Replies

1. 
   FrankDrackman | Jun 07, 2009 01:07am | #1

   Please don't take this comment as being mean or nasty.

   I think that you need to change the main picture.  The glare takes away from an otherwise nice site.  You also spelled Lee Valley wrong.

   The rest of the site tells me that you care about all of the details required to do great work but that one picture screams amateur, "I need to get this project done."

   
   

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   Edited 6/6/2009 11:01 pm by Frank Drackman

1. 
   woodenhead | Jun 07, 2009 06:00pm | #2

   Any advice that point out a mistake can not be taken as nasty or mean. Regarding the glare, is it the welcome page or one of the other pages? And yes i am an amature, but with good advice that will change.
   Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post.

1. 
   FrankDrackman | Jun 07, 2009 08:29pm | #4

   The picture is on the home page, biggest picture.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jun 07, 2009 07:22pm | #3

   I'm seeing glare on the home page photo.  I'm no photography expert, but some experience....I would first try providing enough light surrounding the subject that I didn't have to use the flash on the camera.  With auto-exposure like most of the cameras have these days, if you turn the flash off, it will adjust and produce a decent pic, given decent surrounding light.

   Another option is to take the picture from a slight angle, so that the flash-light doesn't bounce back to the camera.  Problem with this approach is that the perspective can give you a weird-looking image.

   Positive feedback.....I like the color scheme, the font(s), and the photos -- how they show students "in action"

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   woodenhead | Jun 07, 2009 10:32pm | #5

   Thanks, great input, i will take your advice and any other suggestions you might have. I was aware of the glare, did not think it was a problem but one man's opinion is never enough.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 08, 2009 07:10am | #6

   Personally, I don't think of the glare as a big problem, but it is a distraction especially since it's on the first page.

   In another life, I edited academic papers and a couple books as a side-line to my day-job.  If you want, I can go through the web site and let you know what I see that's out of whack.  Won't be a cyber-expert's POV, but some help anyways.  Click on my name and send me an email if you'd like to get in touch.

   Good luck, have fun!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Jun 16, 2009 04:16pm | #7

   I took a quick look. Made on a Mac I like it already

3. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 16, 2009 06:21pm | #8

   FWIW, my initial impression is that both the graphic design and structure of the site, as well as the photography could be improved. As-is, it's not immediately clear what is being promoted (the school). If you can't afford a professional Web designer, you might look at the layout and structure of other similar sites to use as examples.

   The same holds true with the photography. It's best to use a professional (or advanced amateur) who understands lighting and composition, and has the appropriate equipment to do the job right. If you can't afford a pro outright, find one who is also a woodworker and might be willing to trade services for instruction.

   I'd also be cautious about the vendor pages. Unless you have permission, or the links are obviously "recommendations", those pages may infer some level of sponsorship already. Such an inference may not sit well with the vendors when you approach them for actual sponsorship. Use of their images without permission also violates their copyrights.