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05/30/2003 05:10:55 PM · #1 |
Anyone with time - Can you give me some feedback on my website? //www.stockdigitalphoto.com
Thanks!
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05/30/2003 05:48:12 PM · #2 |
| you have some nice images, but i find your site rather unprofessional looking. I think it should look much cleaner, especially if you hope to get business with it. I like the fade effect you have for changing pages. Overall, it needs more pizazz. Also, I'm not sure why you have so many gray embossed images, esp. for the aquatic life, I don't think anyone is going to like/purchase them. Some really nice photos though. I would leave only the best ones and make everything cleaner. |
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05/30/2003 05:55:40 PM · #3 |
Hi there...
Took a look at your website. And although I didnt have time to go thru every section I did look at these Sections: Aquatic, Orchids, Scenic, Reptiles/Amphibians, Butterflies/Bees, and Mammals.
In my humble opinion, the pictures are technically decent, but not artisically great. Now I know a photo doesnt need to be insanely great on the artistic end to make a good stock photo, but a lot of the same general rules apply.
The main thing that "I" feel detracts from most of your shots, is the backgrounds. For example, in the Fish section,this was my favorite. Notice how the background is completely simplified, and the yellow contrasting the blue is a great touch. In most of the other fish shots, the background was too busy, and detracted from the image. The fake plants and rocks behind the fish is not necessarily a problem, but when you crop the photo so we cant see all of that background, it becomes unessesary/detracting. In short, either simplify the background as above, or widen the shot to show us more of the scene. In general, I'd recomend the first, so as not to lose the focus of a small fish in a large, busy background. Same rules apply for amphibians. The simplicity of thisfrog worked best for me. Same thing with this squirrel. The grass works nicely because its all contained within the frame, there is no trunk of a tree, etc., that is halfway cut off included in the pic.
I think that would apply for most of the pics I saw on your site, the backgrounds detracting from the main subject of the shot.
In the scenics, I really liked this picture of the
Tree
although I think it might have worked better in a regular black and white, with more of a normal feel. Its a good composition though...
Im at work so am pressed for time. Gotta run. Hope this helped!
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05/30/2003 06:40:31 PM · #4 |
I agree with Jason, if you intend to use your site for business make it look professional. The main/home page is the important page in the entire site.
Maybe it's better to simplify the main page, change the background so it wont look so busy, use the same fonts
on the entire page and keep everything simple. Also work on your color scheme... so it's design, color scheme, use of fonts and style you have to work on for the first page..
then apply to all the other pages later..
I know it's overwhelming working on like thousands of images and designing the site at the same time but it will pay off at the end.
I checked some of the images and they are good, but i think its better to choose the best (meaning u have to critique each image) before you upload them.
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05/30/2003 09:10:02 PM · #5 |
Even though the site could benefit from a more professional look, and I assume that will happen with time, I feel it is the photos and ease of use that is of most importance. It was easy to use and view each of the photos. The main issue I have with the photos is that there are too many of nearly the same image. I think you should just pick the best one of each so that it leaves more room for more images. It simply needs more variety within each category. I recently finished my first web site and it is pretty exciting. I think it is a good start and the begginning of an everchanging and improving site if you are like most people.
T
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05/31/2003 02:22:06 PM · #6 |
Thanks all - It would definitely be easier to manage if I posted fewer pics to the site. I'll give it a try!
Re simplifing the backgrounds - I agree entirely, unfortunately I take the majority of my pics ad hoc in the field, so I have to digitally manipulate the image to remove the background afterwards. Anyone know an easy way to do this? Otherwise I use the Photoshop magic wand and paint brushes...
Thanks again for your time! |
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05/31/2003 05:25:23 PM · #7 |
You can always try selecting your main subject, inverting the selection so you have the background only selected, copy and paste to a new layer, and then desaturating it a little and blurring it slightly. Play around with some different effects now that it is safely on it's own layer. You probably should copy that background layer several times so that you have more then one background to play with and compare with. Then you can go in and clone out a few distracting elements. Don't go overboard with the blurring or desaturation. Subtlety can do wonders. have fun.
T
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05/31/2003 05:38:44 PM · #8 |
On your second to the last page of spring flowers your "next..." "previous..." is inverted.
I like the page set up.
Tim
edit: I hope I'm helping not being a pain.
The second page of scenic has no "previous page" link and the "next page" link takes you to aquatics2 page.
Message edited by author 2003-05-31 17:41:23. |
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05/31/2003 08:31:49 PM · #9 |
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06/01/2003 12:30:30 AM · #10 |
First things first, congrats on your first step.
As someone who has purchased alot of images for print, I have three suggestions.
specialize, specialize, specialize.
All of your photo content is widely available at the larger royalty free image sites. Try to find something unique (tourist attraction) in your area and shoot like crazy. I arranged to spend two days in a local highend resort that hosts alot of CEO summits, corporate retreats, etc. I submitted these to the event coordernator at the resort and asked her to refer any clients that may have a need for photos. Not only have I sold several shots, I have also picked up quite abit of design work.
Good Luck and Happy Shooting
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06/01/2003 08:37:15 AM · #11 |
| Thanks - I appreciate all your help! |
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