I think you need to be much more focused on a specific aim: too many objectives rarely help a web visitor (or a spider) to find what they want. E.g. why would someone looking for an art print care who your friends are?
If your primary aim is to showcase your images (which it may not be), then I think you need to get away from the blog approach, which is generally much more suited to unconnected thoughts and serendipitous browsing, than closely targeted marketing. Unless you have some specific category pages that you will be directing your prospects to, I think they'll be as lost as I was. And you'll be losing out on unplanned visitors too.
Your 'home' page is so huge and complex, I have no idea where to start or just what is on the site - well - not without some serious reading or lucky clicking. You have some lovely images - but almost drowned out by the "noise" of the surrounding text.
I wrote an article about arts web sites that might give you some more pointers. I am sure lots of the info is there - but finding it? Hmm.
http://www.outdooreyes.com/photographywebsite.php3 (http://www.outdooreyes.com/photographywebsite.php3)
As for the more specific aspects of the design: the relationship between leading and intercharacter space you have set in your CSS doesn't make for very easy reading at wider window sizes, nor does the use of all caps in the sidebar.
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It has evolved over the years as I have evolved towards being a photographer.I know the problem. A site starts small and gets bigger and bigger – like a shed with too many lean-to structures! My personal site is a case in point.
I believe that marketing your photography is 50% artistic quality and 50% selling yourself. … They all include a significant amount of text and discussion. Finally, I am definitely working to fit into a geographic region (West Virginia Highlands), so the guidebook like qualities of my website are important to me.No problems with any of that. The problem is in how the information is organised. You can have top-quality useful content – but if it isn’t easily found, it may as well not exist. Most browsers are very lazy about working for info.
The older guidebook photography is not up to a fine art standard … Photography in the blog is not always Fine Art quality … There is this strange phenomenon that people expect all the photographs that an fine art photographer takes to be stunning. Well, we all take snapshots for fun and experimentation. Showing that part of the artistic process may be a mistake.Not a mistake – but here, in the wrong context. Your playground and your showroom should be two entirely different things.
Perhaps as I write, I am honing my audience? Is my audience a gallery owner or other outdoor landscape photographers? That is a good question. Perhaps I keep this site and make another that is focused on the Portfolio for marketing.Audience analysis is the critical first step, followed by selecting appropriate content for that audience – so, exactly the solution I would have suggested if asked! Good luck with your cogitations.
I know the problem. A site starts small and gets bigger and bigger – like a shed with too many lean-to structures! My personal site is a case in point....
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Lois
My advice to you, as to anyone else who wants to have a commercial element in their work: NEVER show work other than your best, not on a website, not privately. ...
...Rob C
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I think you are right, but I know that I won't completely expunge my website of any sign of older, less perfect, work. I think it is disingenuous to be to hide your growth as a person and/or an artist.
I will be separating trailpixie.net into two websites. Trailpixie.net will be a hiking blog. My new site, marcshaffer.net, will be a similar, although isolated website for my landscape photography.
I will probably still use a blog because I like an opportunity to talk about my work in some depth, although I will simplify the layout and navigation of the site. By having two websites, I will have an outlet for two different interests while not confusing my readers or prospective customers.
I like for people to want to put my photography on their wall. I hate having to sell it. Maybe I should just give it away. That might get my website some attention.
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I like for people to want to put my photography on their wall. I hate having to sell it. Maybe I should just give it away. That might get my website some attention.
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My advice to you, as to anyone else who wants to have a commercial element in their work: NEVER show work other than your best, not on a website, not privately.Thanks for the tip. Point well taken
You have no idea where stuff turns up; the last thing you want is some client or possible client saying to himself, that´s no better than I can do...
It´s been my professional life longer than I care to remember - believe me, don´t take silly chances.