Could you PLEASE critique my proposed business cards

[Ken Robertson]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=423153

[Canonymous]

IMHO it would be more stylish if you had just white text on black on the front of the card and choose one of the images for the back with the commercial , travel, etc on the back or just an image without any text. Try some different images as well.

Make the name/title font much bigger - right now it is competing with the image. Also the font could use something a little more modern and lose the ABN, I dont think its necessary and it should give you a bit more room to play with. Remember to keep it simple.

Hope it helps.

[Ken Robertson]

IMHO it would be more stylish if you had just white text on black on the front of the card and choose one of the images for the back with the commercial , travel, etc on the back or just an image without any text. Try some different images as well.

Make the name/title font much bigger - right now it is competing with the image. Also the font could use something a little more modern and lose the ABN, I dont think its necessary and it should give you a bit more room to play with. Remember to keep it simple.

Hope it helps.
Thanks for the valuable input - I will try today

[ADAPTE]

I like the design of the back of the card, but i think i would change the photo of the woman with other examples of your work (maybe a product shot). I would then use that picture (woman sitting) for the front of the card reduced in size a bit. I like the font, and with the new picture in the front you´ll have more space for it. i´ll keep it BW.
Just my .02

[tonydee]

Hi Ken,

The two photos do double up a bit, so I can only agree that an example of another style of shot would help. I personally like your choice of font, and think the front in every way superb. This includes consideration of the relative impact of the photo, your name, and profession: I think you've shown excellent judgement.

Having said that, I'll comment on the back on the assumption that you like the shot so much you want to stick with it. The back is much weaker in my view, but still good. My thoughts are that there's a sense of the text being a bit cramped into the top left corner, and "precariously balanced" (was it deliberately made to look balanced on her shoe?). This contrasts markedly with the open space on the far right. Her posture works brilliantly for a standalone picture in many senses (I especially admire the lines you've achieved with her limb placements, that you've managed to observe the Rule of Thirds for her upright torso, and the balanced spacing of black shoes, hair and dress). But the text doesn't blend with this. I find myself mentally shutting the text out when I look at the photo. They're in competition.

So, perhaps try changing the text layout? I'm not sure what might work best, but I'd try having KEN ROBERTSON diagonally above the line of her left knee / right forearm - possibly with PHOTOGRAPHER in much smaller type but spread spaced to span the same width, or maybe missing altogether? Then put the contact details in one or two small lines underneath her picture. Of course, if you can arrange an email address like ken@kenrobertsonphotography.com it would look more professional, but that might not be possible, or worth the expense. I'd also space the phone number ala "040 326 0283" or whatever the most common spacing convension is, as it's easier for people to read without losing their position or feeling frustrated. Not sure what to do with the types of photography - I agree they're important. Perhaps balance the line of contact details at the bottom with a similar line of photographic styles across the top? I'd also consider making them a more subtle grey, so they're there if you look carefully, but don't impinge on the overall balance of the shot.

Cheers,

Tony

[Ken Robertson]

Hi Ken,

The two photos do double up a bit, so I can only agree that an example of another style of shot would help. I personally like your choice of font, and think the front in every way superb. This includes consideration of the relative impact of the photo, your name, and profession: I think you've shown excellent judgement.

Having said that, I'll comment on the back on the assumption that you like the shot so much you want to stick with it. The back is much weaker in my view, but still good. My thoughts are that there's a sense of the text being a bit cramped into the top left corner, and "precariously balanced" (was it deliberately made to look balanced on her shoe?). This contrasts markedly with the open space on the far right. Her posture works brilliantly for a standalone picture in many senses (I especially admire the lines you've achieved with her limb placements, that you've managed to observe the Rule of Thirds for her upright torso, and the balanced spacing of black shoes, hair and dress). But the text doesn't blend with this. I find myself mentally shutting the text out when I look at the photo. They're in competition.

