Place of design

I was asked about the differing needs for photographers webites – Is Google Picassa any good, is there a standard approach?  There isn’t a correct answer to this question – Different photographers have different needs

Example #1: Commercial archetectural photographer: will be creating and distributing files 50 – 200mb in size, and the worth of each file will be staggering. This photographers need will be: be able to deal with the large files (which online poses a range of issues), be able to show the full size high res files in a secure environment, be able to ensure his liscencing terms are not breached. This photographer may not produce a lot of photographs, but each one has a huge ammount of effort and work in it, and the commercial value is reflected in this. There not normally the need for need for e-commerce for this type of photographer, as money is dealt with via invoicing

Example #2: Ameuter photogrpher: typically these photographers produce a fair amount of files, security isnt really an issue, neither is licensing

Example #3: Wedding photographer: Typically generates about 1000 files a week, which have a limited commercial value – print sales online etc, album orders. Typical original image size size 20 – 50 MB per file – which can present some problems online. The value diminishes over time, many wedding photographers depreciate images out of thier gallery after 3-6 months. There will be an element of certain shots having a huge value in promotional terms to the photographer. There are several security issues – initially the bride and groom are the first people to see the shots, so the images may need a passworded gallery somewhere. After a period of time the gallery may go public. The photgrpaher rarley puts a high res file online, because people copying and printing the images is a high risk. There is often the opportunity to sell a download, this will need to be a file that is securley held elsewhere behind a firewall etc.. and then managed in terms of access, after a sale. EXIF data is often manipulated by software and then read by galleries to aid serching. There is a need for e-commerce for this type of photographer – which in general is pretty busy

Example #4: events / sports events photographer e.g. balls, horse trials, dog shows: Typical original image size size 20 – 50 MB per file – which can present some problems online. This photographers scenario is similar to the wedding photographer. More files are generated, and the turnover is faster. The photgrpaher rarley puts a high res file online, because people copying and printing the images is a high risk. Some events are private, others public. Galleries amy need to be priate or public to reflect this. There is often the opportunity to sell a download, this will need to be a file that is securley held elsewhere behind a firewall etc.. and then managed in terms of access, after a sale. Due to the volume a soloution is required to aid uploads. EXIF data is often manipulated by software and then read by galleries to aid serching. There is a need for e-commerce for this type of photographer – which in general gets hammered

Example #5: portrait photographer: Typically they generate 20 – 30 images in a session, which will need a private online gallery. Typical original image size size 20 – 50 MB per file – which can present some problems online. The photgrapaher rarley puts a high res file online, because people copying and printing the images is a high risk. There is a need for e-commerce for this type of photographer

Example #5: Fine art photographer: This one requires a fine balance – to secure the file online, but show enough to sell the image. Good money is commanded for a good image. Because of the subsequent printing procces, downloads are rare. Image numbers tend to be low. There is a need for e-commerce for this type of photographer

Example #6: specialist stock phootgrapher: (example food photographer). These photographers shoot stock photography either to a brief or on spec. The images need licencing, the image sizes are normaly 20MB+ which present all sorts of issues online. The comercial value of the images can vary form £1.00 to £1000’s per image depending on license. Customers usually need a lightbox type facility, and account management. Often teams of photographers work on a library. The photgrapaher rarley puts a high res file online, however they do sell high res images, which causes some logistical issues. Because people copying the images is a high risk. There is a need for sophisticated e-commerce for this type of photographer

Where does Picassa fit in with this lot – well for the Ameuter photographer it fits in nicley, for all other examples, the environment is either too clunky, or not secure enough, or doesnt provide the correct licencing / sales environmnet

There is another set of things to balance as well.. what the rest of the website needs to do for the photographer

Example #1: Commercial archetectural photographer – the website is a calling card. These photographers are very well known, they are not really looking for work, work finds them – the website is about image and status
Example #2: Ameuter phootgrpher – N/A
Example #3: Wedding photographer – very much so the website actually sells the photographers services, and needs to be very visible, very few wedding photographers are well known by customers. SEO, great copy and good images are a must
example #4: events / sports events photographer – the website often sells the concept of event photography quite hard – it is a competitive market, SEO is a must. The site needs to appeal to consumers and event organisers
Example #5: portrait photographer – Tend to be known locally, but in essence the same requrements are there as for the wedding photographer
Example #5: Fine art photographer – Mixed up this one – these tend to be known quite well internationally, but the website needs to be artistically spot on, and conveying the right feeling
Example #6: specialist stock photgrapher – Tend to be Niche markets, so there is an element of “we know that chap allready”, however, this is a numbers game, the site requires good SEO, as they sell worldwide, although customers do repeat visit.

In conclusion
In photography / art websites you are always balancing a variety of needs

• image security
• licencing
• overall site visability
• being able to show off the work
• style & design (they are artists)
• ability to mass upload images
• ability to allow downlaods securley
• user friendlyness for the photographer
• user friendliness for the visitor
• ability to have accounts and present images to individuals/groups

Ohter considerations
On top of that, artists and photographers often show “work in progress”, they often discuss thier projects, and may require blogs which show off images too

About the author

I am a professional photographer and website designer.  I understand the photography industry backwards.  This places me well to understand and resolve the online needs of photographers

To speak to Richard King, call 0115 845 8953

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