The Challenge: A No Flash Photographer’s Web Site

My wife, the photographer, gave me a challenge: ‘Prove to my photographer friends that they don’t need Flash for their web sites.’ I, of course, knew it was possible and arose to the challenge.

It seems like every single photography web site uses Flash; with the advent of certain new devices some photographers are starting to realise that Flash web sites may not be the best approach.

I am going to discuss Flash web sites, from a photographer’s perspective, the pros and cons and then demonstrate that Flash isn’t required—Javascript works quite nicely (and adds few extra cool features).

The Historical Reason for Using Flash

Historically using Flash for a photographer web site made sense. It allowed galleries with nice transitions and simple effects and would work on everyone’s computer.

But, Javascript, HTML and CSS have advanced quite a bit, to the point where the same fades, and wipes and gallery effects are easily created without Flash—and work in all browsers and on all devices.

For the functionality of a photographer web site, there is very little—even nothing—Javascript can’t do, that Flash can.

I have come up with a list of the pros and cons of using Flash over HTML/Javascript for a photographer web site.

The Pros

Different Browser Experiences

A complaint of many designers, especially Flash designers, is that HTML/CSS doesn’t look exactly the same for everyone. While that claim is only partially true, there is no reason for the site to look exactly the same in every browser.

How many of your customers look at your web site in multiple browsers? How many of your customers even know what a web browser is? If your customer only looks at your web site in one browser then they are getting the best experience they can and they will know nothing different.

So, does your web site need to look exactly the same in every browser?

Speed

Flash is fast, but only on Windows. All other operating systems get a sub-par experience using Flash. Almost to the point of it being difficult to use Flash web sites.

But Flash is also slow. How often do you have to wait for each photo to load? Or wait for different sections to load? HTML sites have all their photos loaded right away, no more waiting every time you click to see the next photo.

Flash may win on looking exactly the same in every browser; but it definitely loses on speed.

Video

Flash is still the best way to display video on web sites. The emerging HTML5 video element will eventually over take Flash for video, but right now, the video point goes to Flash.

Effects

Visual effects can be more complex in Flash, but the real question is should you use them? My vote is no.

Simpler is better. With Javascript we get most of the visual effects we need: fades, wipes and slides. Usually that’s more than enough.

SEO

Search engine optimisation is a major concern for every web site. It’s possible to target search engines with Flash, but it requires a bunch of tricks and hacks and still isn’t that great.

HTML wins the SEO battle because all the keywords, links, descriptions and everything Google, et al, look for is right on the page. No tricks. No hacks. And for those who know a little more about SEO, that little extra is very easily added. HTML makes Google happy.

Accessibility

Though I’m sure many photographer’s haven’t thought about it, accessibility is a major concern on the web. Accessibility is about giving the best experience possible to every user, even if they have a mental disability, a physical disability or any disability.

Would you turn down a client because they had a physical disability? Most likely not. HTML web sites give these users the control they need to understand and read your web site. There is limited control in Flash, but the experience is not nearly as smooth.

It’s true that HTML web sites can also be made frustrating for disabled users, but with a little care, a professionally created HTML web site will have excellent accessibility.

Printability

Flash can print, but I doubt any photographer web sites print. With HTML, printing is built in. Many users don’t like to read on screen, why not give them the option to print out your web site and read it more comfortably.

With HTML you can even do some cool tricks for when users print your web site.

Mobile Devices

This is becoming a major concern for photographers with more mobile devices opting to not include Flash, users cannot see their web site on their device.

One of HTML’s strongest assets is the ability to display on any device, any size, any resolution. Complete cross-platform.

But People Can Steal My Photos?

One common misconception is that Flash stops people from stealing your photos. Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to stop anyone from stealing your photos.

With Flash, the right-click, save as option is no longer available. Off the top of my head I can think of two methods to steal your photos (I’m sure there are more).

1. Screen shot them
2. Most Flash galleries load the photos externally. Since Flash can load your photo, I can easily find the path to the photo and get it directly.

There are some tricks that you can use in HTML/Javascript to disable the right click, but they should never be used because they degrade your user’s experience. And can be worked around even easier than Flash.

What About Music?

You shouldn’t have music on your site anyways. If you feel that you require it, for some reason, do not make it automatically play.

Every photography web site I checked out for this article included music and much of it was copyrighted. If you are using music, make sure you have permission to use the music on your web site. You, as a photographer, worry about people stealing your photos, why would you steal someone’s music?

The Proof: An HTML/Javascript Only Photographer Web Site

Okay, so we are finally at the part where I prove that you don’t need Flash. But don’t just take my word for it, go check it out.

HTML/Javascript Only Photographer Web Site Template

Features

So, I wanted to cover the features I’ve included as proof:

• Automatic, sliding galleries of images
• Multiple galleries displayed using an accordion effect
• Sliding ‘about’ and ‘contact’ sections
• Fading testimonials

The other cool feature, that I am particularly proud of, is the printable contact sheet. When you print out the page you get a nicely designed contact sheet of all three galleries.

The site has all the accessibility features needed and a bunch of SEO stuff to help in your search rankings.

I can also guarantee that the web site is fully functional on the iPhone and upcoming iPad.

Remember: this is a quick proof-of-concept; just a demonstration. It isn’t perfect.

---

If you are a photographer and would like an awesome HTML/Javascript web site to replace your Flash one, get in touch.