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View Full Version : New StillMX Site?

28
31st March 2006, 12:30 PM
So whats this to be like then Still-MX?

are you going to have a brouchureware type site, maybe some flash, just to look nice and show what you're about?

or are you looking for something more interactive, with facilities to upload all of your photos from each event? maybe online purchase?

I started playing around with a design yesterday, but then i got board. :LOL:
Still-MX
1st April 2006, 06:43 AM
Wow, that was unexpected Jamie...if thats you playing around then I can't imagine what you a capable of if you really give it a go!!!
I have been downloading photoshop tutorials, reading up on what website creation tools are best and spending hours trying to get something together and what I have done looks like it was done by a primary school kid compared to that.
This is what I have manage before but it looks way to amatuerish http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/stillmx/
obviously not even on it's own server as I was never happy with it.
Might have to start saving my pennies and inlist your help mate as I am sure a site that come across as proffesional with attract more interest.
Basically the idea I had for the site I was trying to do is basically a portfolio type affair with galleries of events that I have visited. Obvioulsly graphic heavy sites take up server space so I have been trying to find a html gallery creater that does everything for you i.e watermark, resize and compress I realise I could set an action in photoshop but I'm lazy and I'd only fug it up.
I guess I am after a shop window i.e this is me, this is what I do, and this is how much prints/shoots are.
I am very much impressed with your work Jamie...why did'nt I grow up in the age of decent computers rahter than BBC's and ZX81's :LOL:
Still-MX
1st April 2006, 06:52 AM
This is as far as I got for a graphic for the index page.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a131/Still-MX/Greg%20Team/avatar1.jpg
Still-MX
1st April 2006, 07:58 AM
Can you recommend anything to help me along the way, was thinking of getting Netobjects Fusion 9?
28
1st April 2006, 10:02 AM
i've never seen Netobjects in action before.

I'm more into the technical aspects and coding of webpages, rather then the arty design stuff. So as far as software is concerned, i usually use photoshop for the graphics and notepad for the coding.

Dreamweaver is by far the best WYSWYG editor you can find. It produces near perfect coding and is ideal for beginners up to experts.

As for uploading/resizing/compressing/watermarking images on a web site, it may be best to use a ready made tempate for that. I can code most of it myself, but its not a 5min job.

Comming up with something completely origianal in web design is very time comsuming and usually doesn't work well because of the technology. Myy advice would be to look at 10 sites you really like, and take small ideas/concepts and use them. Don't copy! :LOL:, but for genereal ideas, it can help to see what will work on a webpage.

If you need any help myles, i'll help you out as much as i can afford too. I'm not going to charge :LOL: ..
28
1st April 2006, 10:03 AM
p.s. i like the film strip idea.

I imagine that vertically down the side of a page featuring "latest photos" for some reason.
Still-MX
1st April 2006, 11:08 AM
p.s. i like the film strip idea.

I imagine that vertically down the side of a page featuring "latest photos" for some reason.
Yeah, trouble with Dreamweaver is it comes with a nightmare of a price. As for hand coding in notepad I'd get as far as <head> :LOL:
You got any ideas on a good provider to use, have used Claranet before but what are your thoguhts?
28
1st April 2006, 11:33 AM
I know Dreamweaver is expensive, i use mine under the 70/30 academic rule. However, if you're only using it for your personal site, and not for a commercial use as far as producing for others. I'd be tempted to just acquire a copy and keep quiet. I personally think they are more concerned with the "big fish" making money from their software. I'm sure there are programmes you can get into to acquire the licence if needed anyway.


As for hosting companies, i've just not had that much experience with them as i've not got much of my stuff in the interweb. :D What i can tell you is like most things you get what you pay for, and lots of companies use gimiks to sell you stuff. For example DreamHosts (where this site is hosted) We've got crazy amounts of storage and bandwidth limits, in theroy we should almost be able to stream video to 1000's of people. The problem is (which they wont explain to you) they're severs are old and slow, and they limit the amount of computer processing time a website draws from a server. So in reality you couldn't get near their limits before the whole thing would fall over and crash.



I knew that was the case, but it still fits my needs. The biggest let down has been the downtime (as you guys will know) so i'll be changing after a year i think.



You wont need a dedicated server as you wont have that much traffic (i hope you do, but its not really feasible). And for photo's not video, you should be fine. Just find a big company which doesn't promise too much, and go with it.
Still-MX
1st April 2006, 12:12 PM
Think I'll wait for Netobjects 9 to come out, looks a handy bit of kit. Ready yourself for 1001 questions 28 :LOL:
Still-MX
1st April 2006, 12:21 PM
Just been to this site http://www.bestsoftwaremall.com/ whats the catch?
28
1st April 2006, 12:27 PM
I've got no idea, just sounds like you get no documentation, support, updates, cd/disks etc.
Still-MX
1st April 2006, 12:39 PM
Hmmm, I am very warey but very very tempted!!!
23
1st April 2006, 01:50 PM
Amazing work Jamie!!

