Posted by Tom Nevesely on November 7, 2006 at 1:41 PM
I'm in the process of "upgrading" my website to allow for purchasing of prints through it. I thought that since I'm in there I might as well tune it up a bit. Currently I've only changed a few galleries - Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, Alberta to incorporate paypal but I'm having a issue with the title shifting left and right when when you go between thumbnail and full size - I'm trying to figure out how to fix that.
If you have a few moments to spare I'd really appreciate if you could have a look at my website and give me a good honest critique - layout, images, whatever. I'd like it to be the best it can be.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on November 7, 2006 at 4:11 PM
Quick first impressions: Very good photos and a good layout. I'd keep the general setup.
Other things, which you probably simply haven't got to yet: 'New Pictures' is an empty gallery. The white background seems too bright - even an off white or light grey would be easier on the eye. In a couple of galleries, where you have one or two last stray images off to the left on the bottom line, you may want to center the images instead. Visually, I think it will flow a bit better. You may want to put navigation buttons on more pages. An oddity - your equipment lists 35 mm based gear, but that looks like a 4x5 in your picture.
I also got a popup when I went to your biography page. That may have been a gift from the website hosting company, but popups really annoy me.
Anyway, it is a good, solid start will great images.
Beautiful work and a nice easy to navigate layout, though I do think you need to have consistent links available throughout all your pages. A link menu or bar to all the sections available from the home page will be nice.
I was also disappointed to find an empty "New Pictures" gallery.
Guy
Posted by Tom Nevesely on November 7, 2006 at 5:27 PM
Dab and Guy, thank you for taking the time to have a look. I'm making a list of all of the changes you've suggested.
I was surprised and shocked to hear about the pop ups. I wasn't even aware of them being there. I have a feeling my guestbook is causing them. I use a free guestbook/map that make site links to (hosted by Bravenet). I like the map feature but if it causes pop ups it's got to go. I'm already working on replacing it with a more traditional guest book.
The "New Pictures" Gallery won't be empty for long. I want to add pictures from my trip to Scotland last May soon. I just want to get the core stuff fixed before updating the galleries - like better navigation. Also Dan, good point my picture with the large format camera. I didn't even think of that. I took that self portrait when I did have a 4x5 camera. I guess I should get a new picture because you are right, it does look odd.
Thank you both again for taking the time!
Posted by Bill Chambers on November 7, 2006 at 6:27 PM
Very nice Tom. As others have mentioned it's easy to navigate and the links worked correctly. I also noticed the empty 'New Images" gallery - hopefully that'll be full soon. Looks very nice.
Posted by Tom Nevesely on November 8, 2006 at 12:31 AM
Alright I've made some changes. All the pages that are gray are new. I still have to do the galleries. I know the most important part. :)
Hopefully the pop ups are gone.
Thank you again for looking.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on November 8, 2006 at 10:25 AM
I didn't get the popup this time. Also, if you get the chance prior to updating the new images gallery, you may want to put a note saying "coming soon", or something like that, with an expected date by which it will be done.
Posted by Tom Nevesely on November 8, 2006 at 11:35 AM
Thanks Dan, I hope to do the galleries today or tomorrow and will definitely add a coming soon message to the "New Pictures" Gallery. I also received your test e-mail from my online. Thanks for that.
Discussion
7 repliesIf you have a few moments to spare I'd really appreciate if you could have a look at my website and give me a good honest critique - layout, images, whatever. I'd like it to be the best it can be.
My website: TNPhoto.ca
Thank you in advance!
Other things, which you probably simply haven't got to yet: 'New Pictures' is an empty gallery. The white background seems too bright - even an off white or light grey would be easier on the eye. In a couple of galleries, where you have one or two last stray images off to the left on the bottom line, you may want to center the images instead. Visually, I think it will flow a bit better. You may want to put navigation buttons on more pages. An oddity - your equipment lists 35 mm based gear, but that looks like a 4x5 in your picture.
I also got a popup when I went to your biography page. That may have been a gift from the website hosting company, but popups really annoy me.
Anyway, it is a good, solid start will great images.
I was also disappointed to find an empty "New Pictures" gallery.
Guy
I was surprised and shocked to hear about the pop ups. I wasn't even aware of them being there. I have a feeling my guestbook is causing them. I use a free guestbook/map that make site links to (hosted by Bravenet). I like the map feature but if it causes pop ups it's got to go. I'm already working on replacing it with a more traditional guest book.
The "New Pictures" Gallery won't be empty for long. I want to add pictures from my trip to Scotland last May soon. I just want to get the core stuff fixed before updating the galleries - like better navigation. Also Dan, good point my picture with the large format camera. I didn't even think of that. I took that self portrait when I did have a 4x5 camera. I guess I should get a new picture because you are right, it does look odd.
Thank you both again for taking the time!
Hopefully the pop ups are gone.
Thank you again for looking.