Website - DPChallenge Forums

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

08/25/2006 01:43:54 PM · #1

In the last 3 months I have really revamped my entire business plan.

I was going to be a model photographer, but Kansas City isn't the place to be, so I decided to photograph normal people in model photography style.

Because of this I had to completely change my website and set up a price list.

Would you be so kind as to critique my website and prices:

//www.lokiscreativedge.com

Please leave the comment either here, or go to the CONTACT US page on my website, and leave the critique there.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/25/2006 01:53:51 PM · #2

not being a professional, I can't really comment on your price list ... but I like the design of the website ... my only issue is with the quality of the "slideshow" images ... they're very noisy/grainy and seem to scroll by too quickly ... hope this helps ... good luck with your business!

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/25/2006 01:56:10 PM · #3

I really like the look and feel of the site.

I naturally tried to click on the sample to see larger versions. I recommend that you let people see bigger samples than what you have.

I don't understand the logic behind charging extra for B&W or sepia. You might just want to put in a fee for digital processing, or something like that. The extra charge for B&W implies that there is more work do be done to make a B&W than to properly render a color photo. They are at best the same.

I wouldn't rule of model portfolios. I am sure KC has a madeling agency or 2. You could come up with a standard modeling package and promote in the art/underground papers there.

Just a few ideas. Your work is very good.

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/25/2006 01:57:39 PM · #4

Originally posted by pamelasue:

That's because it is an animated gif. gifs are indexed to 256 colors at best. You might be able to get a flash piece that will let you use full color JPGs.

hanneke

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/25/2006 01:59:57 PM · #5

I always think this is strange and I wonder why people use it:

Who is "WE"?

If you work alone, use "I" or "ME".
If you work together, use "WE".

mist

Canon EOS-60D

08/25/2006 02:00:55 PM · #6

In general, I like the site. It's clean and simple.

A few comments would be -

Sans-serif font throughout might be easier on the eye.

The four links at the bottom are very dark and might be difficult for some people to read.

The slide show on the front page transitions a tiny bit too fast.

Nanate

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

08/25/2006 02:01:55 PM · #7

I don't know about the prices because I've never even priced this kind of work, but I think the layout of the site is very easy and creative. People shouldn't have any problem finding the info they need. I agree with the sample photos though. They should be a little cleaner. Good luck on the business

Kaveran

Canon EOS-50D

08/25/2006 02:14:38 PM · #8

Originally posted by mist:

The four links at the bottom are very dark and might be difficult for some people to read.

I agree, almost didnt notice them. To add to it, when the links change color it doesnt really work with the site.

You can use style sheets to control the color of links before/during/after they are clicked......ie

a:link{
color: #448;
}
a:visited{
color: #667;
}
a:hover{
color: #5487BF;
}
a:active {
color: #FF0000;
}

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR

08/25/2006 02:17:47 PM · #9

There are some great ideas here.

I'll make the pictures clickable to larger pics
I'll work on the GIF if I can fix the grain and slow it down
I'll make my sepia tone and b/w free

When I have it done I'll tell you.

aznym

Fujifilm X-T3

08/25/2006 02:19:30 PM · #10

I didn't find the design very attractive.
- Header doesn't look good to be.
- I found the buttons to be too big. I think the header could be made smaller too.
- The on state of the buttons look ugly - if you are using a drop shadow, especially on top of a gradient background, it needs to blend in to the background, or not use one at all. I get the feeling that it's designed to look like a tab system, but don't really look like tabs.
- You can submit the form without any information and it still thanks you.

Kaveran

Canon EOS-50D

08/25/2006 02:26:03 PM · #11

Originally posted by xion:

- You can submit the form without any information and it still thanks you.

hehe, its the thought that counts ;)

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

08/25/2006 03:05:32 PM · #12

Originally posted by xion:

I'm a simple guy with a simple website. It took me too many hours to create all of those jpeg for the website to redo them all.

I will make simple corrections, but the corrections you're asking for would change my website completely.

scarbrd

Leica M10

08/25/2006 03:13:38 PM · #13

I like the link to the larger images. When you have the time you might want to put the larger image on a page instead of linking directly to the image. Then you can add logo and more inforamtion. Looks more professional too, IMO.

Your link on "Colorization" is pointing to the incorrect image.

Message edited by author 2006-08-25 15:13:45.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR

08/25/2006 03:24:29 PM · #14

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Your link on "Colorization" is pointing to the incorrect image.

Thanks I fixed it.

aznym

Fujifilm X-T3

08/25/2006 05:21:49 PM · #15

Originally posted by Loki:

Originally posted by xion:
I didn't find the design very attractive.
- Header doesn't look good to be.
- I found the buttons to be too big. I think the header could be made smaller too.
- The on state of the buttons look ugly - if you are using a drop shadow, especially on top of a gradient background, it needs to blend in to the background, or not use one at all. I get the feeling that it's designed to look like a tab system, but don't really look like tabs.
- You can submit the form without any information and it still thanks you.

I'm a simple guy with a simple website. It took me too many hours to create all of those jpeg for the website to redo them all.

I will make simple corrections, but the corrections you're asking for would change my website completely.

I no longer know what you wanted to know.

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR

08/25/2006 06:21:16 PM · #16

Originally posted by xion:

I no longer know what you wanted to know.

I did take into consideration your sugguestions of course, but if I changed my header or buttons I'd spend hours remaking them in Adobe, and changing every page on my site.

I just wanted to know if the website was understandable to people looking for portraits, and if my prices were reasonable.

I was looking for more of the little glitches.

aznym

Fujifilm X-T3

08/25/2006 07:39:27 PM · #17

Glitches .. well the contact form was the only thing I found that I would call a glitch, and it's a big one, I think.

When I see a form I usually click on the submit button without providing any information just to see how they have handled the validation.
I have to often put myself in the shoes of the 'weirdest' people to browse the internet to test the code I write.
That's how I noticed what happens on yours too. In the case of your website, it didn't actully require any thinking. I didn't have to try to break it. As soon as I saw the form, I clicked the submit button and it thanked me.

You are talking about a website and it's on the internet. Unless it attracts an unbelievable amount of people for a website like that every day, most people who will click on that button are likely going to be wasters (there are more of them than you think, and in this case I am one too).

Someone somewhere will end up on your website for reasons you don't know and even they don't know and click the button for the heck of it.
And if it really sends an email to you and even copies a few others, would you really want to handle all the empty messages?

And there would be many who would clik it many times just because it thanks them.

You are talking about a business here.
Something as simple as form validation would save you a lot of time and energy.

That's about it :)

08/25/2006 08:03:54 PM · #18

I use Adobe Golive, and I'm suprised I got the form I have up. How would I make it validate before it was sent?

08/25/2006 08:42:33 PM · #19

Never mind I found a tutorial online. It was really easy once I figured it out.

WHOO-HOO!!

qazwix

Canon EOS-30D