I am a photographer and would like to design a website for myself. I am learning Flash currently but what I wonder is what else I have to know to design, upload to server etc. I also have a good knowledge of Photoshop. Do I need to know Dreamweaver? CSS? HTML? and is there a book you can advice to cover everything I need to know? Thanks so much
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My advice:
DON’T get dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is a waste of money, in my opinion. Actually, I don’t have it, but I don’t see any point in it from what I hear.
Learn HTML
and CSS
at
http://www.w3schools.com
and JavaScript
and PHP
Just learn the stuff you need for your website.
Or, easier, get a web designer to do it for you. It’s a lot easier than writing the website yourself, but it’s harder.
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/taming-the-web-with-greg-rewis/from-comp-to-finished-page/
http://www.tutvid.com/tutorials/
tv.adobe.com
I suggest you watch how people design websites in tutorials like the ones found in the links above. A basic understanding of html and css will definitely help you. And yes dreamweaver is a effective tool for web design! But when you gain a greater understanding html and css “web developer” and “firebug” can also be helpful tools (they’re both free too!).
PS everyone has different approaches so watch different people create sites to see what works best for you.
Some great answers here already, so I’ll just add on my bit…
I’ve been designing sites since the internet was born… what do I like to use to design? Notepad. Yep, Notepad. I’ve used dozens of commercially available programs, from Front Page to Dreamweaver, as well as Macromedia’s Flash, Fireworks and everything else under the sun. Each program has certain features that can help with doing specific tasks. But when it comes to the “back-bone” of any site, it all comes down to code. The better you know it, the more control you have over the layout and functionality of your site. I am familiar with typical modern photography websites, especially ones dealing with weddings. Flash is heavily used these days to give some pretty cool effects. But you DON’T need it. I personally believe Flash is overrated and overused.
Where to start…. hands down, without a doubt or reasonable argument, start with good ‘ole basic HTML. Learn that first. It’s like the gateway language to the internet. Start making sample pages in Notepad. Save them as anything you’d like, “text.html” or whatever, and view them in your favorite web browser. There are many tags out there, but just learn the basics to start with. After that, you’ll know enough to know what else you’ll need to learn. ;-) Learn about the tag,![]()
for displaying pictures, for creating links.
After that, dive into CSS. Although you can make a website using only HTML, using CSS with HTML is the way to go. Once you learn how powerful it is and how easy it will make your life, you’ll know why!
Photoshop is indispensable for site design, so you’re leaps and bounds ahead there.
That’ll get you started! Good luck!