I ask about some feed back in my webiste. I got a some help in other areas and I appreciated. Here is one thing that make me wonder:
Friend send me this comment: I don't think there are grammatical errors, no. But I think your language and the ability to convert to correct English needs some work. I also think it's not all 'about you' and is mixed with about the work. I think about me should be ALL about you. Pull people in and tell them about you personally and your passion for photography. The info about the works, film format, type of paper, that stuff should be on the same page(s) as the images. Trust me bro. Those others don't know what they are talking about.
This what my about Oscar section shows:
My photography is always a work in progress. I started learning about photography at the University of Sacred Heart in Puerto Rico where I obtained my first bachelor’s degree in mathematics with minors in chemistry and photography. After some elective courses in photography, I was intrigued by the work of Nitza Luna, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Pete Turner. I relocated to Chicago in 1992 to pursue my passion for photography and received my degree in photography from Columbia College, Chicago. My primary focus was lighting and color. Since then I have been showcasing my work in museums, galleries, cafes and jury art fairs.
In November of 2012, I realized that I had something special in the works, and I embraced it by creating the Delicates Series (the framed pieces). This is possibly the most personal and emotional series that I have created. The series is a reaction to being homesick during a long winter in Chicago and not being able to visit Puerto Rico. The images capture the tropical feeling that I remember from Puerto Rico and my childhood. All the images are from different conservation parks. The images for the Delicates Series are print based on demand and no image is reproduce more than 250 times no matter the size.
All images captured before 2013 are taken with slide film using my 645 and 35 mm format cameras. I scanned all images and color-corrected them to match the original slides. All 2013 images have been captured with film and digital media. There is no post-manipulation; the prints reproduce the natural colors, tones and saturation of the original images. All 12x18 prints or smaller are printed on Fuji color Crystal Paper (Glossy or Luster Surface) and all 16x20 prints or larger are printed on Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper. Both papers ensure longevity, preventing discoloring or fading and thus adding value to my work. I frame my own pieces with studio moulding, museum glass (99% UV protection and anti reflecting glass) or conservation clear for smaller pieces (99% UV protection), rag mats (archival mats, 100% cotton), and the prints are dry-mounted in acid-free archival boards.
Warm wishes, Oscar Matos Linares.
The main question is what should be in about you or bio.
Comments
From a web layout standpoint, I would advise changing the tab from "About Oscar" to simply "About" but the site is great. Good luck with your new look!
As far as content, I guess I must agree with his friend as it just seems that his last paragraph would be a paragraph on the page showing/selling the work or on its on tab and expanded for those that want to know the tech side of what they are looking at/buying and the bio would end at " I remember from Puerto Rico and my childhood." Going to go look at Larry's new one now ;-)
I recently had to write a bio. The main rules are: 1) keep the bio to under 100 words. 2) write it in third person 3) write in perfect sentences so that if it is a requirement for entrance into an exhibition, competition, or show, they can use it in their publicity for their event. A bio is different from an artist statement. To prove my point, go to some web sites of some famous artists and you will see that all the bios are just like I said.
I sent Oscar a rewrite of his statement and he informed me he's now using it on his web site.
I don't think first or third person makes a difference as long as it reads well and doesn't contain too many first (or third) person references. Not too many times using the words "Oscar" or "I". That's why it's always better to have someone else proof read it because they are not emotionally connected.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
I like your personal story and evolution of work in the first couple paragraphs. As a non-photographer, I lost interest in the technical specs paragraph. I wonder if you could move that info to another page on your site that describes the product a buyer is purchasing, or your process. I think my reaction is probably typical for most buyers who are interested in your imagery and don't know much about photography.
A question for Larry and other experts: whether to write this section in first or third person. Third person sounds better to me than peppering my information with "I" ... but maybe it sounds too distant? Obviously an artist statement is first-person but an about page seems different somehow.
First, I think this is better than most about pages. I don't think the technical information hurts, but only other photographers will understand what it means and why it matters. So maybe you should tell us why you use both 645 and 35mm, and under which circumstances you use one or the other. Tell us why you use Fuji film. You have unlimited space in the web site, and you should feel free to use it. Just remember that you do not have unlimited attention from the visitors. Always put the most important information near the top of what you write.
Interesting life, but personally if it were me, I'd be inclined to make it way shorter. If it's to be about me, then I figure that's what it should be about - not necessarily every film stock I've used. Certainly my philosophy of 'why' I do the things I do, not necessarily every 'how'.
Just my 2c.
Mike
Hi Oscar,
I'll help you rewrite it. E-mail me the latest version and let me take a crack at it. For example, you don't need to say 35mm and 645 film. Most people won't understand what 645 is. Just say film.
Larry Berman
This is the new one so far.
How I got here?
My photography is always a work in progress. I started learning about photography at the University of Sacred Heart in Puerto Rico where I obtained my first bachelor’s degree in mathematics with minors in chemistry and photography. After some elective courses in photography, I was intrigued by the work of Nitza Luna, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Pete Turner. I relocated to Chicago in 1992 to pursue my passion for photography and received my degree in photography from Columbia College, Chicago. My primary focus was lighting and color. Since then I have been showcasing my work in museums, galleries, cafes and juried art fairs.
The Delicates Series is my recent work.
In November of 2012, I realized that I had something special in the works, and I embraced it by creating the Delicates Series (the framed pieces). This is possibly the most personal and emotional series that I have created. The series is a reaction to being homesick during a long winter in Chicago and not being able to visit Puerto Rico. The images capture the tropical feeling that I remember from Puerto Rico and my childhood. All the images are from different conservation parks. The images for the Delicates Series are printed on demand and no image is reproduced more than 250 times no matter the size.
About the art.
All images captured before 2013 are taken with slide film using my 645 and 35 mm format cameras. I scanned all images and color-corrected them to match the original slides. All 2013 images have been captured with film and digital media. There is no post-manipulation; the prints reproduce the natural colors, tones and saturation of the original images. All 12x18 prints or smaller are printed on Fuji color Crystal Paper (Glossy or Luster Surface) and all 16x20 prints or larger are printed on Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper. Both papers ensure longevity, preventing discoloring or fading and thus adding value to my work. I frame my own pieces with studio moulding, museum glass (99% UV protection and anti reflecting glass) or conservation clear for smaller pieces (99% UV protection), rag mats (archival mats, 100% cotton), and the prints are dry-mounted in acid-free archival boards.
Warm wishes, Oscar Matos Linares.
Besides I love to take an idea and improve it even you may not think it can be done better.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next