Which background color for my website?

[marv_stasak___southfield__]

Folks,

 

Here are two versions of a new website. I'd like to get some opinions on the

background color. I'm particularly interested in what the ladies think, since I

think the first look will be by a bride or a mother. My wife does not like the

black background site, though I do. However, I have the idea that it's

important to build a site for the market I'm targeting, not me.

 

The logo is not yet done, and is dependent, to some extent, on what I do with

the website because I want to coordinate everything.

 

The music is not royalty free. I got it from www.brokenjoeyrecords.com. There

is a yearly fee but I think the music available on the site is far better than

the usual bland royalty free music you hear.

 

Here are the two sites: www.marvsphoto.com/stasak/index3.htm and

www.marvsphoto.com/stasak

 

Look at the flash versions only. The html version is my present site.

 

Thanks for your input.

[roxyandkaidotcom]

I vote for the red. And I'm a bride-to-be! :)

 

Not crazy about the music, though. I muted it about 3 seconds in.

 

Good luck!

[jenseay]

I like the first one also. It's different from others I've seen, and that's the first reason to use it, I think!

 

~Jen

[kiro]

i think photography sites work best with neutral toned background - it really lets the images

speak for themselves. but being a guy, i'm always gonna side with black. the ladies probably

will like the red better.

[ni_gentry]

I like the black background.

<p>

The music is too loud, and I wouldn't like it even if it was softer. Turned it off first thing.

<p>

Many of the images suffer from jpeg compression artifacts. Maybe brides wouldn't notice,

but I did. <p>

Lots of nice shots though.

[marv_stasak___southfield__]

Ni,

 

JPG compression artifacts? I know of a couple of pix that I think need changing, but that's all I saw. When I optimized for the web, I tried to keep the file sizes small so they would load quickly. How many are you seeing?

[colleendonovan]

There isn't anything wrong with your music. :) I would go for the red background. Black is so boring and... plain. I might choose a different shade of red, but that's personal taste. I love true reds. :)

[melissa_howlett]

Red is much, much better!

[ni_gentry]

>>> JPG compression artifacts?<p>

 

You're right Marv, there's only a small number.. I guess I just happened to land on those

when I was quickly browsing. Again, you have some nice work in there... I'd still drop the

music. Let the work stand alone.

[andre blais]

No offense as I know you specifically choose it but I can't stand that music.

[marv_stasak___southfield__]

Andre,

 

I take no offense. Some will like the music, some won't. It's impossible to pick something that everyone will like. I just tried to find something that would match to the mood and general flow of the pictures in slide show mode. The music can be muted if someone doesn't like to listen to it.

 

I started the string to get feedback on the site's color scheme, not the music. Though the comments on the music, for, against, and neutral, have been interesting. I mentoned the music because I didn't want anyone to think I ripped off someone's music without permission or without paying for it.

[jim_doty]

Marv,

 

Black. No music.

 

I didn't mind the music but it isn't worth risking the percentage of your potential clients that won't like it. Let the photos stand on their own.

 

Nice photos.

 

Jim