Photoblog; change to a website- why not?

dinneenp

Hi,
If you have a photoblog would you change/upgrade it to a photo website?
If not, just wondering why not?
Couldn't be bothered, no need, too much work or what?

(The basis for this question is that I have a photoblog and thinking of changing to a Zenfolio site. Seems to have nice layout, better for galleries than Wordpress ones, easier for browsing for users etc.)

cheers,
Pa.

Captain Flaps

There's no reason you can't combine the two. There are some amazing wordpress themes that transform your 'blog' into an easily managed and professional looking portfolio site. I'm running a customized version of this theme, looks great but still retains the easy blog posting options native to wordpress.

kensutz

Why don't you just sit back and think why you need a website with galleries instead of a photoblog? There's no point asking others because it's what you need and not what others think.

dinneenp

kensutz wrote: »

Why don't you just sit back and think why you need a website with galleries instead of a photoblog? There's no point asking others because it's what you need and not what others think.

Sorry, maybe I should clarify.
I have my mind made up. I should have said Im just curious as to others think/did when they have/had a photoblog

AnCatDubh

I don't think they are mutually exclusive activities.

A blog comes from being a personal/professional log written on the web, a web log as it were, hence shortened to a blog. The concept is write a log / a journal / a personal memorandum of something. Some people write words. Others show pictures. Mostly its implemented on a style of a regular or periodic entry posted to represent something - something you want to write about, something you've seen, something you've photographed. The style is very personal.

The web site on the other hand is more of a structured activity - "I want a page that has a navigation bar, a news item, an event, a twitter feed, a gallery, a facebook like button., etc.."

Personally speaking, I have a photo blog (which gets updated periodically ) and I have a gallery where a select number of limited edition prints can be purchased (I haven't promoted this much.... bleh ). Neither is connected at present. I've little in the way of information or contact links. I'm in the process of creating a basic web site which will connect the blog and the gallery and provide some additional information, contact details, and so forth. It is the next step in world domination don't ya know. Without a website world domination isn't possible apparently.

What I see me updating is the blog regularly, the gallery occasionally, and the web site seldom (i'll be too busy with that world domination lark). In truth, that's kinda how it as at the moment (albeit I should probably be more proactive on some fronts) but without the web site element.

I personally don't think a web site replaces a blog. It can incorporate one. A blog is different in concept. Yet, there is no reason why you couldn't use a website like a blog or indeed a blog like a website. All very confusing.

I'd suggest maybe considering keeping your blogging activities for blogging, and get yourself a web site for the linking/information piece, and establish a gallery (IIRC - you intend to sell some work online?). Thereafter, marketing is the next missing link for you.

Captain Flaps

AnCatDubh wrote: »

I personally don't think a web site replaces a blog. It can incorporate one. A blog is different in concept. Yet, there is no reason why you couldn't use a website like a blog or indeed a blog like a website. All very confusing.

This is the best option. My site has a portfolio section, which has a showcase of my best work in different areas, a personal gallery which is collections of non-portfolio stuff (mini photo projects, travel pics etc) and then a blog section which I update with posts about whatever. I think that's the best system, it combines everything in a nice little package.

squareballoon

If someone has two and i'm looking though their stuff I will amost always go to the blog and not the site. I don't want to see the best they've ever shot I want to see the stuff that they produce every day
That being said I dont have a blog at the moment. I'm still searching for the best template.

dinneenp

My plan is to have a most recent section with everyday photos as mentioned above.

Captain Flaps

A few people contacted me by PM, so I thought rather than sending out the link to everyone I'd just post it here.

http://robhuntphoto.com

The site runs on wordpress 3, which allows the use of static pages and categorised posts. Obviously I'm not entirely finished, I'm adding a bit to it day by day, but that should give you an idea of the kind of stuff I'm doing.

ditpaintball

Why not have a photoblog what is also a website?

I have a wordpress site in which I have various sections such as write ups on photo shots, articles on my lighting set ups, general blogish type posts. Then I also have a portfolio section and an about me section.

It's all about the right wordpress theme. Check mine out, http://www.richie.ie

Edit...

Snap Rob.... I see you like graphpaper press

Captain Flaps wrote: »

http://robhuntphoto.com

dinneenp

There's a typo on the nice Richie site-
an sports.
Hey there, I am an sports and event photographer for the day job who has recently started to dabble in some

ditpaintball

dinneenp wrote: »

There's a typo on the nice Richie site-
an sports.
Hey there, I am an sports and event photographer for the day job who has recently started to dabble in some

ha cheers... I would never see stuff like that