My website - is it too boring?

Mark.A

Mark.A

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Mark
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Hi all - just wanted your opinions on my website, in particular I'd like to know if it's too boring. I have gone through a few designs lately and have ended up with a very minimal grey design. The idea being that the website itself doesn't detract or interfere with the viewing of the images. Now I'm not sure if it just looks too dull and uninteresting. :thinking:

The website is still a work in progress and there are not many images on there yet, plus there are a couple of place holders for content that I have yet to write.

Any comments/critique will be most welcome. :)
 
Im no expert on websites but ill just say my intital thoughts.

-I think your logo needs to be brighter, bolder and not the same as the text on the page.

-When first viewing this it looks like an article rather than a photographers website so I think you should have one big image that you cant miss as soon as you log on. Then keep the bio maybe to another tab.

But i like the grey and I also love your pictures by the way! :thumbs:

Vicky.
 
Thanks Vic. I'll have a think about the logo/title text. Any suggestions for the font/text would be very welcome.

So you think just one good image for the front page? ...or would an animation with several be better? I'm good with flash, etc. so it wouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for the compliment, there are more of my pics on Flickr if you're interested. I'm restricting my business site to just portraiture (pets & people) as that's what I want to specialise in.
 
Is it too boring? Yes, in my opinion.

Purely because of the background colour you've chosen, looks bland and uninteresting which is a shame because the pictures you've got on there so far are really good.

Just goes to show though it's all about individual tastes, two replies to the thread from others, one likes the grey, one doesn't. Would love to see some more images though.
 
That's how I was starting to see it. Not sure if I should change it and if I did I'm not sure what I should change it to. I don't want people to open the site and think 'Eugh!' but at the same time I want people to be able to view the images without the website itself competing for their attention. Hard one to get right I think.

There will be more images going on the site before long. As I said in the post further up, there are more images on my Flickr but still not loads yet.
 
Another vote for simple is good here.

Although a few images on the homepage would work, at the moment it looks like a page that you would go to within the site, not the homepage.
 
I would say keep the bio on the first page but put things into it that google will find. This is becaus google checks the home page on sites when searching so you have a better chance of it been found with a search engine.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I've changed the font/size of the title text now so see what you think.
 
I thinks it's a very well designed website. However if you are looking to sell your work I think it is too well designed. It detracts from the work. I belong to foliofox.com. It does what it says on the tin!
 
Hmmm, I don't see how a site can be too well designed to sell images. That foliofox seems to be more of a 'Yellow Pages' for Photographers than an actual individual business site. It also seems to me that the attraction there is the design of the foliofox website itself and not the photographers images, which is what I was trying to avoid. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I'm thinking that I will replace the home page with a flash animation of some images and just have the about page in the menu. Any comments? Any other suggestions?

Is it too boring? Yes, in my opinion.

Purely because of the background colour you've chosen, looks bland and uninteresting which is a shame because the pictures you've got on there so far are really good.
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Any suggestions as to an alternative?
 
I agree with Vic, too much text & not enough photography on your fron page. You want to capture peoples attention so a single, striking image is probably the way to go - the "about you" info is best left on a page of it's own IMHO, not on the front page

just my thoughts

simon
 
Thanks Simon, I am convinced that the about stuff needs to be just on it's own page now and not the front page. I'm still not sure whether I should just have one single image on the front page or an animation of examples. :thinking:
 
I decided to go with some texture for the background rather than adding colour. I've also now set an image for the front page. Any feedback on what you think to the new look?
 
I since decided to add some colour and an alternate style. Some feedback would be nice. :)
 
That is better!

The first thing I tried to do was click on the text on the top image to go to those sections, I think you need to add an imae map there to make those clickable.

Onto the Information for xxx pages, if there is no content, make them draft within Wordpress, it is better to not have them there than looking unfinished and your site will look better (and be better for SEO) if you give your pages proper names rather than numbers.
 
Good idea on the image map, I'll add one when I get chance. Thanks.

