h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, it definitely looks like an orange blossom to me, MoG.

Meanwhile, after two hours with Chris the webpage designer it seems we have (at least provisionally) discarded *all* previous images after we accidently came across a totally different image whilst looking up something else. Anyhow . . . we're going to give the logo concept a rest for the moment while Chris works on the rest of the site. Now that we have okay'd the general look of the page, colours, etc. he can swap logo images later on once everything else is finished.

again for all your help, everyone!


az

Me again.

Two new logo options have been put up in the Fotki 'studio' album - anyone who is interested is welcome to leave a comment. If you don't have the password for it just email me and I'll send it to you.

And . . . big decision made today. That after all the set-backs we have finally decided that our new 'opening date' will be Monday March 20th - the first day of spring.




az

I loved the one in picture #12, my favourite yet Pretty, more natural than the last orange one but simpler than the blossom one.

for 20th March!

Thanks, kelli. The big logo decision now is whether to use the whole flower image or go with the cropped version. I like both of them but our designer thinks the cropped one is more interesting. Decisions, decisions . . .


az

So, in the end we went for the cropped flower.

http://www.natural-clothing.com/

The finished page will start off white at the top and fade into a very soft green towards the bottom - very pretty (though I noticed this didn't show up on a friend's screen as he has his set very bright).

Anyhow, had a meeting with the webpage designer this morning and by this afternoon we'll be able to access it ourselves and start adding *stuff*.

Now we just have to get those pesky garments finished . . .


az

that's nice
I like the flower

I like it!

Thanks guys - let's just hope people also like the clothes!

Am feeling a bit of 'stage fright' at this point . . .


az

understandable!

Love it! I'm sure you'll be fine az, you've worked at it for long enough

Sneak preview of some preliminary photos taken this morning (photos 14-31).

http://public.fotki.com/azahar/the_studio/

Again, these are not the 'finished product' in terms of the photos that are going to end up on the webpage. We just did a trial run this morning to get an idea of how to present the garments in terms of 'catalogue photos' - we realise there is still a lot of work to do in terms of lighting, composition, etc to make them look at least somewhat professional. Not to mention making sure the stuff is ironed properly . Also, a couple of garments are missing and a couple of the samples I used for these photos (specifically the 'pj' shirt, both short and long-sleeved versions) will be a bit shorter when made up for production.

One thing we would like some feedback on is our decision not to include the model's face in the photos and just focus on the garment. Kind of like what M&S is doing here with trousers.


http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatSectionView.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=8897&Catalog_Id=1&Page_Count=2&mnsSortingCombo=

Though we notice that M&S includes the models face with tops and dresses. What do you think?

Our idea is that a specific face, hairstyle, etc might create an 'image' (age group, etc) of who wears this clothing - somehow we'd like it to be a bit more 'open' but we also don't want to end up with *boring* catalogue shots.

For any of you who would like to leave comments on the Fotki page, please don't feel constrained by not wanting to 'hurt our feelings'. Well okay, we already know these are just some trial photos, so criticism of the quality of the photos is probably not helpful unless anyone can provide some constructive criticism on how to make them better (eg. should we include the model's face?). Or if the setting is okay? Just a simple light coloured wall with a hardwood floor as a background (the M&S link shows photos taken against a totally neutral background). Should the model be barefoot or wearing some comfy sandals? Stuff like that.



az

ps

anyone who doesn't have the password for the Fotki page can write to me at azaharh2g2 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com.


az

I haven't looked at the pictures yet, but I'm inclined to think that showing faces is a good idea. People like looking at faces.

Yeah, you could be right, Bouncy. We are still not sure about this.

If we go with a 'face' then we'll have to find another model. Not because my friend Carmen isn't lovely but because she can't relax enough to have her face photograph well - it tends to look quite tense and we need a 'softer' look.

The problem is, if we go with someone like Adrienne (photo 11) who is very young, lithe and pretty, we might alienate a section of our market. On the other hand, although the clothes are loose-fitting and comfortable, they also aren't meant to be just for *larger somewhat older women*. Not at all.

Heck, I've been wearing these clothes (or variations of them) for the past twenty years. From when I was much younger and thinner to now being, well, much older and fatter. I just love this comfortable style of dressing and so the idea is to try and make it appeal to as wide a spectrum of clientelle as possible.

az

I have just had a look at the photos az. If you don't want to have a bias on age range than perhaps use different age models? Mum & daughter? I think the style would speak for itself though as it will suit all ages.

Just a suggestion - you have such a beautiful city to use as a backdrop that the clothes would look fab if photographed outdoors - especially in some of your gardens. (paying close attention to direction of sunlight - no see-through moments!!)

It's all looking good so far.

Hi Lady,

Thanks for your suggestions.

We've been doing quite a bit of checking out of other clothing websites and the majority of them (that aren't huge mega-bucks companies) who try to use 'interesting backgrounds' often end up looking totally amateurish.

Well, even when I've seen professional shoots going on here in town, the photographer has a whole whack of assistants carrying extra lights (even when it is mid-day and totally sunny) as well as light reflecting umbrellas all over the place and even one person holding a 'light shield' over the photographer's head and camera - presumably to cut out any unwanted glare. Gaaaa! We'd just have our trusty digital camera . . .

Which is why we want to keep things as simple as possible right now - cos we really can't afford to hire a professional photographer at this point. But with our digital camera we can take hundreds of photos and then choose the few that we think come out okay.

I was a bit encouraged that M&S tends to use a very neutral background for most of their online 'catalogue' shots.

I would like to do a photo shoot at a beach some time . . . but for now I think *basic* is something we might just manage okay.


az

One thing you might like to try if you have the time is a bit of hair contrast. If you have light coloured (particularly white or off-white), comfortable clothes, I reckon finding someone with really dark and soft-looking (try layered) hair to kind of spill over the shoulders would make a good impression.

What about just putting the clothes on a judy? Just posted a photo of the 'tulip skirt' . . . sneaky cat got in there.


az

So, looks like our opening date will be set back by at least a few days. Not only do we not have any photos yet, but the webpage designer has still not finished the final 'tweaks', though most of the page is up and running just fine.

We now have two models with two very different looks, so hopefully they will work out. Only problem is that they can only come over in the morning (when the light is best) at weekends - and of course this weekend it's totally p*ssing down. So I think we'll have to wait until next weekend and hope for better weather . . .

Well, by then we'll also have a few other things sorted.

Stay tuned . . .


az

that's a shame, but better be completely ready.

it's exciting, isn't it?