www.merrickales.com

[merock]

Hey guys,
I just got a new site that one of my friends put together for me. Let me know what you think (I still need to add something better to the contact section):

http://www.merrickales.com

[rogerfsmith]

I find much of the text hard to read and I didn't even see the menu system for awhile. It is usually unwise to have dark on dark colors since lots of people have trouble reading this sort of stuff. The site will also end up being mostly search engine invisible since it has no search engine optimization built into it and as a rule all flash sites are ignored by the SE spiders.
Cheers,
Roger

[merock]

Originally Posted by rogerfsmith

I find much of the text hard to read and I didn't even see the menu system for awhile. It is usually unwise to have dark on dark colors since lots of people have trouble reading this sort of stuff. The site will also end up being mostly search engine invisible since it has no search engine optimization built into it and as a rule all flash sites are ignored by the SE spiders.
Cheers,
Roger

Thanks for the RE. I am going to have some search engine things built into the site hopefully. I guess I am lucky because of my name, but I seem to come up first. Although I know I need to broaden the searchlist.

As far as the menu bar is concerned, was it really that difficult to see/ find? It seems as though most people that surf the web and navagate to these types of sites are looking for this sort of thing, IMO.

As far as the colors go, you state that it is usually not a good idea to have this sort of scheme. What would the difference be between it not being a good idea, and it being okay to do this? I feel that I have tried to make the framing of the images not to dark to seperate from the dark backdrop to give it a bit of pop.

Thanks again for your critique on the site. I will defintely be thinking about these things when I make slight revisions.

[rogerfsmith]

Originally Posted by merock

Thanks for the RE. I am going to have some search engine things built into the site hopefully. I guess I am lucky because of my name, but I seem to come up first. Although I know I need to broaden the searchlist.

As far as the menu bar is concerned, was it really that difficult to see/ find? It seems as though most people that surf the web and navagate to these types of sites are looking for this sort of thing, IMO.

As far as the colors go, you state that it is usually not a good idea to have this sort of scheme. What would the difference be between it not being a good idea, and it being okay to do this? I feel that I have tried to make the framing of the images not to dark to seperate from the dark backdrop to give it a bit of pop.

Thanks again for your critique on the site. I will defintely be thinking about these things when I make slight revisions.

A fast note on the Search Engine stuff: You would expect a site to score well for the photographer's name, but the question is how you reach the people who don't know your name, but just know in general what kind of photographer they are looking for. With proper attention to SEO details, you can optimize for those types of search phrases.
Cheers,
Roger

[jspekbb6]

I like the porfolio section of your site, I really wish I could figure out flash.

[KeepsakeGirl]

oooooooooooooooooh, ME LIKEY!

i see you saved the best for last under People

[Outlaw]

I'll second the thought that the menu is too dark. "You would think people would know by now," is a reasonable argument, but I'm afraid that faith is misplaced. Good design is an excellent meld of form and function, and while dark-on-dark or light-on-white is stylish, it is not functional.

Just to offer the consideration, the flash design here is very basic, and does not seem to take advantage of the visceral pleasantries that flash offers above regular HTML. The transitions from page to page are immediate and halting. There is no visual flair. This site could easily be done in HTML and be more widely accessible, as well as rank better with the search engines.

Look at any of the BluDomain sites around to see examples of how flash can be used to improve the viewer's experience, and the photographer's effort to brand their business in their potential clients' eyes. Visually interesting transitions and smooth flow while maintaining good design practices.

Flash has come a long way since its formative years and can be a real tool, especially for those of us who sell a visual medium.

My suggestion would be to either jazz it up yourself, use an already tried-and-true tool such as BluDomain's designs, or take a 'step back' to HTML and focus on big imagery and search engine friendliness. The art of good copy writing need not be lost in the photography industry.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Archives link on your site takes one to an extremely utilitarian page. I would try to carry the same professional look from your main site, whatever look you settle on, to these archives as well. Consistency is always a plus, and it shows the same pride in your past work as your current.

Your art is definitely there. Now you just have to find a way to impress upon your clients what you're all about in the right ways.

[JohnT]

Your site resized my browser, which is a big no-no in my book. It's analogous to coming into my house and rearranging my furniture.

[rott]

Originally Posted by JohnT

Your site resized my browser, which is a big no-no in my book. It's analogous to coming into my house and rearranging my furniture.

I'm with you on that. I can't stand a site that resizes my browser without my consent.