I started working on a photo forum hosting programme for NE as a measure to replace the extortionist photobucket site for members.

However it appears the photobucket site won't allow their own users to access photos at all without a fee. So all those photos are effectlyely lost.

I would be wary of using photobucket at all. Their "tactics" may well kill off their site completely. IMO.

Preventing third party site display is one thing. Forcing people to view photos ON their site allows advertising revenue. BUT forcing users to pay to RETRIEVE their own photos is extortion IMO.