While I sip the culin that remains in my cup of coffee, here in Madrid the clock right now shows 2:15 in the morning. It is a historic moment in the life of this medium because, today, at last, the new design of Blog del Fotógrafo is a reality.
What you see, dear reader, is the result of many weeks of planning, preparation and a lot of work behind the scenes at BdF. Like when you get involved in renovating a house, these things usually end up taking more time and more work than you initially anticipate.
The design changes that I have undertaken touch on several aspects that I will tell you about later: from the most aesthetic side (such as the logo, for example), to the most didactic and practical part (new sections). I am very excited to see these changes finally made a reality and to be able to share them with you, after having been biting my tongue for all these months ago.
WHAT'S NEW IN BDF?
All.
Except for the name, almost everything has changed on the blog. Now I will explain some of these changes, but the important thing that I want you to remember is that all these changes have been inspired by you as an amateur photographer and as a blog reader.
BdF's mission is to simplify the learning of photography and help more and more people access photographic knowledge. The changes in the Photographer's Blog have been devised in order to achieve that mission. I'll tell you below:
1. MORE PHOTOGRAPHERS. LESS CAMERAS.
A good part of the changes you see on the blog revolve around this idea. Photography (as a hobby and as a profession) is full of people who idolize the camera over the photographer, the machine over the person.
The cult of the pot.
Even I had fallen into that mistake without realizing it. The BdF logo in its previous version paid homage solely and exclusively to the camera, showing the typical SLR camera icon, leaving completely aside the figure of the photographer or the person who is supposedly behind that camera.
With the new logo I have tried to correct this gross error. The new logo, which you can already see in the main menu at the top, with that outstanding heart winks at the photographer, at the "human" who is placed behind the viewfinder, at the person of flesh, blood (and heart) who drives the camera. A nod to the artist.
A nod to the guy or girl who feels things and who transmits them with the photo.
The new logo also brings a burst of color to the blog, something the previous logo lacked.
2. NEW SECTIONS
With the new BdF design, new sections are also coming. The first is the same one you're reading right now: Mario's Column . A weekly space in which I will share with you tips, tricks, ideas, personal reflections and even frustrations. All around the subject of photography.
Another new format that I am launching with the new design is #Fotoreto , a weekly proposal in which I will propose a new photographic challenge to which you will be invited every week. The winner of each week's #Photoreto will receive a very interesting small symbolic gift ?
Oh, I forgot. #Fotoreto will be recorded on video. This way it will be easier for me to infect you with the desire to go get your camera ?
In the next few days I will reveal more sections that I have yet to release, and that you will surely love.
All these sections have a single purpose: fill you with inspiration and push you to take your camera, practice, and enjoy seeing your own results.
3. MORE VIDEO CONTENT
I've been posting little things in video format on Youtube for a long time, but from now on you will start to see new sections of content in BdF, mainly oriented to the video format. All designed to encourage you to take your camera and learn to capture photos that will leave you amazed.
4. MORE SOCIAL. MORE INTERACTIVE.
The new Photographer Blog is more social and more interactive. In the next few days we will begin to publish new content on our social networks, especially on Instagram(make sure to follow my account). Contents that will fill you with inspiration and the desire not to let go of the camera.
I am also preparing new content where readers can act with me, content based on proposals and questions from BdF readers. I can't tell you much about this right now, but it's coming down so stay tuned ?
5. PHOTOGRAPHY RESOURCES
Do not miss the new section « Photography Resources «. In it I share with you some of my favorite online services and resources that will be useful to any photographer, amateur or professional, who wants to get the most out of their camera. Check it out so you don't miss these resources .
6. MORE AESTHETIC NOVELTIES
The new design is full of aesthetic and functional innovations, especially at the user experience level.
I have tried to optimize the content you see on the screen while browsing the web. While you read an article in BdF, instead of showing you zillions of boxes to the right, from now on I'll be showing you a single box (never more than 2) with something that I think might interest you at that moment.
While reading an article, you'll have a progress bar at the top of the screen showing you how far you've been reading. From that same bar you can share the article on Facebook or Twitter if you wish.
Also, with the new design I have introduced the “Reading Mode”. It consists of a button in the shape of a “moon”, if you read this from a browser on a computer, you will be seeing this icon right now at the top of the page, in the top bar. With this button you can change the color of the page to dark with white text. Many people prefer to read white text on a black background, so this is an improvement many will appreciate. Obviously, from the same button you can return to normal reading mode if you wish.
JUST THE BEGINNING
The new design of BdF is only the first step in a new stage full of novelties. The new design and the new architecture of the web will allow me to articulate new projects related to the blog and photography that, due to technical impediments, I could not carry out. This is the beginning of a new stage in which I would love to have you as a companion.
