Smithsonian Images

I have already looked at the SIRIS Catalog and I wanted to compare it with Smithsonian Images: Digital Photography, Printed Pictures, Historic Images, and E-Cards, another rather disparate component of the Smithsonian Institution's web presence.

For this particular site, users are able to browse or search through a selection of images from the Collections of the Office of Imaging and Photographic Services; the included images are from collections, current exhibits, and Smithsonian events. Then users can either download images at web/JPEG resolution for "personal and educational use" or purchase print and/or digital images. If a user creates a profile, s/he can place images in a "portfolio" that holds his/her favorite pictures. If the user wants to buy an image, the cost depends on the format request: 8.5 x 11 print ($25), 11 x 17 print ($35), digital file on CD at 8 x 11 and 300 dpi ($50), and digital file via FTP at 8 x 11 and 300 or 600 dpi ($100 and $200, respectively). The prices are quite high, suggesting that the Smithsonian can get away with it because people are buying them!

To search for images, the user can either conduct a basic keyword search or an advanced search that includes category, title, description, photographer, and negative number. Alternatively, one can browse the extensive categories (e.g., railroads, textiles, spiders) that reflect the wide range of museums, collections, and research interests of the Smithsonian.

If users simply download the web image, they first receive a message that warns them that these images are for personal, non-commercial use only and that the Smithsonian retains the rights (and possibly copyrights) of these images. Each image includes a title, name of photography, the date, and a unique ID number. The images also have a short description and related keyword at the bottom of the page to facilitate further searching. The web pictures are a range in size and dimension but are generally no bigger than 300 x 300 pixels.

The Smithsonian Images website is directed towards educators, photography enthusiasts, history buffs, and others with an interest in the collections at the Smithsonian. It's great that the Smithsonian is opening a small portion of their image collection to the public. However, it is unfortunate that it costs so much to aquire high-quality versions of the images.