I've used the forum gallery with little to no trouble. I've be very lazy about putting my photos in folders but that's my fault. Clicking the "My Photos" button takes me right to all my images and any folders I've setup.
I'd rather have my photos stored here than some other server.
It's only one place to go down.
Storing somewhere else is just another place to lose them even if the forum is online.
You do what works for you.
Just my opinion.