I actually left the for xxx pages visible to remind me they need writing. I should have written them by now though. The sites not really 'active' yet, I've not pushed it online or locally so it's not getting many hits at the minute anyway. I'm just trying to get the design sorted before I start putting more shoots on there.

I've changed the permalinks now to something more SEO friendly, I had it on my list of things to do but thanks for the reminder. :thumbs:
 
I've added the image map now. Any more feedback? :D
 
Cool, there's no tooltip on the image map, but that is being picky!

Also on the Pets page, the title changes colour on mouseover, but the link takes you to exactly where you are...
 
I've added the tooltip text on the image map links now for you, lol.

I've also removed the link on the titles in the gallery pages. Thanks.
 
when the images pop up (lightbox script or whatever) there are no close icons or ideas how to close it again...

clean is how I'd describe it, but it says there are 15 images up...15 is that all for a portfolio and/or images site....i'd want much more than 15 examples!

Do you pull in your images from flickr? if not, then why not? use their bandwidth not yours...and updating flickr updates your site and vice versa...I use the flickr gallery plugin myself....
 
When the images popup their is a tooltip that appears when your mouse is over it with instructions. I do like the clean image dispay compared to the lightbox script, plus it displays quicker than lightbox.

I know it needs more images. I'm only testing out the design at the minute.

No, I don't currently pull my images from flickr. I hadn't thought of that option to be honest. I don't want everything I post on Flickr to be posted on my own website though. I'll have a look at it and see what I think. Thanks for the input. :thumbs:
 
well you don't have to have ALL your images pulled up. either pull up images one by one or via a set or collection. I know there is a tooltip, but convention seems to be an x in top right corner or whatever to close...just my 2p's worth
there are loads of wordpress plugins to add functionality to your site...just depends on what you want/need etc.
the point about the 15 images is that if you advertise you have x amount of images, then 15 is low. i understand you may be testing, but once it's live it's a valid point....it wasn't a moan! :-)
 
Not a huge fan of the textured background, it looks very old fashioned IMO. Really like the way the images pop out when you click on them in the galleries, really nice :)
 
Thanks for the feedback Richard. Any suggestion as to what would be better than the leather texture? I like the popup viewer too. :thumbs:

I did just try the Flickr Gallery plugin but the thumbnails don't look good, IMO, it was slower at loading the images and it only displays the medium size images from Flickr, whereas I'd want to display the original size. I'm happier with the current popup viewer, bandwidth isn't an issue anyway.
 
I've updated the popup viewer with buttons for close, previous, next, etc., if you hover your mouse over the image, and it shows the image title underneath it now too.
 
Mark.A said:
I've updated the popup viewer with buttons for close, previous, next, etc., if you hover your mouse over the image, and it shows the image title underneath it now too.
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The only problem with that is you are now forever having to move the cursor to click the Next and Previous buttons. Can you make the images appear in the centre of the screen, that would improve it.

As far as the texture thing goes, I'd just play around with different colours and/or borders around the main content to see if you can find something that looks simple and eye catching.
 
Richard Peters said:
The only problem with that is you are now forever having to move the cursor to click the Next and Previous buttons. Can you make the images appear in the centre of the screen, that would improve it.

As far as the texture thing goes, I'd just play around with different colours and/or borders around the main content to see if you can find something that looks simple and eye catching.
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You don't have to use the buttons, you can still use the left and right cursor keys on your keyboard just as it was before. :thumbs: If the images were to popup centred on the screen you would still have to move your mouse to click on the button as not all images are the same format and so the buttons would still change position.

With regard to the texture - so you think the colour needs changing? I thought it was the texture you didn't like. The background doesn't want to be too 'eye catching' as it will distract too much from the images themselves. It's the images that should be eye-catching. ;)

one simple thing might be a home button as at moment you need to click on main header logo to get back to home page
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Doesn't that just make the banner the 'home' button? or do you mean that it would be better to have a separate button that is identified as being the 'home' button, with a home icon or something?
 
