AppleNova Forums

Schvoo · 2008-07-21, 03:55

The old site:

STOP USING FRAMES!!! Other people have said this but I am going to say it again. This is what googlebot sees when he visits your site:

Code:

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> <html> <title>Szajkowski.ca Pictures</title> <frameset rows="*,80" frameborder="NO" border="0" framespacing="0"> <frameset cols=20%,80%> <frame src="/nav2.html" name="menu" title="menu"> <frame src="/home.html" name="content" title="content"> </frameset> <frame src="/Music" name="Music" scrolling="NO" noresize title="Music"> </frameset><noframes></noframes> </HTML>

Do you see ANY keywords in there? I don't.

New Site
You don't need a splash page (you know this by now). What you need is one really good photo on your front ("home") page. Start with your best shot. Then let them click through to the next best 10 or so right from there. You are a photographer. People want to see photos. Don't make them click to get there.

I don't like the top photo in this new layout. The groom looks angry and the bride looks scared.

The other 2 are nice, but make sure the big one and those fancy twirls are loaded as CSS Background elements so that they load last and don't slow the site down for people with a slow connection. Also, I would feather the isolation on the bride a little bit.

One note about your photos: In a lot of the studio shots, people's faces aren't well let or you have pumped up the contrast too high or for some reason, I can't see ANY pupils. Eyes are the most important part of any photo of anything that has eyes (people & animals). Make sure that the eyes are well lit and that I could stare into your subject's eyes if I wanted too.

Brad · 2008-07-21, 07:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farenheit

Much better.

What he said.

I think the font choice is fine (and way better than the old, at least!). If you use a script font, you'll have to use bitmaps since it probably won't be supported on most systems.

As schmoo said, though,

Schnauzer · 2008-07-21, 10:39

Well the one your friend made I like a lot better. It feels more welcoming, and yours was kind of dark and scary. Anyways, I just thought I would tell you that I was looking at your photos and this one caught my eye, very nice.

danielsza · 2008-07-21, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schnauzer

Well the one your friend made I like a lot better. It feels more welcoming, and yours was kind of dark and scary. Anyways, I just thought I would tell you that I was looking at your photos and this one caught my eye, very nice.

Now just remember that's my little sister....

We're gonna make a few more changes before he starts coding... i should have a new (or a couple new) proofs this week. I'll post them once i get them.

ezkcdude · 2008-08-10, 08:56

Daniel, I'm sure you're a fine photographer - but I'm not sure you're a great wedding photographer - yet. Looking at your pictures, I don't see that you're really capturing the joy that should be evident in a wedding. Take a look at this portfolio I found on photo.net, and compare these pics to yours:

Jennifer Catron

I have no idea who this lady is, but if I were hiring a wedding photographer and comparing her portfolio to yours (regardless of the website design), I choose her in a heartbeat. I hope you don't take my post as insulting, but I think you needed to hear it, especially if this is a direction you are moving in. Wedding photography is a tough business. This is the most important day in the life of most people, and they're often going to spend several thousand dollars to hire a photographer pretty much based on their portfolio. The website design is at best 5-10% of the choice, maybe less. It's really the portfolio that matters.

Yonzie · 2008-08-15, 05:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielsza

http://www.szajkowski.ca/DSP_Proof2.jpg

YES!
Except ditch the green bow at the bottom, the text links at the bottom, and have a picture of a guy NOT drinking under the heading with your name on it. Looks like you're a "wedding photographer" to get free drinks and willing women.
Make sure the site fits in a 1024px wide window without scroll bars.
I like the JS gallery thing, but the galleries really need to be sorted better. Wedding pictures should be exclusively brides and grooms. Make a new, seperate, gallery for the wedding parties.
Also, you really need to work on your composition skills, because I see pictures of brides and I see pictures of grooms, but I see only one or two pictures of a bride and groom, together, being happy that they have been united in holy matrimony and expecting this to last for the rest of their lives. It is the day and TBH I would be pretty damn disappointed if those were the pictures from my wedding. I'm sure you have tons more, you just need to select the right ones. The black and white (engagement?) pictures are way more in the right direction. Have you seen the TV show "Bridezillas"? Imagine if one of those hired you

In this one, it's like she's thinking "Hmm, that photographer is pretty handsome" and the guy is thinking "Oh, crap, she might run away with him" and in this one, they should be looking at your camera, not somewhere else. You are the photographer, not just another protographer in the crowd. Seems a bit like they're not present in the moment, enjoying. And you cut off the top of his head. Why is she not happy? Is she thinking of cancelling? Looks like it to me... In fact, all her pictures are full of frowns. Groom too.

