Jumat, 18 Desember 2009
Sabtu, 12 Desember 2009
Selasa, 24 November 2009
Kamis, 19 November 2009
Rabu, 18 November 2009
Kamis, 12 November 2009
Jumat, 06 November 2009
Empowering the Literary Masses
Every individual has unique experience, skills and knowledge. The general public craves enrichment in the form of such information. Information such as how to plaster a wall, repair a car engine, succeed at mathematics or cultivate plants. Yes, this sort of information can usually be found freely on the internet, but in a limited form.
The person with the comprehensive target information does not usually make it available, and therein lies the problem. How can ordinary people share their specialist knowledge with others? The answer is to sell it, in the form of digital media. This might be in the form of eBooks, video, audio, digital art, music, animation, software applications, computer code/games, templates, flash, podcasts, photography, musical scores, presentations and graphic designs, to mention but a few.
So why is this not happening already? Well, because there is no plausible platform to facilitate such endeavours. Ebay was once a solution, but they no longer permit digital downloads. The traditional paper publishing route is fraught with expense, delay and often, disappointment. There are, of course, a multitude of eBook stores on the web, but these tend to be either expensive or contain low quality products. In these credit crunching days it is imperative that quality comes with low cost.
My job as an Editorial Director is to oversee the marriage of quality and low cost. My team and I are constantly encouraging and advising contributing authors, whilst facilitating rapid publication of their work on our site. To ensure that authors can publish without cost to themselves it is necessary to provide free graphic design (covers) and marketing services. We feel that we are empowering the literary masses, providing a platform of opportunity.
I am frequently told that to have ones own publication available for sale throughout the globe is a truly wonderful experience. Authors do not need to be university educated, journalistic, or even creative. The bottom line is that specialist knowledge is of high value. A first attempt at writing can often be a daunting challenge, but guidance for unpublished authors is the responsibility of the publisher. We provide this in both written and verbal forms.
The main motivation for publishing anything is money. Those who are fortunate enough to have their work accepted by major publishing houses are either full-time authors or have spent months compiling their work. The average person might be able to commit a few hours or days to a digital publication. That implies that their contribution is short, but we ensure that it delivers on its title and is of good quality. After all, if I wanted to plaster that wall, repair my car engine, learn maths or care for my plants then I want the information quickly, without reading a huge amount.
The future of publishing lies on electronic paper or readers, and quality always comes before quantity. It is now time to cultivate the untapped literary riches with the digital plough.
The person with the comprehensive target information does not usually make it available, and therein lies the problem. How can ordinary people share their specialist knowledge with others? The answer is to sell it, in the form of digital media. This might be in the form of eBooks, video, audio, digital art, music, animation, software applications, computer code/games, templates, flash, podcasts, photography, musical scores, presentations and graphic designs, to mention but a few.
So why is this not happening already? Well, because there is no plausible platform to facilitate such endeavours. Ebay was once a solution, but they no longer permit digital downloads. The traditional paper publishing route is fraught with expense, delay and often, disappointment. There are, of course, a multitude of eBook stores on the web, but these tend to be either expensive or contain low quality products. In these credit crunching days it is imperative that quality comes with low cost.
My job as an Editorial Director is to oversee the marriage of quality and low cost. My team and I are constantly encouraging and advising contributing authors, whilst facilitating rapid publication of their work on our site. To ensure that authors can publish without cost to themselves it is necessary to provide free graphic design (covers) and marketing services. We feel that we are empowering the literary masses, providing a platform of opportunity.
I am frequently told that to have ones own publication available for sale throughout the globe is a truly wonderful experience. Authors do not need to be university educated, journalistic, or even creative. The bottom line is that specialist knowledge is of high value. A first attempt at writing can often be a daunting challenge, but guidance for unpublished authors is the responsibility of the publisher. We provide this in both written and verbal forms.