Hi Mark

I was delighted to tune into this discussion and hope you don't mind or are not offended by my comments.

I think I must begin by saying that I think you are guilty of listening to too many opinions and trying to act on them all at once! Your website reflects this and is suffering from too much. Too much of everything that takes the eye off what you are attempting to do. What is that by the way?

If I were in your shoes I would start again. That would be easier for you than trying to sort out what you have created. Firstly, I would ask myself 'why do I need a website?' 'What is its purpose?' 'Am I designing it for people who want cheap portraits or people who want expensive canvas wall portraits? What am I going to charge for my work and am I going to publish a price list? and so on...

There are plenty of good professional photographer's websites for you to look at and draw inspiration from. Photographs always look better on a plain black background, and I would start from there. The close up is too close and the snakes definitely should be separated from the portraits. You will frighten off all your potential customers, especially female ones, if you put reptiles on your home page!

Likewise, I would suggest that you look at the photographs on professional sites, and you will see that most studios use a white background for portraits. This is because coloured backgrounds sometimes do not flatter the sitter.

There was an American photographer, I am sorry I don't know his name, who specialised in photographing dogs. He had a simple set up. A standard white background paper which he draped down and over a wooden table the dogs could sit on at about waist high. He used two flash lights in 15" silver bowles that had no diffusers of any kind, making the lights extremely harsh. He placed them equally on either side of the table at about the height of his head, He used an aperature of F16 so that the hairs on the dogs were as sharp as could be, and made a fortune with this one 'trick' alone! Just food for thought if you want to be different Mark! I don't know anyone who does it, do you?

Hope we're still friends!
Regards
 
Hi Mark

I was delighted to tune into this discussion and hope you don't mind or are not offended by my comments.
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Hi there, glad to have any input I can get. No offence taken. :D

I think I must begin by saying that I think you are guilty of listening to too many opinions and trying to act on them all at once! Your website reflects this and is suffering from too much. Too much of everything that takes the eye off what you are attempting to do. What is that by the way?
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Sorry but I have to say I disagree with you. I don't think you can listen to too many opinions when you're trying to evaluate a website design and I certainly haven't acted on all the opinions I've had so far.

You say my website is suffering from too much of everything that takes the eye off what I am attempting to do but you obviously have no idea what I am attempting to do as in the next sentence you ask me that very thing. :bonk: Your comments make no sense at all and sound more like a speech from a salesman using cheap verbal tactics to try and gain custom from those less verbally agile.

If I were in your shoes I would start again. That would be easier for you than trying to sort out what you have created. Firstly, I would ask myself 'why do I need a website?' 'What is its purpose?' 'Am I designing it for people who want cheap portraits or people who want expensive canvas wall portraits? What am I going to charge for my work and am I going to publish a price list? and so on...
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How can you possibly know what would be easier for me? You don't know me at all. I've already asked myself those questions as well as a lot more and am well aware of marketing tactics.

There are plenty of good professional photographer's websites for you to look at and draw inspiration from. Photographs always look better on a plain black background, and I would start from there. The close up is too close and the snakes definitely should be separated from the portraits. You will frighten off all your potential customers, especially female ones, if you put reptiles on your home page!
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I've already looked at thousands of professional photographers websites from all over the world. I disagree about photographs always looking better on a black background. IMO, a middle grey background is usually best for all round photograph viewing. Black can make lighter images appear too bright and a white background can make darker images appear too dark.

The close up is too close? For starters, which close up? and secondly there are thousands of images that are taken far closer than any of mine that are masterpieces of photography. :thinking:

The snakes are in a separate category from the portraits and you'd be surprised how many women actually keep them nevermind want to be photographed with them.

Likewise, I would suggest that you look at the photographs on professional sites, and you will see that most studios use a white background for portraits. This is because coloured backgrounds sometimes do not flatter the sitter.
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As I said above, I have studied thousands of professional photographers websites and I know many professional portrait photographers that are respected in their field. These photographers use the background that is best suited to the particular portrait, yes sometimes they do use a white background but certainly not for the majority of portraits. Telling people that most studios use a white background for portraits is misleading at best. :thumbsdown: Maybe studios that are setup to make a 'quick buck' and that wouldn't know a good photograph if it hit them in the face do but good studios/photographers match the background to the particular shoot.

