TTG Client Response Gallery

Current version 2.0 R3

12 May 08

TTG Client Response Gallery exists to facilitate the exchange of information between photographers and their clients.

The gallery employs FormToEmail.com’s FormToEmail PHP script to collect data from clients, including image selections, image ratings, individual image comments and more. The gallery employs HighSlide to allow side-by-side large-size image previews without disrupting form input, and (optionally) also allows clients to download a copy of each image to their own machine. The gallery’s features include:

  • FormToEmail powered deliver for client feedback
  • HighSlide-driven large image previews
  • Viewing of multiple large-size images at once for side-by-side comparison
  • Selection checkboxes
  • Optional download of hi-res image renditions
  • Tabbed control and information panes
  • Every element can be toggled on/off
  • Individual comment areas for each image
  • Client assignable ratings
  • Custom checkbox arrays
  • Input areas for name, email address and general comments
  • Valid XHTML, CSS, etc. as is the norm for TTG galleries
  • Auto detected by TTG XML Auto Index
  • And more!


TTG Client Response Gallery 2.0


TBA| Sample Gallery | Forum Thread | Installation

TTG Client Response Gallery 2.0 contains features which require Lightroom 2.0 and will be released when LR2 goes to retail. In the meantime, please use one of the below releases for LR1.x.

TTG Client Response Gallery 2.0 R3

The final beta release of TTGCRG 2.0 that functions under LR1.x. Contains most of the features for 2.0, but lacks export sharpening and color labeling. Download

TTG Client Response Gallery 1.2

The old version of TTGCRG and no longer supported. But for those users who might prefer it to the new version, it’s here. Download | Sample Gallery

Podcast

My TTG Selection Gallery podcast demonstrates how to isolate submitted image selections in Lightroom’s Library, a technique also applicable to the TTG Client Response Gallery.

Download the Podcast


Requirements

TTG Client Response Gallery 2.0, when released, will require Lightroom 2.0 or above.

TTG Client Response Gallery 1.2 and 2.0 R3 require Lightroom 1.3 or above.

The Form-to-Email script requires a web server running PHP.

Setup

In order for the form submission to reach you, the photographer, the form-to-email script needs to be configured.

First, configure and export your gallery from the Lightroom Web module, as usual.

Next, open the FormToEmail.php file. Locate “Step 2” on line 69, and follow the instructions you find there, setting your email address and, optionally, a continuation address to which users will be redirected after form submission.

Rather than editing the PHP file for each exported gallery, users might prefer to edit the FormToEmail.php in the template archive. Then, each exported gallery will already be configured for your address.

Isolating Selections in Lightroom

Submitted selections are easy to isolate in Lightroom’s Library module, provided you’ve been savvy in naming your source files.

When Lightroom generates a web gallery, it renames the image files, replacing spaces and special characters with underscores. To get the most out of the selection gallery, Your source files and the web gallery image files should have identical names.

To accomplish this, avoid spaces and special characters when naming your files; use underscores where separation is necessary. Example filenames might look like 20070108Identifier001.jpg or 20070108_Identifier_001.jpg.

If your files are named correctly, the filenames of the exported web gallery images will not be changed. These filenames will then be submitted to your email by the FormToEmail script in a comma separated list.

In the Lightroom Library module, access the Find pane. Set Text to either “Anywhere” or “Filename”. Set Rule to “Contains Any”. Copy and paste the filenames from the email into the search field. The selected images will be isolated in the grid, allowing your to color code them, create a collection, or otherwise separate them for further consideration, processing or output.

The podcast demonstrates this visually.

Protecting your galleries

TTG Client Response Gallery is intended to improve communication and interaction between photographers and clients, and is not intended for the general presentation of your art to the masses. With that in mind, you’ll probably want to prevent the masses from accessing your gallery.

That said, I refer you to my article, Password Protect Lightroom Galleries.

FormToEmail Pro

If you find yourself using TTG Selection Gallery and/or TTG Client Response Gallery regularly, you might want to consider purchasing FormToEmail Pro.