The main motivation for publishing anything is money. Those who are fortunate enough to have their work accepted by major publishing houses are either full-time authors or have spent months compiling their work. The average person might be able to commit a few hours or days to a digital publication. That implies that their contribution is short, but we ensure that it delivers on its title and is of good quality. After all, if I wanted to plaster that wall, repair my car engine, learn maths or care for my plants then I want the information quickly, without reading a huge amount.
The future of publishing lies on electronic paper or readers, and quality always comes before quantity. It is now time to cultivate the untapped literary riches with the digital plough.
Jumat, 30 Oktober 2009
Sabtu, 24 Oktober 2009
Cosmetic lighting and portrait photography
Most people, and especially women, will tell you they have a "good" side.
Simple cosmetic lighting relies on alterations to the angles of illumination, described in "the basic principles of lighting", and " available light portraiture", to flatter the subject and make use of their "good side".
I have aimed to keep this article simple, and avoid reference to techniques that require more specialized lighting equipment.
Overview
How many times have you heard someone say "that's a terrible photograph of me", or even said it yourself?
The point of cosmetic light is avoid unflattering lighting and viewpoints.
Modelling and texture is a consequence of lighting. Moving the angle of illumination closer to the subject/camera axis generally flattens modelling and reduces texture, while increasing the angle increases both.
Similarly, more directional (intense) lighting produces harder shadows, while less directional (soft) lighting diminishes them.
The following tips describe how to deal with common problems by making simple changes. Experimentation is required to achieve the best results.
Making faces wider or narrower
Very few people have perfectly symmetrical faces. For example, one side may be slightly wider or flatter than the other. If the subject is illuminated so that the main light falls on the side that is wider, and the other side is kept in shadow, the viewer's imagination will lead them to think that the shaded side is equal to the lit side. The overall impression will be that the face is wider than it really is. Conversely, if the narrower side of the face is illuminated, the viewer will think that the face is narrower than it really is.
This illusion can be varied by changing the angle of lighting, and the maximum effect comes from very dark shadows, since this leaves more to the viewer's imagination.
Altering eye sockets
If the subject has deep eye sockets, lowering the main light will provide more illumination, and make the eye sockets appear shallower.
Conversely, shallow eye sockets, or bulging eyes can be altered by raising the main light source, and moving it further away from the subject/camera axis (i.e. more to the side). This needs to be done in conjunction with making the fill-in light a little brighter, and the overall effect will be a flattening of the planes of the face.
Large noses
Large noses can be de-emphasized by moving the main light source closer to the subject/camera axis. This will cast a nose shadow on the upper lip, rather than the cheek, so making the nose look less large.
Attractive hair or baldness
Hair can be emphasized by raising the main light and the camera view point. The subject will need to be repositioned slightly, so that they look up to the camera. With a bald subject, this is will have the opposite effect and further emphasize their baldness.
Chins
If the subject has a weak chin, get them to tilt their head back a little, which will make their chin stick out. If they have a strong jaw, have the subject tilt their head forward reduce its prominence.
Soft focus
Soft focus reduces and skin blemishes. Soft focus can be achieved by using the largest lens aperture possible (however the effect will largely be determined by the capabilities of your camera lens). Briefly, larger apertures have a smaller depth of focus, so any feature beyond the focal point will be very slightly blurred. You should always focus on the eyes, but this becomes doubly important when employing any form of soft focus.
Simple cosmetic lighting relies on alterations to the angles of illumination, described in "the basic principles of lighting", and " available light portraiture", to flatter the subject and make use of their "good side".
I have aimed to keep this article simple, and avoid reference to techniques that require more specialized lighting equipment.
Overview
How many times have you heard someone say "that's a terrible photograph of me", or even said it yourself?
The point of cosmetic light is avoid unflattering lighting and viewpoints.
Modelling and texture is a consequence of lighting. Moving the angle of illumination closer to the subject/camera axis generally flattens modelling and reduces texture, while increasing the angle increases both.
Similarly, more directional (intense) lighting produces harder shadows, while less directional (soft) lighting diminishes them.
The following tips describe how to deal with common problems by making simple changes. Experimentation is required to achieve the best results.
