Website update
Discussion
Hi, I feel my website is not doing my work its full justice so I have decided to update it. How does this mock up look? Cant help but feel its missing something?
http://damianblades.co.uk/picture/website.jpg
I know in the past my about me section has angered more then a few so this time hopefully I have written it so it is less pompous and pretentious.
"Hi, My name is Damian Blades and welcome to my site. I live on the south coast and I am an up and coming photographer. I have had many years experience with cameras ranging from personal time learning on my own to being taught at College and University. I have spent time in the darkroom and in the studio and have learnt most of the different aspect the photography world offers.
I wont call myself a professional but I always strive for perfection and wont ever let an image go until I am 100% happy with it! I try to branch out across a range of different subject matter not sticking to one niche. I try to bring a creative approach to my images and offer different perspectives. Due to my background in digital art I am able to offer out of camera options such as photo retouching or colour correcting to help make photos shine for what they really are.
You can navigate my site by either using the top navi bar or the one located in the black strip at the bottom of the page. On my site you will find a host of different images from collections I have taken. Picking the best for you to view with links so you can view the whole collection.
Feel free to contact me now to see what I can do for your photo albums. Hope to hear from you soon.
Damian Blades.
"
Thanks LL
http://damianblades.co.uk/picture/website.jpg
I know in the past my about me section has angered more then a few so this time hopefully I have written it so it is less pompous and pretentious.
"Hi, My name is Damian Blades and welcome to my site. I live on the south coast and I am an up and coming photographer. I have had many years experience with cameras ranging from personal time learning on my own to being taught at College and University. I have spent time in the darkroom and in the studio and have learnt most of the different aspect the photography world offers.
I wont call myself a professional but I always strive for perfection and wont ever let an image go until I am 100% happy with it! I try to branch out across a range of different subject matter not sticking to one niche. I try to bring a creative approach to my images and offer different perspectives. Due to my background in digital art I am able to offer out of camera options such as photo retouching or colour correcting to help make photos shine for what they really are.
You can navigate my site by either using the top navi bar or the one located in the black strip at the bottom of the page. On my site you will find a host of different images from collections I have taken. Picking the best for you to view with links so you can view the whole collection.
Feel free to contact me now to see what I can do for your photo albums. Hope to hear from you soon.
Damian Blades.
"
Thanks LL
Hi Damian,
Sorry, didn't read the content, but the design does seem a little bland in my opinion. I like pink being used with grey/black, but think the gradient spoils it somewhat. Take a look at siteInspire to see what others are doing (they are not all photography sites, but there's some good stuff on there). I think simple and clean is best for photography sites, you shouldn't draw the viewers eye away from what is essentially your product.
All my opinion of course,
Neil.
Sorry, didn't read the content, but the design does seem a little bland in my opinion. I like pink being used with grey/black, but think the gradient spoils it somewhat. Take a look at siteInspire to see what others are doing (they are not all photography sites, but there's some good stuff on there). I think simple and clean is best for photography sites, you shouldn't draw the viewers eye away from what is essentially your product.
All my opinion of course,
Neil.
4hero said:
Hi Damian,
Sorry, didn't read the content, but the design does seem a little bland in my opinion. I like pink being used with grey/black, but think the gradient spoils it somewhat. Take a look at siteInspire to see what others are doing (they are not all photography sites, but there's some good stuff on there). I think simple and clean is best for photography sites, you shouldn't draw the viewers eye away from what is essentially your product.
All my opinion of course,
Neil.
Dang, so its not just me that thinks its bland lol. I hate designing websites. Dont have the eye for it lol But I need it since it is a crucial part of displaying my images! I like some of the sites on there. By the seems of it I am going to have to re-learn flash. Sorry, didn't read the content, but the design does seem a little bland in my opinion. I like pink being used with grey/black, but think the gradient spoils it somewhat. Take a look at siteInspire to see what others are doing (they are not all photography sites, but there's some good stuff on there). I think simple and clean is best for photography sites, you shouldn't draw the viewers eye away from what is essentially your product.
