I used to design web sites for a living. This was back somewhere in the Mesozoic period, when "Home Page" was a product made by a now-defunct company called Claris, and Adobe was still intently focused on print even as an upstart called GoLive Systems was marketing "CyberStudio," their new flagship product.

I got out of web design because, quite frankly, I had more interesting things to do with my workday. However, almost ten years later, I now find myself needing to design another web site, and the client is me.

I'm an amateur photographer who will probably be more accurately described as a professional by year's end. I need a fairly basic web site so that I can post my bio and portfolio. And it needs to look classy. Most photographers have their websites designed to require Flash. Thing is, I hate Flash. Absolutely despise it (okay, it's great for Homestar Runner, but that's about it).

The concept of semantic web design appeals to me. I wish we could have done it back in the late 90's, instead of laying out everything with awkward tables. Now everything is Web 2.0-this and Web 2.0-that, and for the most part, I think it's great. Problem is, I only know enough CSS (and PHP and Javascript) to be dangerous.

I want to design a photographer's web site that uses XHTML, CSS, and maybe some basic Javascript for the bio and portfolio I spoke of above. I want Flash to be non-existent (not just because I hate it and every other photographer uses it, but also because I want to actually show up in search engines).

What I need is a pointer to either a tutorial or a script that will allow me to have a photo gallery that looks both professional and is somewhat more interactive than just a bunch of photos with embedded links. I've seen Gallery 2.0, but I haven't been impressed with most of the sites that use it.

As an example, the pictures on the linked page (a SmugMug site: http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1801307#118526631) open up larger in a separate window when you click on them. I would love to have that functionality without resorting to Flash. Also, while my site will be rather static (with just an occasional addition of photos), I'm not opposed to designing the site on top of a CMS if that will make it easier for me.

I've been reading through "Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML" as a refresher, so I'm not worried about that aspect of designing the site. I guess what I'm lacking at this point is an understanding of how "Web 2.0" sites like SmugMug pull off the cool window tricks and such.

Also, if you have any links to non-Flash photo sites will great-looking galleries, I'd love to see them.

Thanks.

I wish we could have done it back in the late 90's, instead of laying out everything with awkward tables.

ME TOO !!

Now everything is Web 2.0-this and Web 2.0-that

Web 2.0 is nothing much more than a concept, buzzwords, and a certain graphic style has been labeled as 'web 2.0', but, as with all fads, it's getting tiresome.

Smugmug uses a variation of Lightbox.. Google it, it's easy to use and set up and there are variations all over the web.

I think a lot of what you're referring to as 'web 2.0', like that Lightbox gallery effect, is Ajax - aka unobtrusive javascript. Although there are probably a number of PHP-based web apps out there too. You might be interested in this stickie from the Web Design forum: http://www.webmaster-talk.com/websit...galleries.html

Go with (X)HTML and CSS for coding and you'll be on the right track. CSS-based layouts are so versatile, check out www.csszengarden.com for some amazing examples of what can be achieved.

Jon I'll echo what LadynRed said. I looked at the site you linked to and it looks like some version of the lightbox gallery.

Also remember you can look at the javascript the site you linked to is using. All the code is there and it should be visible. I noticed them linking to a couple or more javascript files. You might not want or be able to use there script exact, but you can certainly look through it to understand how they did what they did.

Ditto to what has already been offered plus a good way to brush up on a few basics might be http://www.w3schools.com

Thanks for your responses, all of you. I did a little more reading and realized that a lot of what I'm referring to as a "Web 2.0" technology is indeed Ajax. It looks like I'll be able to do what I want with Javascript, so I'll give that a shot.

Thanks for the Lightbox reference. I'll look into that.

Cheers, everyone.

For something like the site you are talking about, wordpress or a similar cms would work. Web 2.0 is all about wordpress!

http://www.cre8d-design.com/blog/200...rdpress-theme/

That link has everything you need to know about the modern web and wp..Read all of it

One of the links on this page has a tutorial on building a wp theme for a photographer portfolio too...pretty specific ey?


Then http://www.cssmania.com/ or http://www.cssgalleries.com for layout inspiration.