Remote Controlled (RC) Helicopters - Are They Toys or Tools?

Although they are a heck of a lot of fun to play with, RC helicopters like the Draganflyer is saving lives and solving crimes. It saves lives by reducing human exposure to hazards and helps solve crime by giving investigators a bird's eye view.

Draganflyer-x8 is an eight bladed RC helicopter that carries a digital video transmission IP camera system. This means it can take digital photos while simultaneously recording video. It can also carry infrared and low light cameras for night search and rescue operations. Four brushless electric motors power eight counter rotating carbon fiber rotor blades which lets the Draganfly move through the air with minimal noise. This makes it the perfect recon platform for swat teams who need to gather intelligence without being detected. Draganfly's phenomenal stability and maneuverability is achieved by varying the speed of each individual rotor and an array of on board sensors which include GPS, one barometric sensor, three accelerometers, three gyros, and three magnetometers. Engage the hover hold function and the GPS will lock the Draganfly into a three dimensional position for as long as needed. Another remarkable feature of this RC helicopter is its ability to auto land.

So who is using this technology and what are they using it for?

1. Law Enforcement

繚 Accident scene analysis
繚 Crime scene analysis
繚 Swat team recon
繚 Bomb squad recon

2. Fire and Emergency Services

繚 Fire damage assessment
繚 Hazmat recon
繚 Fire investigation
繚 Fire scene control

3. Real Estate Applications

繚 Golf course promotion
繚 Real estate promotion
繚 Property assessment

4. Professional Photography and Video

繚 Wild life
繚 Weddings
繚 Music videos
繚 News media
繚 Advertising

5. Education

繚 Advanced UAV research
繚 Colleges
繚 Universities
繚 Technical institutes

Ok, so you still think a RC helicopter is just a toy? What if our toy weighed 6,000 lbs. and was powered by an 813 shaft horse power Rolls Royce turbine engine? It would be called Fire-x, The Northrop Grumman and the Bell Textron-owned vertical unmanned air system (VUAS).

Fire-x is a fully autonomous unmanned helicopter. It combines all the outstanding capabilities of the Bell 407 with the US Navy's Northrop Grumman MQ-8B fire Scout UAV. This meaning the Fire-x can carry a useful load of 3,000 lbs. or recon up to 16 hours or carry 2500 lbs. of internal or external cargo up to 110 nm. On December 10, 2010 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in AZ. the fire-x lifted off for the first time. With many more tests to go the fire-x is not operational yet but in the air only 11 months after its inception is a fantastic start.

Imagine your child with the biggest smile you have ever seen on their face as they dive and climb that RC helicopter around the back yard. Now picture a US Special Forces Ranger guiding his Fire-x through the mountains.

So I ask again, RC helicopters, toys or tools?

What Can You Learn At Art School?

One of the things many people say as they get older is that they wish they had gone somewhere like art or music at school or at college which would give them that bit more satisfaction from their life. It is a sad fact that many people as they approach middle age, tend to have regrets about what they have chosen to do with their life. Luckily though, it is never too late to go back to Art College and learn about something you always wanted. This of course holds true for people of any age too.

Here is some information on what you will have to look forward to if you do apply and get accepted.

Art History

One of the first major classes you will have will focus on art history. For people who have a natural affinity to modern art, this are of study may make you want to stay in bed all day but it is very important part of art school. Knowing the history of art will give you a mature outlook on your own style of painting and will allow you to have as rounded an opinion as possible about all the many paintings and sculptures that people generally refer to as the classics. Being able to follow styles of art and also the particular methods used by certain artists will allow you to transfer all the perceptions people have about that piece on to your own with a skilfully homage to your subject.

Technical Skill

Art school will of course teach you all the technical skills you need to be able to produce pieces in a range of mediums. You will learn about brush technique and selection, how to create affects using different art materials and proper use of easels. It will teach you about creating depth using shadows and perspective and about how to play with people's perceptions to provoke an appropriate response to your work.

