Feedback...(Update)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on October 27, 2010 at 11:35am

How picky do you want us to be?

"Alive" is one word.
What does "I was still in the shooting raw images mode" mean? Many of us shoot with the camera in raw mode and convert to other formats later in the computer.
"There is a lot that goes in to taking still photography" should probably read "There is a lot that goes into taking still photos" or "There is a lot that goes into still photography".

The second time the page loads it is not a problem because the images are all in cache but the first time the page loads it takes a long time for the thumbnails to populate, the viewer is left looking at a bunch of circles. If possible, you should load a set of images the correct size for display as thumbnails and a second set of images sized correctly for the larger image display. Then the page would load faster and look better while loading.

Some of the images could be cleaned up, the dead parts of the flower on the home page for instance. The layout is simple and fairly clean, the images should match.

Permalink Reply by Rene on October 27, 2010 at 2:02pm

Thank you for your remarks, but you didn't say if whether or not you liked any.

Permalink Reply by Rene on October 27, 2010 at 1:56pm

I have a thick skin, so all comments, criticisms are welcome!

Permalink Reply by Gary Vernon on October 28, 2010 at 6:03am

Hi Rene,
CC is right about the main floral image, it could be a lot better and as it's the first thing people see it has to have the 'wow factor!'
Not sure what the intention of the site is, whether it's just a place to store your images for friends to look at or it's supposed to be a professional 'advert / portfolio' aimed at promoting your business?
Studio 7 sounds professional, but i would wonder what area of photography you specialize in if i were a potential client as the 'port' leaves me clueless.
"still, I have not reached the expert level of taking pictures" that bit in the about section would put me off contacting for any type of shoot.

Using a 'free template style' of site is not the best medium to show originality and artistic flair, it's limited in function and how you can style it and as CC mentioned not easy to control how the flash layers load.
Also it would be beneficial to construct a mixture of both html and flash.

If it's not possible to construct your own site which is relatively easy with Dreamweaver etc and if it's really for the best promotion of your business i would suggest a talented Web Designer specializing in photographic sites.

Permalink Reply by Ed Harp on October 28, 2010 at 6:47am

I like the front page that is generated by the flash. It seems the focal point is the cut off (broken off) stem among the flowers. I think when I look at your gallery, it makes me think that the site is an experiment or a work in progress. I can't quite figure out what you are all about. The name Studio 7 sounds like images created in a studio. I'm wondering about the connection there with your images.

It's an attractive front page, but lacks a connection with purpose. I like your bio, but it does sound a little blogish.

Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on October 28, 2010 at 10:06am

As the others have pointed out, there does not seem to be a theme unless it is cityscapes. I have some galleries on my page which are similar in that one is just a bunch of shots I thought were neat, that were taken around Toronto and another is a collection of photos that were taken all in the same year. As an amateur I can get away with doing that. If I were trying to do photography professionally I would pick a different name, different URL and organize my photos differently. I would put some useful contact information on my page. I would probably keep the same basic structure of the web page because, as a strictly HTML page, it works with all browsers on all platforms. Enough about me, but you are welcome to stop by my page if you wish.

Like the others, I am going to make the assumption you are getting organized for a run at a commercial operation. If that is the case then attention to spelling and grammar is important. Having a clear marketing message is important, too. It is fine to have the message that good photography is harder than it looks, but you should also have the message that you have mastered it. One of the local photographers does courses for a local camera store chain and his blog is mostly about the way "Uncle Fred" takes a photo and how you can take more interesting photos than "Uncle Fred" by observing some rules and being creative in the use of some of the hardware the camera store sells. We disagree about the way some photos should look but much of his advice is good and the blog helps attract students to his courses. He clearly puts forth the message that photography requires skill and he has that skill and is willing to share, and also willing to shoot events and do other commercial work.

I don't think the majority of images on your web page are that strong, a couple I like and a couple I would definitely take down from a commercial page.
I like the fire boat, the lower left corner needs some work and it could be sharper, but I like it.
I like the red rose in the lower left corner of the thumbnails.
I like the Ferris wheel.
The bottle, orange flower and the marina I would take down. The bottle and orange flower because the flash looks bad and the marina because although I know what you were trying for, I prefer a fairly hard lens and pictures with a lot out of focus just bother my eyes (this is the usual disagreement I have with the local photographer's samples, he thinks it is artistic and adds mystery to the image)

Once again I am out of time, I hope this helps you.

Permalink Reply by Rene on October 30, 2010 at 6:42pm

Again, the site "is not" meant to be a commercial/business site. Just to have a place to display some of my pictures. I can fix the grammatical errors -- that's no problem. I do not put myself out there to be a professional, I am far from it. Trust me, had I been going for a professional, commercial site, I would have not gone the route I did, and trust me, it would not be noted on this site. I get your point of view of "my" pictures, and I appreciate your comments. But that's the problem with most expert photographers, anyone trying to be different or do something different is looked at differently, and many are not willing to offer any training or tips on how to improve, not that I'm asking. I like taking pictures, nevertheless, I am learning as I go, and that's fine for me. Since the site is not a professional or commercial site, the pictures will stay where they are until I can take better ones to replace them or have some time to edit them in a more professional manner. Your comment opened my eyes and made realize I'm out of my league to a degree, but nothing I can't handle. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Rene on October 30, 2010 at 6:33pm

Thanks to everyone who offered their feedback. It's truly appreciated. But it seems there were more negative comments than good ones. Didn't seem to be any balance between the two. But I'm not mad. It's what I get for trying to display some of my pictures and receive comments from a more expert crew. I should have known what I was getting myself into. Anyway, the site isn't meant to be a commercial or business site, but just to have somewhere to put my pictures, to display some what "I thought" were my best taken pictures. I can fix the grammatical errors. That's no big deal. Again, thanks for all the feedback.