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Author Topic: New website of Irish Landscapes  (Read 7786 times)

Enda Cavanagh

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New website of Irish Landscapes
« on: February 13, 2009, 06:43:55 pm »

I have recently launched my website of irish landscape photos. I am based in Ireland. I would really appreciate what you all think of the photos and all aspects of the site including usability.


Jeremy Roussak

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« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2009, 06:08:10 pm »

Quote from: Enda Cavanagh
I have recently launched my website of irish landscape photos. I am based in Ireland. I would really appreciate what you all think of the photos and all aspects of the site including usability.
FWIW:

I like the work.
I like the site: it's (generally: see below) clean, clear and responsive.
I like the moving enlarged thumbnails feature: it seems to me to work well as a mid-point between the thumbnails and the full-sized images.

I don't like the use of one shot as the background to the thumbnails. It's a cute idea, but it doesn't work: it's distracting and messy. The fact that it can be done doesn't mean that it should be done.
It would be nice to have better keyboard navigation. At least make the arrow keys work when looking at full-sized images (I'm using Safari on a Mac: for all I know, you have made this work in different environments).

Just my view.

Jeremy
« Last Edit: February 15, 2009, 06:31:47 pm by kikashi »
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Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2009, 08:10:22 pm »

Hi Jeremy
Thanks for your views. That's funny. The arrow keys should be working fine. Just checked. Although somehow the + and - symbols seems to be reversed which switch you between thumbnails and the selected image!! I'll give my web designer a call in the morning.
With the background image it actually is always the previous one you view before switching back to the thumbnails and not just one image.

Thanks

Enda

Quote from: kikashi
FWIW:

I like the work.
I like the site: it's (generally: see below) clean, clear and responsive.
I like the moving enlarged thumbnails feature: it seems to me to work well as a mid-point between the thumbnails and the full-sized images.

I don't like the use of one shot as the background to the thumbnails. It's a cute idea, but it doesn't work: it's distracting and messy. The fact that it can be done doesn't mean that it should be done.
It would be nice to have better keyboard navigation. At least make the arrow keys work when looking at full-sized images (I'm using Safari on a Mac: for all I know, you have made this work in different environments).

Just my view.

Jeremy

Jeremy Roussak

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« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2009, 04:14:54 am »

Quote from: Enda Cavanagh
Hi Jeremy
Thanks for your views. That's funny. The arrow keys should be working fine. Just checked. Although somehow the + and - symbols seems to be reversed which switch you between thumbnails and the selected image!! I'll give my web designer a call in the morning.
With the background image it actually is always the previous one you view before switching back to the thumbnails and not just one image.
I've re-checked, and the arrow keys aren't working for me.

I realise the background image changes: I just think it shouldn't be there at all. It's distracting and unnecessary. IMHO.

Jeremy
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Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2009, 06:39:13 am »

That's strange. I checked on safari on a mac and internet explorer on a PC and it seems fine with the arrows. The + and - thing is back to front.
I'll have a chat with my web designer. Hi all. If anyone else has this problem I wonder could you let me know. Teething problems heh!
Thanks

Enda

Enda
Quote from: kikashi
I've re-checked, and the arrow keys aren't working for me.

I realise the background image changes: I just think it shouldn't be there at all. It's distracting and unnecessary. IMHO.

Jeremy

LoisWakeman

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New website of Irish Landscapes
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2009, 07:35:40 am »

Quote from: Enda Cavanagh
I have recently launched my website of irish landscape photos. I am based in Ireland. I would really appreciate what you all think of the photos and all aspects of the site including usability.
Lovely photos Enda - but I have to concur that having the faded image as a background to the thumbnails is just distracting: and the last thing you want to do is take away the impact of photos!

I'd have some info on the home page to pull people straight in, as well as the slide show! You might want to clarify the difference between your bio and the tech. info links too.

On a practical note, I'd remove your VAT # pronto: unless someone is going to make a purchase they don't need to know it. I had several fraudulent transactions made in my company name because I published such info on my web site (fortunately I was able to stop shipping before it was too late, but it wasted lots of time!)
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LukeH

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« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2009, 05:04:28 pm »

Beautiful shots. Made me miss ireland something fierce. Was looking to see if you had any old pics of Dunboy Castle.
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Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2009, 05:08:45 pm »

Sweet mother. I never thought of that.

Quote from: LoisWakeman
Lovely photos Enda - but I have to concur that having the faded image as a background to the thumbnails is just distracting: and the last thing you want to do is take away the impact of photos!

I'd have some info on the home page to pull people straight in, as well as the slide show! You might want to clarify the difference between your bio and the tech. info links too.

On a practical note, I'd remove your VAT # pronto: unless someone is going to make a purchase they don't need to know it. I had several fraudulent transactions made in my company name because I published such info on my web site (fortunately I was able to stop shipping before it was too late, but it wasted lots of time!)

Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2009, 05:12:24 pm »

VAT number has been duly removed.
Quote from: Enda Cavanagh
Sweet mother. I never thought of that.

