New Logo, need opinions

[dave.richards]

Hey guys, I have been trying to build a new logo, but am not having much luck! I may have to end up outsourcing this, but I am trying not to. I only came up with this one so far:

http://www.daverichardsphotography.com/myspace/header1.jpg

And here is my current (old) logo:

http://www.daverichardsphotography.com/myspace/header.jpg

I like my current one but thought it was a little too generic, since the font used is such a popluar font. I was looking for something a little more custom, and more of an actual logo rather than just text. What do you guys think?

[Grace]

i like the first one except the y on the end of photography. it looks to slanted.

[98photo]

I like your new one but for the "y" like kathy mentioned and it is too crowded, you need more room at either end.

[Jim7226]

I vote for the new one. Easier to read and in my opinion has more of a professional designer look to it. Good job...I'd stick with the new one.

[xandria]

I actually like them both. The y does need a little tweak on the new design.

[dave.richards]

Thanks for the input guys. That is just how the Y looks with that font, weird huh...maybe I will try another font for that part of the logo. And yes normally there is more room on both sides, I just threw this up quickly so you could get an idea.

[LeesaB]

I like the first one too...Everyone is going for initials..even our mall is now EWM...dahhh and our city is COW...ahahahha THAT one is crazy..but, I put it on all my utility payments..

OK>.and of course the Y, but maybe...a different font altogether? plain and a bit wider? maybe?

[dave.richards]

Yea, I will play around with a few more fonts and see if I find something else I like. Thanks!

[C.Steele]

The first is definately the better of the two. I agree with the others about the Y though. Also the "dr" in the circle is messin with me. I like the idea a lot but something about it seems off. Maybe because the r touches but the bottom of the d does not? Not quite sure what it is, it just doesn't quite jive to me. Nice work though, I think you are on the right track and no need to outsource. Just keep tweakin a little

Chris

[michaelgreen78]

I think that the d looks a bit like a g in the top one.

[dave.richards]

Thanks everyone, I think I am going to keep working on it and see what I can come up with.

[CyberPet]

It's always hard to make a logo for yourself, easier to do it for others. I design logotypes and mine is the one that looks the worse. Talk about not doing what you preach. :D

I think #1 has the most potential, but I'm not too found of the fonts you've chosen for your name and that italic "y" is not doing anything for me.

[dave.richards]

I tried something else....is it too "techy"?

[LeesaB]

Now I really like that one..better then the other monogramed one...

do that one...really cool...

[Eydz]

The new logo is nice , simple, and artistic. The colors, font and reflections show professionalism and art.

[ppuga]

For me it's to techy.

But, Dave, what do you want the people think when they see your logo?

When you design a logo, you have to think in another things as well, as just a good lookin logo in the computer. You have to think on letterheads, cards, water marks maybe, etc. Have you think about this? How to reproduce your logo on different things? And not just to see it on screen?

May be this comments help you.

If you like a tipography logo, go and find the font you want for it, and try in all different ways, bold, italics, all caps, small caps, etc.

Or if you want an icon that represent you? Or both in one logo?

Think about it, as Cyberpet just write. Making a logo for yourself its very difficult because you forgot the things you would ask if someone ask you to make a logo. Try think the other side. Customers. And how you can please them so you can have a logo you want to tell them what you do and your photos are or represent.

[CyberPet]

How are you going to use the logo? Will you only print on paper where black is good as a background. What if you need to print it on a color or what? How does the logo look like resized for a business card or even as a sticker or a label on your print book?

There's lots of questions to be asked!

(didn't like the new techy version because it doesn't reallly seem practial)

[mmahoney]

Really like the new one,
Mike

[dave.richards]

Thanks everyone for the great input! I do believe that this "techy" logo may not be practical as well. I didn't even think about putting it on a white background! Thanks for bringing that up Petra! Here are a couple more that I put together last night. I dont care for the first one much but with some tweaking maybe the second?? Or is it too blah?

[Grace]

i just checked back in and you changed the first one on me! I like it better. I'm not a big fan of these two new ones...but that's just my opinion. I think the other fits your website better. I'm trying to picture it at the top where your old one is...

[CyberPet]

Dave, you're on the right track with that first symbol (the one with "spikes", but I'm not 100% about the font... don't make the logo too "bold", if you're going to use it for wedding photography, as many brides are the ones who'll check your website out and if they see a very "manly" logo, it might make them uncomfortable. Try it in color, see if that'll make it softer.... maybe blue and purple or something like that.

[dave.richards]

Ok here is another very similar to the "techy" one.Sorry I know you are all probably sick of looking at my lame designs! I should really just hire someone!

[Dragonfli Spirit]

I really like the first one Dave :)
You're doing great - I've attempted one for myself and gave up, I just don't have what it takes!