ryan_bolger Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 <p>Hello so I would love to invite you to view my work and my website.If I may ask you can take a few moments from your day to view some art. I ask because it helps me learn and it also always great to get opinions of my work from people. my website is http://www.rjbimagery.com you can find out a lot more about me there. I hope you enjoy my life's passion.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_schaffer Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 <p>Hi Ryan,<br> Overall, I like what you are trying to do. I like sites that automatically go through a slide show but also give the viewer the option to stop, go back, and go forward as they please. There appears to be a few glitches in how this is working(or not working) on your site though. On your wedding/photo journalism section, the first slide got stuck and just kept refreshing(6-7 times) there were also many landscapes that did this as well just not that many times. Initially, I liked the fading in and out but it quickly became distracting to me, I think this is because the amount of time each image is fading in and out is greater than the amount of time that your image is in full saturation(for lack of better word) and actually it became more annoying than distracting. That is actually a good thing because I liked quite a few of your images and just wished I could see them a little longer without messing with the slide show. I liked the simplicity found in many of your landscapes and from what I saw, your wedding images appeared to be nice as well. There were a few landscape images that appeared to be just very subtle variations of each other. I would pick the one that you feel is your best representation and not repeat almost identical images(or this all could just be my computer but it is not something I have experienced before in looking at other sites.) There are a couple of landscapes with blown highlights that I would pull just because you have more than enough excellent images that I would not chance turning off a potential client with blown highlights. Ryan, I hope this doesn't come across as overly critical because I actually like your work and your site quite a bit. These are just a few things that I thought you may want to consider. Did you build this yourself or pay someone to build it for you? I have been toying with building a site myself but just never seem to have enough time to work on it. Overall a very nice effort that could be excellent with a couple minor tweaks, I hope that helps.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_bolger Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 <p>Darin, your advice is exactly what I am looking for. I'll tweak the website. I will try and make it much of a smoother interface. I still have a lot of work I need to add. As for the ones with the blown highlights...I sometimes like that look I feel it gives my work an almost dreamy affect. But I will take down some the work. Over the past few years I have been stock piling images and I think now is the time for me to show them to the world. But check back in a few days as I will be fixing the problems and adding new work. But I thank you very much for your words of wisdom and taking ing the time out of your day to view my website and write about your thoughts. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season Darin. ~ Ryan </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_schaffer Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 <p>Happy Holidays to you as well Ryan, glad to help and glad it didn't come across as overly critical because I think you have some very nice photography and overall like the way your site is set up, just a few tweaks. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianivey Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 <p>Ryan,</p> <p>I agree with Darin about the too-slow fades, including the first image's fade-in and the menu bar's eventual appearance.</p> <p>In addition, I'd say the menus and buttons are too slow to respond and not as easy to use as they could be. The menu items at the top have fly-in sub-menus that are slow to fly in, and that stutter when they're moving.</p> <p>When you mouse over the sub-menu-items it's not easy to see that the menu is responding to your mouse-over: only a small bullet-point appears to the item's left. Perhaps have the background shift to 25% grey or something to emphasize that the user has selected the right menu item? These links are also a bit slow to respond to mouse-over -- sometimes, the first one I hover over will get the bullet point, and then if I move to another link, there's a delay before the bullet moves along with me. I'm pretty sure the link I click on would still work, but the sluggish response tends to frustrate this viewer.</p> <p>Finally, on the introductory page, you offer four choices (web page, blog, FB, twitter). Why make me click <em>again </em>to get to your web page? If I typed your URL into my browser or followed a link, I'm probably coming to see the web page.</p> <p>On your web page you offer "Blog" as one of the menu items. Why not also offer "Facebook" and "Twitter" on that menu (maybe make all three sub-items of a new menu header), and make the main "<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.rjbimagery.com/" target="_blank">http://www.rjbimagery.com</a>" URL go directly to your web page? That way, people who come to your site will still have these options, and will also avoid the confusing "click here to go to the site you thought you were already going to" moment.</p> <p>Enjoyed the photos -- spent most of my time looking at the weddings section.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_bolger Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 <p>Ian- Thank you very much for your thoughts. I will try and get that issue resolved. I like your idea about the facebook,twitter and Blog. this is really helping me make it a better viewing experience for people. I appreciate your thoughts. Happy Holidays Ian</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amanda_lee_seely Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 <p>I really like it.. very classic and clean</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_bolger Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 <p>Thank you very much Amanda</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_schaffer Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 <p>Ryan,<br> I see you have done some work, I think the timing showcases your work much better!<br> Have a great Holiday Season</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianivey Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 <p>Good improvements, Ryan -- the slideshow does seem peppier. I notice, now, that under "Weddings," when I click on "Moments of Love," the first photo is a close-up of a guy's vest. Seems an odd choice for "Moments of Love," as do some of the other shots in that category, and I wonder whether the system is accessing the right set of shots for that category?</p> <p>Merry Christmas to you!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_bolger Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 <p>Darin- thanks a lot... really... Thank you. I shall and I hope you do the same check back as I will be adding a lot more work within the next week or two and as I capture Life.<br> Ian- I'm thinking of deleting that whole album or just making it better with different work that will showcase "real moments of love" I kind of want to keep it simple so i may just add to an existing album or make a new one. Thank again for the advice as the snow falls out of the Chicago sky the festivus is here. haha Take care Ian Merry Christmas Thanks again for your advice. I really apreciate it.<br> Here is a question for both of you Darin and Ian. I am thinking of setting up an online store so That I can sell prints. Do any of you have any experience and or feedback or any thoughts about an Online Store for Prints?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin_schaffer Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 <p>Hi Ryan,<br> I don't have any experience in that, although I have seen quite a few sites that do. Some I have seen use smug mug or the like while others tie it in with their own webpage. I think it is a matter of if you want to make the prints yourself or if you want someone to do it for you, at a cost of course. I think the smug mug type thing is great for weddings where you are giving the client the right to print as they see fit(of course not giving up your copyrights for advertising) and have priced your package knowing you wont' be making any money from prints. If you are talking fine art prints, I would tie those into your own webpage by using paypal or something like it. Some I have seen price everything individually and some price by size. In addition to that you should offer, matted and framed as well as just matted. Ryan, these are just my opinions and what I would do so take those for what they are worth. I don't know how much time I will have this weekend with a bunch of family in town but if I come across some good sites, I will send you links.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_bolger Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 <p>Darin- thanks a lot. Yeah I was thinking the same thing as far as prints, mattes, and frames I will be doing all the printing and mattes and frames on my own I'm thiking of setting up a paypal acoount. Def Fine art Prints. I have never used smug mug but I will look into them but would perfer to do it all on my own and not have to rely on another company. My goal would be with a lot of hard work is to set up an online store that specializes in Fine Art prints, framed prints, Matted prints,Posters,and maybe t shirts down the line. It's an idea I've thought about for a few years I def have the vision... now it's time for the execution of the idea.If you come across anything you think would be helpful post it but no biggie enjoy your time and your weekend. and i'll let you kow when changes and ideas are on the site. Tootleloo ~ Ryan</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan_bolger Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 <p>Hey guys I just wanted to let you know that I've been uploading a lot of new work on my blog feel free to check it out if you enjoy the work. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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