Web-site Re-design/Update

Greetings,

I am currently in the process of re-designing my web-site - World in Color. Three years have passed since I first put up the site and I felt it desperately needed a face lift. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this effort.

[A few links - NEWS and STATEMENTS on the HOME page - are not currently functional. In addition, the LINKS page is yet to be populated. Please pardon these lapses for now; I will get to them soon.]

Thanks.

I think you've done a wonderful job. It's easy to navigate through the photos, and of course the photos are gorgeous. Have you considered adding a bio page? I'm always interested in knowing a little about the photographer.

The site is very nicely designed, consistent pages, easy to navigate, and with really nice images.

My main nit: Are you planning to put any more galleries up? I saw three, 2 rock galleries and a California gallery. I have seen enough of your work here to know that you have a LOT more images good enough to put there.

I like the clean design and ease of navigation. The images are very tastefully displayed against the gray background. I also agree with Dan that I'm left wanting for more than just coastal and rock images (in fact there are images in the rock galleries that have few or no rocks in them).

Guy

The site is clean and well designed. Navigation is easy. I would also like a bio page.

- Dan.

Simple, clean, and elegant - just like your images. Great site. I too would like to see a Bio page addition.

Anil,

Very nicely done! No glitches that I can see. I would like to see a 'bio' page, too. The images are gorgeous!

-PB

The site looks really nice and functions well.

I like other above, would like to see more content.

Anil,

Beautifully done, and your images are spectacular! I agree with adding the bio page. I would also considering adding links to the other galleries at the bottom of each gallery page. That way, if I'm looking at 'Rocks 1', I don't have to hit the back button to the 'Galleries' main page, I can just click on a 'Rocks 2' icon at the bottom of the 'Rocks 1' page I'm viewing. Sorry if that sounds confusing but I think you get the idea...

I appreciate all the feedback I have received so far. Thanks!

Michael: I like your idea of providing a means to move directly from one series to the next/prev one. I will incorporate that as soon as I can.

It seems like almost everyone wants to see a "Bio" section. Humm, that will be tough. I hate to write about myself. Lets see what I can do though.

Regarding the number of images : This is the hardest one of all. It turns out that I really don't have that many images that I think are worthy of showing. Also, for a while now I have been focusing on projects/series and that pretty much has limited the diversity in subject matter. I do, however, plan to add one more set which will be a catch-all category. Preston suggested that I call that grouping "Ends and Odds." It will be coming in the next day or so and will contain 10-12 images.

I look forward to hearing more suggestions for improvement.

It's looking very clean and functional, Anil. I hate to sound redundant, but I, too, consider the BIO an important element. Good work!

Nice design. I hope to see more photos on there in the future. I agree on the bio or at least something to know a little about who you are. A lot of commercial photographers and student sites that I see have no information, writing or whatever whatsoever and I tend to forget about them very quick. Pictures are obviously the top priority, but pictures are nameless pictures unless there's somebody to associate them with.

Simple, clean and elegant in design Anil...a lot like your photography! I think it would be great also if you would include some personal information. People want to know who this guy is that does such great photography! We may have a little sense of who you are here at NPN but for those referred to your site or a stumble upon, they will be curious. I am of two minds about the relative low number of images you've chosen to include. My first thought is that this keeps things simple and tidy and they are all of such high quality. I think this would make it easier for a potential buyer to choose and, as a result, may be more likely to actually take the plunge and do it because of this. On the other hand, the images are such high quality that I want MORE to look at. Maybe you could compromise and add a handful more in each gallery. Just some thoughts.....

Thanks once again for all the comments. It looks like a "bio" is in order. I really didn't want to write one (I thought an Artist's Statement would suffice) but perhaps I should give this a shot and see what I can come up with.

Mary and some others complained about the relatively low number of photos on the site. The truth is that I don't think I really have more than this to show - at least at the moment. There will be one other series - Ends and Odds - with about 12 pictures, but that's about it.

If only I had more photos...

Hi Anil,

Your site is very clean and beautiful -- as others said it is like your photos.

I don't think you need hundreds of photos. Showing your best is the best bet I think, although you might ask someone you trust to look through the rest of your work - maybe you are being too hard on yourself!

I see you are selling prints. I want to have a web site to do that also but I wonder if I will need e-commerce functionality to do it. what has your experience been? Do you think the way you are selling -- via a simple e-mail -- will work?

Thanks and Nice work!
Frank

Anil,
I like the clean presentation, very uniform and non-distracting from the images. A bio is a must I think. Maybe someone can write it for you by asking you questions that you provide for them. This way you get to target the bio but don't have to write it. The artist's statement should also be included, they are not the same as a bio as you know and the two combined give the viewer a perspective into the images you present. And as stated already, more images will help in presenting your vision. Nicely done overall.

Paul

Hi again Anil,

I wouldn't say "complaining" is the best word for it. Honestly, I don't think a site requires dozens upon dozens of images to browse through to be successful, unless of course you are a stock photographer. I really believe that you have taken time and chosen images that you feel represent the very best of your photographic and artisitic vision. They are ALL high quality, visually engaging, though provoking photographs. And a potential buyer has enough to make a good, confident choice. I think the feeling is more like when you're reading a really great book, the end is near but you just don't want it to be over. Do you know what I mean?

Anil,

Very nicely done; clean, professional, simple. I think your "Rocks and Stones" series are wonderful and frankly a wonderful way to present your own personal vision.

Here are some suggestions for the site.

- As already mentioned, a bio. It can include maybe an "artist's statement" that includes the vision on your themes, such as Rocks and Stones

- Include a link to the other galleries from each image page. I see you added an index link, which helps

- Not sure where you have your site hosted, but you should check in to the spamming filters. What I've come to figure out is that there's plenty of "phishing" going on and your "mail:" link will get picked up and you'll start getting plenty of viagra and cheap drugs and software emails. It may be an inconvenience to visitors, but I would suggest removing the link and replacing with something like: send email to: info at anilraophotography dot com or info @ anilraophotophy . com (adding spaces) This will greatly reduce or eliminate spam to your email. If folks really want to contact you, that should't really be a barrier.

- While not everyone cares, adding something about your photographic technique and/or equipment you use. In fact, an "about" main link could include your bio, technique and I would also make it clear somewhere on there a more detailed statement about copyright protection.

Of course all this leads to MORE HTML CODING!!! Ain't it fun? I complicated matters and learned ASP, which in the long run cut down on the amount of coding I had to do. But like anything else, it's all tedious work.

Good job,
Lon

Thanks for all the additional comments.

I will definitly be adding an "Artist's Statement". I already have a place for this one the Home Page, but its just not activated (I think I made a mention of this in my original post).

After reading all of the comments I am convinced that a "bio" page is required. However, I am not sure how to write one (might post a new thread on this topic to get some insight).

Mary: Thanks for chiming in again. I understand what you mean.

Lon: I don't really see a way out of the "viagra and ...." phishing emails. I receive them in my work email inbox too. The "viagra" folks seem to be very good at locating me. Wonder why?

I like the clean, simple design that lets the images do the talking. The Revisiting California's Coastline page is one of my favorite's

Nice work Anil. Clean and fresh and fast. I also agree a BIO would be a good addition.