FormToEmail Pro is a more robust version of the FormToEmail script already being used by these galleries, and adds a number of features to the script including the ability to sort form responses (the free version sorts form responses in the order they are submitted, which can get messy with complicated forms such as those employed by the Client Response Gallery), spam protection, auto responding, no branding and more. For a full run-down of features, visit the FormToEmail Pro page.

FormToEmail Pro costs less than $20.

HighSlide Licensing

TTG Client Response Gallery 2.x relies heavily upon Torstein Hønsi’s HighSlide. HighSlide is not free for commercial use. Please read the HighSlide licensing information before using TTG Client Response Gallery.

If you are unwilling or unable to pay the $29 to license HighSlide for commercial use, you should use TTG Client Response Gallery 1.2, which employs Slimbox instead.

Changelog


v2.0 R3 (2008-05-02)

Beta release of the upcoming version 2.0. This is the final beta that will function under LR1.x

v1.2 (2008-05-12)

Added a readme file containing documentation for the 1.x series of builds.

v1.1 (2008-02-26)

Enabled automatic detection for TTG XML Auto Index.

By popular request, client response elements, including selection checkboxes, download image links, comment fields and client ratings, can now be enabled/disabled individually.

Maximum size for third-rendition Large images is now 15,000 pixels.

v1.0 (2008-01-26)

Initial release.

Make a Donation

If you enjoy my work and would like to pay for it, I accept donations via PayPal. Donations are wholly unnecessary, but would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Comment »

acey
29 January 08 / permalink

I have downloaded the TTG Client response Gallery to:

Users/username/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom/Web Galleries/

I put it into the Web Galleries folder as a separate folder (TTGClientResponseGallery)with no results. (I also tried taking all the elements out of the original TTGClientResponseGallery folder and putting them directly into the Web Galleries folder.

Nothing happened, both times. Restarted both the Lightroom (v. 1.3.1) application and then the computer itself (PowerPC G4, 2 gb memory, system 10.4.11).

Still nothing. It does not show up.

Advice?

Many thanks!

a

Brian
29 January 08 / permalink

Can the file download be enabled/disabled easily? I do not want this ability for most galleries.

Matthew
29 January 08 / permalink

Acey,
If you have the beta version of the gallery installed, remove it. If that’s not the problem, let me know.

Brian,
Not at the moment, unless you’re comfortable editing files. I’ll try to do something about it in the next version.

acey
29 January 08 / permalink

Matthew,

Yippeee!

It works.

Here was the problem: After discovering your site the previous day, I had downloaded the TTGFeedbackBeta. After removing it the TTGClientResponse dropped into place and I have made a quick page up to experiment with. Seems great and perfect for my primary need to downloading files to multiple clients.

I will give you more feedback in coming days as I try to make a “real” use of it.

Thank you!

a

John F
2 February 08 / permalink

Hi Matthew

I’ve been tinkering with this Gallery – and I like it a lot. It fills a gap in my client services, so thanks! One question – is it possible to set the high res downloads larger than 3000×3000?

Matthew
2 February 08 / permalink

Yes, but I’ll need to modify the code. What would you like the maximum size to be?

Acey
2 February 08 / permalink

Matthew,

Let me echo the response of John F above. It is perfect for me in the same area.

I also would like to be able to set a higher rez download. How high can you comfortably go given the parameters? What is the largest you feel is feasible? In other words, If a client wants to use an image on a two page spread it is one thing. But, if it is for a poster etc then another. I would always vote for the maximum size possible.

Here are some other thoughts:
If I am putting it up for client downloads, I don’t need the feedback portion. Can it be removed in a future version? This would create more space for photos per page of the gallery and clean up the presentation. Also, might eliminate confusion with some clients. At the point I am giving them this, they do not need to give me feedback, rate the photos or make choices. They are making the choices by the downloads they make.

Would be nice to later determine which photos were downloaded by the client(s).

Could a “Download Button” be affixed? They push the button and then the photo downloads directly to their desktop. Or, better, they are given an opportunity to browse and indicate (or create) which folder the photo should go into.