Emotional Skill

An important skill you will also learn is how to get in touch with your emotions. Often a teacher will ask you to try and draw out the emotions of your subject and reproduce them on the page. This will help you to explore your own emotional maturity. Photography is popular form of artistic expression which has touched all our lives through newspapers and films, and art school can teach you how to capture those key moments that will really grab an audience or convey a message which gets a response. After all, a picture tells a thousand words.

Five Types of Portrait Photography

Pictures are not only means to capture memories; they are also an efficient way to express creativity. Portrait photography or portraiture is one way to express a person's mood and personality. With a camera and good lighting, you can create drama and art out of you or other persons' body.

Portrait photography usually gives emphasis on a person's face. Modern photographers however, incorporate other parts of the body and different types of background. Portraiture comes in five different types, namely candid, creative, gritty, nude, and fashion photography. Read on if you want to know more about these types.

- Candid - The subject is photographed without his or her knowledge. This way, what shows in the picture is the natural side of the person. Clicking the camera while people are moving results in interesting facial reactions and amusing poses you can never get from models projecting before the lenses. This however, involves a certain responsibility as an artist. You simply can't release or publish your candid photos unless your subject signs a "model release form" as permission.

- Creative - Creative photography aims to take pictures that are more uniquely artistic. This type of portrait photography can be done with the application of different focus techniques, angles, lighting, lens types, and other elements. Photographers experiment with their cameras, other elements, and sometimes their subjects to come up with artistic shots. Creative portraits often make the subjects more interesting.

- Gritty - Most gritty portraits come in black and white. Models show different emotions to add drama to the entire photo. Most pictures appear fairly grainy, thus the term gritty portraits. Light is one crucial element in creating such photos. It helps emphasize the features of the face and other elements in the picture.

- Nude - Many people often see nude photography as a form of pornography. Most photographers practicing in this area believe the human body is one the most interesting subjects. Nude photography is all about art and not a means to express any sensual meaning. Pose and lighting go hand in hand to make great nude pictures. When you want to have a nude portrait of yourself or with your partner, ensure the photographer is professional enough to make it look classy and not against your preference.

- Fashion - As the name implies, this type of photography focuses more on the clothes worn by the subject. Most fashion portraits come in full body shots to show the overall appeal of the dress or any piece of clothing. Some fashion portraits come in close up shots to show more details of the garments. Backgrounds and locations are also important in this type of photography. These elements must match the clothes to express glamour or display a brand of clothing.

Many photography studios today offer different photography services. They offer services from wedding and events to daily family photos. Whether you want nude or creative picture, search online for professional photography services.

Louisville's Art Community - Leading a Vibrant and Diverse Life Bringing Fine Lasting Impressions

Louisville's vibrant and diverse arts community includes lively and active theatrical activities provided by the talented effort of Actors Theatre of Louisville, a Tony-Award-winning repertory theatre housed in a 1837 bank building now designated as a national historic landmark.and whose stone columned portion is one of the oldest buildings in Main Street and one of the finest examples of small scale Greek revival architecture in the U.S. As the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has made significant economic impact on a vital downtown life and won high acclaim for its artistic programming and business acumen in sponsoring the annual Humana festival of plays which have gone on to New York and London and other ingenious stage productions. The Broadway Series hosts touring productions of Broadway's best. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare attracting one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the country with an annual attendance of over 200,000.

Shakespeare's plays are continually being staged at the Central Park at South Fourth Street thus transforming Louisville into the Bardstown in summer. But sadly we missed Shakespeare when we trouped down there from our Kurtz Hall residence just up the road one evening and waited in vain for him and the players. We were to see either As You Like it or Romeo and Juliet.

Walden Theatre, the leading theatre conservatory for young people in the U.S, one of the few annual theatre festivals celebrating William Shakespeare in the annual Young American Shakespeare Festival, which are often presented at the Kentucky Center the three stages of which are always alive with entertainment from Broadway to Bach and featuring bagpipes to bluegrass. Five major arts groups delight the senses with music, dance theater, drama and more while its mirrored exterior reflecting the surrounding city. Opened in 1983 the center has multiple performance venues for the internationally renowned Louisville orchestra famous for its recordings of contemporary works, the Louisville ballet and Kentucky Opera which is the twelfth oldest opera in the U.S., the Broadway Series, Stage One, The Louisville Children's Theatre and extraordinary local, national, and international talents.