There was an American photographer, I am sorry I don't know his name, who specialised in photographing dogs. He had a simple set up. A standard white background paper which he draped down and over a wooden table the dogs could sit on at about waist high. He used two flash lights in 15" silver bowles that had no diffusers of any kind, making the lights extremely harsh. He placed them equally on either side of the table at about the height of his head, He used an aperature of F16 so that the hairs on the dogs were as sharp as could be, and made a fortune with this one 'trick' alone! Just food for thought if you want to be different Mark! I don't know anyone who does it, do you?
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Using F16 on the shot just to get sharp hairs on the dog was unnecessary, it doesn't sound like he knew much about photography. He was obviously after a high key, flat lit image with that lighting setup. Nothing wrong with that, but there's also nothing wrong with a portait of a dog that has depth and character. :thumbs: It sounds like you're trying to imply that what he did is somehow better than what I am doing? If so I disagree, what he did was just to get a certain look. If he only ever took dog portraits with that look then he was very limited in his photography. If I want that look then I can do that, I have in fact used a similar setup before myself when I wanted a flat lit, high light image. I can also produce a thousand different looks as well though, just as many of the other photographers on here can. ;)

Hope we're still friends!
Regards
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Of course! :thumbs:
 
I know holderbeam, I said in the first post that there are not many images on the site yet. Their will be a lot more later. I'm not being too selective, I just haven't put any on yet. ;)
 
holderbeam said:
with portfolio layout less is more agreed but when it comes to pictures dont be so selective
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I disagree, when selecting images make sure it is the best of the best, on bad image can ruin an entire portfolio.

As for the site I have to say it really does nothing for me. The leather book style background really does not appeal to me and the choice of colour to me seems to say I cannot make up my mind on what I want from my site, you choose.

I would also look at your front page image, to me it suggests you do childresn portraits, I know you do more, but that is what the home page would say to your potential clients.

The portfolio bugs me a little, where you click next image and all navigation moves when the next pic comes up, whic I find frustrating, and I am sure others may too. Also not sure about the zoom feature, looks like a plugin though, so poss not much you can do about that.

Your site seems to be in a 3 column layout, but there is no need nor use to the third column. I would remove the right hand side column, as it does nothing, and the leather style background seems to really split the pages up, it really looks disjointed. Also text seems disjointed and should line up where possible, this is most noticeable with your logo

If I am honest, the latest images thing does nothing for me. With your about me, I would have a separate contact me pages, as it does not seem clear how I get in touch straight away, which clients want.

Possibly look at a streamlined navigation to the site instead of the bold headings which do nothing, they just sit there and distract from the links to your pages, would look better IMHO.

I think the main problem with this site is there is no kind of branding. Your brand simply does not show through in this site. The font you have chosen competes with that in the rest of your site and loses. It just does not make you as a brand stand out. Maybe this would be a starting point, rather than look at the site, look at developing some kind of logo that works for your brand and stands out really well. When you look on most homepages the name of the photographer is the first thing to catch your eye. Normally located in top left, due to the way westerners read text. On your site I read some of the text and then notice who you are.

This makes the site look generic, which is I think what many are getting at with what is wrong (sorry if I am wrong)

It just is missing that professional edge to me.

No offence meant by any of this, and it is just my opinion, hopefully you get something out of this and take it in the nature it is intended.
 
