View Full Version : Dead pigs and parental warnings
Ed Richards
19-Sep-2009, 19:10
My current front page has two gateway images of archtypical South Louisiana life: a hurricane damage picture and a dead pig from a boucherie:
http://www.epr-art.com
I never thought anything about it, since in my view, art is not for sissies. However, my wife thinks I should not show dead pigs without a warning - Warning, this link will take you to a dead pig picture, and behind that, the folk ceremony where the pig was killed and eaten.
I am curious what others think.
Blumine
19-Sep-2009, 19:24
Personally, I don't think that the way the image is presented is either graphic nor offensive. That said, I don't think I would want that on my top page either.
Blumine
willwilson
19-Sep-2009, 19:42
I think it's up to you. It's your page.
I found it interesting.
percepts
19-Sep-2009, 19:49
Its your pig so put it where you want it.
More pig on front cover images...
http://www.chrischapmanphotography.com/
even used it on the cover of his book...
Rick Tardiff
19-Sep-2009, 20:03
I think your subject matter will create some interest and make the viewer want to see more.
Bosaiya
19-Sep-2009, 20:13
I think you need to weigh the very real potential of alienating an otherwise amiable viewer. Me, I don't care, but I'm sure it'll turn away a few people. I guess it depends on what your intention is, only you can answer that..
venchka
19-Sep-2009, 20:28
Wives are usually right about things like this. On the other hand, I think warnings are getting out of hand. "WARNING: Living can be hazardous to your health."
Meet her halfway: Move the pig's head off the front page. Briefly explain a boucherie in text then lead the viewer to the photos.
John Kasaian
19-Sep-2009, 21:21
Dead pigs taste better than live pigs!:D
Kirk Keyes
19-Sep-2009, 22:25
Dead pigs taste better than live pigs!:D
I bet they taste the same, its just the dead ones are easier to eat...
Frank Petronio
19-Sep-2009, 22:31
I think they should be larger by 3x, like 360 to 400 pixels wide each, side by side, with the text more contrasty and easier to read. None of this blue and grey stuff, the Civil War ended a long time ago. Remember what the greatest propagandist and communicator of all time taught us... the most powerful colors for graphic design are Black, White, and Red. Worked for Adolph, they should work for you.
I think the bolder and more graphic the images are, the better. Show us the pig's headless torso!
The pigs head jpeg is linked to a different set of galleries than the text link....
The Breeze Browser galleries are fine, the images are nice and large, BUT somehow you need to give the view a link to get "Home" and to the other galleries, your bio and contact info. Try to keep the navigation consistent, high, and to the left so people can get to it no matter the size of their browser window or monitor.
Do just that and you'd be ahead of most websites.
i have shot lots of dead animals all over the markets in asia. i find it fun and interesting. you would be hard pressed to get into a factory i the USA with your camera. i watch a couple of thai guys cut down whole pigs in a matter of minutes in the Ayuthaya market at 3 am. fasinating.
your pictures do not bother me. they are more a documentary thing than "art". that is fine. frank makes some good suggestions.
Ed Richards
20-Sep-2009, 06:04
Thanks Frank! The site is actually torn down - I am rebuilding this weekend, so lots of things are broken.
Brian Ellis
20-Sep-2009, 09:44
I wouldn't put a warning on it, I think that's going way too far. People who will be turned off by it don't need a warning, people who like it won't be deterred by a warning. In fact they might be titillated by it. So I'd either put it on without a warning or leave it off entirely.
As to whether it should be on there or not, obviously some people (like me) are going to be turned off by the dead pig picture and won't go any further in the web site because of it. But I'm sure there are others who will find it interesting and unusual and go further in the site than they otherwise would.
John Jarosz
20-Sep-2009, 10:25
Not sure why you want that on the home page, but some people may not proceed any further because they may be concerned about what they MIGHT find on the inside.
'Course animal friendly types will be put off no matter how you do it, so I wouldn't worry about them.
John
Kirk Gittings
20-Sep-2009, 11:17
My current front page has two gateway images of archtypical South Louisiana life: a hurricane damage picture and a dead pig from a boucherie:
http://www.epr-art.com
I never thought anything about it, since in my view, art is not for sissies. However, my wife thinks I should not show dead pigs without a warning - Warning, this link will take you to a dead pig picture, and behind that, the folk ceremony where the pig was killed and eaten.
I am curious what others think.
I have no problem with images of dead animals, BUT I don't think that is your strongest work and the lead page should show your strongest work. I think the LF work on Katrina is by far your best (and an important body of work too).
Robert Ley
20-Sep-2009, 14:31
Looks like everyone is having a great time with the exception of the pig.
Merg Ross
20-Sep-2009, 15:33
In my opinion, your best work is in black and white and resides within the Katrina portfolios. The pig photograph seems to be placed for shock value, and is not representative of your strongest vision. I don't consider photographs of dead animals to be a turn-off per se, however, that image would not encourage me to peruse the remainder of your site. I would, therefore, be missing your fine Katrina work.
It really depends upon what you consider to be your best work, and who you want as an audience.
Jim Galli
20-Sep-2009, 16:16
Jesus sent a whole herd of pigs over a cliff to their death one day. Dead pigs must be OK. Dead babies on the other hand, are not.
redrockcoulee
20-Sep-2009, 17:01
I would also not have them on your front page. They are both potentially objectionable to some and not your strongest work. I personally did not get a good feeling from them. Am I too sensitive, perhaps but then I also have taken over 1000 images and 10s of hours of video of pigs and blood and gore that I am not able to show anyone due to the sensitive classification of the images.
The goal of the front or home page is to entice visitiors to enter the galleries and I do not think the pig ones does that. It is your web site but if you set it up for others to view your work think of what makes them stay or chases them away.
Ed Richards
20-Sep-2009, 19:04
New Page, No Pig:
http://www.epr-art.com/
Santo Roman
22-Sep-2009, 00:15
I don't know Ed. I'd put the kid holding the pig head on the front page. You see the head and the kids smile with the smear of blood on his face. Maybe if there was a way to toss up a vote for this kind of thing on the site. Like Frank said, make them bigger. Get that detail in there. I like them.
santo
Ed Richards
22-Sep-2009, 06:44
Santo and Frank
Do I hear a call for an second WWW site, with a Deliverance/True Blood as seen by Leni Riefenstahl theme?
Frank Petronio
22-Sep-2009, 07:23
Just do a Tumblr photoblog site, they're quick, easy, punchy, well-designed, nice looking... stop working so hard on the freaking website junk and go make pictures!
Rodney Polden
27-Sep-2009, 13:11
A side issue, I know, but out of curiosity - does your wife put a warning beside your breakfast plate saying "Caution - dead burnt pig flesh"? I'm always surprised at moms who let their kids put dead animal parts in their mouths, but y'know, the world has some funny contradictions in it.
I thought your website had some great work on view. Congratulations
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