What’s Your Preference?

BigFuzzy · #21 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickbedford

Thanks to this thread I just removed a bunch of crap from it. It's now much more to the point.

To strip it back a bit:

I'm a photographer (of whatever skill you want to assume based on my images). I love portraits, people and events. It's what excites me.

I love black and white and full colour photography and think outside the square whenever possible.

Get in touch via this email address.

Heh.. don't take me too seriously, I'm one guy. So if what you had before is how you feel bests sells you, then leave it be. If not, then maybe you did need to reevaluate.

But maybe leave out the "of whatever skill you want to assume based on my images" hehe.
Or are you taking the piss outta me?, it's late, and I'm already slow in the whole "thinking" department!

nickbedford · #22 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Heh.. don't take me too seriously, I'm one guy. So if what you had before is how you feel bests sells you, then leave it be. If not, then maybe you did need to reevaluate.

But maybe leave out the "of whatever skill you want to assume based on my images" hehe.
Or are you taking the piss outta me?, it's late, and I'm already slow in the whole "thinking" department!

I didn't put it in there, That was merely a remark on the way of writing your about page. You don't say "professional" (because I'm not) but you don't say amateur. You leave it up to the client to decide

I actually like the new about description more as it does skip a lot of not-very-useful info.

BigFuzzy · #23 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickbedford

I didn't put it in there, That was merely a remark on the way of writing your about page. You don't say "professional" (because I'm not) but you don't say amateur. You leave it up to the client to decide

I actually like the new about description more as it does skip a lot of not-very-useful info.

Ah.. cool. Yeah I agree, you shouldn't have to say "professional" or "artist" or things like that. Clearly you're selling your goods, so on a technical sense you're obviously a pro. And yeah, don't ever give the client a reason to doubt you're The Man. Why give them something to build doubt in their mind about you by saying something like "i'm new to this" or "just starting" or "just got my camera"? I'd run if I saw crap like that.

Just tell them you're a photographer, show some confidence and personality and let your work reel them in.

Photologyst · #24 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

hehe good to see you never give up. And yeah, I guess it's better to look just like every other cookie cutter website out there. So, didn't you say you were working on your own site a while back, care to share?

Haven’t done much on it lately because I have a real job along with two other websites, that give me a living and keep me rather busy.

As for “cookie cutter” design—elegant is elegant and timeless. Pea green is well—green, the colour of the moment; of course, it does go wonderfully with “interesting” portraits.

Oh, and one should add: Do not post a half finished site or one “Under Renovation.”

Jim Bryant · #25 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 07:55 PM

Good post Al........very educational!

Biomech · #26 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

But I do believe you that your cards aren't tacky, I just wonder what that quote brings you in terms of connection with any client? If you really think it helps the client think more of you, then by all means use it and just write me off as a nut bag

It's a bit of a style thing to be honest. That and I feel it adds a bit of depth, allowing the client to emotionally identify with what I have to offer (I'm doing a course in Nuero Linguistic Processing :P)

I would show you them - but my hotlinking and what not is acting up and won't actually let you see :P

.... maybe? http://www.flickr.com/photos/41731611@N03/5204845081/

DravensHalo · #27 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 11:03 PM

Great topic Al - lots of great points!!!!
just one i dont agree on (and its not one of yours either Al)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Make sure that your site is professional looking in its design. Avoid weird colours like barf-green and pink, etc. or an all black site with difficult to read white blog text.

Keep it elegantly simple. Greys, blacks, beige, taupe with a spot of colour red or blue work well. Think primary colours. Use a colour chart if you need to.

My site is purple, white & black and i think it look fine (and i am not a purple person either) i think you should put some personality into your site.

I am so sick of seeing the same colours and style on photography websites, that now if its the same boring look i dont really stick around. Show some personality, all the photographers i know on here and in person all have happy, fun-loving personalities so what is wrong with showing some that on your website? I know what i would prefer to look at...

BigFuzzy · #28 (**permalink**) 11-25-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Haven’t done much on it lately because I have a real job along with two other websites, that give me a living and keep me rather busy.

Proof please. Any chance you'll ever back up your words with proof Photologyst? I'm sure your other two site follow the same timeless criteria you lay out. "rather busy" I guess doesn't count 1335 posts since 22 October huh? Maybe less time talking and more time working on backing up those words?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photologyst

As for “cookie cutter” design—elegant is elegant and timeless. Pea green is well—green, the colour of the moment; of course, it does go wonderfully with “interesting” portraits.

Again, show us your 'two' completed elegant sites please to show us how you implement your own words and how they're not at all cookie-cutter?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Photologyst

Oh, and one should add: Do not post a half finished site or one “Under Renovation.”

Finally, you say something of worth that can actually be backed up. Fair enough criticism. All I'd say is I'd rather have something, if not 100% polished than have nothing to back-up me, my ideas, and my words.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biomech

It's a bit of a style thing to be honest. That and I feel it adds a bit of depth, allowing the client to emotionally identify with what I have to offer:P

Fully agree, that criteria is one of my very minor issues since it's simply me finding it a bit cheesy which I sometimes (erroneously perhaps) associate with not something I'd like to see in a pro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DravensHalo

Great topic Al - lots of great points!!!!
just one i dont agree on (and its not one of yours either Al)

My site is purple, white & black and i think it look fine (and i am not a purple person either) i think you should put some personality into your site.

I am so sick of seeing the same colours and style on photography websites, that now if its the same boring look i dont really stick around. Show some personality, all the photographers i know on here and in person all have happy, fun-loving personalities so what is wrong with showing some that on your website? I know what i would prefer to look at...

Agreed, and don't put too much worth into that comment. Mrs. Photologyst simply doesn't like me and takes every chance she gets to take a shot at me. Putting your own personality stamp on your site through the visuals, your words (about me page) and, most importantly, through your photos, is exactly what you should be striving to do (in my ever so humble opinion).