Frequently Asked Questions

We've done our best to a compile a list of the most frequently asked questions by prospecting visitors and new members to Aminus3. If your question isn't answered here, feel free to get in contact with us.

General Questions

What is a photoblog?

The word photoblog is a combination of the words Photography Web Log. Unlike a standard web-log, or blog, that will often use text in a journal format, the main focus of the photoblog is the image.

The owner of the photoblog (“author”) will typically post one photo per day. Photos are presented in chronological order with the most recent image being featured on the photoblog home page. Some authors choose to accompany their photoblog pictures with descriptive words to emphasize the image.

What's the difference between a photoblog and a photo gallery website?

There are many sites on the web which allow a photographer to feature images in a gallery format. The images or groups of images may be related to some theme such as a particular city or photography category. These sites tend to be more static where the user is uploading many photos at once and does not change these galleries. A photoblog is a more fluid experience where the photographer is featuring only one image per day and may get comments or critiques for this image.

What is Aminus3?

Aminus3 is a free photoblog hosting service that provides an excellent venue for both pro and amateur photographers to showcase their work.

The original concept of Aminus3 (pronounced “a minus three”) was revealed to Jason Kravitz in a dream of March 2003. The dream was elusive, with a host of different characters including a Full Metal Jacket drill sergeant who was screaming, “I cannot tell you what Aminus3 is, I can only tell you what Aminus3 is not!” Jason was aware that to find the meaning of Aminus3 would be to uncover some great secret.

The dream became reality in the form of a photoblog community website developed by Aaron Schmidt. Originally consisting of just a few friends, the site now encourages creative photographers from around the world to connect, learn and display their photography on a daily basis.

Just like the elusive dream, the concept of Aminus3 is fluid. While today the focus is one of daily photography and community, it is our hope that as Aminus3 grows the community will encompass a larger set of creative outlets and provide a venue to allow photographers to broaden their work.

How can I join? Is there any commitment/qualification required?

Aminus3 is an open community that welcomes anyone with a passion for photography. If you are interested in becoming a member, fill out the Aminus3 photoblog application form. You will be sent a confirmation email with instructions on how to continue the sign up process. Initially you will be asked to provide the following information:

Read our user agreement for the full terms & conditions required for creating an Aminus3 account.

Is this site really free or is there a hidden cost?

The Aminus3 photoblog service is offered completely free of charge. There is no 30-day trial membership, no buy-1-get-1-free and there are no hidden costs. Services include:

In the future, Aminus3 may offer a premium membership account for a monthly cost that will provide additional features on top of the base functionality. We're still working on the details but either way, it is our intention to have all existing services remain free of charge.

Can I transfer my existing domain to an Aminus3.com account?

At this moment, Aminus3 does not offer a way to migrate your current photoblog to an Aminus3 account, other than manually re-uploading your photos.

In regards to domain forwarding/mirroring, it is possible to forward an existing domain to your new Aminus3 subdomain. However, there is currently no way to mirror an Aminus3 photoblog using an outside domain.

Both migration and domain mirroring is something we're looking into for our premium membership account.