This is the type of gallery that one might ALWAYS automatically want to have password protected. I suppose we should download your recommendation in that area.

beginning thoughts…

and THANK YOU!

a

John Furlong
3 February 08 / permalink

Hi Matthew

I have a Nikon D3 which ouptuts images at 3872×2592. I’m not sure about the Canons of this world, but I do know they are higher. Of course future cameras will be higher still. Is it possible to set the size using a slider and also have an option for ‘leave at full size’?

Matthew
5 February 08 / permalink

I’m not sure there’s a way to include a “leave at full size” option, but I can increase the limitation on the maximum image size.

Theoretically, with quality set to 100 and Image Width and Height each set to the largest dimension of your full resolution images (in your case, John, Width and Height for the third rendition would both be set to 3872px), the third rendition should be “full size”.

Now that the XML Album Index is released, I’ll be returning to the Client Response gallery for an update. I might take a day or two off first, though, and maybe work on some actually photography. ;)

John F
7 February 08 / permalink

Hi Matthew

Increasing the maximum size would be great – thank you. I’ve been thinking more about how to use this gallery in conjunction with TTG Selection Gallery. I think what you have at present is great, but here’s my 2 cents:

I will upload images using TTG Selection Gallery for my clients to choose their picks, then use the TTG Client Response Gallery to provide them with high res downloads. Using this scenario, it makes more sense for clients to be able to comment on individual images when they pick, rather than at the download stage. All that would be needed from the Client Response Gallery would be a download button next to the thumbnail. Does this make sense or do you have a different way of working in mind?

John

Matthew
7 February 08 / permalink

For the next version, I want to experiment with methods of hiding or disabling parts of the gallery so that photographers can better customize the form for their clients. I need to play with things before I can say for certain what will or will not be possible, though.

David Rogers
26 February 08 / permalink

Mathew,

I notice on the Client Response Gallery it is possible to check all of the rating boxes. If you are to update this gallery would you consider the ability to only check a single box 1-5.

Thank you.

Matthew
26 February 08 / permalink

David,

You are correct; it is possible to select more than one. Unfortunately, that’s checkbox behavior. I’d tried using radio buttons instead, as you can only choose one radio button at a time, but then the form received was a mess of individual entries. To receive results in the desired format – image file names separated by commas, easily copied and pasted into Lightroom’s Find pane – I needed to go with the checkboxes.

paxton
3 March 08 / permalink

Hi,

I just wanted to mention http://www.htaccesseditor.com/en.shtml as an alternative to secure your site via .htaccess files. IMHO very easy and convenient.

Marco

Chris Hollo
7 March 08 / permalink

Matthew,

OK, so I am trying to get the Client Response gallery to work and I’m having trouble. I downloaded the folder, changed the email address in the PHP document as instructed and put in the web gallery (not web templates) folder which was already there. I also upgraded my hosting to make sure that I had PHP on the server. This is the error I get:

Warning: mail(): Failed to connect to mailserver at “65.211.123.33” port 25, verify your “SMTP” and “smtp_port” setting in php.ini or use ini_set() in O:\Hosted Web Sites\Chris.Hollo\hollophotographics_com\www\josh_test\FormToEmail.php on line 218

Any ideas?

CH

Matthew
7 March 08 / permalink

Chris,

It sounds like your server is not configured to allow SMTP. You should contact your server administrator to reconfigure the server to allow PHP to send mail.

Stuart Allen
12 March 08 / permalink

Would this work if it was uploaded onto .mac?

Matthew
12 March 08 / permalink

No. .Mac lacks PHP support. You’ll need a proper web-server to get this going.

Aurelio
11 April 08 / permalink

Hi Metthew,
I just love the Client response gallery, but I got some problems when some galeries got messed up. The thumnails looked as if there where stretched (not all but some) and the tumbs didnt correspond to the image that gets displayed when you click on them.
Have you heard of this problem or do you have an Idea on how to solve this. I put up a gallery with just the broken thumbs and they worked fine. But in the large galery with over 250 pictures some are always broken.
Thanks so much i didnt find any clues anywhere else!
Aurelio

Matthew
11 April 08 / permalink

Hi Aurelio,

I’ve never heard of such a problem. Does it happen every time? In every browser? Can I see a gallery with the problem?