Making faces wider or narrower
Very few people have perfectly symmetrical faces. For example, one side may be slightly wider or flatter than the other. If the subject is illuminated so that the main light falls on the side that is wider, and the other side is kept in shadow, the viewer's imagination will lead them to think that the shaded side is equal to the lit side. The overall impression will be that the face is wider than it really is. Conversely, if the narrower side of the face is illuminated, the viewer will think that the face is narrower than it really is.
This illusion can be varied by changing the angle of lighting, and the maximum effect comes from very dark shadows, since this leaves more to the viewer's imagination.
Altering eye sockets
If the subject has deep eye sockets, lowering the main light will provide more illumination, and make the eye sockets appear shallower.
Conversely, shallow eye sockets, or bulging eyes can be altered by raising the main light source, and moving it further away from the subject/camera axis (i.e. more to the side). This needs to be done in conjunction with making the fill-in light a little brighter, and the overall effect will be a flattening of the planes of the face.
Large noses
Large noses can be de-emphasized by moving the main light source closer to the subject/camera axis. This will cast a nose shadow on the upper lip, rather than the cheek, so making the nose look less large.
Attractive hair or baldness
Hair can be emphasized by raising the main light and the camera view point. The subject will need to be repositioned slightly, so that they look up to the camera. With a bald subject, this is will have the opposite effect and further emphasize their baldness.
Chins
If the subject has a weak chin, get them to tilt their head back a little, which will make their chin stick out. If they have a strong jaw, have the subject tilt their head forward reduce its prominence.
Soft focus
Soft focus reduces and skin blemishes. Soft focus can be achieved by using the largest lens aperture possible (however the effect will largely be determined by the capabilities of your camera lens). Briefly, larger apertures have a smaller depth of focus, so any feature beyond the focal point will be very slightly blurred. You should always focus on the eyes, but this becomes doubly important when employing any form of soft focus.
Minggu, 18 Oktober 2009
Senin, 12 Oktober 2009
Kamis, 08 Oktober 2009
In search of the Chicken Wreck and other Jeddah attractions!
For those in the know, scuba diving off the coast of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia is some of the best around. As it is on the Red Sea it offers similar underwater attractions to those available in Egypt but is still relatively undiscovered as a scuba destination. As a result, divers visiting the area have an awful lot of room to themselves and thoroughly enjoy their dives.
The big draw off the coast of Jeddah for scuba fans is the Chicken Wreck. A misfortunate skipper whose cargo was frozen chicken managed to fall foul of the reef and subsequently lost not only his load but also his ship, which now wallows on the reef at a depth of around 15 metres.
Water temperatures in summer are around 29 degrees Celsius, making diving conditions extremely pleasant but in winter temperatures can drop to as low as 22 degrees. Any divers heading for Jeddah on a winter break would be well advised to pack their 5mm wetsuit complete with a hood if they are to avoid any chills!
When not engaged in diving, the main attraction for visitors to Jeddah is the old town, known as al-Balad. The ancient city walls have long gone, but still-surviving historic gates mark out the perimeter of the old town which contains a jumble of old buildings, including rickety coral-built houses. Although obviously in abundant supply due to the large reef just off shore, coral is not a particularly robust building material. As a result many of these two and three storey buildings look like they are teetering on the verge of collapse!
The big draw off the coast of Jeddah for scuba fans is the Chicken Wreck. A misfortunate skipper whose cargo was frozen chicken managed to fall foul of the reef and subsequently lost not only his load but also his ship, which now wallows on the reef at a depth of around 15 metres.
Water temperatures in summer are around 29 degrees Celsius, making diving conditions extremely pleasant but in winter temperatures can drop to as low as 22 degrees. Any divers heading for Jeddah on a winter break would be well advised to pack their 5mm wetsuit complete with a hood if they are to avoid any chills!
When not engaged in diving, the main attraction for visitors to Jeddah is the old town, known as al-Balad. The ancient city walls have long gone, but still-surviving historic gates mark out the perimeter of the old town which contains a jumble of old buildings, including rickety coral-built houses. Although obviously in abundant supply due to the large reef just off shore, coral is not a particularly robust building material. As a result many of these two and three storey buildings look like they are teetering on the verge of collapse!