I'm sure it sounds harsh, but what I see is worth $500. Maybe $1k. If you want $3k for a days work, you need to get practicing.
You take good pictures, no doubt, you just need to get the wedding thing right.

This one is pretty good.

ezkcdude · 2008-08-16, 06:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yonzie

This one is pretty good.

It's not focused.

iFerret · 2008-08-16, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezkcdude

It's not focused.

Artistic effect, I think.
My aunty's wedding pics are half out of focus, but it's very well done and actually looks really, really good.

ezkcdude · 2008-08-17, 03:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by iFerret

Artistic effect, I think.
My aunty's wedding pics are half out of focus, but it's very well done and actually looks really, really good.

No, the whole picture is slightly soft. I don't believe it's intentional.

danielsza · 2008-08-31, 07:26

I've had a lot going on the few weeks, and so has rob... But finally he got some new proofs to me.

Again let me know what everyone thinks.

apple007 · 2008-08-31, 15:28

Looks good (to me, #3 is the best), but I'd lose that casual picture in a hurry, and replace it with a good picture in which you're wearing wedding-appropriate attire.

Brad · 2008-08-31, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by apple007

Looks good (to me, #3 is the best), but I'd lose that casual picture in a hurry, and replace it with a good picture in which you're wearing wedding-appropriate attire.

++

Seconded.

Not so sure about the green swooshy at the bottom, though.

Wyatt · 2008-08-31, 20:45

I agree. This is much better, but dress up a bit more. I'd try to look happier too. You don't look thrilled to be doing wedding photography. Whether you are or not, you should give the impression that you are.

danielsza · 2008-08-31, 21:31

I didn't choose the pix that went into the proofs... rob did... The one of me, I know doesn't work (for this... it's a shot my 3 year old daughter took, when she was playing with my camera).

Personally I'm really liking the middle one... it seems to be more 'me'

iFerret · 2008-08-31, 23:27

I like them all but I agree about the pic of you.
Also, I don't mind the swooshy thing, but the edges aren't smooth if you know what I mean, which ruins it IMO.

danielsza · 2008-09-01, 07:34

I noticed that too... the edges need to be softened

danielsza · 2008-09-25, 18:41

The new site is almost done... there are a few bugs and such and the content still needs to be changed...

let me know what you guys think...

http://www.szajkowski.ca/new/index.php

Fahrenheit · 2008-09-25, 19:24

Get a smarter photo of yourself! Maybe a smart shirt with the top button undone?

danielsza · 2008-09-25, 21:25

I had one of my friends (also a photographer) do a little shoot today... so I should have a better picture of myself up soon...

Gizzer · 2008-09-26, 10:11

I like the backgound pattern, but I think it needs fading slightly. At the moment it draws the eye too much away from your central content boxes.

iFerret · 2008-09-26, 17:39

I agree with Gizzer, the background looks very nice but it's too attention grabbing.
Your content should be the main focus.

Overall looking good though.

709 · 2008-09-26, 19:43

I like the background pattern too. Nice touch. A couple graphic things that bug me are the sharp edges in the two floral graphics, like they cut off for no reason at all. I suggest just giving them a simple fade out such as this:

It looks a bit softer now and a little more design-ish IMO. Also, it might be just me, but my focus continually goes to Peter Garrett up there and I lose track of what I'm looking at... that might totally be me though. The "HOME PAGE" text should line up left-justified like the rest of the text as well.

It's looking really good!

ezkcdude · 2008-09-27, 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizzer

I like the backgound pattern, but I think it needs fading slightly. At the moment it draws the eye too much away from your central content boxes.

This was my first thought, as well. It's not only distracting, but sort of "out of style". I think a flat light brown background would work nicely here.

Brad · 2008-09-27, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by 709

Also, it might be just me, but my focus continually goes to Peter Garrett up there and I lose track of what I'm looking at... that might totally be me though.

It's not just you.

Yeah, that guy on top needs to go. His appearance is not at all inviting; rather, he looks a bit menacing like he's going to break my legs if I as much as think about looking at his girl.

Not the kind of feeling you want to evoke on the first page people see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 709

The "HOME PAGE" text should line up left-justified like the rest of the text as well.

True for all of the headers in general, but why have "HOME PAGE" specifically as a header at all? Visitors don't need the obvious reiterated for them in that regard. Might as well call it "INDEX PAGE" or "PAGE #1".

Also, do all of the text links really need to be images? You'd afford yourself a lot of design flexibility if you used regular text there.

