PhotoSwipe is a 100% mobile optimized lightbox with touch swipe gestures to navigate between or pinch zoom images. Dmitry Semenov created a high-performance lightweight lightbox solution that is very easy to use for visitors. The inteface is familiar for mobile device users as it looks just like a native app. While it doesn't support special usages like videos or iframes, it does a perfect job at displaying images, even on desktops. Justified Image Grid uses PhotoSwipe as the default mobile lightbox.
How does PhotoSwipe look like?
Click on a photo below to see it in action!
Bicycle in a field
with a flower basket
Beautiful child
blowing away dandelion
Mother and daughter
in the park with a curious smile
Blowing snow
in frosty winter park
Posing on the field in glowy sunlight
toned in warm colors
Feet of a loving young couple
probably kissing in the rain
Barefoot
she'll jump into the water
Peaceful orange red tabby
curled up sleeping, close-up
Maid of honor helping
the bride with her dress
Son on father's shoulders
at the beach having fun at sunset together
Happy father and child
outside on a summer holiday
The above example uses the following, generated shortcode (how to use):[$justified_image_grid ids="8933, 8952, 8950, 9114, 9070, 9106, 9071, 8820, 9213, 8962, 8960" row_height=225 height_deviation=100 title_field=title caption_field=off caption=slide caption_opacity=1 caption_bg_color=rgba(0,0,0,0.2) caption_match_width=yes-rounded caption_title_size=12px caption_align=center overlay=hovered overlay_color=#615167 overlay_icon=on overlay_opacity=0.75 lightbox=photoswipe mobile_lightbox=photoswipe disable_cropping=yes]
Special usage
This example shows the use of HTML text in the lightbox (and on the thumbnails). Use four different WordPress image metadata fields: title, description, caption, alt text. Display them in four different locations: two on the thumbnail, and two in PhotoSwipe!
- <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/uploads/167527802.jpg" title="Caption: you can sort any of the available caption fields to any of the offered spots in the lightbox and on the thumbnails. These can also show HTML links.">
Alternative text: this WordPress field only supports normal text.
Caption: you can sort any of the available caption fields to any of the offered spots in the lightbox and on the thumbnails. These can also show HTML links.
The above example uses the following, generated shortcode (how to use):[$justified_image_grid preset=17 ids=13905 link_title_field=caption img_alt_field=alternate caption=reverse-fade overlay=others overlay_opacity=0.4 lightbox=photoswipe mobile_lightbox=photoswipe last_row=center]
Lightbox groups
One thumbnail can open multiple photos in PhotoSwipe. It's a unique Justified Image Grid feature, everything is set up for you behind the scenes. This is possible with these sources: NextGEN Galleries / Tag albums, WP Real Media Library galleries, Facebook Albums, Flickr Collections.
- <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/animals/153362015.jpg" title="young girl gazes at cat - Cat, Child, Girl, Human Animal Connection">
Mind reading
young girl gazes at cat - Cat, Child, Girl, Human Animal Connection - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/animals/168763262.jpg" title="in hospital, heart-warming - Woman, Dog, Human Animal Connection">
Dog visits young woman
in hospital, heart-warming - Woman, Dog, Human Animal Connection
The above example uses the following, generated shortcode (how to use):[$justified_image_grid preset=20 lightbox=photoswipe mobile_lightbox=photoswipe last_row=center ng_tags_album=cat,dog ng_lightbox_gallery=yes]
Why is PhotoSwipe the right choice? What features are available?
It's one of the best lightboxes for mobile devices, and here is why.
PhotoSwipe has been customized by Justified Image Grid. It has JIG Smart Deeplinking that is also included in PrettyPhoto. Thus, deeplinked URL structures used by these lightboxes are interchangeable. Images shared from mobile devices by PhotoSwipe use a link that can be opened with PrettyPhoto on desktop and vice versa. This special kind of deeplinking uses short URLs, allows Facebook to use the image as shared content photo, and fetch all associated captions while linking back to your site.
PhotoSwipe is easy for visitors but not for developers. It has certain requirements like knowing the image dimensions, that are simply not offered by the majority of galleries and would require custom work to implement. When your galleries are powered by Justified Image Grid you don't have to worry about these, as it is fully prepared for PhotoSwipe and meets its needs behind the scenes.
Pros
- JIG Smart Deeplinking
- Social sharing
- Responsive
- 2 captions
- Customized by JIG
- Dark and light theme (skin)
- Lightweight, performance-driven
- Touch swipe navigation and pinch zoom
- Native mobile app look and feel
- Fullscreen mode
- Photo fills the screen, no borders or distractions
Cons
- No video/iframe support (they open on a new tab instead)
For the glossary of these terms and to find alternative solutions, see the lightbox comparison page.