Jumat, 02 Oktober 2009
Senin, 28 September 2009
Selasa, 22 September 2009
The Beauty of Capturing Life As It Is
Photography allows you to capture the beauty of life as it is. It allows you to capture priceless and precious moments at present and gives you the privilege of looking back on what transpired in the past. Photography allows you to capture life as it is and everything it has to offer.
Photography has evolved together with the ever changing times of the world. It has become vast and very exploratory. It has paved way in expressing ones emotion and feeling as well as capturing every single moment experienced in ones life.
Since photography has become vast, many people have more choices when it comes to choosing or taking a photograph. No need to worry about the unused film that could expire, or the film that was used but was exposed to the direct heat of the sunlight. Now most cameras are digital in form. This gives you more freedom to take countless photos that will help you recollect every single minute spent with your loved ones.
Photography doesn't always have to follow a strict rule. You are not required to take photos of subjects that look meaningful at first glance or of people that are renowned and famous. Photography nowadays allows you to express yourself by capturing whatever you feel like and giving it your own interpretation or meaning.
When you capture a subject, some people might think it is meaningless but for you it could mean the world. Your creative vision allows you to see beyond what others cannot see and allows you to express what your hands and mouth could not express. Photography is mainly a form of expression wherein you get to inform and educate people with what you see and how you deliver them.
If you are into photography, it is best to remember that you are not here to suit the needs and expectations of the people. You are here to express your self and your creativity and to convey a message that people all over the world could understand.
Photography is a gift not many people are blessed with. If you have the vision for it, it is best to start now. You can influence people through photography and it can be your contribution in making this world closer for one another to live in. Photography is something that evolves therefore it is definite you can adapt to it easily. There are no strict rules. You just have to know how to express and impress.
Photography has evolved together with the ever changing times of the world. It has become vast and very exploratory. It has paved way in expressing ones emotion and feeling as well as capturing every single moment experienced in ones life.
Since photography has become vast, many people have more choices when it comes to choosing or taking a photograph. No need to worry about the unused film that could expire, or the film that was used but was exposed to the direct heat of the sunlight. Now most cameras are digital in form. This gives you more freedom to take countless photos that will help you recollect every single minute spent with your loved ones.
Photography doesn't always have to follow a strict rule. You are not required to take photos of subjects that look meaningful at first glance or of people that are renowned and famous. Photography nowadays allows you to express yourself by capturing whatever you feel like and giving it your own interpretation or meaning.
When you capture a subject, some people might think it is meaningless but for you it could mean the world. Your creative vision allows you to see beyond what others cannot see and allows you to express what your hands and mouth could not express. Photography is mainly a form of expression wherein you get to inform and educate people with what you see and how you deliver them.
If you are into photography, it is best to remember that you are not here to suit the needs and expectations of the people. You are here to express your self and your creativity and to convey a message that people all over the world could understand.
Photography is a gift not many people are blessed with. If you have the vision for it, it is best to start now. You can influence people through photography and it can be your contribution in making this world closer for one another to live in. Photography is something that evolves therefore it is definite you can adapt to it easily. There are no strict rules. You just have to know how to express and impress.
Rabu, 16 September 2009
Minggu, 13 September 2009
Rabu, 09 September 2009
Minggu, 06 September 2009
Making Money with Wedding Photography
You may have been taking photos of friends and family for a number of years now, and everyone makes the comment that you should start your own business. Sounds great, but where do you start. Well, there is a great eCourse with everything you need to get started. This article, covers just a couple of things that you will need to be aware of. The course concentrates on wedding photography, however, the techniques apply to any type of photography. It's just that with wedding photography, you have a much better chance of making a good part or full time income, without having to go through years of study and research. Many great photographers began their careers by shooting weddings for friends and family, on a part time basis.
