http://luceoimages.com/
The first thing that catches my eye upon entering the Luceo Images site, is the large photograph featured at the top. Appropriate size and great photographs always interest me enough to spend more time on the page. It's simple and has a nice layout, not at all overwhelming to readers, and if you like a photograph on the page (shocker) it actually takes you to the project. That might seem obvious, but a lot of pages don't use their photographs as links. A comment that is neither good or bad, but one that we're going to have to consider for our site, is that Luceo Images has a gray and black site instead of a vibrant, color-filled page. It works for them because their photographs pop. The color and presentation of our page is going to do certain things for our photographs/multimedia and a simple color scheme might be the best way to go.
http://newspulse.cnn.com/
NewsPulse doesn't do a whole lot for me. It does have more content to display, faster than Luceo, but at first glance there's a lot to look at. A page like NewsPulse is initially confusing and not necessarily focused on stories as much as 'how much stuff we can show you.' On the other hand, their organization is something that we can consider using. I like that searching for a story and accessing a story is a quick processes; just like Luceo, there's a clip of an image and headline on the front page.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
http://widerimage.reuters.com/timesofcrisis/
This website provided mostly an interactive timeline with graphics, quotes, photos and video explaining the economic crisis in America. The layout allows the viewer to look at the entire project and chose what to learn more about. It is packaged well and neatly while offering easy navigation between the grid and specific components. It provides some depth on the topic but does not invite the viewer to come back after experiencing it once. This could serve for some inspiration for Chris's economy story package. One major drawback is that it worked slowly and interrupted other streaming programs. I'm pretty sure it's flash since you can navigate by pages, which has its advantages and disadvantages (something to think about when deciding on how to program the site).
http://www.carolinaphotojournalism.org/cpjw/2008/
Cape Fear to Down Here
The site limits itself to one geographical area and tells stories through multimedia using SoundSlides. The opening page offers movable tabs that give an intro about the story in an interesting way. There is a bit of a delay, so you have to be patient if you want to hear the intro. The idea of this site is fairly similar to our own, but I think there is a lot of repetition of stories. There a lot of retired men fishing and enjoying the slower pace of life. I also wish the main page had some sort of moving media as opposed to a static landscape. The site is a good presentation of the group's work but does not compel the viewer to visit the site more than once.
This website provided mostly an interactive timeline with graphics, quotes, photos and video explaining the economic crisis in America. The layout allows the viewer to look at the entire project and chose what to learn more about. It is packaged well and neatly while offering easy navigation between the grid and specific components. It provides some depth on the topic but does not invite the viewer to come back after experiencing it once. This could serve for some inspiration for Chris's economy story package. One major drawback is that it worked slowly and interrupted other streaming programs. I'm pretty sure it's flash since you can navigate by pages, which has its advantages and disadvantages (something to think about when deciding on how to program the site).
http://www.carolinaphotojournalism.org/cpjw/2008/
Cape Fear to Down Here
The site limits itself to one geographical area and tells stories through multimedia using SoundSlides. The opening page offers movable tabs that give an intro about the story in an interesting way. There is a bit of a delay, so you have to be patient if you want to hear the intro. The idea of this site is fairly similar to our own, but I think there is a lot of repetition of stories. There a lot of retired men fishing and enjoying the slower pace of life. I also wish the main page had some sort of moving media as opposed to a static landscape. The site is a good presentation of the group's work but does not compel the viewer to visit the site more than once.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Photo Raw + Zone Zero
PHOTO RAW:
This website appears to exist for the purpose of its hard copy magazine. I am not getting the idea that this website is supposed to function as an online publication. The layout almost works except for how much scrolling is needed to take in only a small amount of information. The photograph that shows up at the top of the main page frustrates me because my first instinct is to click it but it doesn’t lead to anything. It also sets me up to believe that there are photographs to be found within the website. There is only one multimedia piece on the website called “Trancefloor”. I don’t really understand why it is on the website or why it stands alone. Overall, I think the website needs to involve its audience more by adding photographs, stories, or some sort of interactive element where readers of the magazine can post their own work.