Paul Kay

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« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2009, 04:27:39 am »

Enda

Your landscapes are very evocative and remind me very much of the places I have visited in Ireland. As far as I am concerned (although I am biased as I am interested in the landscapes for their content rather than anything else) your site worked just fine - easy to get into the landscapes, they looked good and that is what I would say matters to a viewer most of all. Lovely shots - must visit this year (I used to work on Sherkin Island in the 80s and still have very fond memories of that area).
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Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2009, 05:20:56 am »

Hi Paul
Thanks for the nice compliments. Ya one of the most imortant things for me is that the site is user friendly. I hope I have accomplished that. I wanted the site to have a simple strong graphic and that always keeps your attention on the photos rather than anything else. I had a really good pro active web designer and we worked very closely on each step of the way. I'm glad you like the shots. If you need any info on any nice places to see when you come, than just let me know.
And by the way if you worked on Sherkin, were you ever on nearby Cape Clear island (or Clear island - the proper name). An island where 12 year old children drive cars and old cars act as gates.  I was on it 4 times for the international story telling festival. It's a lovely spot combined and during the festival you have a great bunch of people coming to have a bit of craic.
I have a good few photos one site from there.

Quote from: Paul Kay
Enda

Your landscapes are very evocative and remind me very much of the places I have visited in Ireland. As far as I am concerned (although I am biased as I am interested in the landscapes for their content rather than anything else) your site worked just fine - easy to get into the landscapes, they looked good and that is what I would say matters to a viewer most of all. Lovely shots - must visit this year (I used to work on Sherkin Island in the 80s and still have very fond memories of that area).

Paul Kay

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« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2009, 06:48:41 am »

Quote from: Enda Cavanagh
Hi Paul
Thanks for the nice compliments. Ya one of the most imortant things for me is that the site is user friendly. I hope I have accomplished that. I wanted the site to have a simple strong graphic and that always keeps your attention on the photos rather than anything else. I had a really good pro active web designer and we worked very closely on each step of the way. I'm glad you like the shots. If you need any info on any nice places to see when you come, than just let me know.
And by the way if you worked on Sherkin, were you ever on nearby Cape Clear island (or Clear island - the proper name). An island where 12 year old children drive cars and old cars act as gates.  I was on it 4 times for the international story telling festival. It's a lovely spot combined and during the festival you have a great bunch of people coming to have a bit of craic.
I have a good few photos one site from there.

Yes Enda, I well remember being on Clear Island. I documented many of the islands in the 80s and must get hold of the negs/slides to reshoot some one day! Clear had a pub in those days which doubled as a shop and used to shut for lunch! If you have never visited Sherkin, the its well worth doing so - it probably still has some natural meadows which remain undrained and unfertilised - in late spring and summer they are glorious. And the coastline on the exposed side is stunning too.
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Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2009, 12:16:58 pm »

No. They have really modernized the island. Now there are 2 pubs and a seperate cafe/shop which ahm for obvious reasons does stay open for lunch.  
>
Quote from: Paul Kay
Yes Enda, I well remember being on Clear Island. I documented many of the islands in the 80s and must get hold of the negs/slides to reshoot some one day! Clear had a pub in those days which doubled as a shop and used to shut for lunch! If you have never visited Sherkin, the its well worth doing so - it probably still has some natural meadows which remain undrained and unfertilised - in late spring and summer they are glorious. And the coastline on the exposed side is stunning too.

Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2009, 12:18:07 pm »

By the way for all ye that think I was boasting about the celtic tiger coming to Cape Clear that was a joke>  
Quote from: Enda Cavanagh
No. They have really modernized the island. Now there are 2 pubs and a seperate cafe/shop which ahm for obvious reasons does stay open for lunch.  
>

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« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2009, 12:21:29 pm »

Nice shots! beautiful places, it reminds me with Scotland, i miss Scotland now and also i wish to visit Ireland.
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clearescape

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« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2009, 04:14:23 pm »

Beautiful work, website is laid intuitively and works quite nice.  I like the texture provided by the image behind the thumbnails, keeps things from being too bland as can happen with gray.   I did notice on set 2 of the landscape that you had a image doubling, not sure if you noticed this or not.
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Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #16 on: February 19, 2009, 05:10:39 pm »

Thanks and well spotted. Don't know how that happened because I haven't played with the images for a a couple of weeks. Strrrrrrange

Quote from: clearescape
Beautiful work, website is laid intuitively and works quite nice.  I like the texture provided by the image behind the thumbnails, keeps things from being too bland as can happen with gray.   I did notice on set 2 of the landscape that you had a image doubling, not sure if you noticed this or not.

Chris_T

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« Reply #17 on: February 20, 2009, 09:38:16 am »

Quote from: Enda Cavanagh
I have recently launched my website of irish landscape photos. I am based in Ireland. I would really appreciate what you all think of the photos and all aspects of the site including usability.
For critiques, the User Critiques forum may attract more attention.

Congratulations for caring about your site's usability. Many designers seem to only care about style. I waited over a minute for the home page to load, and gave up. Perhaps I'll try another time.

For comments and critiques on web gallery designs, you may want to check out this thread and the recommended books. It is dated and lengthy. Many reviewed sites are probably redesigned by now, and a large Guiness by the side may help.

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....showtopic=13890
« Last Edit: February 20, 2009, 09:40:01 am by Chris_T »
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Enda Cavanagh

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« Reply #18 on: February 20, 2009, 01:17:54 pm »

Thanks Chris
Have added the post to the critique forum. Didn'nt realize there was one. Damned Dyslexia  
Strange that the home page didn't load. Usually it works fine.

Quote from: Chris_T
For critiques, the User Critiques forum may attract more attention.

Congratulations for caring about your site's usability. Many designers seem to only care about style. I waited over a minute for the home page to load, and gave up. Perhaps I'll try another time.

For comments and critiques on web gallery designs, you may want to check out this thread and the recommended books. It is dated and lengthy. Many reviewed sites are probably redesigned by now, and a large Guiness by the side may help.

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....showtopic=13890
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