Forum Enhancement?

[jckegley]

I was thinking that the forum we started needed some color and was wondering what you guys thought.

The idea would be to use images in the header of the page that folks have posted. Obviously the photos would be cropped to just show a portion of the original photo.

Not sure how practical this is, or how much of a hassle it will be for me, but thought I would throw it out for opinions.

Too crazy? Not interested? Sounds good? Don't think it will work? Sounds good but.... ? I don't want my photo used for this.

Give me some pros and cons.

Here's an example that includes both ways of displaying. I would only want to do one of them.

1. Add photos along the same axis as the logo. Nice even layout.

The downside of this is that it is tough to show detail when you crop an image to fit this small.

2. Add photos below the logo. Can use larger photos this way which would show more detail, though the photos would still be cropped.

[Squatty]

I actually think that it is a very neat and cool idea Joe!

I would maybe suggest asking the person first just in case someone might not want their stuff used but for the most part I don't see why anyone would mind. I wouldn't

I like the larger format

[jckegley]

I actually think that it is a very neat and cool idea Joe!

I would maybe suggest asking the person first just in case someone might not want their stuff used but for the most part I don't see why anyone would mind. I wouldn't

I like the larger format


Good point. I would definitely ask for permission first.

[rpearce12]

I like the idea. I think it would be good! And ditto squatty.

[Squatty]

Hey Joe, it's just CYA ;) you know :D

[jckegley]

I'll try to work on something this weekend.

[Steve_E]

Great idea Joe. I prefer the single row approach for simplicity and for scale, as you mentioned. This is a great way to allow visitors to get a quick visual cross section of the work posted here. This could become link functional but that would be more involved. A click could take the visitor to the thread the photo is featured in.

Design is my line of work, I'd be glad to provide some layout thoughts if you'd like some assistance.

[jckegley]

Great idea Joe. I prefer the single row approach for simplicity and for scale, as you mentioned. This is a great way to allow visitors to get a quick visual cross section of the work posted here. This could become link functional but that would be more involved. A click could take the visitor to the thread the photo is featured in.

Design is my line of work, I'd be glad to provide some layout thoughts if you'd like some assistance.

I definitely am open of ideas Steve.

Right now I am thinking for the first try and just to get the format right, I would ask a couple of folks if ok to use their photos and get them on the page. Make sure the size and centering look ok.

After that we might could....

Link the photos to the post they belong to
Link the photos to the persons website (open in new window of course)
Do new photos monthly (or every two months)
Maybe for the second series (and beyond)... start a post and have members submit their own version of their shrinked photos (specific to the necessary dimension for consideration. We could either vote or I would select. (This would give members more control over how their photo looks when cropped small like that, as opposed to me doing the crop/shrinking. I find it very tricky. What looks good in large dimensions, very often does not look good cropped small. Sometimes you crop to just show the head or eyes of the subject, or maybe just a certain section of a larger landscape image.)

[dddenton]

I like the addition of the images at the top, Joe. Great idea.

[jckegley]

I like the addition of the images at the top, Joe. Great idea.

Why thanks Deede. I appreciate that. I think we might also change the logo and that gray black gradient above the photos too.

[SkipP]

I agree with the others...very nice enhancement. Adds to the visual appeal!