Hi, blue_lurker - don't know if you're still reviewing this thread, but thought I'd cut my teeth on this forum by attempting to answer your questions...
1. What do you look for in a photographic web site?
- Ease of navigation
- Simple categorization of photos (i.e.: Fashion, Portraits, Nature)
- Link to purchase options under each image (if I am selling my work/pieces)
2. What images do you most like to view?
- Captivating or striking imagery; something that exemplifies the photographer's view of the subject matter
- The human subject and its relation to it surroundings
- The female form (no, not pr0n)
- Nature
3. If an image is not water marked do you feel it is fair game to be right clicked and saved?
- unless an image is clearly identified as free license for use/manipulation, then no
4. What is a good size to display your images on the site?
- with the advent of larger screen real estate you may be tempted to present larger images - don't.
- review the images' sizes and choose a size small enough that will still showcase the subject matter clearly and can be appreciated by the viewer.
- make them 72ppi resolution - images that you sell can be presented at a higher resolution setting.
5. Hard one here, but pricing of images, should it be set prices for sizes or a price with relation to the image itself?
- Choose the options you plan to offer in terms of dimensions, resolution, and media (digital download, on disc, on a t-shirt, etc)
- the content/subject matter may not necessarily factor into the above types of selling options, but it can certainly be considered in when you are pricing each piece being offered.
6. Software, I know there are a lot of good web development soft ware out there but would like some incites on what you guys have used and what you though?
- Software to develop a site from scratch:
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Microsoft Visual Studio - Web Express version
- Adobe Contribute
- Pre-packaged templates like a CMS, WordPress with appropriate "plug-ins" installed
- hosting services that already have packages that can be set up for you - this frees you to focus on the content of the site, not the creation of the site.
7. Hosting, free would be great but I know that due to the size images I would like to display that may not be possible, any ideas on this issue would be great?
- with some hosting starting at about $74.00 US per year it may be in beneficial to go with paid hosting - this way only your content (i.e.: no ads, etc) will be displayed on your site/pages. Most hosting offers some form of click-to-install packages like Word Press and such, including some galleries that can be configured to sell - your mileage may vary depending on the host.
8. Any other information you think may be useful would be appreciated.
- Consider how you will be providing exposure to your new web site:
- Social media for your site - Facebook; MySpace; Twitter
