Need Help with my Photo Blog!

[thetravelingdreamer]

I'm looking for suggestions on how to make my photo blog (…Shutter Speed…) better, more attractive, more marketable, pretty much just something that I can be proud of. It has started as a Project 365 blog, but I want to use it to document my travels (which I will be embarking on more in the next year, I'm currently teaching English in Southern Thailand).

I would love if DPSers out there could take a look at my blog and give me some feedback on whats working and what isn't! I need to kick up my subscriptions and readership if I want to have it help me travel, write (I also have a travel blog …the traveling dreamer…) and most importantly keep taking pictures!

Please let me know what you think! Leave comments on the site on pictures that you like or you think could use touches of improvement. I'm learn everything I can from the amazing photographers that are on DPS!

So please, offer me YOUR insight!!!

[wannabephotographer]

I think you need some more pictures and more focused stories. You also have to start promoting yourself build a fan base through blogged, stumbleupon, delicious, digg, facebook etc. Have you looked into incorporating Google Adsense in your blog?

[thetravelingdreamer]

I've looked into Google Adsense but haven't pursued it yet. Would you recommend it?

What do you mean focused stories? Can you give me an example? Do you mean put more stories and articles on my photo blog like my travel blog or vice versa?

I haven't ventured into delicious yet, I'll have to see what thats all about. I have tried stumbleupon but I haven't been getting many hits from that. Do you have any suggestions on how to utilize that better?

[wannabephotographer]

Check out this site on how to make money from blogging. I Make Money Online By Telling People How I Make Money Online - John Chow dot Com

I think you'll find all your answers there. By focused stories I mean something on a specific topic. Maybe a great little restaurant you found or a secluded beach that very few know of and described how you found it and why it's great. You also need more entries, like almost everyday to keep readers coming back.

[thetravelingdreamer]

Thank you! Those are really great suggestions! I'm working on trying to do an entry on my travel blog every other day and I post every day on my photo blog!

[Free]

Hey, it doesn't look too bad, as the last poster mentioned focus will help if you're trying to monetise your site.

Personally I'd ditch the monthly archives as no-one is really interested in exactly when the post was made. Try replacing it with tags or categories if you need to have something there.

[Rash Oval Knave]

Originally Posted by Free

Personally I'd ditch the monthly archives as no-one is really interested in exactly when the post was made. Try replacing it with tags or categories if you need to have something there.

I'm with Free on this. Go with a tag cloud instead of the categories.

I'm not sure I enjoy the white background in the container, although I do like the light contrast between it and the body's background. The reason I say this is because most of your photographs seem to be really bright, be it fire or sunlight, and I feel that it makes your page look somewhat overexposed.

Other than that, I think it looks great. Also try to use italics or bold when you're saying things for emphasis (e.g. "If any of you have been to Thailand, you will have already discovered that Thai people have the amazing ability of falling asleep anywhere. And I mean anywhere.")

I hope this helps. Keep up the great work!

~ Shravan

[thetravelingdreamer]

Originally Posted by Free

Personally I'd ditch the monthly archives as no-one is really interested in exactly when the post was made. Try replacing it with tags or categories if you need to have something there.

I've been organizing my tags and categories so that I could put this up! Great point about the monthly archives! I'll update that soon!

Thank you so much for your input, its so helpful!

[thetravelingdreamer]

Originally Posted by Rash Oval Knave

I'm not sure I enjoy the white background in the container, although I do like the light contrast between it and the body's background. The reason I say this is because most of your photographs seem to be really bright, be it fire or sunlight, and I feel that it makes your page look somewhat overexposed.

Other than that, I think it looks great. Also try to use italics or bold when you're saying things for emphasis (e.g. "If any of you have been to Thailand, you will have already discovered that Thai people have the amazing ability of falling asleep anywhere. And I mean anywhere.")

I've been trying to decide whether or not to go to a dark background because most photo websites are darker. So you think I should go darker?

Love your input on the italics and bold. It will definitely improve my emphasis and maybe make it a little funnier.

Thank you so much for you input! Its seriously SO helpful!!

[Athas_orm]

Originally Posted by thetravelingdreamer

I've been trying to decide whether or not to go to a dark background because most photo websites are darker. So you think I should go darker?

Love your input on the italics and bold. It will definitely improve my emphasis and maybe make it a little funnier.

Thank you so much for you input! Its seriously SO helpful!!

Don't do this please don't do this.

All of the top 5 site on alexa have white backgrounds and blue links. There is a reason for this and its no considence.

Alexa Top 500 Global Sites