Takes on a portfolio website

[mholt]

I recently redesigned my portfolio. I had been struggling for a couple years to come up with something I liked. I didn't want to use proprietary systems like Flickr or Smugmug. So I decided to write my own. But I always played with concepts of a studio-esque look, the ability for people to add comments, and all this sort of fanciness.



But I want your opinion on it. The pictures appear in a random order each new visit you make to the site (but you can close the window and resume browsing later). I want to know if it makes sense, if it "works" (well) for its purpose, and your overall, general opinion.

Thanks for your time!
-Matt

[OsmosisStudios]

Not a huge fan of the "lights" of the background hitting the photos. I think it would be better if they didnt.

[Taallyn]

I have to agree with Osmosis. Those spot lights on the photographs are not just distracting, but they alter the feel of the photographs themselves. They make the photographs look like they have over-exposed streaks through them.

[Japaslavian]

I wouldn't make the images random. Nothing annoys me more than having to click click click click click to find something I saw earlier. Maybe you could create small thumbnails of the other photos below or to the side of the main photos so we can click on what we want to.
Also, the logo of your name with the reflection... It's really big. It competes (and often times overpowers) the photos above it. Size it down a bit.

Also, to Osmosis and Taallyn, you can turn the spotlights off if you click Flat View on the top right, but I still agree with you. It really on detracts from the photos, and there isn't really a reason for it aside from fluff.

[mholt]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

Not a huge fan of the "lights" of the background hitting the photos. I think it would be better if they didnt.

Click "Flat View" in the top-right corner.

Originally Posted by Taallyn

I have to agree with Osmosis. Those spot lights on the photographs are not just distracting, but they alter the feel of the photographs themselves. They make the photographs look like they have over-exposed streaks through them.

Again, click "Flat View".

Originally Posted by Japaslavian

I wouldn't make the images random. Nothing annoys me more than having to click click click click click to find something I saw earlier.

The idea isn't so much to "find that photo you really liked" (from what I can tell and from the people I've talked to, they don't have an interest in a particular photo) as much as it is to just go and browse; to get something different each time, something a little new.

Originally Posted by Japaslavian

Also, the logo of your name with the reflection... It's really big. It competes (and often times overpowers) the photos above it. Size it down a bit.

I actually tried that... and it looked really weird/out of place. It seems to line up better with the photographs when it is larger and bounded by the width of the landscape photos.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by mholt

Click "Flat View" in the top-right corner.


Again, click "Flat View".


.

The problem here for me is that more people are saying they DONT like it. Your button should read "Hit the Lights" or something similar, to turn the lights ON. Not the other way around

[Taallyn]

You only get one chance to make a first impression. If someone doesn't like your photos because of the lights, they are NOT going to try to figure out how to turn them off or they might not even realize that the lights are what is causing the problem. They will just assume you either don't know how to properly expose your with your camera or that you don't know how to process them. The purpose of a portfolio site is to present your images in the best possible way. If something interferes with that, then the site is not doing what you need it to do.

You asked for opinions. I gave it. You might not like it, but there it is. Requiring visitors to turn something off in order to see your images properly is not serving you well. Remember this is the internet. People will only look at your site for one to seconds and then make their decisions. Don't give them a reason to move to another site.

[mholt]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The problem here for me is that more people are saying they DONT like it. Your button should read "Hit the Lights" or something similar, to turn the lights ON. Not the other way around

But how are you supposed to see the photographs without any light?

Originally Posted by Taallyn

You only get one chance to make a first impression. If someone doesn't like your photos because of the lights, they are NOT going to try to figure out how to turn them off or they might not even realize that the lights are what is causing the problem. They will just assume you either don't know how to properly expose your with your camera or that you don't know how to process them. The purpose of a portfolio site is to present your images in the best possible way. If something interferes with that, then the site is not doing what you need it to do.

You asked for opinions. I gave it. You might not like it, but there it is. Requiring visitors to turn something off in order to see your images properly is not serving you well. Remember this is the internet. People will only look at your site for one to seconds and then make their decisions. Don't give them a reason to move to another site.

I think you're just upset that I pointed out the link in the corner of the site. Relax.

Originally Posted by Taallyn

You only get one chance to make a first impression. If someone doesn't like your photos because of the lights, they are NOT going to try to figure out how to turn them off or they might not even realize that the lights are what is causing the problem.

Sorry, but if you go to a real photo gallery, especially a classic one -- even a modern one though, with glass panes in the frames -- you're going to get some sort of glare (no glass is totally "glare-free" with spotlights shining on it), especially in darker/gray/black-themed galleries. Think a modern art museum. Now translate that to a website with some atmosphere, with a mood.

Originally Posted by Taallyn

The purpose of a portfolio site is to present your images in the best possible way. If something interferes with that, then the site is not doing what you need it to do.

I respectfully disagree. I think the purpose of a portfolio site is to portray your style of work. I took the image that was in my mind and turned it into a reality -- much like your own photography work, Taallyn. I created a website based on what I had in mind. It's not cookie-cutter like zenfolio. It's unique, whether you like that or not.

Originally Posted by Taallyn

Don't give them a reason to move to another site.

I'm not. If you have a reason, you have constructed it yourself.

[Jim Bryant]

Well you asked and and ye shall receive. If i was a prospective customer and after looking at the home page lights and some of your redundant, poorly photoshopped images, you're outta here! You really need to think about ditching about half of your images, especially majority of the animal photos and a couple of your building photos. First impressions are lasting ones in our business. you need to go back to the drawing table my friend and get advice other than family and friends.

[OsmosisStudios]

mholt: Youve asked for our opinions. We've given you them and have been able to back them up with valid arguments. Your rebuttals have been, insofar, lacking. Im sorry our opinions didnt agree with yours, but you did ask.