Zone Zero:
The history behind this website is interesting in that Zone Zero was the first website dedicated to photography and is still continuing to grow. The magazine section is where I found I had spent most of my time. A lot of the articles are interesting and vary in subject matter which is nice. Zone Zero also offers pod casts that are only a few minutes long and are fairly interesting. My favorite section is the Gallery one. I like the set up of the gallery…it’s fairly simple but provides a good space for art to be displayed. I could probably spend hours upon hours on this website without getting bored. My only complaint is the organization of links throughout the site…I would much prefer not having to scroll around so much. I also wish the Community section were up and running so I could see what sort of interaction this site lends to its audience.
This website appears to exist for the purpose of its hard copy magazine. I am not getting the idea that this website is supposed to function as an online publication. The layout almost works except for how much scrolling is needed to take in only a small amount of information. The photograph that shows up at the top of the main page frustrates me because my first instinct is to click it but it doesn’t lead to anything. It also sets me up to believe that there are photographs to be found within the website. There is only one multimedia piece on the website called “Trancefloor”. I don’t really understand why it is on the website or why it stands alone. Overall, I think the website needs to involve its audience more by adding photographs, stories, or some sort of interactive element where readers of the magazine can post their own work.
Zone Zero:
The history behind this website is interesting in that Zone Zero was the first website dedicated to photography and is still continuing to grow. The magazine section is where I found I had spent most of my time. A lot of the articles are interesting and vary in subject matter which is nice. Zone Zero also offers pod casts that are only a few minutes long and are fairly interesting. My favorite section is the Gallery one. I like the set up of the gallery…it’s fairly simple but provides a good space for art to be displayed. I could probably spend hours upon hours on this website without getting bored. My only complaint is the organization of links throughout the site…I would much prefer not having to scroll around so much. I also wish the Community section were up and running so I could see what sort of interaction this site lends to its audience.
Week 3: Website Review
http://www.pictorymag.com/
I like the simple layout of the website. I think the website works showcasing different stories through the horizontal scroll of the website. It reminds me of an app which has the same basic functions. I am not a fan of this particular setup because I do not like scrolling down 10-20 images. I would rather see it all on one page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CDHcGxAI0k
USA TODAY - Android Application
The application on my phone puts the important elements at the top and through clicking on the different elements, the app personalizes further. I enjoy being able to read important headlines, check the weather, and look at top pictures of the day. I think the design is very simple and I like it. The application works flawlessly and I have had no issues. I wish they would show some video on this but that might be something in the future.
I like the simple layout of the website. I think the website works showcasing different stories through the horizontal scroll of the website. It reminds me of an app which has the same basic functions. I am not a fan of this particular setup because I do not like scrolling down 10-20 images. I would rather see it all on one page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CDHcGxAI0k
USA TODAY - Android Application
The application on my phone puts the important elements at the top and through clicking on the different elements, the app personalizes further. I enjoy being able to read important headlines, check the weather, and look at top pictures of the day. I think the design is very simple and I like it. The application works flawlessly and I have had no issues. I wish they would show some video on this but that might be something in the future.
Monday, December 13, 2010
48 Hour Magazine and then some
The second website I looked at was http://48hrmag.com/. While the website doesn’t impress in terms of graphics or interactivity; the idea behind the magazine is really interesting. 48 worth of editing to put together a final product.
What I did like about the website was that every submission included a piece of art work, whether it was an illustration or photograph. Something I’ve discovered is that while the website might look clean and well organized, if there’s not active part of the website, I don’t stay long.This is a website that I found via Lens Blog http://www.productsofslavery.org/. What I like about the website is the interactive map, that the screen changes with different facts, and when you click on a circle it gives the viewer more options to see other sub-categories. Then there is always the option to learn more with links to other websites.
