I updated my website

[mjs1973]

If you have a minute or two, please take a look at my updated website, and let me know what you think.

www.magiclightphotography.com

This is the first time I have touched my site in over a year, and I'm by no means a web designer. Let me know if you have any suggestions, or if any of the links aren't working. The About page isn't finished yet, but that should be done soon.

Mods, I posted this here so it would get more trafic. If you want to move it to the web design forum, that's fine with me.

[livin4lax09]

Michael,

You have some great images on there, which I think are very good to highlight your talents. Very nice shots, and well edited. Overall, the site is easy to use, and loads up nice and quick. No problem here. The only thing I dislike is the generic layout. Having tried my hand at designing a webpage before, I know how challenging it is to get out of the ordinary, but if you just sit down and work at it for a while you will eventually come up with something. The times new roman font with the tan background and square logo just doesn't do much for me, and it makes it look a little "amateur." I mean this is the kindest way, because it has a TON of potential, and with just a little time you can easily improve it just by changing the font to a more professional look, changing the layout so it's not just a bunch of squares, and other small things. Overall, nice site, just needs a little refining.

[mjs1973]

Thanks Brent! That's the kind of feedback I need to hear. The layout is pretty basic, and I want to come up with something a little nicer, but just haven't figured out what I want yet... I have very limited web building skills, but I will see if I can come up with something fresh.

[MarcusK]

Michael, I'll be giving my opinion of the site later, first i'll point out what faults i found (sorry, but i am a Designer so i look for details, which i know you want ):

1- On the Home Page, at the bottom you have the copyright section, the first mention of your name, has Smith written wrong, Smtih rather than Smith... easily fixed...

2- the About section has a lot of Mike in it (borderline narcissistic?? jk)... and the second paragraph you wrote "This website was build" when it should be built....I hate typos.... i always do them.... with the advent of chatting and the internet language we have developed short script... but as a professional you don't want typos.... Regarding the many Mikes, you could simply refer to yourself as he, or the photographer... He makes it easier though...
I would also suggest that the word Galleries in that section be a link, even though you have it in the nav bar....

3- I would add sub-category links to the galleries, so that when in any of the 3 the user can directly go to either of the other 2 without having to go to Galleries then choosing

4- Your email address in the about page, is fine....but in the rest of the website you might want to consider covering it up and having your name...or another message and not the full email address.... Just like the titles of the each section of the site...Same thing in the Homepage

5- The banner with Magic Light Photography i am unsure about...at the homepage the colors are fine, but the overall grey of the site, makes the banner colors bothersome.... I'll try to think of some way i think it could be improved, but the banner is not as interesting as the website......Maybe Just having a black outline, and the Name in thick font and red if you want.... then again no....it wont work....

Overall, this is quite an enjoyable website, easy to navigate, clear and concise....simple without being bland.... I like it... there is no need to go all fancy with flash design and special effects....but that is a matter of taste here.....
You can do simple with flash, but that requires the knowledge of the software... if you want to see how i like my own simple designs, you can check my unfinished site (nothing but the navigation is ready ) http://www.umadoshi.com
Hope this helps,
Marc

[mjs1973]

Thank you very much for taking the time to look over my site, and write you're reply. It's very much appriciated.

The details that you mentioned are all things that I wanted to hear. As you can tell, I didn't proof read the site. I will be making some changes, and updates based on the suggestion here, later today.

I know nothing about flash, so I plan on keeping things pretty simple.

Thanks again for taking the time to offer you suggestions!!