From the Bird's Nest - Your Photo Product Review - This month - Photo Panels

 

This month to kick of the "From the Bird's Nest" reviews, I've chosen a Photo Panel from Walmart.com

A Photo Panel is basically a wood or foam board backing with an arm stand. No frame necessary. Snapfish.com sells these beauties, and you can find a 5x7 photo panel for $14.99.
On Shutterfly it's called a desktop plaque and a 5x7 is $16.99.
At Walmart.com they are $13.42!
For this month's review, we'll be looking at walmart.com
Simply enough, you load your photo to your on line walmart.com account, and choose to make a photo panel.
 

From the screen above click customize, and select the picture of your choice from your albums. It does give you a preview of what the photo panel will look like once it's complete. You place your order and can have it delivered to your home with a shipping charge, or your local walmart free shipping. It takes approximately 6-10 days to arrive at your local walmart.
For this product, I chose my favorite black and white picture of Jack in the snow. I have this printed as a 5x7 and framed in my office. So let's compare...

 

As you can see, both photos are 5x7 in size, and I do have a nice frame for my print. The 5x7 photo panel is smaller than a framed 5x7 photo. THESE ARE BOTH 5X7's BIRDY PALS!
That should be noted depending on where you plan to display your photo.

The photo panel does have a good sturdy backing, and the arm stand is tight. (see the picture below)

 
 

Now here's where it loses egg points and starts to stink like an egg in the sun.....
On the framed 5x7 you will notice it's a true black and white. For some crazy reason, maybe the printer had bird flu! The photo panel has more of a blue tint to it. BLUE? It's supposed to be a Black and White print!

 

What's up with that??? I also notice a few little specks in the clear snow to the left of Jack's head, which is obviously a problem at the printer because those black specs do not appear on my framed 5x7. The Photo Panel photo is not as crisp and sharp as my framed 5x7. This is a total disappointment!

Although I'm thrilled that Walmart is offering a photo panel for a great price of $13.42 + tax, I'm a little disappointed in the quality of the overall product.

The Bird's Nest rates this product 2 eggs out of 5.
 

The sturdiness of the product is what gets this rating. The photo quality is lacking which makes them lose eggie goodness and overall points! Have you made a photo panel from Snapfish or Shutterfly and would like to share your egg rating? Tell us what you think!

 

As part of my goals for my growing photography business, I am taking the steps to review photo products that might interest my friends, family and fans! I’m always being asked if I like the quality of photo products at walmart, shutterfly, snapfish etc. I’m hoping to give you a little review on products from these companies. I use these vendors all the time! They are a convenient, fast and inexpensive way to create some really great products featuring your photos! Since I have such a fantastic name for my business thanks to my lovely daughter, you will notice I will incorporate it into these reviews. You will see the title for the photo products review as “From the Bird’s Nest”. Pretty Clever, huh?
My goal is to review a product every month this year. This will give you plenty of time to get out there and order the product for an upcoming special occasion, after I give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. But I won’t be calling it thumbs up or thumbs down, Instead I think I will give the products a rating. Hmmm… Let’s say 1 to 5 eggs rating, :) sticking with my GlitterBird theme!
Stay tuned as I blog “From the Bird’s Nest”! I'll be reviewing my first photo product soon!

As January begins, I've been able to take a moment to look around and see what is in my life, and what I'm so thankful for. I've got a wonderful husband who supports me, and 2 fantastic kids. I've learned a lot in the photography field this year and I'm looking forward to expanding on that knowledge in 2011.
I'm so proud of how I've been able to document my children's lives. Even though I've got a 12 year old that rolls her eyes every time I pull out the camera (which is a daily occurence), I know she'll be thrilled to have these memories when she's grown.
Today, we had an awesome treat. Snow! It doesn't come often in our neck of the woods so we take advantage of it and play outside as much as we can! With rosy cheeks, cold fingers and toes, we enjoy every moment we can spend in the beautiful white winter wonderland. I pray that everyone can have a day here and there to get away from the daily grind and remember what they are thankful for. Happy January!