-Brittney
foto8
foto8
So I just started sifting through the many links that we’ve all gathered, foto8 was the first. Here are somethings I liked about the website:1.) The use of color. Many of the websites have subtle soft tones, it’s nice to see something the draws attention because ultimately that is what we want our website to do.
2.) I enjoy the audio interviews they have with the featured photographers. It may be something we want to try. Perhaps conversations about the different stories we’re working on.
3.)The website has a whole section dedicated to stories! This is what our whole magazine’s focus is.
Dislikes
I do like this website but it’s not very interactive which I see as a problem to holding people’s attention and making them want to stay on the site longer.
-Brittney
Week 2: Websites
For my websites, I want to pick out a few at random on the list that I did not already give Meredith and critique them based on a fresh, first glimpse of the website.
http://visualcandies.net - Visual Candies (BLOG)
Pros
Simple, very simple. I really enjoy the blog layout and the constant color theme of blue. I think design wise for our own website should keep a clean look with the same color scheme throughout. The power of using a blog format is beneficial because categories are setup to sort through all the posts. So, for example, If I come to our site and I want to only find stuff on religion. Click, done. All those stories pop up.
Cons
The site seems empty. They incorporate categories which is great but they do not have the content to fill the void. I click on Home, and get one post. Not very interesting for a first time viewer. I think for our site because this is such a small sample of stories, we should not use categories. Our site should be a general theme of Rochester and put the featured stories at the front and have a list of others.
Pros
Simple, very simple. I really enjoy the blog layout and the constant color theme of blue. I think design wise for our own website should keep a clean look with the same color scheme throughout. The power of using a blog format is beneficial because categories are setup to sort through all the posts. So, for example, If I come to our site and I want to only find stuff on religion. Click, done. All those stories pop up.
Cons
The site seems empty. They incorporate categories which is great but they do not have the content to fill the void. I click on Home, and get one post. Not very interesting for a first time viewer. I think for our site because this is such a small sample of stories, we should not use categories. Our site should be a general theme of Rochester and put the featured stories at the front and have a list of others.
———————————-
http://www.slate.com - Slate
Pros
They incorporate social media right on the front page. I have a list of people who view Slate and “like” stories on the site. So, if my best Facebook friend likes something, I am probably going to click on it as well. Facebook and other social media will give us the power to target new audiences without actually having to do any of the work. We let the viewers do the footwork and we sit back and watch. I think this is the power of social media and Slate is using it to bring in other people to read their stories.
Pros
They incorporate social media right on the front page. I have a list of people who view Slate and “like” stories on the site. So, if my best Facebook friend likes something, I am probably going to click on it as well. Facebook and other social media will give us the power to target new audiences without actually having to do any of the work. We let the viewers do the footwork and we sit back and watch. I think this is the power of social media and Slate is using it to bring in other people to read their stories.
Cons
Feels kind of chunky in the layout and design. There is a ton of things on one screen and I have to look around at various text sizes and headlines to find what I want. I think a simple design for our purpose will help us greatly. People can navigate to the stories easier with a simple layout and it isn’t a chore. This website has a different market and targets it, but nonetheless the design is really crammed. They do not even use the whole screen for their website design. It is compacted into a set centered table that is extended vertically. I do not like feeling claustrophobic.
Feels kind of chunky in the layout and design. There is a ton of things on one screen and I have to look around at various text sizes and headlines to find what I want. I think a simple design for our purpose will help us greatly. People can navigate to the stories easier with a simple layout and it isn’t a chore. This website has a different market and targets it, but nonetheless the design is really crammed. They do not even use the whole screen for their website design. It is compacted into a set centered table that is extended vertically. I do not like feeling claustrophobic.
Night Riders Story
Hello everyone,
For people who weren’t in my Picture Story class, I wanted to show some of the pictures I shot last quarter of these guys who ride bikes late at night every week. I wanted to do something with this in this class as one my stories. So here are some sample images I really liked.
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