Facebook revamps photo feature, takes on Flickr

By Laura Khalil Published September 30, 2010

As one of the largest photo-sharing sites in the world, Facebook has acknowledged the need to beef up its photo capabilities. The update will include hi-res photos, bulk tagging capabilites and a lightbox interface for viewing images from anywhere on the site.

Facebook began rolling out these new features yesterday, brining the ability to upload and download hi-res photos up to 2048 pixels wide or high. All the photos can be downloaded as a JPEG and at 2048 pixels are considered print-quality.

facebook photo feature — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition, Facebook will be making the way users view photos more visually appealing with their new Lightbox. Finally, Facebook will offer group tagging and promises a better upload experience in general — having rebuilt their photo uploader.

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With over 500 million users, Facebook’s beefed up photo editor is going to give sites like Flickr and SmugMug tough competition. What used to be a site for capturing memories and events, Facebook is trying to reposition itself as a player in the online photo sharing community.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Laura is a tech reporter for Digital Trends, the editor of Dorkbyte and a science blogger for PBS. She's been named one of…

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