Have you ever seen an image here that you would like to see full screen on
your desktop or laptop, but the posted image is too small?

There are so many great images here that I would like to use for a background
or screensaver on my computer, but the 1000 pixel version is too small.

I could go to each photographer, and ask for a copy, but I think there are probably
a lot of folks who would like to contribute, and who would also like to enjoy the full sized images
of others.

I'd like to propose creating a Background Photo DB. Whoever wants to contribute
their photo would upload the original full size "landscape" image with permission
to anyone who wanted to download it for personal use. The image could still have
a copyright/watermark if the contributor wanted, though I think it's unnecessary.

I'm assuming the images could be automatically resized & optimized (compressed) to ~1900x1200, 300kb,
as they are currently with posted images. 1000 images would take up only 300mb space on the server.

The images would be submitted for review by one of the moderators, just to make sure there
are no nudists, UFO's, etc in the background, and could be dropped after a year or two to make room
for new pics.

Here's an example of an image posted by @Almostdone https://garden.org/thread/view...

RSVP.

Great idea Cal!

Meh.

BTW, thumbs are appreciated, but just a is best, so the PTB (Powers That Be) can
decide if it's worth the effort.

Woops......just realized the thumbs in the first post reflect the vote.
SO feel free to reply, but vote with a thumb in the first post., please. ;)

I'm not giving the idea a thumbs up because I think NGA already does enough as it is. Whoever wants to use a photo should contact the person who created the photo, ask permission and request a full-size image.

There are already places where folks can upload photos that they freely share with others. I put mine on Pexels.
https://www.pexels.com/@mary-g...

As for me, I like to use my own photos. The quality of my photos may not be perfect, but each of my images has meaning and value in my life. Here is an example...not perfect, but this image of the curious seagull was my first image with a new camera. A reminder of a great day in my life.

A Database for Screen Saver/Background photos?

I don't really think this site is the right place for that but it's just my opinion. I agree with @greene, if you see an image on NGA that you'd like to use as your own personal screen image, the best way is to contact the photo owner and ask permission.

I prefer using my own photos also.

Sorry, but I'm really surprised anyone would make those "Bah, humbug!" arguments.

In the spirit of sharing, I just thought it would be a nice feature, since there are so many great pics here.
They've inspired me to look closer at the beauty around me, and to enjoy gardening more than ever, and
to pass it on to others.

You're right......I could take the time to go to each photographer and ask their permission.
But it would be 1000x better, imho, to have a gallery of images anyone was free to pick from (or not!)
to enjoy as a background.

I still believe there are many here who would be happy to share their photos, and many who would love to
see them as a full screen background image. Just need to find them.

BTW, thanks to the Fab Four who supported the idea so far.

Cal, from my part, it's not a Bah, Humbug attitude, just not excited about it. You asked for opinions and that's how I feel. However, I'm not opposed.

I do agree with you about that spoonbill picture--OMG, it's pure art.

Have you tried posting your idea in the photography forum? You might find more exposure (pun intended) and enthusiasm there since everyone is a lover of photography AND gardening.

I know you can find it on your own, but here's the link anyway, just to make it a tiny bit easier. Good luck! https://garden.org/forums/view...

Thanks Joanna....we're good.

My point was (and if I comb my hair right, you wouldn't notice), if someone doesn't support it, fine.

I only want to see how many favor it.......so far, it's 126 views & still only 4 thumbs.
But this is only one forum out of, what? 50? Not representative of everyone at NGA by far.

I still believe there are enough supporters to make it work. Getting their attention is
the only problem.

And if I'm wrong, c'est la vie.

EscondidoCal said:Thanks Joanna....we're good.

My point was (and if I comb my hair right, you wouldn't notice), if someone doesn't support it, fine.

I only want to see how many favor it.......so far, it's 126 views & still only 4 thumbs.
But this is only one forum out of, what? 50? Not representative of everyone at NGA by far.

I still believe there are enough supporters to make it work. Getting their attention is
the only problem.

And if I'm wrong, c'est la vie.

I think you'll get a better idea of how many would like to do this in the photography forum. Give it a try?

What you are asking is for NGA to do the work for you...to make it easier for you to use photos created by other people. So far, not too many people think it is a good idea to create this DB you want. Plus you want them to be full-size images. That won't work because NGA automatically resizes the images to save space. It would still be necessary to contact the person who owns each photo, so I really don't see the point of asking NGA to get involved. This should be between only two people, you and the photographer. That's not humbug. It's just my opinion.

@Dave is the authority to say yay or nay as to whether or not it's feasible to create a "Database" for the purpose of Background/Screensaver photos.

The OP originally tree-mailed me the idea and I asked Cal to post it here to gauge interest in the feature.

It looks like there is mild interest but probably not enough to justify the time it would take me to setup the feature. With the available workarounds (posting it on a photo sharing site and linking to it from a thread here) I think the best choice is to have a running thread in on of the forums where people can create and post their favorite photos, linking the full res version from a photo sharing site.

dave said:The OP originally tree-mailed me the idea and I asked Cal to post it here to gauge interest in the feature.

It looks like there is mild interest but probably not enough to justify the time it would take me to setup the feature. With the available workarounds (posting it on a photo sharing site and linking to it from a thread here) I think the best choice is to have a running thread in on of the forums where people can create and post their favorite photos, linking the full res version from a photo sharing site.

That sounds like an excellent idea!

Suggestion: perhaps a sticky thread in the Photography forum, if this proves popular enough?

Plan "A" didn't fly.

Here's Plan "B"
The thread "Free Background Images" in Photography Tips & Techniques forum

EscondidoCal said:Plan "A" didn't fly.

Here's Plan "B"
The thread "Free Background Images" in Photography Tips & Techniques forum

Great idea!