My first (real) photography website!!!

[EASmithV]

Hello everybody!

I'm not sure if this is the right place to put this, so mods please can it/move it whichever is appropriate.

www.EASmithV.com

I'd love questions, comments, etc... it's my first website, so aesthetic pointers are welcome...

[Poisson Du Jour]

Black is beautiful. The film noir look on art websites is much in vogue and it is the least troubling for people who are visually challenged in terms of contrast (not me, but I have family members who find many websites a trial to view).

The site's inimitable brevity and directness, together with a simple navigation interface of clear and unambiguous red highlights makes it stylish and very functional, though in terms of biographical content it is very brief indeed. An attractive range of content is showcased demonstrating cohesive visual fluency of, and spontaneity with, varied analogue formats (35mm, medium format and ultra-large format). There are some quite sublime images there including the mono rapids: beautifully exposed, composed with consideration and with expansive depth and breadth. Viewers will certainly get the impression quickly that you have mastered quite a few tricks, not just formats!

There is a downside though in that the site is Javascript-intensive: many web writers have their own rules for what and when new sites should be 'quarantined': it was 80% blocked on initial load (now 100% approved, of course, of course!! ); many browsers by default block javascript until such time as the user identifies the site/content as safe (e.g. Firefox, Opera...others). Without Javascript permissions there is nothing to see on the front page but a "middle grey" rectangle. The page transitions are fluid and unobtrusive (if not user-adjustable for rate of transition to allow more time to contemplate the images) and do suit the work being shown. It's an aesthetically bold and appealing site which hits the right place on landing.

[Ghostman]

I'm impressed by your photography and your site, I am equally impressed with Poisson du Jour's write up!

[EASmithV]

Thank you Poisson Du Jour, it's not often I actually get an in-depth critique as comprehensive as that.

(if not user-adjustable for rate of transition to allow more time to contemplate the images)

I can adjust that, how long would you recommend I set the delay? it's at 2.75 seconds I believe. Would 4.5 or 6 seconds be better? And there is also a pause button if you mouse over.

[Poisson Du Jour]

Thank you Poisson Du Jour, it's not often I actually get an in-depth critique as comprehensive as that.



I can adjust that, how long would you recommend I set the delay? it's at 2.75 seconds I believe. Would 4.5 or 6 seconds be better? And there is also a pause button if you mouse over.

Your best images (one of which is Great Falls)could be 'paused' for a longer period, but really it is personal preference: it is fine as it is, just came across to me as a little fast as I contemplated each image presented. But introducing a rapid change from a march to a long pause, back to a march and so forth will taint the viewing experience; I would angle for a 4 second pause before it transitions to the next image, making a textual point to remind the viewer they can pause or speed up the transition as they desire. I had the control overlay blocked in Javascript and can see that now.

The script for including Facebook is fairly ubiquitous today; Fb referral isn't the best vehicle for soliciting informed, educated, balanced and learned opinion, more likely an almost-billion collective of vociferous wackos each vying to the death with each other. But whatever rows your boat...

PS:
<meta name="keywords" content="120, 4x5, 8x10, astia, awesome, easmithv, film, fine art, hasselblad, kittens, medium format, photo, photography, professional, studio"/>

The more 'tags' in the meta (reflecting actual content in the site), the more chance of Google, and other searchbots, coming across you and spending time to gather page info. Not sure where 'kittens' fits into all this though, LOL!

[Slixtiesix]

Great pictures and the layout looks wonderful!

[EASmithV]

Not sure where 'kittens' fits into all this though, LOL!

I thought it'd get me more hits

[rich815]

Very nice site and excellent work. Love some of the experimental outside-the-box stuff. Will come back when I have more time. Thanks for sharing.

[ColdEye]

I like the Human Footprint and the Lifestyle stuff, the simple presentation works very well too.

[36cm2]

Excellent site and, more importantly, excellent work. I found it very strange (meaning contrary to my normal tastes) that I enjoyed your 35mm work so much. Thanks for sharing.