It is possible that you can make a lot of money shooting weddings. Many of the top professional photographers began their careers shooting weddings either for themselves or for a studio. Doing it for yourself of course, means that you get to keep all the money. But, please note that as the photographer, you will often be required to act as the wedding coordinator as well, as these days, most brides cannot afford one. And if there is no wedding coordinator, then it is usually the wedding photographer who will make sure everyone is where they should be most of the time. The downloadable course is designed to help you in all aspects of the days event. As the wedding photographer, you need to make sure that the bride and groom follow your directions. Make them aware that it is in their interest to follow your directions because they want a whole lot of great looking photos for their album.
As you prepare for an event, you need to make sure that all your equipment is ready, and that you have everything you need for the days event. If possible, be sure to have a series of back-ups, a spare camera body, a spare lens and a spare flash in case any of your prime units fails. There is no excuse for the photographer to have to come up to the bride, and try to explain that your camera just broke, and you cannot take any more photos. Again, a death sentence. Your back-up units do not need to be identical to your prime units, but they should be at least close to the same specs. The camera needs to be able to take images at the same resolution as your prime camera, otherwise there will be a noticeable difference in quality of the final prints. The flash unit can be a smaller unit with a slightly lower light output, but if it happens, then this unit will have to do quite a bit of work, so be careful. Make sure that the spare flash is fully charged before taking photos. I have seen a number of photographers get excited about taking some pictures at an event, and they will often just fire away, taking picture after picture, not realizing that the flash is not fully charged for each picture, and so, most of the resulting images will have serious problems, that may not be able to be recovered on the computer. So, make sure that you have good back-up equipment.
Let me ask you, are you ready to take the next step? If you love photography and working with people, the let me ask you if you are ready to start your own wedding photography business? The wedding photography course is designed to get you off to a fast start and making money in wedding photography as quickly as possible. Everything is in this course, including all the forms you will need. They are provided as a computer file that you can change and edit so you can create your very own designs, with your own information. This alone will help you and your business look very professional and save you a lot of time and money, so you can get bookings and start making some money with your very own wedding photography business.
It is possible that you can make a lot of money shooting weddings. Many of the top professional photographers began their careers shooting weddings either for themselves or for a studio. Doing it for yourself of course, means that you get to keep all the money. But, please note that as the photographer, you will often be required to act as the wedding coordinator as well, as these days, most brides cannot afford one. And if there is no wedding coordinator, then it is usually the wedding photographer who will make sure everyone is where they should be most of the time. The downloadable course is designed to help you in all aspects of the days event. As the wedding photographer, you need to make sure that the bride and groom follow your directions. Make them aware that it is in their interest to follow your directions because they want a whole lot of great looking photos for their album.
As you prepare for an event, you need to make sure that all your equipment is ready, and that you have everything you need for the days event. If possible, be sure to have a series of back-ups, a spare camera body, a spare lens and a spare flash in case any of your prime units fails. There is no excuse for the photographer to have to come up to the bride, and try to explain that your camera just broke, and you cannot take any more photos. Again, a death sentence. Your back-up units do not need to be identical to your prime units, but they should be at least close to the same specs. The camera needs to be able to take images at the same resolution as your prime camera, otherwise there will be a noticeable difference in quality of the final prints. The flash unit can be a smaller unit with a slightly lower light output, but if it happens, then this unit will have to do quite a bit of work, so be careful. Make sure that the spare flash is fully charged before taking photos. I have seen a number of photographers get excited about taking some pictures at an event, and they will often just fire away, taking picture after picture, not realizing that the flash is not fully charged for each picture, and so, most of the resulting images will have serious problems, that may not be able to be recovered on the computer. So, make sure that you have good back-up equipment.
Let me ask you, are you ready to take the next step? If you love photography and working with people, the let me ask you if you are ready to start your own wedding photography business? The wedding photography course is designed to get you off to a fast start and making money in wedding photography as quickly as possible. Everything is in this course, including all the forms you will need. They are provided as a computer file that you can change and edit so you can create your very own designs, with your own information. This alone will help you and your business look very professional and save you a lot of time and money, so you can get bookings and start making some money with your very own wedding photography business.
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