Being an artistic industry, photography is subject to trends and fads, just like any other business related to the arts. Those trends can be in picture styles, post-processing techniques, lighting techniques and print options.
With the rise of the web-based portfolio, there are trends starting to appear online as well. Some of these are positive developments, some of them we could all live without.
More HTML5, Less Flash
This would be one of the positive developments. Flash has several problems related to use on the web. It's not search engine friendly and Flash has a reputation of being slow, inefficient, a resource hog and a security problem.
With the rise of mobile devices, Flash has become an even bigger issue. Many of them simply don't support it. With the rise in technologies like HTML5, JavaScript and CSS3 the need for Flash in photography sites is becoming less of an issue. Most effects commonly used on photography sites no longer require Flash.
Less Music
Another positive trend is photographers are finally getting the hint to turn off the music on web sites. There's nothing like music suddenly blasting out of their speakers to really annoy users. Unless you're trying to leave viewers with the impression that you're an annoying dolt, in which case, go right ahead.
If you want to add music to a slide show, that's fine. Just make sure the music is off by default and that the link to the show is clearly marked "with music". Giving users the option for music will be much better received than trying to force it on them.
The End of Big Text
Nothing shrieks "amateur" quite as loudly as massive block text blasted all over a web site.
The text on your web site should be an aid to navigation and convey information as cleanly and elegantly as possible. After that your photography should be doing the talking, not block text floated over your work.
The same theory applies to watermarks. Your watermark should be large enough to read the name with the unaided eye but not so big it takes away from the pictures. Many photographers attempt to deliberately spoil a photo with the watermark to discourage copying.
In these days of search engines like TinyEye.com, it's possible to search across the internet to find sites or people improperly displaying your work. There's no need for the self-promoting monster watermarks.
More Text
Another positive development is photographers adding more text to their sites. Photos still are not search engine friendly and the text, particularly on your landing page, will help search engines steer users your way.
Another benefit is people searching to hire photographers many times want to know what you have to say.
The concept has sometimes been referred to as the Semantic Web and smart photographers have picked up on the trend. Although photography is a visual art, there is always a desire to learn more about the artist, beyond the mere facts of their personal history.
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