So, perhaps try changing the text layout? I'm not sure what might work best, but I'd try having KEN ROBERTSON diagonally above the line of her left knee / right forearm - possibly with PHOTOGRAPHER in much smaller type but spread spaced to span the same width, or maybe missing altogether? Then put the contact details in one or two small lines underneath her picture. Of course, if you can arrange an email address like ken@kenrobertsonphotography.com it would look more professional, but that might not be possible, or worth the expense. I'd also space the phone number ala "040 326 0283" or whatever the most common spacing convension is, as it's easier for people to read without losing their position or feeling frustrated. Not sure what to do with the types of photography - I agree they're important. Perhaps balance the line of contact details at the bottom with a similar line of photographic styles across the top? I'd also consider making them a more subtle grey, so they're there if you look carefully, but don't impinge on the overall balance of the shot.

Cheers,

Tony


Great input Tony - I appreciate it very much.

What about the idea of changing the back http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=423470 and retaining the original font.

Ken

[tonydee]

Hi Ken,

I like the new photo very much too, but have to agree it may not be the best commercially, due to the much discussed subject matter contrast and that it makes both pictures impossibly remote from the day-to-day experience of many people you'll hand the cards to. I looked over your web site, and found almost all your shots are in portrait orientation, so there aren't many choices for a full-card background. An alternative is to use a portrait one, and of them I particularly liked this one: http://www.kenrobertsonphotography.com/Site%202/Hmong%20and%20Lahu_files/IMG_5425.jpg

The reason I think it might be a good shot to use is that the colours are vibrant, it's more accessible in that people can imagine a portrait of someone in their family in a similar style, the pointing finger immediately gives a "hey you pay attention" message, while it brings in the fascinating cultural diversity of your work from the more joyous side.

So, you might pick another photo, but I encourage you to at least consider using one picture like this on the left of the back of your card, and putting your details in the free space on the right. Don't put writing too close to the edge, as cards - especially in the wallets of the people who're using your services often - will deteriorate there first.

I agree with the comment about spacing between KEN and ROBERTSON should be at least as tight as between ROBERTSON and PHOTOGRAPHY. I also preferred your old font. I agree your new font is a safer bet, but it's also more boring, and you need to draw a line between conveying a dry professional image and asserting your artistic sense. Similarly, many photographers wanting something other than a plain sans-serif font go for a formal cursive style - it might look appropriate on a wedding invite, but anywhere it lacks impact or originality. So, my instinct is stick with your original font. But then, I'm not a businessman, and especially not a photographer (actually just a(nother) computer programmer).

Cheers,

Tony

[Ken Robertson]

Hi Ken,

I like the new photo very much too, but have to agree it may not be the best commercially, due to the much discussed subject matter contrast and that it makes both pictures impossibly remote from the day-to-day experience of many people you'll hand the cards to. I looked over your web site, and found almost all your shots are in portrait orientation, so there aren't many choices for a full-card background. An alternative is to use a portrait one, and of them I particularly liked this one: http://www.kenrobertsonphotography.com/Site%202/Hmong%20and%20Lahu_files/IMG_5425.jpg

The reason I think it might be a good shot to use is that the colours are vibrant, it's more accessible in that people can imagine a portrait of someone in their family in a similar style, the pointing finger immediately gives a "hey you pay attention" message, while it brings in the fascinating cultural diversity of your work from the more joyous side.

So, you might pick another photo, but I encourage you to at least consider using one picture like this on the left of the back of your card, and putting your details in the free space on the right. Don't put writing too close to the edge, as cards - especially in the wallets of the people who're using your services often - will deteriorate there first.

I agree with the comment about spacing between KEN and ROBERTSON should be at least as tight as between ROBERTSON and PHOTOGRAPHY. I also preferred your old font. I agree your new font is a safer bet, but it's also more boring, and you need to draw a line between conveying a dry professional image and asserting your artistic sense. Similarly, many photographers wanting something other than a plain sans-serif font go for a formal cursive style - it might look appropriate on a wedding invite, but anywhere it lacks impact or originality. So, my instinct is stick with your original font. But then, I'm not a businessman, and especially not a photographer (actually just a(nother) computer programmer).

Cheers,

Tony


Gee Tony,

Thanks again for you very valuable input ( and time) - the back of the card will be B&W - for cost and to focus people on the real image as well as allowing a writable back.

I will have search an see if I can find a suitable image in my portfolio.

I will go back to the original font.

Regards

Ken

[tonydee]

No worries Ken... I'm sure we'll all wishing you the best in your commercial ventures, especially given the passion and commitment you bring to your work. Cheers, Tony