Nip n' Tuck

[John Thawley]

Decided it was time to give the old web site a face lift.

It seems most photographers put the emphasis on their portfolio... and I understand that. Though I also struggle with my web development background which tells me you need dynamic content and to find ways to keep the site fresh. I also want to keep e-commerce opportunites available on my site. I just think it should me more than a portfolio.

Obviously, the flash-based sites always look great when they're new. But, then... six months later... it's "seen it".. etc. etc. But it's hard not to be seduced by the way Flash based presentations offer up the images and... for that matter high-end image.

Several friends have done the "Livebooks" sites. They look great. So I set out to try and emulate that look, taking the strong points from it, yet still incorporating the interactive aspects that I feel Livebooks lack. I also maitained opportunities for ecommerce and kept the site VERY search engine friendly.

Now... that said... while I appreciate suggestions... I am not seeking any. Certailnly I'll take note of comments, but this train has left the station. And, having been a commercial web developer since 1994, I like to think I know what I want. Notice I said WHAT I WANT. :)

So... feel free to take a look. Hope you like it.

http://www.johnthawley.com

[John Thawley]

Just as a footnote...

You should also no that the site is fully managed via Web based Content Management user interface. Everything can be updated, changed, added, deleted etc. on the web from any location with a browser and an internet connection. That includes the Portfolio. To me that is a huge plus.

[Jeff Wilson]

JT,

Looks great! What CMS are you using? I like that it doesn't look like a typical CMS generated site.

[John Thawley]

I don't want to reveal the CMS system just yet... but I will tell you, it's a hosted/turn-key solution. To get what I want does involve some serious hacks to the CSS and existing templates. I run five or six sites through these folks and after about a year became tired of the static look that's inherent .... as you pointed out.

I recently redid my http://www.c2group.com site and began the journey down the road of hacking the templates and playing with template files. For this one I enlisted the help of one of their former employees. I did screens of the key page layouts and charged him with the responsibility of maintaining the content management functionality ... obviously, this much customization can tend to undermine the built in simplicity of it all.

I checked off everything on my list of design, function and management .... so I can't ask for much more.

JT

[Jeff Boerio]

I've thought about moving to a CMS solution, and just haven't yet found the time to spend in setting up the templates of yet. I'm thinking about using Joomla, only because I have experience in maintaining a client's web site using that software.

I like the gallery on JT's web site. Of course, I'm looking at it from a big pipe, high bandwidth internet connection. I wonder how well it will work once I get home, where my bandwidth performance is much more limited (one of my self-imposed penalties of living in rural America).

Nice job, JT. Look forward to seeing you at Laguna Seca.

- Jeff

[Mike Veglia]

The overall look and feel is excellent. Very simple, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. My mom, Beth Regardz, teaches this stuff at our local community college (Cabrillo in Aptos, CA) and I'm forwarding the link to her to see.

I'm not realy sure I 100% like the gallery navigation, but the more I used it the more I warmed up to it. Does the front page image randomly change?

Great job John!

[Shane Parker]

I won't provide any feeback since you don't want any. But I will say that it looks great. And having dynamic content is the way to go, I could NEVER go back to a static site.

[John Thawley]

The overall look and feel is excellent. Very simple, uncluttered, and easy to navigate. My mom, Beth Regardz, teaches this stuff at our local community college (Cabrillo in Aptos, CA) and I'm forwarding the link to her to see.

I'm not realy sure I 100% like the gallery navigation, but the more I used it the more I warmed up to it. Does the front page image randomly change?

Great job John!

Thanks, Mike. Interestingly, I thought about the portfolio navigation and realized that most times, (other than other photograhers) people click on and poke at a few thumbnails and random. So... I have the slide show set to run automatically and ... at random. So click or don't click... you get a tasted. Then if you pause it... you can go image by image.

Yes... the front page is one of 9 random images.

Thanks,

JT

[John Jovic]

JT

I like the colours (grey/white//red) and simplicity of the site, which is why I've hapend to have used the same scheme on my own site! I'm just waiting on a server and domain hosting and I'll post it in a week or so.

JJ

[Todd Corzett]

I really like it... the auto-advancing portfolio could be distracting, but it's cool too (I'm watching it now, as I type). When you're ready, I'd be interested in hearing about the CM... it's something I'd like to do at some point.

