Critique my Smugmug page

[Dan C]

I recently redesigned my smugmug start page. Would you have a look and tell me what you think? Do the photos in the slideshow make you say “wow”? Is it easy to navigate? Is the “about me” section written well?
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Any feedback, good or bad, is appreciated.
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http://danastasia.smugmug.com

[vdubgrub]

To be honest, some photos are great (bee macro shot) but the rest appear like snapshots to me, especially the wedding shots. Your smugmug page has a very "template" like feel but I can relate as am not too happy with Zenfolio. Good luck.

[early6]

I agree with vdubgrub. Some great shots, but too many "snapshots." You may want to reduce the amount of photos by just keeping the best shots.

[jonwhite]

What sort of work are you aiming to pick up using this site?

I ask this because your wording on the front page would probably be enough to put most potential clients off.

I photograph weddings, parties, events, indoor archetecture, real estate, and landscapes. I most enjoy photographing beautiful scenes in nature, friends, and sights when I travel.

So your available for weddings etc but what you most enjoy shooting is friends and vacation pictures..... I dont think thats gonna get potential clients running to your door.

Overall Smugmug is ok for showing a few galleries but its not really very good at presenting yourself to people who may hire you, you have no functionality on there for that apart from a link to a profile page for another service.

If you want people to take you seriously and consider you as a possible option for weddings and events etc I would suggest investing in a proper website.

[ccc_javier]

yes, be more selective

that stone puma is wacko... not good :)

[Dan C]

yes, be more selective

that stone puma is wacko... not good :)

You're from Philly and you don't recognize that?

[Dan C]

What sort of work are you aiming to pick up using this site?

I ask this because your wording on the front page would probably be enough to put most potential clients off.



So your available for weddings etc but what you most enjoy shooting is friends and vacation pictures..... I dont think thats gonna get potential clients running to your door.

Overall Smugmug is ok for showing a few galleries but its not really very good at presenting yourself to people who may hire you, you have no functionality on there for that apart from a link to a profile page for another service.

If you want people to take you seriously and consider you as a possible option for weddings and events etc I would suggest investing in a proper website.

Thanks for the feedback. I am not a professional by any means. I have done a few weddings for friends, as well as parties and events. The wording about my interests when I am doing photography for fun was meant to help people learn more about me. Should I just take it out?

[Hikin Mike]

You're from Philly and you don't recognize that?

Go Penn State!!! :D

[HappySnapper90]

Why does your home page say "Dan and Statisia's Home"? But your "bio" only describes you? Why does it say "home"? Seems like it shouldn't be there. If it's just you, then remove the "Stasia" from the account.

Your "about", has 6 sentences in a row that starts with "I". If it is you and someone else, why is there now "we"? Try re-writing it. It sounds very elementary written.

"UCSD Campus" photos are not landscapes, they are pictures of buildings.

[Frugal]

Dan and Stasia's Home | This is my: Friend (http://www.danastasia.smugmug.com/homepage/friendsandfamily.mg?FFID=40641&Type=Friends&add=1) • Family (http://www.danastasia.smugmug.com/homepage/friendsandfamily.mg?FFID=40641&Type=Family&add=1)


This is junk that Smugmug puts there by default. You can disable it in CSS. Also you can customize your home and text pages so they look like any other photographer's non-flash site

[Dan C]

Why does your home page say "Dan and Stasia's Home"? But your "bio" only describes you? Why does it say "home"? Seems like it shouldn't be there. If it's just you, then remove the "Stasia" from the account.

Your "about", has 6 sentences in a row that starts with "I". If it is you and someone else, why is there now "we"?



Fixed--changed to "Dan's home"

"UCSD Campus" photos are not landscapes, they are pictures of buildings.

What would you call it? Cityscapes? Architecture?

[Dan C]

This is junk that Smugmug puts there by default. You can disable it in CSS. Also you can customize your home and text pages so they look like any other photographer's non-flash site


What is CSS? Can you tell me how to remove/change this?

[Rick Anderson]

There is a lot you can do with Smugmug if you teach yourself basic CSS (cascading style sheets) and a little HTML. I am going to revamp my pages this weekend. The Digital Grin forum is the best place to start customizing smug accounts with hundreds of tutorials: http://www.dgrin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

[Rick Anderson]

Also download Mozillas developer toolbar so you can see what is in the background of other Smugmug sites that you like. It's a great learning tool if nothing else. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/60

[Frugal]

^^--- Good suggestions

[HappySnapper90]

What would you call it? Cityscapes? Architecture?

It's up to you. I don't display any building photography.

[mcorrea]

Very simple and elegant, I like the colors!

[snails]

Your profile picture contains a background of kitchen cabinets and a refridgerator (I think), and believe it or not, people will judge you on this.

[ChrisRabior]

Browse the SmugMug help section. They have some links to basic customizations that would probably be a huge improvement to what you currently have. It's pretty easy to pick up the coding, and you'll be glad you did it.

[NoahAndrews]

Your compositional style is very "non-traditional". Is this meant to be avant garde?

A portfolio is meant to show your best work. This means showing images that add to your appeal. I don't believe these images accomplish that goal in a very efficient manner.

From what I gather, it would appear that you A. Need some more practice shooting before offering wedding services to paying clients. B. Don't know what constitutes a proper composition, or a properly creative composition. ie. "rule of thirds". Heads are not typically centered in the middle of images, unless there's another focus to the images that balances the composition.

Your exposure is good.

http://danastasia.smugmug.com/Weddings/Hillarys-Wedding/IMG0435/553524490_s6TYL-M.jpg

http://danastasia.smugmug.com/Weddings/Hillarys-Wedding/IMG0617/553521258_MCdvN-M.jpg

http://danastasia.smugmug.com/Weddings/Hillarys-Wedding/IMG0429/553522814_aVUvT-M.jpg

[Dan C]

I appreciate everyone's honest feedback. I have some work to do.