New Website - what do you think?

Hi all

I've been putting this together for some time now and a little feedback from those more experienced would go a long way. I'm relatively new to photography but come from a background of creating imagery in CGI and graphic design work.

I've always been a fan of photography but until recently I'd not taken the plunge to get some gear together and see what I could achieve..

So here I am. I work as a 3D Architectural Visualiser and I'm not looking to stop that, just add some variety to my work, and a little income if possible. I do the odd architectural photoshoot through work where time/workload allows. Hiring better suited camera equipment as we need it.

I often ponder over the idea of going full-time freelance and spending my time working on a mixture of 3D and photography projects. But I have my doubts about making such a leap...


Anyway onto the site: PGDesigns.co.uk

What do you think to it?

Should I ditch the name 'PGDesigns' in favour of my name? I've run with pgdesigns for years now but always wonder if it's 'right'

What do you think the site is missing?

Should the different portfolio sections be kept completely seperate? i.e a site for Automotive, a site for 3D etc etc.


Any notes or advice very welcome



A few examples for interest

Im not a fan of the scrolling downward but I do like the way you mix and match image sizes. I think that effect would be more powerful in a side scroll format.

But that just my preference.

your automotive work is great by the way.

...

i would have to echo what the others have said here, when you scroll down like that it seems more like a blog, rather then a website. I do like the images and how you mix and matched the different sizes etc. though

Thanks for the comments guys

I'm not sure about the scroll thing, but it's good to hear what others think.

I went with this method as I thought it would make the viewer see more images in a short space of time. I hate the websites where you get a tiny little thumbnail at the bottom of the page, one that's so small you can't see what it is.. then to view the image at a good size you have to click and wait for the image to load up. I tend not to browse websites like that for very long, and only look through a fraction of what is there. This way, a good sized image is presented to the viewer straight away

How would you like to navigate through the site? Show example's if you can

Any other notes or changes very welcome, don't go shy on me

Here are my comments:

1) The font for the navigation bar on the left is a little too small. I think they need to be a little larger.
2) On your "Contacts" page, I'd lose the maps and think of putting something like a contact form or something so people can contact you directly from the site and not have to send an email. The maps don't really do anything. I could care less where your house/business is on a map.
3) From your portfolio, it looks like you shoot cars, weddings, and architecture. Weird mix, but hey if it works, it works. But the 1st picture that shows up (the one with the bride looking down) is a little out of focus. I'd pick a better picture. Your "photography" links also shows "portraits" but no portraits are shown in the portfolio. You might want to consider a couple in there.
4) I'd consider getting ride of the "3D Imaging" section. If this is a photography website, I don't think you're going to need this.
5) I agree with the comments about the scrolling. What I suggest is you lock the navigation bar on the left and make it fixed on the page and the content scroll-able.

I think the site looks pretty good. I hope this helps!

PGD wrote in post #15586210
Thanks for the comments guys

I'm not sure about the scroll thing, but it's good to hear what others think.

I went with this method as I thought it would make the viewer see more images in a short space of time. I hate the websites where you get a tiny little thumbnail at the bottom of the page, one that's so small you can't see what it is.. then to view the image at a good size you have to click and wait for the image to load up. I tend not to browse websites like that for very long, and only look through a fraction of what is there. This way, a good sized image is presented to the viewer straight away

How would you like to navigate through the site? Show example's if you can

Any other notes or changes very welcome, don't go shy on me

I agree completely. You have done an excellent job here. I am using a ghetto connection and this site loaded very fast. I have had very little time to explore it but what I've seen so far, I think it is one of the best photography sites I have viewed. I looked forward to taking very close look over the weekend.

HiepBuiPhotography wrote in post #15586435
Your "photography" links also shows "portraits" but no portraits are shown in the portfolio. You might want to consider a couple in there.

Any ideas on what I could call this section? I stayed away from 'kids photos' for obvious reasons...

PGD wrote in post #15586585
Any ideas on what I could call this section? I stayed away from 'kids photos' for obvious reasons...

I think calling it "portraits" is fine. I just don't see any portraits in the portfolio.

What do you see in there then?

I see wedding, architecture, and cars.

I meant in the Portrait section, what do you see in there?

As it's not a portrait section, and I can't think of a better title for it..

I see two kids. Yea, I wouldn't know what to call it either. It seems like you're just starting out and don't have much work for a portfolio so it might be hard to gather images for a "portrait" section. Maybe you can keep this section hidden for now until you get more work for it?

HiepBuiPhotography wrote in post #15586435
Here are my comments:

1) The font for the navigation bar on the left is a little too small. I think they need to be a little larger.
2) On your "Contacts" page, I'd lose the maps and think of putting something like a contact form or something so people can contact you directly from the site and not have to send an email. The maps don't really do anything. I could care less where your house/business is on a map.
3) From your portfolio, it looks like you shoot cars, weddings, and architecture. Weird mix, but hey if it works, it works. But the 1st picture that shows up (the one with the bride looking down) is a little out of focus. I'd pick a better picture. Your "photography" links also shows "portraits" but no portraits are shown in the portfolio. You might want to consider a couple in there.
4) I'd consider getting ride of the "3D Imaging" section. If this is a photography website, I don't think you're going to need this.
5) I agree with the comments about the scrolling. What I suggest is you lock the navigation bar on the left and make it fixed on the page and the content scroll-able.

I think the site looks pretty good. I hope this helps!

1. agreed
2. also agreed, and...putting your email address directly posted is just asking for spam. web-bots love crawling for the "@" signs
3. Maybe call it "people"?? I don't really know either.
4. again, agreed
5. yes, to this! Lock that menu or use a top menu instead that is fixed.

6. on the wedding page, the pic of the red-head bride looking over her shoulder (pic is to the left of some sound equipment)...not the most flattering shot for her features. fwiw

NewCreation wrote in post #15586894
6. on the wedding page, the pic of the red-head bride looking over her shoulder (pic is to the left of some sound equipment)...not the most flattering shot for her features. fwiw

6. agreed.