Photography logo

[Guest]

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Hi everyone I’ve just been working on various logos for my business, I’ve used my M4p as a basis for this design and just wanted to know what people think, I won’t be at all offended if it’s not liked, but would be interested to know your thoughts.

Thanks Richard 

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[Pyrogallol]

First impression is that the camera body shape is a bit sharp edged. Everything else is rounded and we know that the Leica camera has smoothly rounded edges. Perhaps you could gently round off the sharp corners?

You could change the red dot to the same yellow you have used in the outer rings of the logo, so Mr Leitz doesn’t think you are breaching his design !

Can you change the spacing on the Y at the end of “photography” ? it overlaps with the H and all the other letters have a slight space between them. I suppose the three Ws of www can get away with touching each other. It might be something you cannot change if it is part of the font design.

Nice to see, hope its successful.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I’ll have a look at the lettering but I am sure I am tied to how the software works. I’ll get rounding of the edges as well. Thanks Richard 

[250swb]

Kind of looks like a Government agency that photographs people, put in on each shoulder and you just need a swagger stick and say 'can I take your portrait punk?'.

[Guest]

Definitely just going on my invoices etc!

[Ouroboros]

Nah.  It's crap. 

Your work is brilliant and you have the credentials.  Why devalue yourself and what you do with something that looks like a John Bull kit rubber stamp?

[adan]

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As a graphic designer, I can say that that is not a bad first effort.

To me the navy-blue, gold and white, the stars, and the life-preserver shape call to mind something "nautical" more than "government," although I know what Steve means. If you want to specialize in ship photography (probably lucrative) it would be ideal.

Reminds me of the White Star symbol Cunard still hides on their ships somewhere (QM2, Leica M8, 2006).

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If, instead, it is supposed to be the front of a lens with engravings, the colors and typography detract from that message.

It's a little bit generic and impersonal, in that it would work just as well regardless of whose name is on it.

You might experiment with a rakish "tilt" as in the picture above, just to shave off a bit of the "shoulder patch" look and add informality.

I'm not actually bothered by the straight lines of the camera (although the window outlines are a bit heavy) - real Leica Ms are pretty rectilinear in a "full-frontal" view. It is only the shading that reveals the curved ends.

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/Leica-M10-R

Edited December 21, 2020 by adan

[LocalHero1953]

I think it is neat and tidy, but a bit dated, and the lettering definitely looks unprofessional (look at how the letter spacing varies throughout the logo). It would do the job, but it wouldn't give a classy impression. 

I have been through branding of my own small business and of a very large one and, believe me, there is no substitute for a pro graphic designer for giving you the right image, right up to date, and with all the little details right. I'm sure you've seen what happens when a company manager or owner decides to take their own photos for their marketing material? If you want to be a pro, it has to run throughout your business. 

Sorry to be disappointing! 

Edited December 21, 2020 by LocalHero1953

[Guest]

No not disappointed that’s why I put it up, I am just playing with ideas. 

[LocalHero1953]

Two further comments on logos, branding and the professional look.
- Why include contact details in the logo? Logos are not normally used for this; their purpose is to give an instantly recognisable and distinctive signal to identify you and your marketing materials. Excluding them would allow the logo to look cleaner, simpler.
- Why is your website domain name different from your company name? This is another aspect that tells me you're you're not among the big boys. This is less uncommon than including contact details in the logo, but I still find it jarring.

Edited December 22, 2020 by LocalHero1953

[250swb]

Look at it from the viewpoint of a potential customer. They won't know what a Leica looks like so won't make the association it's even a professional camera, which also makes the red dot pointless, and overall it just look like what it is, an old camera. The logo gives no indication what you photograph. Curved statements such as your web site address and phone number aren't always easy to take in at a quick glance (and I agree, not necessary). And I don't think you need 'Ltd' on a logo in much the same way Rolls Royce only have 'Limited' (or whatever) in the small print. It also sends a signal you are a big company with big prices, which you may be, but it can start to sound scary and overly corporate if a customer is working to a budget. And 'corporate' is how the logo looks overall, not very friendly if you are a wedding photographer, says nothing if you are a landscape photographer, but would work if you crossed out 'Photography' and replaced it with 'Security'

[Ouroboros]

The main function of a logo is that it is memorable and ultimately recognisable as a brand.  Think Brasso, Coca Cola, MacDonalds etc.  All of these logos are simple and uncluttered, but we all know which brands these logos represent without having to study them.

The worst aspect of your design in my opinion, apart from the amateurish typography, is the inclusion of a camera.  It screams Amateur! and instantly devalues you and your services.

As I said in my previous post, the quality of your work and your experience speaks for itself and you need something that conveys your professionalism.  You'll find countless designers, many based in India, who could create something more suitable for you at a modest cost.  Try Linked-In for contacts.

 

Edited December 22, 2020 by Ouroboros

[rramesh]

My comments:

• Photographers are seen as 'artsy' folks and it comes across as 'blah',  'jaded', and more like a business seal.
• It's too busy. Use a more stylish font and be consistent (When all characters are in 'caps' why is 'Ltd' not').
• Try using a shape other than round and you may have more flexibility in layout. Maybe keep the logo and the wording separate.
• Do a search 'photographer logo images' in Google and you will get some ideas.

[RayD28]

Our company had a similar type of design.  We used the logo on uniforms and it was ok but looked blah on letterhead and invoices.  We changed it recently and I could not be happier.  As mentioned above, a professional graphic designer is in order.  A good one will likely get an understanding of your business, such as your history and where you want to go, and especially your targeted customers.  

[skucera]

Take my critique with a grain of salt, because I was a graphic designer 20 years ago, and switched careers to be a test engineer.  Keep in mind that "logo" means a treatment of text; "trademark" is a graphic that identifies your product.  Both can be registered for protection in the US and other countries.  My biggest criticism is that you're trying to do too much with your trademark.  You're including your contact info like your phone number, and an explanation of the type of business you do in it.  The Leica camera itself is likely trademarked, so using its image in your trademark may result in legal problems that you'll want to avoid.  Remember, even with Brexit, Leica probably has a well financed entity opening in the UK that may take a dim view on your trying to ride their branding coattails.  You don't want headwinds like legal actions against your new business published in local newspapers.

If you want to think seriously about your brand, find a logo (text treatment) that will easily link to your name and profession.  Think about a trademark that will also easily link to your name and profession.  These should probably adhere to the same rules as a good national flag: it should be so simple that a five-year-old can mimic it with crayons... it should be simple to visually associate with your brand.  Both of these are really challenging, but when you get it right it can be a positive asset in spreading your renown or "top of mind" market positioning.

Also, try not to build your contact info into the trademark or the logo.  If you do, you'll have difficulties if you move, or open a second or third office, or franchise to other countries or languages.  Remember, keep it simple, but make it reflect you.  If you're clever and artistic, make it clever and artistic.  If you're direct and straightforward, make it direct and straightforward.  You be you.  Work to your strengths.

You may also want to consult marketing specialists about growing your business.  Good marketers are force multipliers, so use them wisely to grow your business.

Good luck,

Scott

 

 

 

[Jeff S]

It's not a logo; it's a round business card.  And not a professional or attractive looking one, in my view, especially for someone in the visual arts. There are many professional resources that can provide assistance.

Jeff

[mkur]

My try 🙂

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[sblitz]

I see the camera and everything else turns into visual noise. The more text, especially bold text, the more the eye focuses on the white space instead. Better to have less text and fade the camera into a lighter shade, perhaps even gray.

[Ko.Fe.]

As long as it is going to be sized with readable information, why not. Like huge watermark in the middle of photos.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M