All my opinion of course,
Neil.
4hero said:
Flash? Stop right there! Although some of they sites use flash, doesn't make it right. You can easily replicate a lot of "jazziness" using things like prototype/jquery/mootools in HTML. Don't make a flash site, pretty please 
I just meant flash content rather then a whole site lol.
How do you think about it now?
Edited by L4MBOLUV3R on Saturday 22 August 01:12
L4MBOLUV3R said:
4hero said:
Flash? Stop right there! Although some of they sites use flash, doesn't make it right. You can easily replicate a lot of "jazziness" using things like prototype/jquery/mootools in HTML. Don't make a flash site, pretty please
I just meant flash content rather then a whole site lol.How do you think about it now?
Edited by L4MBOLUV3R on Saturday 22 August 01:12
Weird how bbc iplayer pink is the 'in' colour! (thats not a criticism by the way) A site my company is building is using a similar colour too
Torquemada said:
L4MBOLUV3R said:
Hi, I feel my website is not doing my work its full justice so I have decided to update it. How does this mock up look? Cant help but feel its missing something?
It's certainly missing punctuation and grammar.
. Besides being poorly written, how does it read? Fordo said:
L4MBOLUV3R said:
4hero said:
Flash? Stop right there! Although some of they sites use flash, doesn't make it right. You can easily replicate a lot of "jazziness" using things like prototype/jquery/mootools in HTML. Don't make a flash site, pretty please
I just meant flash content rather then a whole site lol.How do you think about it now?
Edited by L4MBOLUV3R on Saturday 22 August 01:12
Weird how bbc iplayer pink is the 'in' colour! (thats not a criticism by the way) A site my company is building is using a similar colour too
I think the second design looks good but I'd agree that the text needs to be improved, not just in terms of spelling and grammar.
I don't mean to sound overly harsh and I'm not an expert on 'selling' yourself, but if I were a potential customer I think I'd be put off by what you've written. It seems like generic spiel that could apply to anybody ("I always strive for perfection") and doesn't really give any idea as to why a customer should choose you. It also gives the feeling that you're not very experienced, which I'd avoid doing. I'd pare it down to the essentials and let your portfolio do the selling.
I don't mean to sound overly harsh and I'm not an expert on 'selling' yourself, but if I were a potential customer I think I'd be put off by what you've written. It seems like generic spiel that could apply to anybody ("I always strive for perfection") and doesn't really give any idea as to why a customer should choose you. It also gives the feeling that you're not very experienced, which I'd avoid doing. I'd pare it down to the essentials and let your portfolio do the selling.
Edited by SamHH on Saturday 22 August 18:59
SamHH said:
I think the second design looks good but I'd agree that the text needs to be improved, not just in terms of spelling and grammar.
I don't mean to sound overly harsh and I'm not an expert on 'selling' yourself, but if I were a potential customer I think I'd be put off by what you've written. It seems like generic spiel that could apply to anybody ("I always strive for perfection") and doesn't really give any idea as to why a customer should choose you. It also gives the feeling that you're not very experienced, which I'd avoid doing. I'd pare it down to the essentials and let your portfolio do the selling.
No its fine, I cant turn around a deny it I just cant write it is my biggest down fall! Im either over zealous or too mundane! I don't mean to sound overly harsh and I'm not an expert on 'selling' yourself, but if I were a potential customer I think I'd be put off by what you've written. It seems like generic spiel that could apply to anybody ("I always strive for perfection") and doesn't really give any idea as to why a customer should choose you. It also gives the feeling that you're not very experienced, which I'd avoid doing. I'd pare it down to the essentials and let your portfolio do the selling.
Edited by SamHH on Saturday 22 August 18:59
What are the targets/points I need to get across? or essentials as you put it? Because I can sell my self with my verbal words easily but not with my written ones! lol.
