Dynamic Web Gallery Software?

[FlipsidE]

I really want to get my gallery up and running. I don't have a ton of pictures yet, but I have enough to get a gallery together I believe. My problem is software. I just can't seem to find anything that does exactly what I want. Let me explain...

The gallery software I am looking for would be completely dynamic, buliding pages on the fly based on directory contents. In other words, from the base photos directory, I would create multiple directories. Those directories would be the high level categories. Under those directories, I could have as many subdirectories as I wanted. Each subdirectory would be a sub-category. Then, when the final sub-category is reached for a given path, it would display all the pictures for that directory (thumbnails first, then larger when you click on them).

I have looked around a little bit and haven't found anything that can do this yet. This would keep me from having to make any coding changes to any of the pages on my site. I wouldn't have to worry about adding or removing photographs from pages and then uploading my changes along with the new images. All I would need to do is create my directory structure and start uploading images.

Now, I'm pretty sure I could write a web gallery application in Perl that would do exactly what I talked about above. It really wouldn't be that difficult. But, it probably would be time consuming as I want to make sure I get it right the first time rather than having to deal with bad design or just scrap it all and start over.

If there's already something out there that will perform the same functoinality I want, then please point me toward it. I have a feeling someone has had this idea before. More than likely, this web gallery engine is already out there somewhere...I just need to know where to find it.

EDIT: Just as an FYI, I already have a webhost I really like and am paying for it monthly. So, I would rather use that webhost versus signing up for and having to pay for a photo-specific hosting site.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[tommykjensen]

I *think* the following gallery does what You ask.

http://www.thomasrybak.com/

Unfortunately it seems that the link to download of the gallery is gone but You could try sending Thomas Rybak an email via his dpreview account (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/postersprofile.asp?poster=hjiuieiyhuih) .

[tofuboy]

You mean like my gallery?
http://photography.tofuboy.net

If your host's webserver is apache and supports php, then you can use it too. I put it up for download on my webpage, along with some brief instructions. It runs off of a directory structure just like you want. The only thing that is a minor pain, is it requires you to make thumbnails as well as the regular sized images. I know I could make php make the thumbnails, but I would rather limit my use of server resources. And you can modify it to your hearts' content (as long as you know a bit of php). All I ask is you leave a link back to my site in the footer (whether you choose to do that or not is up to you).

Get it here: http://www.tofuboy.net/scripts/

[sashajade]

You and me both! I'm in the same boat and am such a particular person when it comes to my work that I refuse to use just any software out there. I'm also looking for a package that's user-friendly and easily customizable to suit individual needs. Anything you could recommend would be great! :) - SJ

I really want to get my gallery up and running. I don't have a ton of pictures yet, but I have enough to get a gallery together I believe. My problem is software. I just can't seem to find anything that does exactly what I want.

[b00ty]

I am very fond of gallery2, it can be found here:http://gallery.menalto.com/

make sure you get the version 2 as it runs off of a php-mysql backend, which allows it to be able to process large galleries very quickly. Many webhosts these days provide their customers with php and mysql support. Best part about this is that it's open source therefore its free :-). You can also get modules such as the shopping cart one to allow support for customers to purchase your images. It's definitely worth a look if you ask me, with it being free...hope this helps.

[guaranine]

check out jalbum.net
i use them for private events that i need to throw on the web quickly. tons of skins and options like paypal integration. and its free.
beth

[mysubaruimp]

check out jalbum.net
i use them for private events that i need to throw on the web quickly. tons of skins and options like paypal integration. and its free.
beth

JAlbum is not dynamic.

[guaranine]

JAlbum is not dynamic.
not sure what you mean by dynamic.
beth

[mysubaruimp]

not sure what you mean by dynamic.
beth
.

The gallery software I am looking for would be completely dynamic, buliding pages on the fly based on directory contents. In other words, from the base photos directory, I would create multiple directories. Those directories would be the high level categories. Under those directories, I could have as many subdirectories as I wanted. Each subdirectory would be a sub-category. Then, when the final sub-category is reached for a given path, it would display all the pictures for that directory (thumbnails first, then larger when you click on them)... This would keep me from having to make any coding changes to any of the pages on my site. I wouldn't have to worry about adding or removing photographs from pages and then uploading my changes along with the new images. All I would need to do is create my directory structure and start uploading images.

[R Hardman]

not sure what you mean by dynamic.
beth

Rebuilding the gallery everytime you want to add an image is not dynamic.

[guaranine]

thanks mysubaruimp.
heh, didn't realize that was even possible...
guess i misread the original post, originally i thought he meant he didn't mind uploading but didn't want to re-code everything.. thanks for the info, something i may have to look into for my own page.
beth