Why do we have web sites.

Many of us do and from what I have read in the past not many make sales from their sites.

So is it vanity.

Is it because we want acclaim.

Is it because we want to share our treasured images with the world.

Are there any other reasons.

So come on guys and girls...why do you have a web site,this could be intersting :-)

Eddie

On the off chance that someone does want to buy a print that would make it worth it. But what i like about having one is the fact that i can meet anyone and have a conversation about photography and my hobby and then hand them a card/write down/get them to remember my name (google "rich meadows" - i'm top) so they can go and have a look for themselves.

I got my current job merely from having my website - the guy employed me based on my photography there and hasnt seen a full cv since i was hired a few weeks ago...

Hi Rich,
Where did the inshaalla come from...maybe we should start a thread on how we come by the names we have.
regretably mine isn't very exotic,jusy my initials.
Very interesting reply...I had better print some business cards :-)
Eddie

Quote - maybe we should start a thread on how we come by the names we have.

I think there's a thread like that. it's the thread were i found out what an anagram was...

Attached Link: http://www.aegipan.net

The answer is quite simple.  It is the easiest and less expensive way to share your pictures with people.
I have a "real" portfolio book with fine-art prints of my pictures and just adding a picture in it (you know with that *$$!# protection sheet) equals a year of my web hosting fees, so ...
And it's a "big" book not easy to handle.
And the pleasure to show your website on your tiny mobile phone screen has no price. :)
So now my "nice" portfolio book is only catching dust instead of attention.

More seriously, having a website now is like having a nice front window on the street a few years ago. And for my kind of job (glamour photography) anonymous contacts (and questions) are easier with a email from a contact form than in the "reality" of a shop.

When I give my business card, the first look goes to  the website and email addresses.
But of course, there's a little touch of vanity inside but that is an another debate.

Only my 2 cents....

Peace.

Aegy

Interesting question.

I have a web gallery. Why? I am uploading almost daily to Rendo but I prefer my pictures organized in category style. Like ... Landscapes...Macro...so on so on. I can not doit here on rendo.

seeya  Tunde

I see that babuci has,

a web gallery

... because,

I prefer my pictures organized in category style. Like ... Landscapes...Macro...so on
so on. I can not doit here on rendo.

True ...

OTOH, please take look at,
"Suggestion about organization (sequence) of a member's gallery"
... that is a thread I started in the Suggestion Box Forum
... and my idea has been put on the list!

Please read the thread to find out more about 'the list'.  LOL

--
Martin

Why have a website? Hmmm...

Well it seemed like a good idea at the time, lol.
The idea was to share my pictures with a wider audience, so to speak, and if I sold a few prints then that would be a bonus. The only drawback is I have very little time to maintain it - I really, really need to update the galleries, lol. And, to be honest, although I have sold a few prints via the site I've had more interest in my work through RR than anywhere else I've posted pictures to.

• Andy

I see the creation of a website as a work of art. The most fascinating phase is trying to get it organised and aesthetically pleasing. And then trying to CSS code it, despite the stubborn stupidity of that disaster called "Internet Explorer".

I often create effects just for fun, and without uploading them anywhere. And like with most works of art it's the creation that is more important than the result. So I always start all over, mostly even before anything is finished.

Vanity? Bof. Having a camera in itself is often an act of vanity. (go to the zoo, and observe male (far more than female!) photographers eyeballing another's equipment. "I have the longest". Telelens of course. (wink)

I have had a website or mostly a forum and gallery for about 12 years now.
   I had a lot of friends that wanted a nice place to visit where their children could view with out haivng offensive things to see.     Kind like my home.
  It is not for everyone but we knew that when we opened the forums and gallerys.  Thats why its so unique and the members we have like it this way. :)
 Call us pruds or what ever but it works and we enjoy each others companionship and art that the members upload to the gallery.
  Its like my home.  You come into my house you obey my rules.  For some people that is so hard to understand.....:)

yep, it is my home on the web too. A home in need of renovation, lol. I agree with much of what you guys wrote, and with a lot of what Aegy said. Many reasons for me, but business and vanity first! ;'P Also, isn't just cool to have your own site. I mean, c'mon! It means you are somebody, right? Right?? Please tell me I'm right... :m_scared:

I created my website about seven years ago and it was purely a personal "girly" site with poems and stuff but then a couple of years ago I started making web graphics, for girly sites like mine and offering them to the public as linkware and eventually, purchaseware - OK, I've only sold one set, but hey, it's a start LOL!!

Then I started to use some of my earlier photographs to make these websets and realised very quickly that it would be nice to actually display some of my photos to allow viewers the chance to see if there was anything they liked that I could make a set from.

It hasn't been updated in months and months and months now and my gallery here has far more in it than my own site, but I like my site, it's more organised and the pictures are smaller so the quality isn't in question LOL!!!

No other reason really other than a place to put some of my stuff when I'm bored (which I rarely get the time for anymore!)

Good thread though.

Hugs

Chrissy xx

I am planning a new site but only have one very, very old one not published now. I should delete it all and start fresh since it was a philosophy of mine on the creative process and how some create and some do not.  I was accused of being a "new age" person from someone who saw the site but that is not true..the words I put up almost convinced me, though.

My new site when that happens will be for personal enjoyment and sharing. I am a very small part of a site run by About.com called allexperts.com. There I answer questions on things jewelry related.  I throughly enjoy it and certainly enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others. For me it is not vanity on that site but a service I am able to provide and enjoy doing.

When my photo site is up, that will be a means to share some of me with others.  Especially, that will be a means of meeting some other folks. Sure, I know how the net can be and how real nutzos types are there..but I will not respond to them.  Over the years I have met many wonderful and very interesting folks, including a man from Russia who wanted jewelry info. We have had a continued friendship for several years now and it is a very good thing. That is my motivation.  

Sure, I want opinions on my photos and some I want to share, even if not understood by many and truly appreciated by others.  To sell a print would be a bonus, not a realistic motive for the site.         TomD'Art.

I have a few friends I like to share my work with - both photo and writing. I have quite a few websites, actually. :-D

Professional portfolio - even though my site currently sucks...
Made it about 5-6 years ago in about 20 minutes to HAVE something on the web to send a possible client to look at. He liked the images - thank God because the rest is terrible - layout, design, functionality, etc.
I've designed another one with the help of a graphic designer friend and my wife is currently programming it (she's a ColdFusion goddess).
-Lew ;-)

My website allows potential clients to have a look at work that I have done and see comments from clients. It is has also recently grown to become the largest online photolibrary of aerial images of Scotland, over 1,000 images. www.scotaviaimages.co.uk

A lot of my non aerial photos have only been posted on RR, perhaps I should add a new section to my website and post some of the best, i am happy to do ground based assignemts as well especially as I do not have costly aircraft rental !