The Blog as a Web Site Trend

In the past, photographers had one Web site for their portfolio work and another site for their blog content. The two were often kept separate and frequently had different page design and branding. Today, the two are merging to the same platform and design. Many photographers have merged their portfolio and their blog. Photographers often integrate their blog into their

site design, and even more often they have their portfolios integrated into their blog design as a separate Portfolio tab. As we talk about Web site requirements, keep in mind that you might want to integrate your blog and Web sites as a cohesive unit that represents you as a photographer. WordPress.org is the most common platform for this approach. High-end wedding photographer Jessica Claire has integrated the two into one site, as seen in Figure 6.1.


Her Web site, http://www.jessicaclaire.net, includes links to her image galleries, blog postings, updates on her work, and even a Shop page to purchase card templates and other photo products.

Photographers have many options to consider when deciding how to display their work on the Web. Some options are free or low cost, whereas others produce professional results with a hefty price tag. Again, the characteristics of your site depend on the goals and functionality you require. These options may drastically affect price.

Free

The following are some free options for photographers to display their work on the Web. There is no cost for hosting the site, for design, or any other related charges. This is a good place to start if you have an extremely limited budget or if you just want to get your work online quickly.

Flickr

At no cost, you can create a unique URL http://www.flickr.com/photos/ your name to send people to view your images. (If you want unlimited image uploads [the free version has image limits], HD video capabilities, and analytics on your images, consider a Pro account, which is $25 per year.) Although you can include your contact information and biography on your Flick profile, you cannot customize your profile appearance. Flick is a great first step to getting your images online, but it should not be considered your professional portfolio. Flick is not the ideal professional Web presence of a photographer, but it is a quick and easy way to get your work online. As seen in Figure 6.2, the interface is relatively clean and provides a way to share images that you can later integrate into your blog using plug-ins.

WordPress.com and Other Blogging Platforms

WordPress is a blogging platform that you can use as a Web site. The platform
offers a variety of templates to give your professional space a home on
the Web with a unique URL. You can create an “about” page for your bio,
add your contact information, and integrate your uploaded Flickr images.

Tumblr.com

Tumbler is a unique platform with endless capabilities for customization. It also
provides you with a unique URL. Some consider the site a hybrid of traditional
blogging and micro blogging. Over time people have started using the
platform as their main Web site. This is a good option to start building a community,
presenting your photos, and designing a customized appearance. On
Tumbler you can share images, as seen in Figure 6.3, in the form of a slideshow
or single image. You can add captions, behind-the-scenes stories, or any other
related media to share on your blog site. Tumbler’s main benefit is its ease of use.

BIO:
Brents lyons is an IT professional from Exam key. Are you really Looking for this Cisco 642-832 Exam assistance? Move ahead to take the benefit of a00-211 Test and pass your exam easily.