My New Website (yep another one)

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/10/2006 07:04:25 PM · #1

Okay I know there have been a few of these threads lately...but this is purely coincidental timing. I have had a website for well over a year now but due to the fact that I knew no html crap I relied on a website through BetterPhoto. That site annoyed me no end with its boring look and strict limitations.

So for the last 5 weeks I have been working on my own site. I started with a template and then ripped it apart from there learning my own editing with html etc. It has taken a lot of work and there are more areas to add yet but I feel it is now suitable for viewing.

There are lots of different areas on there. The only area not suitable for family viewing actually states as such, so for the viewers that are concerned about the type of content, you can relax. LOL!!

Please leave a message in the guestbook and be sure to let me know either through here or via email of any broken links, improvements etc.

I am fully aware the 'read me' link at the bottom of the page is not set yet...but hopefully that should be the only one.

Anyway...here goes... Judi's Graphics.com

Canon EOS-20D

06/10/2006 07:17:26 PM · #2

Very nice, Judi! A definite improvement over your last site. I just have a few comments on design and they are somewhat nitpicky so feel free to do with them what you want. :)

- the white background of the content portions is somewhat jarring in comparison to the darkness of the rest of the site. Would it be possible to make it a gray maybe? Something with a bit less contrast.

- you might want to consider altering your font so that it's also in a bit more contrast to the background and also a bit larger. It's a bit on the small side even for me so I suspect you'll be alienating some of your viewers with less than perfect eyesite.

- can you color the guestbook to look more like the rest of the site? I'm assuming you're also using some sort of free script/software for that so maybe that's not possible but it would be nice if you could.

Otherwise, I really like it!

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

06/10/2006 07:22:18 PM · #3

Originally posted by mk:

Thanks MK.

I will definitely have a play with the grey background..no worries.

The font can be changed...I am hopeless with the different styles, so is there one you can suggest and for what part are you referring. The menu, body text??

Unfortunately the guestbook is a script and originally was on its own page with absolutely no connection to my site. With a lot of playing around I managed to embed it into one of my pages. But the one thing that really annoys me is the header will not spread to the same width...that I am still working out. So the colour of the guestbook (as far as I am aware) has to stay...dammit.

Anyways...thanks heaps for your valuable input MK..I really appreciate it. 5 weeks ago I had no knowledge on html...I am pretty proud of how far I have come.

Apple iPhone 5

06/10/2006 07:42:26 PM · #4

Nice clean design and good use of colour. And easy to navigate. A few points;

- Are you an 'I' or an 'Us'? In some parts you are talking about 'We/Us' which gives the impression of a company. In other parts you use 'Me/I' which gives a more personal feel. But mixing the two gets a bit confusing.

- I hate seeing an 'under construction' message on websites. I really think it frightens off potential customers. Much better to have a 'Last updated: ' line.

- Guestbook page breaks the layout slightly (it's too wide, so it shifts the table to the left) - this is minor/cosmetic

- Selecting any of the portfolio links takes me to a flash page with the portfolio shots. This has a different look/feel to the rest of the site, and almost feels like I've gone to a different site altogether.

- You need to fix the link text on the bottom of the 'Artistic Nudity' portfolio, I couldn't figure out how to return to your main site. Although, that probably wasn't such a bad thing...

- The URL is 'judigraphics.com', but you are using 'Judi's Graphics' on the page. It'd be better to stick with one or the other, and be consistent (e.g. 'Judi Graphics') - otherwise people who are told the URL verbally might end up going to the non-existent 'judisgraphics.com'

Message edited by author 2006-06-10 19:51:13.

06/10/2006 08:02:16 PM · #5

Originally posted by jhonan:

Those are all good points...things I had definitely overlooked. Thanks heaps...I will concentrate on those later today.

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

06/10/2006 08:41:59 PM · #6

Okay...I have just fixed the link at the bottom of the Nudity gallery and I have also changed the background colour on the portfolio pages and the font of the text on those pages. I will get to the rest when I get back.

Thanks heaps and keep the suggestions coming in.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/10/2006 08:45:29 PM · #7

Looks good. I don't remember exactly what your old one looked like so I can't compare the results! :P

Btw, I found a broken link. If you go to this page and then click on "New Photos" it says it cannot be found however that link seems to work fine on your other pages so should be a quick fix.

Edited to add the URL. Doh!

