for the same purpose. That would be helpful for grouping different galleries for a single event.
-
Anna Lisa Yoder
commented
This is a long-needed feature. Have always wondered why it's been this way for so long; doesn't seem like it would be a tough one to implement.
-
Justin
commented
I agree. We need more freedom in terms of options. I would like the choice to have:
1) Randomized so that when you're on my homepage, the thumbnail for each of my CATEGORIES, is a randomly generated thumbnail from ANY of the GALLERIES in that CATEGORY.
(ie. Homepage -> CATEGORIES -> random picture from any of the GALLERIES in that CATEGORY)
and
2) The option of CHOOSING a picture from any of the GALLERIES in that CATEGORY
(ie. Homepage -> CATEGORIES -> owner-selected picture from any of the GALLERIES in that CATEGORY)
-
Char
commented
I agree - shouldn't have to shift around your gallery positions just to ensure that the photo you really want to feature for the category or subcategory is shown on the page above.
-
SirFin
commented
I want this so badly that I'm putting my vote chips on the table to move it up the chain!
-
The Pumpkin Special
commented
This is a great time for family and friends. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the best times of the year!
-
crawfoco
commented
This is particularly awful if your first gallery in a category is a locked gallery - why would I want the 'featured' picture for a category to be the "Protected Gallery" image?!?
-
dixxee
commented
It would be nice as some of the photos in the gallery may not represent what I would like my customers to see immediately.
-
sameer chavan
commented
This is needed verymuch. Also we want to manually showcase some photos as feature photos and not just by number of clicks.
-
mullendennis
commented
This is needed all right!
-
Bill
commented
While you're at it, please add category descriptions.
-
lanej
commented
Add me to the list...I've had to create a separate gallery and populate it with a single image as a "placeholder" featured photo, then arrange it so it's the first gallery in the sub-category in order to get it to show on the homepage as a "representative" image for the category.
-
laephis
commented
I would also like to see this feature added.
