Business Card Advice - DPChallenge Forums

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/13/2005 10:27:31 PM · #1

I got my DBA recently for the small side jobs I do which is mostly portraits and I also do some CADD on the side (the cadd isn't photography related).

Do you thinks it's cheesy to have a photo of my wife on my business card? Please be honest, thanks in advance.

Message edited by author 2005-07-13 22:27:58.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

07/13/2005 10:29:39 PM · #2

You better make sure to get a signed model release!

joezl

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

07/13/2005 10:30:31 PM · #3

I think it's a good idea to have business cards that showcase the quality of your work.

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

07/13/2005 10:31:13 PM · #4

I like the shot but her feet being cut off is a bit awkward... have you tried reducing the opacity of the photo so that your text stands out better? Just an idea...I know nothing about design. :)

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

07/13/2005 10:32:40 PM · #5

Originally posted by laurielblack:

I like the shot but her feet being cut off is a bit awkward... have you tried reducing the opacity of the photo so that your text stands out better? Just an idea...I know nothing about design. :)

First thing I look at is..... so I completely agree :P

07/13/2005 10:39:36 PM · #6

I have other similar shots, but more straight on so her feet wouldn't be cut off ... I'll also try reducing opacity, but I'm afraid that would perhaps take away some of the "pop" of having a photo there in the first place ... but I'll give it a try ... but not tonight, it's past my bed time.

Thanks for the comments so far, I'll check back in the morning.

Originally posted by laurielblack:

I like the shot but her feet being cut off is a bit awkward... have you tried reducing the opacity of the photo so that your text stands out better? Just an idea...I know nothing about design. :)

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

07/14/2005 07:27:42 AM · #7

bump for the morning crowd ... additional thought very much appreciated.

Apple iPhone

07/14/2005 07:31:46 AM · #8

I think it its great as it is ... Thing is Do YOU like it ? Thats what matters the most. Does your wife like it? if the answers are yes for both... then use this one!

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Canon

07/14/2005 07:48:20 AM · #9

I don't think it's your best photo. I would also put up something with a little more of a studio look, so you can show off that you own nice lighting/equipment, which of course you know how to use well. Illustrate that you know how to bring the best out of a subject with control.

This image reversed, with a different crop (fit to bizcard size)smoulders and will grab the potential client. I also like your sky and tree silhouette image but it doesn't say "portraits".

Message edited by author 2005-07-14 08:17:28.

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

07/14/2005 07:51:39 AM · #10

Originally posted by hopper:

I'll also try reducing opacity, but I'm afraid that would perhaps take away some of the "pop" of having a photo there in the first place ... but I'll give it a try ...

Try reducing it on a gradient - leaving the main foreground area at the right of the card as it is and reducing opacity at the left hand side beneath the text.

alanbataar

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Lensbaby 1.0 (The Original)

07/14/2005 07:55:29 AM · #11

Two suggestions -- perhaps the CAD and Photography ventures require separate cards.

With the photography card, perhaps a duotone with a tasteful sepia treatment would be suitably low-key, then you can use a color to separate the type from the background without resorting to the drop shadows. Also, I agree about usigng the more-formal image.

07/14/2005 08:07:54 AM · #12

Here's something I did in a few minutes....

A slight burn behind the text or embossing the text might help bring it through. I used Copperplate Gothic Light which has, what I think is a more cutting edge look but in classic terms.

Like stated by alanbatar it's not doutone but has less tonal range which is easier to digest.

....and a third good thing about this, is that you still get to keep your wife happy!!!

Message edited by author 2005-07-14 08:16:08.

07/14/2005 08:12:15 AM · #13

very well done, Steve, thanks for the alternate idea.

... also (group question), I wondering if a photo business card is cheesy ... as compared to something more "normal business card-ish"

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Here's something I did in a few minutes....

A slight burn behind the text or embossing the text might help bring it through. I used Copperplate Gothic Light which has, what I think is a more cutting edge look but in classic terms. L

Like stated by alanbatar it's not doutone but has less tonal range which is easier to digest.

07/14/2005 09:03:21 AM · #14

I hit the text with some shadow and then used neatimage to soften.

I don't have to be at work until noon and I really enjoy doing these things...so what the heck. Hope you don't mind?

Message edited by author 2005-07-14 09:04:25.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

07/14/2005 09:32:40 AM · #15

don't mind at all :)

Originally posted by pawdrix:

I hit the text with some shadow and then used neatimage to soften.

I don't have to be at work until noon and I really enjoy doing these things...so what the heck. Hope you don't mind?

kosmikkreeper

Nikon D300s

07/14/2005 10:14:33 AM · #16

Hey Kris!

I really like the first business card. I didn't noticed the feet being cut off since it's far from being the focus of the image.

I also enjoy the dynamic font you used. It represents your personnality well. :-)

Personnaly, I would stick with that one!

Say hi to Jessamyn for me!

Yanik

muckpond

Nikon D200

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

07/14/2005 10:38:41 AM · #17

i didn't read through everything here, but think about what's most important about this card: your one shot that you are displaying (i like the portrait better, btw), or your contact information?

if your contact info isn't readable, then the card isn't doing its "primary" job. if that's the case, it doesn't matter how good the "secondary" job is. :)

i like the font, but it needs to pop from the background more. even a stripe of a different color would give your info the separation it needs from the image. or, you can try a glow or a drop shadow (very slight) on the text to really make it apparent.

07/14/2005 12:57:09 PM · #18

Originally posted by muckpond:

if your contact info isn't readable, then the card isn't doing its "primary" job. if that's the case, it doesn't matter how good the "secondary" job is. :)

I agree...especially if you are refering to my version. I could have brought the text out further but had limited space. I just wanted tto throw another idea into the pipeline....and not let those hypnotic eyes go to waste.

A different crop from the original photo might provide cleaner text options.