Just finished my website. Any critique appreciated!

[theambitiousstranger]

Does anyone else have any thoughts they'd like to share (apart from questions about my nationality?! )

Be more receptive, otherwise people will be very reluctant to share anything.

And you really need to drop this:
"My main aim as a photographer is to create new and inspiring interpretations of well-known and unknown subjects, with a particular stress on the artistic rather than the technical side of the medium." That basically says that your images are technically imperfect.

As for "black and white photographer" - I think it is more of a professional jargon. Stylistically "b&w photography" does not directly translates into "b&w photographer" as far as I am concerned. It sounds funny. Then again, English is not my first language, so who am I to argue. But as a professional editor I can tell you - if two guys read it and imagined a zebra with a camera, drop it. Do not give your clients a chance to have a laugh at you.

I do like that zebra analogy! OK, well I've changed the text to this. Would you say it's an improvement?

I am a photographer specialising in black and white imagery and am currently working in London, UK. My work is predominantly based upon architectural and urban subjects, with the documentation and exploration of different night scenes being of particular interest to me. My main aim as a photographer is to create new and inspiring interpretations of well-known and unknown subjects, with a particular stress on the artistic side of the medium.

Thank you for looking.

Rowan S Ibbeken


​

 

[sashbar]

Does anyone else have any thoughts they'd like to share (apart from questions about my nationality?! )

Be more receptive, otherwise people will be very reluctant to share anything.

And you really need to drop this:
"My main aim as a photographer is to create new and inspiring interpretations of well-known and unknown subjects, with a particular stress on the artistic rather than the technical side of the medium." That basically says that your images are technically imperfect.

As for "black and white photographer" - I think it is more of a professional jargon. Stylistically "b&w photography" does not directly translates into "b&w photographer" as far as I am concerned. It sounds funny. Then again, English is not my first language, so who am I to argue. But as a professional editor I can tell you - if two guys read it and imagined a zebra with a camera, drop it. Do not give your clients a chance to have a laugh at you.

I do like that zebra analogy! OK, well I've changed the text to this. Would you say it's an improvement?

I am a photographer specialising in black and white imagery and am currently working in London, UK. My work is predominantly based upon architectural and urban subjects, with the documentation and exploration of different night scenes being of particular interest to me. My main aim as a photographer is to create new and inspiring interpretations of well-known and unknown subjects, with a particular stress on the artistic side of the medium.

Thank you for looking.

Rowan S Ibbeken


​

I would say yes it is.

 

[vintagesnaps]

I was thinking along the same lines, saying something like 'specializing in B&W photography' might be more clear, and yes, you probably want to emphasize fine art without discounting technical quality.

I like the site in black and white, but I do think it makes for a lot of black; what about changing the white borders? maybe if they were wider, more similar to how the photos might look matted and framed? or if they were spaced differently? or as mentioned some gray as part of the design? Some of the images to me seem too dark to really see what the photo is.

I've been submitting photos to juried exhibits the past couple of years or so and I've noticed recently that the gallery often will have a place to list a website, so I can see an advantage to having your own site even if you aren't selling a lot directly from your site. I don't know that people buy prints much just by happening across someone's site, but if you're able to sell prints at local art shows, galleries, etc. then people might look for your site; or have you tried submitting to magazines like Lenswork that feature fine art and/or B&W photography? Seems to take time to build up a reputation and can be done in a combination of ways.

 

[JerryVenz]

Rowan,

I don't care about your words. What sells is the originality and quality of the IMAGES. YOU HAVE BOTH.

Unlike many, many photographers out there YOU don't just see the light--you see and USE the SHADOWS!!

The URBEX section on your site is really well done--they look like film locations that are ready for the introduction of the actors AND that is one of MY critiques--people will more likely buy this kind of work when it has people in it ( even if they are just silhouettes!). Think about it.

Have you thought about filmmaking--cinematography? You show potential there with how you use ambient light.

Keep up the good work, Jerry V.

 

[theambitiousstranger]

I was thinking along the same lines, saying something like 'specializing in B&W photography' might be more clear, and yes, you probably want to emphasize fine art without discounting technical quality.

I like the site in black and white, but I do think it makes for a lot of black; what about changing the white borders? maybe if they were wider, more similar to how the photos might look matted and framed? or if they were spaced differently? or as mentioned some gray as part of the design? Some of the images to me seem too dark to really see what the photo is.

I've been submitting photos to juried exhibits the past couple of years or so and I've noticed recently that the gallery often will have a place to list a website, so I can see an advantage to having your own site even if you aren't selling a lot directly from your site. I don't know that people buy prints much just by happening across someone's site, but if you're able to sell prints at local art shows, galleries, etc. then people might look for your site; or have you tried submitting to magazines like Lenswork that feature fine art and/or B&W photography? Seems to take time to build up a reputation and can be done in a combination of ways.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll play around with the border size so it looks more like a mount. I might take a look at those magazines, even though they're probably extremely competitive!

 

[theambitiousstranger]

Rowan,

I don't care about your words. What sells is the originality and quality of the IMAGES. YOU HAVE BOTH.

Unlike many, many photographers out there YOU don't just see the light--you see and USE the SHADOWS!!

The URBEX section on your site is really well done--they look like film locations that are ready for the introduction of the actors AND that is one of MY critiques--people will more likely buy this kind of work when it has people in it ( even if they are just silhouettes!). Think about it.

Have you thought about filmmaking--cinematography? You show potential there with how you use ambient light.

Keep up the good work, Jerry V.

Thanks a lot! I haven't actually thought about cinematography. I think I will try some more shots with people in them, thanks for the tip.

 

[Jetmugg]

The new text is much better. I think it sounds more professional and "reads" better.

My question about your native language was not meant as an insult - it was a straightforward inquiry. People who have learned one of the Romance languages as their native tongue often phrase their sentences differently than native English speakers. I was wondering if this was the case for you.

Steve.

 

[theambitiousstranger]

The new text is much better. I think it sounds more professional and "reads" better.

My question about your native language was not meant as an insult - it was a straightforward inquiry. People who have learned one of the Romance languages as their native tongue often phrase their sentences differently than native English speakers. I was wondering if this was the case for you.

Steve.

I have to say I was in quite a bad mood that day and had a bit of a persecution complex going on! I understand your question now.