Thread: Help me pick the picture for my website's home page

I want to use one of the two images below as the new home page picture on www.galatedancer.com. I'm having a devil of a time deciding which one!

Bhuzzers, what do you think? I will probably do some editing of the picture (minor cropping, making the background darker, etc.), but what's your gut feeling about which image should be the first impression many of my clients will have?

I like the one on the right with your hands above your head for a front page picture but my hubby says, "the flying skirt".

Sorry, I'm of no help!!

Another vote for the hands up pose, #2. Your smile seems a *lil* bit sweeter in that one, and I like the composition of it.

I like the one with the flying skirts, gives the impression you are looking at your 'audience' the other one is a very sweet photo, but you are looking away and in a way could have a feel of disinterest in the audience/viewer - use that on another page. The flying skirts one also has the impression of hair movement, it is very much "the dancer" photo.

That photo on the right is SPECTACULAR!!! As to the photo on the left, for some reason my eye overly drawn to the legs and shoes (which could also be ballroom), which makes the image seems less magical to me.

-Devora

That costume looks so fantastic on you! The photo on the right has a more creative composition but has a "still/posed" feeling. While the photo on the left has a more standard composition but has the "dancing/movement" feeling. They're both great so it really depends on what "feeling" you want to come across in your site layout....I vote for the movement one! :-)

I like the one on the left because it shows movement, and belly dancers move. The kneeling photo is adorable, but I like the action shot better.

The one on the right says, "I'm a dainty flower who is graceful at sitting and gazing off into the distance."

The one on the left says, "I'm a dancer, damn it."

Go for the one on the left.

I vote for the one on the left as homepage pic for the same reason as Karnak. I love the look of the movement, it is very engaging. Although the other picture is beautiful too and should definitely be used on part of the website as well.

I say the one on the left. You look welcoming and engaging, but serene. And you look like a dancer, damn it! (Good one, Roguepen.)

I like the one on the left because you're facing the camera. It gives a very clear idea of what you look like and the movement of the skirt is great.

What a pretty dancer and such a nice costume!
I am drawn to the left one because you are moving in it.
However, I also wish that the feet were also moving.
I'm not a big fan of static sitting poses unless looking into the dancer's eyes.

you look awesome!!!! Love your costume =)
I like them both. Can you use both of them?

Wow, so many great point and excellent suggestions!

You have all kind of confirmed what I was thinking - the second shot is prettier, but it lacks any dynamic sense of movement. I felt the first picture had more impact, and the second one was more of a "safe" choice. I agree with those who said that the second one has better composition, technically speaking.

No one seems to be bothered by one of the things I disliked about the first picture, which is that I think my hand position is not terribly attractive. But I nitpick my hands and arms to death when I'm watching footage of myself dancing, so it's probably more of a specific annoyance of mine whenever I look at myself.

I also posted this on a non-dance board that I'm a member of, to get a little GP opinion. They pretty much concur with you guys on everything. One poster, though, made a comment that really has me leaning towards the first picture. She said "It almost makes me feel like you could step out of the picture, hold out your hand, and ask me to join you." I really like the idea of using a picture that gave someone such a visceral reaction.

Eshta, I'll only use one photo for the home page, but I'll be including the other one and a bunch of others elsewhere on my website, business cards and other marketing materials. BTW, if you would like any photos with Power to the Paisley for your own portfolio/website, just let me know and I can send the originals to you via email.

I find the left photo a bit odd because it looks like you have stumpy legs. I'm more swayed for the photo on the right.

Originally Posted by HubicRuzz

I find the left photo a bit odd because it looks like you have stumpy legs. I'm more swayed for the photo on the right.

That's probably because I do have stumpy legs... ..l;,

Originally Posted by laura 2

That's probably because I do have stumpy legs... ..l;,

I didn't mean it like that. :)

The skirt looks like it is cutting your legs off below the knee cap.

In this old photo of you I can see the outline of the leg show so everything looks in proportion.

which ever one you choose, I wouldn't make the background darker, I'd make it lighter. Your hair is lost in the dark background. They are both lovely photos, but between these two, I'd say the one on the right. I really really really like this one.
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Originally Posted by HubicRuzz

I didn't mean it like that. :)

The skirt looks like it is cutting your legs off below the knee cap.