Aurelio
11 April 08 / permalink

Hi Metthew,
damm I could bang my forhead, it just doesn’t work in Firefox, seems to be a hickup there :-) (must erase my cache)
I just tried it in Safari and it works like always…
One thing though: LR crashed a couple of times while generating a preview of the Gallery (freezing)
Ill drop you a line in case I find a pattern or if it doesnt stop.
Thank so much
Aurelio

Tsc Tempest
25 April 08 / permalink

Hello Matthew,

How would I integrate this with a PayPal option – including several pricing points based on picture size or format? (selecting from a pull down menu list…)

regards,

Tsc.

Danielle
26 April 08 / permalink

Hi Matthew…

and THANK YOU SO MUCH for developping this tool! You have just saved me hours of work and my donation is on it’s way!

I’ve been “dreaming” about a fully integrated system that can ease my workflow and found your name after posting a request in the Lightroom 2.0 forum: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/webforums/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=678&threadid=1357442&forumid=72

Your tool really does most of what I need, but as I see that you like feedback ;-), here is what would be wonderful for me:<br> – client info (name, email, etc), username & password and “custom text” set-up from Lightroom so that when the website is uploaded, an email is sent directly to my client with the link, username & password and custom text with instructions. – a “save” feature for the clients as they are working on the page (generally, the web gallery is 100’s of photos, so they might want to stop in the middle and also there is the risk that the page times out and they have to start all over again).<br> – multi-page gallery (goes with the point above) – billing option (check-out to PayPal)
Anyway… thanks again for these wonderful web galleries and innovative ideas!
Best regards from Poland

Matthew
26 April 08 / permalink

Hi Danielle,

I’m glad you like the Client Response Gallery. I’m currently overhauling the gallery. Version 2.0 is a very different and hopefully much improved gallery. I’ve made a beta version of the gallery available via LightroomForums.net on which I’ve been collecting feedback and bug reports. You might want to give it a try.

On to your suggestions, good ideas all, but not practical in the context of Lightroom.

- client info (name, email, etc), username & password and “custom text” set-up from Lightroom so that when the website is uploaded, an email is sent directly to my client with the link, username & password and custom text with instructions.

There’s no way to automate emailing from the LR Web module, and so this can’t be done. Also, password protecting these galleries is something that needs to done manually. There are a number of methods for doing so, but I like "this one":http://theturninggate.net/blog/password-protect-lightroom-galleries.

- a “save” feature for the clients as they are working on the page (generally, the web gallery is 100’s of photos, so they might want to stop in the middle and also there is the risk that the page times out and they have to start all over again).

A good idea, and could feasibly be done using cookies. I don’t know how to setup cookies, but might look into it. If it’s something that I can setup, I agree it could be a very nice feature.

- multi-page gallery (goes with the point above)

Not feasible due to the fact that HTML forms cannot span multiple pages. Moving to the next page would cause information entered on the previous page to be lost. My suggestion here is to break your large galleries into smaller groups and produce them separately.

- billing option (check-out to PayPal)

If I had a nickel for every PayPal request I’ve gotten on this gallery … ;)

PayPal is not in the plan for the Client Response Gallery. I have been pointed in a feasible direction for providing a shopping cart gallery at some point in the future, though. I need to do some investigations before I can decide whether or not it’s really likely to happen, but I’m hoping that, at some point in the near future, there will be a TTG Shopping Gallery. I just need to get the Client Response Gallery and a few other projects wrapped up before I can turn my attention to it.

Cheers,
Matt

Danielle
30 April 08 / permalink

Hello Matthew and thanks for your long answer!

I’ve come accross a little issue that you might already know about. If a user enters a comment beneath a photo, but doesn’t “tick” the box, the email I get lists the comments one after the other without reference to the photo it came from… which makes it a little difficult to track.

Anything that I’m doing wrong or is it “normal” and can be fixed in a next version?

I’ll give a go at beta 2.0 as soon as I get a minute to breathe :-)

Take care – Danielle

Matthew
30 April 08 / permalink

It should be fixed in the 2.0 beta. Comments have their own identifiers.

Name:

Email:

URL:

my personal information