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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Our new 'gallery' - opinions?

Jenn M
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Oct 4, 2006, 12:59 AM

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Our new 'gallery' - opinions?	Can't Post

Brian has been studying hard. I have to give him props - he's been working diligently at learning PS CS2, and I think he's making good progress, even though he was ready to toss the Dell out the window a few times.

Here's our new online gallery, with a link to yesterday's engagement session. I took the advice from my last posting to heart and we worked on making these images 'pop' as everyone likes to say. What do you think?

We can't decide if we like this gallery layout or not. Any feedback there welcome, as well. We would prefer a black background to go with the rest of the site, and I think it makes the images stand out more, esp the vibrant colors. Another layout we like is with all the thumbnails on one page, and then you click on them and you can go through them by hitting the next button.

We're still trying to decide, so like I said, any input is welcome:
LINK HERE

PS I want to go back and re-edit the first batch of engagement pics (Christine & Jeff), now that I have a better understanding of PS and the actions. Ugh, it's like video all over again. Going back and fixing. I have to control myself!

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Oct 4, 2006, 1:00 AM)

Xray
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Oct 4, 2006, 1:57 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jenn...
Here is my 2 cents..................................eliminate 46 and swap 43 with 50.

Cool

Marcin
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If it's sent by ship then it's a cargo, if it's sent by road then it's a shipment.

Colvin ADTR
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Oct 4, 2006, 4:29 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

So how does Brian feel about getting second billing? Laugh

Watch out, Brian! next thing you know it will be "Jennifer Moak presents" and you will have to go into the back room while she is entertaining clients.

Storm Crow
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Oct 4, 2006, 7:30 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jenn I like it. I like how fast the images change. I do think that a dark background for the pictures would make them pop out more and as you said match your site a little better. I'm trying to get my son to make something like this for me but so that I could upload all their proof images and then they can order from there.
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Good Friend, around these hearth stones, speak no evil of any creature.

Warning: Exposure to the Son can prevent burn!
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Jenn M
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Oct 4, 2006, 11:39 AM

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Re: [Xray] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, on 46, I wanted to fix the groom's hair - looks like artifacts, but he has a birthmark thing where patches of the hair are a slightly different color. So I was torn - do I change it, thereby changing reality? Or do I leave it, with what appears to be a flaw in the photo? I like the pic b/c it looks whimsical and light and airy - something different, but it's interesting that you picked that one out to go.... hmmmmm...

Jenn M
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Oct 4, 2006, 11:46 AM

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Re: [Colvin ADTR] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

FYI, my dear Colvin Wink

BRIAN is the one who designed the website and gave himself second billing. BUT don't think there isn't a method to his madness - THAT way he doesn't have to deal with phone calls b/c this way, people typically ask for me. He also uses my email address on the 'contact us' page. Jenn @ videobymoak Again, that lessens his chances of having to talk to Clients, which he really doesn't like to do. He gets nervous. And he doesn't like to deal with sticky issues or answer pricing questions.

Like I said - method to the madness.

BUt I insisted he list that the website was designed by him since he did all the work. I just point and say, "I like that. Can you do that? How 'bout this?" he he he

Smile

Shadow
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Oct 4, 2006, 11:57 AM

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Re: [Jenn M] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Very nice Jenn!

Smile

Jenn M
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Oct 4, 2006, 12:14 PM

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Re: [Shadow] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks - this is all so exciting. I just can't believe how much easier it was. We shot those pics on Monday. The CDs are finished and the gallery is up and she is already emailing the link to her friends and family. How cool is that.

This may be one more area that makes the video better/easier, in the case of combo packages. We will be able to deliver their photos ASAP, establishing a trust so they hopefully they don't get suspicious if the video isn't done right away, which doesn't really seem to be much of an issues anymore, since we explain it to death BEFORE they book. But regardless, I still think it will help, esp. when they can show the pics to their friends and family and that gets our name out there sooner after the wedding.

Know what I mean?

Shadow
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Oct 4, 2006, 12:34 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I do know what you mean. It is a good idea.

Smile

szerangue
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Oct 4, 2006, 10:36 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jenn, I like the gallery and I like the pictures. Did you use PS to create that gallery? They have a automatic web gallery creator that I think works pretty well. It's simple and fast. Those pictures are very nice, some better than other obviously but overall I think yo had some nice shots. I especially liked the one with the couple against the light pole with the old courthouse in the background. Keep up the good work. I am not planning on offering dual video and photo. I just think that would be too much for me to handle. Unless, like you, I had two people running the video and I doing photo and did not have to worry about the video end. How are you going to handle it?
Miracle Pictures
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Jenn M
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Oct 5, 2006, 1:06 PM

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Re: [szerangue] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Shane -

That building is an old Casino (featured in several Hollywood movies, actually - including Seabiscuit, for one). That's where they're reception is going to be held - hence the reason it shows up in the background so often.

PS Did I ever send you our intended layout for shooting the combo of video and photo? I have it thought out very well and I really think it's reasonable, because like you said, there are 2 of us. Typically we don't double shoot things other than the ceremony, and during that time, we're on tripods. We don't move around a lot, so all we have to do is compose our video shot and let it run, then step aside and shoot the stills. We also plan on scaling back video a bit. I'm really getting tired of doing all the editing, so it should actually make that easier - no photographer to work around. Less editing b/c I won't have to FIX things that have been compromised by the obtrusive 'unobtrusive' photojournalist. KNow what I mean?

Scott Brooks
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Oct 5, 2006, 3:16 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Typically we don't double shoot things other than the ceremony, and during that time, we're on tripods. We don't move around a lot, so all we have to do is compose our video shot and let it run, then step aside and shoot the stills.

I thought about this as well. Right now I'm still only offering to have the ceremony shot with one camera ... second running wide for backup but unmanned.

I had given some thought to setting one up on the aisle and when everything settles down after the processional, work my way over to the camera and re-set so that I've got a nice framed shot of the bride and groom ... walk away and leave it alone.

Still ... like yourself ... it's the editing I'm tired of. That's one reason I really like the one camera jobs.

DarrenS
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Oct 9, 2006, 6:59 AM

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Re: [Storm Crow] Our new 'gallery' - opinions? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Storm, if your boy knows anything about the PHP programming language you should have him look into the FREE osCommerce solution. It can be tailored for selling photos online fairly easily, and it's feature-rich. Very powerful software and you can't beat the price (it's open-source). Runs on Windows or Unix. You can also set it up to let other photographers sell their photos on your site and generate monthly reports so you know how much to pay them, minus your commission of course :) www.oscommerce.com

Darren