Message edited by author 2006-06-10 20:46:27.

annasense

Olympus E-500 EVOLT

Olympus 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital ED

06/10/2006 09:41:07 PM · #8

The site is great, you've done a wonderful job! Everything I found worked great. I would probably also make the title graphic (the one that says Judi'sGraphics.com) clickable so that it would return you to the home page... kind of like the dpchallenge graphic on these pages take you back to the home page. I know you have a home link, but more and more sites are adding this convenience.

PM'ing you with a personal opinion...

I'm way impressed with the site, though. Good job!

06/10/2006 10:19:26 PM · #9

Originally posted by yanko:

Thankyou Richard...I checked that out and found the link broken on all the newphotos page. They are now fixed.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/10/2006 10:20:14 PM · #10

Originally posted by annasense:

Thankyou for your suggestions Anna. I am adding them all to my 'to do' list so I can get them all sorted out.

I appreciate everyones advice and will act on it.

alfresco

Nikon D700

06/10/2006 10:31:32 PM · #11

clicked on nude and got lost, sorry :(

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/10/2006 10:38:42 PM · #12

Originally posted by alfresco:

clicked on nude and got lost, sorry :(

But where did you get lost to??? And have you been found yet??

Hey Alfresco...where are you?? Come back!!

alfresco

Nikon D700

06/10/2006 10:48:13 PM · #13

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by alfresco:
clicked on nude and got lost, sorry :(

But where did you get lost to??? And have you been found yet??

Hey Alfresco...where are you?? Come back!!

Lost is the wrong word ... I'm taking one for the team - I'm going to go back in there and stay until I get it right .... Don't wait for me, save yourselves ....

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/10/2006 10:52:31 PM · #14

Originally posted by alfresco:

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by alfresco:
clicked on nude and got lost, sorry :(

But where did you get lost to??? And have you been found yet??

Hey Alfresco...where are you?? Come back!!

Lost is the wrong word ... I'm taking one for the team - I'm going to go back in there and stay until I get it right .... Don't wait for me, save yourselves ....

Well hang five...that gallery is getting changed...the new one is uploading now.

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/11/2006 01:31:31 AM · #15

Looks good, I like the colors and layout.

One nit pick would be the Bullet that you are using by "Need a Photographer" near the bottom of the page. First glance and it looks like "I Need a photographer" as the separater/bullet looks like an |

Edit: Maybe go with a less bold color, the yellow seems to emphasize it.

Andy

Message edited by author 2006-06-11 01:33:38.

06/11/2006 04:41:56 PM · #16

Okay..I have made a list of everyones suggestions and am slowly working my way through it. Is there anything else that I should be fixing?

06/11/2006 04:45:52 PM · #17

Would you like to exchange links Judi?

06/11/2006 04:48:50 PM · #18

Originally posted by leokoach:

Would you like to exchange links Judi?

I would love to...except I havent got a links page happening on my site...and I didn't think it would be fair if you had my link and I didn't have yours. Does that make sense?

06/11/2006 05:12:14 PM · #19

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by leokoach:
Would you like to exchange links Judi?

I would love to...except I havent got a links page happening on my site...and I didn't think it would be fair if you had my link and I didn't have yours. Does that make sense?

I will put your website links... You put mine whenever you want. You should give me other link too :)

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

06/11/2006 05:13:54 PM · #20

Originally posted by leokoach:

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by leokoach:
Would you like to exchange links Judi?

I would love to...except I havent got a links page happening on my site...and I didn't think it would be fair if you had my link and I didn't have yours. Does that make sense?

I will put your website links... You put mine whenever you want. You should give me other link too :)

Thankyou..you are very kind. Also which other link do you mean?

Kavey

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

06/11/2006 05:15:07 PM · #21

Originally posted by awpollard:

One nit pick would be the Bullet that you are using by "Need a Photographer" near the bottom of the page. First glance and it looks like "I Need a photographer" as the separater/bullet looks like an |Andy

06/11/2006 05:29:08 PM · #22

Originally posted by Kavey:

Site is looking great so far!

I was going to post this same point. Once I thought about it (and looked at the same bullet used to the left for news) I figured it out but some might not give it that second thought.

Originally posted by awpollard:
One nit pick would be the Bullet that you are using by "Need a Photographer" near the bottom of the page. First glance and it looks like "I Need a photographer" as the separater/bullet looks like an |Andy

Thanks Kavey. That one is actually next on my list. I am just finishing another clients job first...priorities...lol!

Message edited by author 2006-06-11 17:29:52.

06/11/2006 05:34:00 PM · #23

Originally posted by Judi:

Thankyou..you are very kind. Also which other link do you mean?

I thought you had two... Never mind then. I am going to put your website's link shortly and let you know :)