I use a blog platform and then re-design the template to try to blend photos and text together in a way that appeals to me. It’s difficult. As a photographer for the past two years and an art illustrator (many years ago), I want the photos to speak. For an artist it’s always visual–first. I want to communicate with visitors. But I admit, for me, the photography comes first.

I create a blog for myself and then visitors. It’s impossible to please everyone anyway, as you can see from the comments. Separating opinion from what is useful is always a challenge on the Web.

The Web is dominated by technology not art or creativity. I doubt many in the field have considered artists in Web development or coding, etc–until the past few years. So I keep experimenting. I’m not running a business at this time. My concern right now is developing as a photographer. A blog is helpful in doing that. I have a large slider in the blog I’ m creating right now. I can change the photos at will. Will I keep it? Don’t know. Don’t want to turn people off with it. On the other hand, I like it —will visitors feel the same way?

As an artist allowing others to define what you do is unheard of. The creative vision is in you. Imagine allowing public opinion tell you what colors to use in an oil painting, or the materials to use in a sculpture. On the Web what others think is crucial to building a readership or following. Perhaps one day the two will become compatible, but that has not happened yet. So we have to keep exploring possibilities.

As artists we create the work and let others come along side if they desire to. We don’t adjust the art to appeal to the masses. When we do, we cease to be artists.
We live in a world of technology. Incorporating art into that is not easy.

Love your site been following for years. Never disappointed. Thanks.

Great list, thanks.

Now what I really need to do is implement your suggestions on my own site which I admit needs improvement — sigh, so much to do, so little time.