Well, I don't make money from selling photos and I don't have my own website so I can't offer any experience of what works and what doesn't. Others here may be more experienced in this. I also don't regularly pay for people to take photos, but here are my thoughts, for what they're worth.
The main thing you need to think about is who you're targeting as your customers and what services you are offering to them. Do you have a studio? Will you rent a studio out? Do you do wedding photography? How about other types of event photography? Press work? Product photography? Your portfolio will answer the question of "is he any good at taking photos?", the writing needs to tell your visitors what it is exactly that you do.
I wouldn't have the "I won't call myself a professional" bit. From your customers' point of view, if they're paying you money and expecting the same results as they would from someone who does call themselves a professional, you might as well be one. If anything it'd encourage people to think you're just doing it for a bit of money on the side and will work for peanuts. If your not happy describing yourself as a professional photographer, just don't mention the word.
You say you live on the south coast; I think you need to be a bit more specific about where you actually work though.
I don't think you need to explain how to navigate your website.
The main thing you need to think about is who you're targeting as your customers and what services you are offering to them. Do you have a studio? Will you rent a studio out? Do you do wedding photography? How about other types of event photography? Press work? Product photography? Your portfolio will answer the question of "is he any good at taking photos?", the writing needs to tell your visitors what it is exactly that you do.
I wouldn't have the "I won't call myself a professional" bit. From your customers' point of view, if they're paying you money and expecting the same results as they would from someone who does call themselves a professional, you might as well be one. If anything it'd encourage people to think you're just doing it for a bit of money on the side and will work for peanuts. If your not happy describing yourself as a professional photographer, just don't mention the word.
You say you live on the south coast; I think you need to be a bit more specific about where you actually work though.
I don't think you need to explain how to navigate your website.
How does this read now?
Hi, My name is Damian Blades and welcome to my site. I live on the south coast in Dorset and I am an up and coming photographer. I have had many years experience with cameras ranging from personal time learning on my own to being taught at College and University. I have spent time in the darkroom and in the studio and have learnt most of the different aspect the photography world offers.
I take a professional approach to my photography combing a pleasant atmosphere with a reasonable price to give you the images you want. I am all open ears and make sure all your needs are met! I am not stuck to a certain type of subject matter I am quite happy to respond to all your needs examples include…
Corporate
Stock imagery (Inc use of my achieves)
Group photos
Product shots
Events
Weddings
Showers
Birthdays
Leisure
Sports
Animals
Hobbies
I bring a creative approach to my images and offer different perspectives. Due to my background in digital art I am able to offer out of camera options such as photo retouching or colour correcting to help make photos shine for what they really are.
At the moment I am limited to a camera, a tripod and me but studio time can be arranged just contact me to discuss it further.
Feel free to contact me now to see what I can do for your photo albums. Hope to hear from you soon.
Damian Blades.
Hi, My name is Damian Blades and welcome to my site. I live on the south coast in Dorset and I am an up and coming photographer. I have had many years experience with cameras ranging from personal time learning on my own to being taught at College and University. I have spent time in the darkroom and in the studio and have learnt most of the different aspect the photography world offers.
I take a professional approach to my photography combing a pleasant atmosphere with a reasonable price to give you the images you want. I am all open ears and make sure all your needs are met! I am not stuck to a certain type of subject matter I am quite happy to respond to all your needs examples include…
Corporate
Stock imagery (Inc use of my achieves)
Group photos
Product shots
Events
Weddings
Showers
Birthdays
Leisure
Sports
Animals
Hobbies
I bring a creative approach to my images and offer different perspectives. Due to my background in digital art I am able to offer out of camera options such as photo retouching or colour correcting to help make photos shine for what they really are.
At the moment I am limited to a camera, a tripod and me but studio time can be arranged just contact me to discuss it further.
Feel free to contact me now to see what I can do for your photo albums. Hope to hear from you soon.
Damian Blades.
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