Which photo gallery format do you prefer as a user?

Thumbnails and slideshow vs. one long page

[hhayes]

I have just started adding some large photo galleries to my travel website, with anywhere from 5 to 50 photos per attraction.

In the couple I've done so far, I've created a main thumbnail page that leads into a "slideshow" of individual photo pages, each with the usual Previous and Next links.

The other option is a format I've seen only in "amateur" travel photo websites, but I'm starting to wonder if the average user might not like it better. In this format, you just have one LONG webpage with numerous large photos (600-800px), one after another, with captions under each. It's not as professional looking, nor perhaps as search engine friendly, and yet it might be better at making the website visitor feel like they're there at the attraction, browsing around.

What are your thoughts? Leaving aside for the moment the issue of download time for dialup users, which setup would you prefer?

Thanks!

[tbear]

I generally use thumbnails with full size image opening in another window (after a warning, of course).

I don't like slide shows or pages with full images one after another, prefer to choose for myself what I see and when.

[hhayes]

Thanks, I appreciate your input.

[dan_k]

I prefer a slideshow that shows several thumbnails along with each large image - typically one or more previous images and one or more following images. The software I prefer to use to create such displays is the free SPGM (simple picture gallery manager), which is powered by well-commented PHP and CSS. The home page is [spgm.sourceforge.net...] The creator expects you to put that link in your slideshow.

Somewhat-similar free software is Exhibit Engine, which I used on one website. An advantage of this software is the ability to select the thumbnail display based on categories - and each image can be in multiple categories. The website for the version I used is at [photography-on-the.net...] An experimental version is at [photography-on-the.net...] The creator expects you to put the appropriate link in your slideshow.

If you send me an email I will be happy to send you the websites I created with the above software, so you can get an idea of how I've implemented the software.