msbarnes
Well-known
interesting discussion with the side scrolling. I'm still playing around with the layouts but I like to hear the arguments for what is effective and what isn't.
critique my portfolio layout
- Thread starter msbarnes
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Lauffray
Invisible Cities
Who is everyone ?? This is exactly the kind of dogmatic attitude that advances nothing. Show me the research you're talking about
So do I
finguanzo
Well-known
When it comes to a news, information based site, which Is what I work on usually, I agree that vertical is the norm to get as much info in there, but when doing something creative, rules usually get thrown out.. Especially with a photo gallery and the amount of ipads, tablets there are nowadays, and like Lauffray mentioned earlier, with javascript, you can set default vertical scrolling with a mouse to act as horizontal on the site.. touchscreen control, etc.. making the necessity for always vertical navigation not count anymore..
example: http://joelb.me/scrollpath/
Just my take on it...
Thats it for me,
Goodnight!!!!
try the fish
anjoca76
Well-known
Scrolling debate aside, I like that overposed look for the types of shots you used it with. It gives it that dreamy, retro pastel look. I've been trying it with 400H, but I'll have to give it try with Portra 160 too.
Clint Troy
Well-known
Chris is right. Horizontal scrolling is bad bad bad. Super annoying.
I don't underetand the argumentation.
I don't underetand the argumentation.
Exdsc
Well-known
The more important question is who are your target surfers with this website.
msbarnes
Well-known
Truthfully, I started getting into different portfolios/social networks (cargo collective, tumblr, and etc.) because I started accruing a larger volume of images and I didn't like how flickr organized them. I wanted coherency and consistency so looking into different ways for displaying my work. Right now it is snapshots on tumblr, Rollei portraits on cargo collective, and everything half-decent on flickr.
I don't have a specific target--for my portraits, I'm specifically looking for a space where I can showcase my personal best for anyone who is curious about my portraits.
I have changed it quite a bit since initially opening this thread. For the time present I'm just going to display my b&w work. (took down the color site).
I don't have a real 'about me' section because whenever I try to write about my photography, it sounds too cheesy, romantic and even pretentious (e.g. 'I shoot film' equates to 'I hate digital'). I am also less experienced and so I do not think I understand my work enough to explain it or if there is really any meaning behind it.
Pablito
coco frío
More and more websites use horizontal scrolling. I have seen hundreds of photographers and designers use horizontal scrolling in their websites very effectively. Platforms like Indexhibit handle it very nicely and it feels very natural, sequential, and book-like. Even better with two-finger horizontal scrolling on the mac trackpad.
newsgrunt
Well-known
Quite a number of my friends (professional photographers) use horizontal layouts and it's not a problem navving it. Lazy way is to just use the L/R arrows. For some work it flows much better than traditional vertical.
Sticking to web orthodoxy is not necessarily the best way to present work. ymmv
Sticking to web orthodoxy is not necessarily the best way to present work. ymmv
anjoca76
Well-known
I really like your color work. You should definitely consider adding it back.
newsgrunt
Well-known
I'd prefer the left thumbs to a bit smaller and the main image moved to the right, maybe centred. Also think the text at upper left, should be larger, play around till it feels right. Like the very clean, sparse look of the page overall.
Particular
Disassembler, occasional reassembler
Rules are there to be broken.
I much prefer horizontal scrolling over slideshows. In my opinion, they should be banished. I hate waiting for the next image or pausing if it goes too fast, trying to figure out how to go back etc. Worst are the 'tape player buttons'.
Horizontal scrolling is more like walking an exhibition or flipping a book, you can go fast or slow, stop and back track if you choose. Seeing images side by side is also more natural than them appearing from below, as if you are reading the final credits of a movie.
I much prefer horizontal scrolling over slideshows. In my opinion, they should be banished. I hate waiting for the next image or pausing if it goes too fast, trying to figure out how to go back etc. Worst are the 'tape player buttons'.
Horizontal scrolling is more like walking an exhibition or flipping a book, you can go fast or slow, stop and back track if you choose. Seeing images side by side is also more natural than them appearing from below, as if you are reading the final credits of a movie.
msbarnes
Well-known
Looks like web design is more of an art than I thought 😉. It seems that people are split by the horizontal scrolling, lol. I go back and forth on this myself.
In regards to color...I like them too but I'm not sure how to implement it. I think that color is so different from black and white and it kind of breaks the consistency.
I'll think of a way to connect the two...
In regards to color...I like them too but I'm not sure how to implement it. I think that color is so different from black and white and it kind of breaks the consistency.
I'll think of a way to connect the two...
Particular
Disassembler, occasional reassembler
I quite like the current incarnation with the parallel vertical columns. You are on to something, it is very clean. I do think the thumbnails are still too dominant. Perhaps vary the sizes between image and thumbnail, and/or leave more of a margin to the left of the main image. Give it some room to breathe.
Don't worry about mixing color and b+w. The fear is that they will start clashing, but the clean layout is there to neutralize that. The subject matter is very consistent, so for me it is a non-issue.
Don't worry about mixing color and b+w. The fear is that they will start clashing, but the clean layout is there to neutralize that. The subject matter is very consistent, so for me it is a non-issue.
msbarnes
Well-known
yes, thanks!
I'm getting there. I do agree in that the spacing/sizing is off so once I have the general template and content set, then I will mess with the code and make it better 😉.
I'm getting there. I do agree in that the spacing/sizing is off so once I have the general template and content set, then I will mess with the code and make it better 😉.
Lauffray
Invisible Cities
I know you didn't ask for content critique but I quite like that overexposed color look, might give it a try myself
user237428934
User deletion pending
Horizontal scrolling is nice, no question but have in mind that you lock out some users with it.
Horizontal scrolling works good on a tablet, a macbook with the trackpad or on a computer where you have a mouse with no scroll wheel like the apple magic mouse. With every other equipment horizontal scrolling is a pain.
Additionally a lot of websites give no hint that they are designed for horizontal scrolling. On those sites I try to scroll vertically because that's the standard, but nothing happens. This is really bad website design because it leaves users frustrated.
Chris Crawford my be a bit insistent but on the topic he is right, that vertical scrolling is still a standard that works for everyone.
astro8
Well-known
I'm with Chris Crawford on this.
If you want to lose visitors to your site, implement horizontal scrolling.
I'll stick to vertical scrolling on my web pages and even that is annoying to most visitors.
If you want to lose visitors to your site, implement horizontal scrolling.
I'll stick to vertical scrolling on my web pages and even that is annoying to most visitors.
cz23
Well-known
My preference is a couple versions back -- the one with thumbnails below the main image. No scrolling at all in that case. Everything feels direct and precise.
I'm viewing on an iPad and the vertical scrolling of the main section behaves strangely. Scrolling drags somewhat and the images moves horizontally.
Nice photos and overall a very fine look.
John
I'm viewing on an iPad and the vertical scrolling of the main section behaves strangely. Scrolling drags somewhat and the images moves horizontally.
Nice photos and overall a very fine look.
John
Exdsc
Well-known
-The women in your photos and their friends and families could be the main audience for your work.
-The layout of your website should help to give your photos maximum impact.
-The website should also reflect what kind of photographer you're, in other words, the more professional it looks the better impression it gives to visitors.
-The photos in your website are the main reason people will visit and look around.
Based on those points you can come up with a plan.