I know, I was just being sassy. But I'm only 5'2", with fairly short legs, so it's kinda true.

Originally Posted by HubicRuzz

I didn't mean it like that. :)

The skirt looks like it is cutting your legs off below the knee cap.

In this old photo of you I can see the outline of the leg show so everything looks in proportion.

There's a lot to be said for HubicRuzz's observation about proportion.

Definately the one on the left! I always go with my first reaction--and it was to that one.

Originally Posted by maurazebra

There's a lot to be said for HubicRuzz's observation about proportion.

Yeah, even I'm inclined to agree with that. It's the way the skirt is flaring out, not the actual shape of your leg. (And this is coming from a 5'0" shortie who has turkey drumstick legs). I vote for the seated shot.

I actually like beautiful posed shots better for landing pages or header graphics, because they give your audience a chance to fully digest your beauty-ness and style. They already KNOW you're a dancer, and your gallery is where you get to show off the cool motion shots, video and stuff like that. But I think audiences will first want to know what you look like in your costumes. (Sad, but true).

Not to be a PITA, but do you have a similar posed shot where you're making eye contact with the camera? Eyes can really change the mood of a photo and the direction a viewer's own eyeballs travel as they scan your website. If you have something where you're looking straight on and visually beckoning the viewer to come on in and take a look, that would be even better IMO.

both are beautiful but i like the eye contact in the first one..

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Not to be a PITA, but do you have a similar posed shot where you're making eye contact with the camera? Eyes can really change the mood of a photo and the direction a viewer's own eyeballs travel as they scan your website. If you have something where you're looking straight on and visually beckoning the viewer to come on in and take a look, that would be even better IMO.

I had one, but the expression on my face was bad (I looked downright angry, a problem I have with a lot of posed, forward facing shots), and I was turned to the side slightly so you could hardly see the costume at all. And I really want that Eshta costume showing as completely as possible, because it never fails to impress both dancers and non-dancers.

I'm not very photogenic naturally, and it's very hard to get a formal picture of me where I don't have a hideous look on my face, wonky arms, backfat rolls, etc. Performance shots of me tend to be much more reliably flattering, probably because I'm waaaay more comfortable dancing than posing for a photographer. I was pretty happy that out of 214 images, I was able to pick 45 that didn't make me cringe. Usually I'm lucky if I get anywhere near 10% that I'm happy with.

I am leaning strongly toward #1 despite it's shortcomings, because it's getting a much better response on my GP board (about 70/30 at last check). Their read is that the first shot is warm and inviting, whereas I come off aloof and overly proper in the second one (the word demure was used more than once, which doesn't exactly reflect my dancing, LOL!). It seemed especially appealing to posters who said they would most likely be looking at a dancer's site because they wanted to take belly dance lessons.

I really do appreciate everyone's advice and input. It's so much easier to make decisions like this when you don't feel like you're making them in a vacuum.

I'll trade you advice for that beautiful costume!!! :-D Now that that matter is settled...

I like the one on the right. The skirt movement in the left picture is really great, but I wouldn't choose it just because of the skirt. You're pose is really pretty in the right picture and it seems like you have more expression, curious and a little coy. I'm not a web design expert but it just feels like it'd be easier to place the right picture on a webpage than the other.

Well, back to the leg issue... if you removed the legs you'd look like the world's most floaty beautiful spinning Disney Fantasia flower. It might work.

I really prefer the one of the left. Strange how it seems everyone is so down the middle on this one. I like the eye contact.

Can't you use both?

Originally Posted by laura 2

I want to use one of the two images below as the new home page picture on www.galatedancer.com.

This link is missing a letter.

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

This link is missing a letter.

Whoops! Make that Home.

i like the eye contact in the first, but definitely something to be said about the legs. i'd say use the 2nd, and *use* the fact that in the pic you're looking elsewhere. people tend to follow the gaze of someone, so make it look like you're looking at something; i'm thiking like, the title of your page, or, what you want to make *the engaging paragraph* on your page. make that paragraph in a slightly different color of text and place the pic so it looks like you're looking at it. give every chance for the eye of the reader to want to read it! ;)