The light-white theme (JIG exclusive)
Excellent choice for wedding-themed galleries or whenever you feel like the white frame better suits your photos. This skin is brought to you by JIG and is not available in the original PhotoSwipe.
- <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/97733735.jpg" title="outdoors in a forest with a bouquet - Woman, Bride">
Beautiful bride
outdoors in a forest with a bouquet - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/97733726.jpg" title="with blue eyes and soft light background - Woman, Bride">
Bride looking to the side
with blue eyes and soft light background - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/77196073.jpg" title="the bride with her dress - Bride">
Maid of honor helping
the bride with her dress - Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/57318094.jpg" title="old abandoned house - Woman, Bride">
Bride on stairs
old abandoned house - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/56969722.jpg" title="is listening to her bridesmaid in a rural landscape tell her a secret - Woman, Bride">
A smiling bride wearing a white wedding dress
is listening to her bridesmaid in a rural landscape tell her a secret - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/55346290.jpg" title="on stairs of old abandoned house - Woman, Bride">
Bride photography
on stairs of old abandoned house - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/176054468.jpg" title="professional makeup and hairstyle - Woman, Bride">
Young beautiful bride with a wedding bouquet
professional makeup and hairstyle - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/174099614.jpg" title="while holding her in his arms - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man">
Man tenderly kissing fiancé
while holding her in his arms - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/174099602.jpg" title="with small bridge and sunlight in the background - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man, Orange">
Beautiful couple kissing in the sun
with small bridge and sunlight in the background - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man, Orange - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/174099599.jpg" title="and are about to kiss - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man, Orange">
Hewlyweds hugging
and are about to kiss - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man, Orange - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/174099596.jpg" title="on blurry green background - Woman, Bride, Groom, Man">
Wedding couple smiling at each other
on blurry green background - Woman, Bride, Groom, Man - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/173170916.jpg" title="against a window indoors - Woman, Bride">
Beautiful bride
against a window indoors - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/171762713.jpg" title="in classic white veil looking away - Woman, Bride">
Young gentle bride
in classic white veil looking away - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/153286037.jpg" title="rings on their fingers painted with the bride and groom - Bride, Groom">
Wedding smileys
rings on their fingers painted with the bride and groom - Bride, Groom - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/151673102.jpg" title="in preparation for wedding - Woman, Bride">
Bride with makeup and hairstyle
in preparation for wedding - Woman, Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/151348910.jpg" title="sitting on the stairs in white ball gowns - Child, Girl">
Little girls at a wedding
sitting on the stairs in white ball gowns - Child, Girl 
Exquisitely decorated
wedding table with bouquet of roses- <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/143893798.jpg" title="holding his hand on his jacket and looking to his side - Groom, Man">
Elegant young groom
holding his hand on his jacket and looking to his side - Groom, Man - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/139543043.jpg" title="in front of a penthouse window at a modern hotel peaking over her veil - Woman, Bride, White">
Gorgeous blonde bride
in front of a penthouse window at a modern hotel peaking over her veil - Woman, Bride, White - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/133378736.jpg" title="well groomed broom and bride with pride - Bride, Groom">
Newlyweds holding hands
well groomed broom and bride with pride - Bride, Groom - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/130605608.jpg" title="embracing on their wedding - Woman, Bride, Groom, Man">
Happy bride and groom
embracing on their wedding - Woman, Bride, Groom, Man 
Wedding rings
lie on sea rock- <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/128010872.jpg" title="help the bride dress for the wedding ceremony - Bride">
Wedding theme
help the bride dress for the wedding ceremony - Bride - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/128002370.jpg" title="about to kiss, sun shines on them - Woman, Bride, Green, Groom, Man">
Wedding couple lying in grass
about to kiss, sun shines on them - Woman, Bride, Green, Groom, Man - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/120012385.jpg" title="on sunset background with shallow depth of field - Bride, Orange">
Wedding couple holding hands
on sunset background with shallow depth of field - Bride, Orange - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/113785513.jpg" title="groom and bride kissing - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man">
Petals in the air
groom and bride kissing - Woman, Bride, Groom, Kiss, Man - <a href="https://justifiedgrid.com/wp-content/gallery/life/weddings/111538481.jpg" title="bride and groom hugging at the beach - Woman, Bride, Groom, Man">
Wedding couple
bride and groom hugging at the beach - Woman, Bride, Groom, Man
The above example uses the following, generated shortcode (how to use):[$justified_image_grid animation_speed=400 photoswipe_theme=light caption_opacity=0.6 caption_bg_color=white caption_text_color=black overlay_color=white overlay_icon=on overlay_opacity=0.4 lightbox=photoswipe max_rows=3 ng_gallery=17]
How do the settings look like?
Lightboxes
Lightboxes
The predecessor, Photoswipe 3 was made by Computerlovers and it’s still available as a legacy option, in case you need it. It will get phased out eventually. PhotoSwipe 4 is recommended to be used instead.