Now, a question for you... how will this new design effect your search engine rankings? With fewer (no?) words on the first page, will you be ranked as high as you were in the past? Not to question your choice (heck, I may even move-up a slot for some terms)... have you decided not to focus (as much) on that audience?

One more... and the reason I bring it up is that I'm in the process of doing it now... have you considered integrating a search function into your page (ie. PhotoShelter-like abilities)? You have a TON of images, and from my limited experience, people see something they like - then contact to purchase, so the more people can see... the more they may purchase. Again, may not be your target audience... just a thought.

-Todd...

PS - Now I don't feel as terrible that my site looked so much like yours (the old one that is) :D

[John Thawley]

I really like it... the auto-advancing portfolio could be distracting, but it's cool too (I'm watching it now, as I type). When you're ready, I'd be interested in hearing about the CM... it's something I'd like to do at some point.

The auto-play can be put on pause by the user... then you can select thumnails and thumbnail preivew manually.

Now, a question for you... how will this new design effect your search engine rankings? With fewer (no?) words on the first page, will you be ranked as high as you were in the past? Not to question your choice (heck, I may even move-up a slot for some terms)... have you decided not to focus (as much) on that audience?

Rank will not change. ;)

One more... and the reason I bring it up is that I'm in the process of doing it now... have you considered integrating a search function into your page (ie. PhotoShelter-like abilities)? You have a TON of images, and from my limited experience, people see something they like - then contact to purchase, so the more people can see... the more they may purchase. Again, may not be your target audience... just a thought.

-Todd...

PS - Now I don't feel as terrible that my site looked so much like yours (the old one that is) :D

The site doesn't need a search engine... small sites that need search engines are poorly designed. And... regarding the TON of images, the larger gallery is currently linked from Trackbytes. Though that gallery is going to paired down over the winter.

The main archive... and for those that wish to purchase diigital images or prints, is now located here:

http://www.c2group.com/racecarp.gif (http://www.racecarprints.com)

Though live, this service has not been formally announced yet. :)

[Todd Corzett]

Rank will not change. ;)
Drats :p


regarding the TON of images, the larger gallery is currently linked from Trackbytes. Though that gallery is going to paired down over the winter.

The main archive... and for those that wish to purchase diigital images or prints, is now located here:

http://www.c2group.com/racecarp.gif (http://www.racecarprints.com)
I figured you had something that accomplished the same goal... interesting concept, when you have some time it would be nice to talk about it a little (I see the application section, but just some more information).

-Todd...

PS - is there a cool automotive + photography related domain that JT doesn't own?

[John Thawley]

Drats :p


I figured you had something that accomplished the same goal... interesting concept, when you have some time it would be nice to talk about it a little (I see the application section, but just some more information).

I'm seeking photographers that can provide good consistent coverage on any specific series or niche. For instance; rally, drag racing, GrandAm Cup, drift, bikes..... more or less any motorsport or automotive event photography. That said... they must be sellable niches. I'm not looking just to host people's galleries.

Photographer requirements are simple... good quality images and a consistent presence within a category. Commissions will be extremely fair and based on how much potential there is in your work. Basically, though, the photographer will get 65%-75% of the revenues.

Depending on the event, we'll be looking for 100-200 images at 800 pixels no later than 72 hours after the event. Sooner the better. Print sales will be fullfilled by the photographer since we won't be handling your hi-res files.

We will negotiate hi-res commercial inquires with you and potential clients. Photographer will retain 65% -

Finally, yes... we wil limit the number of photographers in a given category. It's important that photographers have the chance to make money.

Photographers images WILL NOT be part of the subscription service... though I'm not sure that service is going to stay. I honestly haven't found a comofrt level with that.

Rights and Licensing of images is posted directly on the site.... so you can review that there.

That's about the thumbnail.


PS - is there a cool automotive + photography related domain that JT doesn't own?

Why? Would you like to buy one? ;)

[Todd Corzett]

I'm seeking photographers that can provide good consistent coverage on any specific series or niche.
Is California a niche :rolleyes:

That's about the thumbnail.
Sounds like an interesting proposition...

Why? Would you like to buy one? ;)
Nah, but every time you go live with a site... I'm like "wow, that was a great domain name... that I never thought about".

-Todd...