Don't suppose you fancy re doing this one? I'll talk to Zorba on Monday and see if he can pay you.
28
1st April 2006, 02:40 PM
I thought that was a Greek god?

I'm more proud of my architecturally correct and standard compliant coding then the design of the sites. In theory these sites should be able to adopt a different css and be delivered to any device i.e. pda, mobile etc.

I can't get in too deep with work at the moment as i've got revising to do
Still-MX
6th April 2006, 07:05 AM
Right then, it all work in progress but I though I'd let you know www.still-mx.co.uk is now live. Lots of work to do but I'll get there eventually :D
28
6th April 2006, 09:54 AM
Nice one, looking good. A damn sight quicker than me.... :LOL:
RacersEdge
6th April 2006, 03:43 PM
Most of this thread is double dutch too me! The home page is looking good Myles. I can't wait to see the rest of it.
Smurf's Dad
12th April 2006, 01:11 PM
Myles, the quality of your work is amazing. I am just gutted that you didn't "capture" Smurf at the ORPA track day. I know from other threads that people are telling you to go pro. I really think you should do it as your work is a class apart from everything else out there in the UK. The quality and composition of your work is excellent and it is about time your talent was seen by a wider audience.

There is also a living to be made at a local level. There are a couple of photographers that cover AMCA meetings in the South West, but to be honest they are not in your league. I was talking to one of them on Sunday and he took the plunge to go pro at the end of last year and he hasn't regretted it.
Still-MX
12th April 2006, 03:28 PM
Myles, the quality of your work is amazing. I am just gutted that you didn't "capture" Smurf at the ORPA track day. I know from other threads that people are telling you to go pro. I really think you should do it as your work is a class apart from everything else out there in the UK. The quality and composition of your work is excellent and it is about time your talent was seen by a wider audience.

There is also a living to be made at a local level. There are a couple of photographers that cover AMCA meetings in the South West, but to be honest they are not in your league. I was talking to one of them on Sunday and he took the plunge to go pro at the end of last year and he hasn't regretted it.
Thanks for the kind words Smurf's Dad. :)
I have been into photography now for a fair few years and used to work doing shoots for people like the Teacher Training Agency and cover conferences and stuff but this was only kind of part-time freelance stuff not the sort of money that you could live on.
The things that has stayed constant in my life as far as interests go is MX and photography and to combine the both is a pleasure even if at the moment I do not make money from it.
Unfortunately due to my accident the other week I have had to knock the riding MX on the head for now as there are big changes going on in my life where I just can't afford to be injured, so that leaves the door wide open for me taking the photography far more seriously.
I know what you are saying about going pro and to be a pro MX photographer is probably... in fact definately my dream job. I'd walk over hot coals on my hands if I had a paying job like that at the end of it.
I have done the turning up at race events and taking pics of people that show an interest but more often than not they say that they will be in contact to buy a print and you never hear anything back. So I don't bother with that anymore.
The best pictures always come from being trackside at an event and this is what I am trying to get sorted at the moment. I really did struggle at Canada Heights at the weekend due to the fact I was a spectator along with thousands of others and to get better shots than I did would have meant fighting my way through the crowds to the fence. Not easy with a broken shoulder. :( With the help of some very suportive people there are some events coming up where I will be in that privaliged situation of being trackside and hopefully my photography will shine through.
I am in the process of updating my equipment so that will help also.
So I guess as far as going pro is concerned it's a case of I'd love to, I'll just wait until the time is right and the oppertunities arise.
Thanks again! :)
Smurf's Dad
13th April 2006, 09:20 AM
Myles,

Through the Atrip forum, Lawless, Sutty and Jeff Perrett are aware of your work so that should help with 2 of the mags. Despite the persona he displays on the forum, Sutty is actually a really nice and helpful bloke. You might just get a foot in the door through them.

If the old pals act doesn't work to get trackside you could always try the "he's gonna be sick" routine. It always helped getting out of busy clubs.:LOL:

Also (and I am going to regret this) I think you should stop the freebies unless it is for promotion purposes, close friends, or you are going to benefit in some way. I don't know who to credit with the saying so I will claim it myself - "If you want to be a professional, act like one"

One final point. When the website is running you might want to protect it so that people can't "save as" and then photoshop the copyright out of it. There is a program you can get that stops the right click on the mouse working which is probably enough to defeat most. I'm sure Jamie will know more.

Cheers,

Ant.