I like websites which have a way of *action-izing* photos/videos/graphics. As an example:
http://www.bajabros.com
A simple photo has been given action-izing via the "opening curtains"..very effective. Note the menu selection bar (using hand drawn lettering) mounted vertically. Very cool, & un-conventional. One must be unique! I'm looking for this "feel" of elegance & sophistication. I bet certain business clients would dig it.
I have no idea how the above .swf file was created. Was it using a fancy multi-hundred $$ program (MM Director, exported as a .swf), or was it a smaller program? I found a list of interesting programs (which use .jpg, .avi) at
http://www.handyarchive.com/free/shockwave/index3.html
[ click on the other 5 odd pages for relevant programs ]
I need some referrals to *effective* web-developer programs, who can integrate photos/vides/graphics (hand drawn sketches, paintings, etc). Preferably shareware, or inexpensive ones. I might spring for the expensive programs, if it really pays off (i find clients that require their use).
I have a programming background, so my .html design is done using line editors like Pagespinner, WebWeaver (i.e., I'm low-level "hack"). As opposed to these higher-level "drag & drop" type programs (e.g., Adobe GoLive, Macromedia FlashMX, et al), where you only deal with the "objects", & are completely insulated from the xxxML, .swf code.