Brad · 2008-09-27, 10:36

Also,

Quote:

Originally Posted by 709

WTF?

709 · 2008-09-27, 10:49

Whoops. Shoulda hid that.

PB PM · 2008-09-27, 11:50

Well at least he's organized it all.

dmegatool · 2008-09-27, 12:22

It's really weird that the buttons take all the width available. And it's even worst cause there's no rollOver.... it should. But don't give up, it's getting 10^10000 better than the first one

Lol for the porn categories !!! Chicks with lego... that turns me on too

FFL · 2008-09-27, 15:24

709 - now that you're busted, you might as well just share the actual links on your Bookmarks Bar.

danielsza · 2008-11-12, 19:39

I know it seems that this is taking a life time to get done.... but it's almost done...

There just seems to be one bug (that I noticed at least)... In Safari on a mac & iPhone (no idea about windows) there seems to be lots of space to the right... it seems fine in IE and Firefox.

Any idea what the problem and/or solution would be?

*edit*

I also bought a new domain.... http://www.danielsphotography.ca which just forward to the old domain...

also i added back music... i know some people here don't like it... so it's just a warning

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Schnauzer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona	2008-07-21, 10:39 Well the one your friend made I like a lot better. It feels more welcoming, and yours was kind of dark and scary. Anyways, I just thought I would tell you that I was looking at your photos and this one caught my eye, very nice. If you can read this this, please send to an admin, i am blocked and cant post....
	quote

danielsza Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hamilton, On	2008-08-31, 07:26 I've had a lot going on the few weeks, and so has rob... But finally he got some new proofs to me. Again let me know what everyone thinks. http://www.szajkowski.ca
	quote

apple007 BANNED I am worthless beyond hope. Join Date: May 2006	2008-08-31, 15:28 Looks good (to me, #3 is the best), but I'd lose that casual picture in a hurry, and replace it with a good picture in which you're wearing wedding-appropriate attire.
	quote

Wyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near Indianapolis	2008-08-31, 20:45 I agree. This is much better, but dress up a bit more. I'd try to look happier too. You don't look thrilled to be doing wedding photography. Whether you are or not, you should give the impression that you are.
	quote

danielsza Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hamilton, On	2008-08-31, 21:31 I didn't choose the pix that went into the proofs... rob did... The one of me, I know doesn't work (for this... it's a shot my 3 year old daughter took, when she was playing with my camera). Personally I'm really liking the middle one... it seems to be more 'me' http://www.szajkowski.ca
	quote

iFerret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand	2008-08-31, 23:27 I like them all but I agree about the pic of you. Also, I don't mind the swooshy thing, but the edges aren't smooth if you know what I mean, which ruins it IMO.
	quote

danielsza Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hamilton, On	2008-09-01, 07:34 I noticed that too... the edges need to be softened
	quote

danielsza Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hamilton, On	2008-09-25, 18:41 The new site is almost done... there are a few bugs and such and the content still needs to be changed... let me know what you guys think... http://www.szajkowski.ca/new/index.php http://www.szajkowski.ca
	quote

Fahrenheit Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2005	2008-09-25, 19:24 Get a smarter photo of yourself! Maybe a smart shirt with the top button undone?
	quote

danielsza Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hamilton, On	2008-09-25, 21:25 I had one of my friends (also a photographer) do a little shoot today... so I should have a better picture of myself up soon...
	quote

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Gizzer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hampshire (the original one)	2008-09-26, 10:11 I like the backgound pattern, but I think it needs fading slightly. At the moment it draws the eye too much away from your central content boxes.
	quote

iFerret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand	2008-09-26, 17:39 I agree with Gizzer, the background looks very nice but it's too attention grabbing. Your content should be the main focus. Overall looking good though.
	quote

709 ¡Damned! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Purgatory	2008-09-27, 10:49 Whoops. Shoulda hid that.
	quote

PB PM Sneaky Punk Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC	2008-09-27, 11:50 Well at least he's organized it all.
	quote

dmegatool Custom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: At home	2008-09-27, 12:22 It's really weird that the buttons take all the width available. And it's even worst cause there's no rollOver.... it should. But don't give up, it's getting 10^10000 better than the first one Lol for the porn categories !!! Chicks with lego... that turns me on too Dave Mustaine :"God created whammy bars for people who don't know how to solo."
	quote

FFL Fishhead Family Reunited moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Slightly Off Center	2008-09-27, 15:24 709 - now that you're busted, you might as well just share the actual links on your Bookmarks Bar.
	quote

AppleNova Forums

Looking for website feedback (wedding photography)