Thank you, I really appreciate the feedback! :thumbs:

As for the site I have to say it really does nothing for me. The leather book style background really does not appeal to me and the choice of colour to me seems to say I cannot make up my mind on what I want from my site, you choose.
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Do you have any suggestion as to an alternative background? I can see what you mean about providing the choice of colours for the site but it wasn't done for that reason though. I had good feedback about both a light and dark style, so obviously not everyone likes the same so I thought the choice to view the site how they prefer would be good. Maybe not? :thinking:

I would also look at your front page image, to me it suggests you do childresn portraits, I know you do more, but that is what the home page would say to your potential clients.
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Yeah, I agree there but whether I put a child portrait, a fashion shot or a pet portrait on the front page none of them are going to show everything I do. Maybe an animation woud be better, going through a series of images? :shrug:

The portfolio bugs me a little, where you click next image and all navigation moves when the next pic comes up, whic I find frustrating, and I am sure others may too. Also not sure about the zoom feature, looks like a plugin though, so poss not much you can do about that.
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Hmmm I see what you mean. I'll have a look at some alternatives and see what I can come up with.

Your site seems to be in a 3 column layout, but there is no need nor use to the third column. I would remove the right hand side column, as it does nothing, and the leather style background seems to really split the pages up, it really looks disjointed. Also text seems disjointed and should line up where possible, this is most noticeable with your logo
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The site uses a 2 column layout, the left sidebar and the main content on the right. I'm not sure what you mean about the text lining up? :thinking:

If I am honest, the latest images thing does nothing for me. With your about me, I would have a separate contact me pages, as it does not seem clear how I get in touch straight away, which clients want.
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The latest images thing isn't necessary and to be honest I was a bit on the fence about it myself so I've just removed it. Point taken about the contact page.

Possibly look at a streamlined navigation to the site instead of the bold headings which do nothing, they just sit there and distract from the links to your pages, would look better IMHO.
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Hmmm, I'll have to have a think about it. I was just looking at the site and wondered about removing the side navigation altogether and just having the main content part the full width of the site. :thinking: The portfolio gallery pages could still be linked to the text on the front page image and I could add links to the about, contact, etc. pages at the top and/or bottom of the site. Thoughts? :shrug:

I think the main problem with this site is there is no kind of branding. Your brand simply does not show through in this site. The font you have chosen competes with that in the rest of your site and loses. It just does not make you as a brand stand out. Maybe this would be a starting point, rather than look at the site, look at developing some kind of logo that works for your brand and stands out really well. When you look on most homepages the name of the photographer is the first thing to catch your eye. Normally located in top left, due to the way westerners read text. On your site I read some of the text and then notice who you are.

This makes the site look generic, which is I think what many are getting at with what is wrong (sorry if I am wrong)

It just is missing that professional edge to me.
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I didn't go for a particular 'logo' as most photographers sites don't seem to use them? Do you think it needs a 'logo' as such or just a better font and placement for the name? :shrug:

No offence meant by any of this, and it is just my opinion, hopefully you get something out of this and take it in the nature it is intended.
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No offence taken, thanks for taking the time to comment. You've given me a lot to think about and it's very much appreciated! :thumbs:
 
Ok in my opnion there is too few works in there two pics per page a portfolio does not make shoot more and get em up there !!! You have a good eye for portraits show it off some get out and shoot .... site is ok but not WOW nav is a little awkward as I had to look for the home button that should be intuitive also try to get th eportfolios pages to be same size as rest it all bunched up at the top of the page.... sorry if critical but I look at these like a consumer if I get bored so will others you want them in and looking
 
Thanks FoG. I know there are only a few images on now but their will be a lot more going on later. For now I am just getting the website design sorted before I start filling it up with photographs. I've added a separate home link in the top menu now.

I don't really want the website to be WOW as it would take too much attention off the photographs, I want people to see the photographs and go WOW. :D The portfolio pages will fill up as I add loads more photographs, which I wil be doing.

I've revamped the entire site over the last 2 days to correct some of the issues raised previously. I am still working on the odd bit but hopefully now the site is looking a lot better than it was a few days ago. Feedback would be much appreciated... :)
 
it seems to take ages to load up for me! any one else with that problem.
 
It takes about 3 seconds for me if I force a full refresh. Once cached though it opens almost instantly. It will take longer to load initially if you're on dial up or something?
 
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