Some thoughts on the new facilites.

Thanks a lot for creating a first version - I feel like that's a good step into the right direction!

I personally would try to go for a design in this direction:

I've created a couple of mock-ups with different images which have been posted here to test it. Of course there are a number of things which could (and should) be reconsidered. I'm also not sure about the current logo, but it seems like the initial endeavors to create some alternatives have vanished when the majority of users returned to the old site, so I'm not sure how everyone feels about that now.

Anyway - thanks again @AlanSh ! I appreciate your initiatives and the open dialogue!

Looking at what is working on DPRevived, one thing stands out. The groups where participants display and discuss images are the ones that are working. That suggests a niche where DPRevived might grow. Most other sites are primarily gear based. An image orientated site has possibilities.
As several people have said, our numbers aren't growing. A landing page is urgently needed that spells out that this site is about images. The page needs headings that might be picked up by search engines that might bring new participants. Get rid of anything that smacks of DPR, we will come off second best in that battle and anyway it will suggest to newcomers that this site offers the kind of gear based forums and gear info found at DPR.

Maybe use the Ansel Adams/Hemingway story to make the point. Hemingway and Adams were having a drink together. Hemingway asks Adams "What sort of camera do you use?" Adams answers, "What kind of typewriter do you use?"

So, set up a front page that makes it clear that the distinguishing feature of this website is to present and discuss images. Support this with the emphasis on good image IQ that you are suggesting.

Use headings that will get attention from those wanting to discuss images. "Photo of the Week" has been a good move. Highlight it.
Have your photos critiqued. How to critique photos. The various photographic genres. Heading like these have a better chance of bringing in new blood via search engines.

Having got a new front page and a new mission statement out there, other directions are possible over time.

Set up libraries of reference sites relevant to the various sections. It isn't necessary to develop all new material, look to provide a place where people know they can access a wide variety of links. Involve current participants in setting up those libraries. Example. Ask us for suggestions as to where to find useful info on Landscape/portrait/abstract etc. It doesn't matter if this leads to other sites, you become a hub.

But. Over and above everything else, getting a new landing page out there with a new name and strong mission message marking out the territory is critical.

Technical discussion/info would still be relevant and should be developed but the starting point should be the image.

Oh come on...You can't be that sensitive over this. People have been commenting about the appearance of that page since day 1. After 7 months it continues to look like a page ripped out of some technical manual and is the sole reason for the dprenewed link. I don't know if that page combined with the foot dragging has made a difference one way or the other concerning membership decline but there is little doubt that a well thought out and visually appealing web page smacks of professionalism.

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Agreed. A new landing page, while essential, is not the answer. It has to express a philosophy. What does this site do that distinguishes it from others? The mission has to be established first and the front page and its graphics need to be a reflection of the statement. Then the rest of the development can take place to implement the mission. At the moment we feel as though we are wallowing around trying to find a path.
In my other post this morning I have suggested a direction. The one section of DPRevived that looks healthy is where participants post and discuss images. Build on it.

I'd avoid any title that includes DPR. I'd avoid the word Forums on the front page as well. I'd use phrases that are morelikely to be picked up by search engines and get newbies to the front page.
Ref my longer reply this morning.
A carousel of images from participants with a heading stating that this is what it is, could be a useful way to go on a part of the page.

I'd avoid any title that includes DPR. I'd avoid the word Forums on the front page as well. I'd use phrases that are morelikely to be picked up by search engines and get newbies to the front page.
Ref my longer reply this morning.
A carousel of images from participants with a heading stating that this is what it is, could be a useful way to go on a part of the page.

Sorry, my post needed to be attached to the original post so I have reposted. I couldn't find a way to remove this using edit.

I would make this image the front page this week, as it is the competition winner and use in this way is a suitable prize. It can be changed every week. Doing this should encourage members to enter the competition and also attract new members.

David

Sure. To spell it out in reference to the topic under discussion...
There is no shortage of photography sites where the forums are talking about the typewriters. I see no purpose, no future, in trying to start up another one. If you look t where the action is on DPREv, it is in the groups where participants are posting and discussing the novels. That's the gap in the market that this site has identified. Check the participation here of groups like the Canon users, the photo of the week, The weekly C&C group.. and there are more. We ought to be looking at how to build on the strength we have identified and how to bring them to the attention of newcomers. If the point of having cameras is to make photographs, surely we can get people interested in showing and discussing the things and improving their skills in making them.
That's where we need a compelling landing page that makes it clear what we are about. Then we need headings that are likely to be picked up by those using search engines and deliver them to our welcoming front door. We need to consider just why some of our discussion/posting groups are working and what we can do to get more of them running with regular contributions.

As to which typewriter to hammer, you will need to look for the answer on another site.

Yes, of course - you've got a point there. I feel like we need to consider more than just the landing page, if we want to achieve that though... I was thinking about a kind of claim (instead of the "The community-run digital photography resource" which is a good statement, but sounds too technical to be a site about images and discussion).

So, here's a new attempt, including a new claim and one of the alternate logo attempts from earlier this year:

This "Share & Discuss" in the center of the photo is destructive and unsightly in my eyes.

Do you dislike the idea of something being there as a whole or the specific thing? I would prefer the Forum being there (at least for now), because it's not well enough represented by the navigation alone. But of course that does change, once there are more relevant sections...

I like the 500px interface 500px.com/