Images Friedonas Gallery features Julius Friedman's posters as well as works by many other nationally and internationally respected artists. This 10,000 square feet gallery in the Louisville Design Center, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts.

The Louisville Palace, the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in downtown Louisville's so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular movies, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists. Located nearby is the Kentucky Theater, which was built in 1921 and operated for 60 years as a movie house, but was closed and almost demolished in 1986. Ultimately it was saved by local arts advocates, and the newly renovated Kentucky Theater opened its doors in 2000 and has become a vibrant community arts center and art film house.

The Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation Gallery serves as a spectacular retail outlet for some of Kentucky's finest craftworks and sponsors regular traveling exhibits and workshops.

The Fund for the Arts the first and oldest in the U.S. has the bust of its founder former Mayor Charles Farmsley sitting proudly as if still alive in front of its headquarters.

Louisville is distinguished, like many American cities, with a multitude of museums of art, science and sports as well as monuments and historic sites and homes preserved for posterity amongst which is The Speed Art Museum which I happened to have visited in June 2006. Though described as the state's first art museum holding collections spanning 6000 years with works by Rembrandt, Picasso, Monet, Rubens and Moore, modern American, African, ancient and Native American artists being exhibited here our visit was focused on the highly eclectic and post-modernist work of the African-American alumni of University of Louisville, Sam Gilliam whose works have traveled far and wide in America up to the Corcoran Gallery. His works are an adventurous and experimental combination of techniques and materials: pastiche, cloth-dyeing, candle work, wood, formica, mat-marking and pottery used to amazing effects especially in his daring display and combination of colors and use of space and the suggestion of patterned folds and ties hanging loose from the ceiling. An art learning center, a café Bristol and a Museum Shop exhibiting and hawking artifacts, curios and dresses from all over the world adds to Speed Arts Museum's compulsion.

The Speed Art Museum was founded in 1925 by Hattie Bishop Speed as a memorial to her husband, James Breckinridge Speed, a prominent Louisville businessman and philanthropist. Designed by Louisville architect Arthur Loomis, the museum opened its doors on January 15, 1927, with an exhibition sponsored by the Louisville Art Association.

In 1934, the museum received Its first major donation, a valuable collection of North American Indian artifacts given by Dr. Frederick Weygold in 1934 was followed in 1941 by, Dr. Preston Pope Satterwhite making a significant gift - his collection of 15th century and 16th century French and Italian Decorative Arts including tapestries and furniture.and in 1944, he donated the English renaissance room, which was moved in its entirety from Devonshire, England necessitating an enlargement of the museum. The addition bearing his name was completed in 1954, as the first of three additions to the original building.

The Speed Art Museum Kentucky's oldest and largest art museum with over 12,000 pieces in its permanent collection boasts of an extensive and historic collection ranging from ancient Egyptian to contemporary art featuring distinguished collections of 17th century Dutch and Flemish painting, 18th century French art, Renaissance and Baroque tapestries, and significant holdings of contemporary American painting and sculpture. African and Native American works are a growing segment of the museum's collection. On its upper level, small cabinet galleries provide an intimate atmosphere for the museum's collection of European paintings and sculpture.

During the tenure of Paul S. Harris the first professional director from 1946, acquisitions to the collection were made mostly in the areas of decorative arts and furniture. In 1962, he was succeeded by Addison Franklin Page, curator of contemporary art at the Detroit Institute of Arts. who further enriched and expanded the museum collection. After another major addition to the building in 1973, the Speed celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1977 with the acquisition of Rembrandt's magnificent Portrait of a Woman. Mr. Page and the Board of Governors led the campaign to raise the $1.5 million necessary to purchase the work, one of the museum's most significant acquisitions.

Mr. Page retired as Director in 1984 and was followed in 1986 by Peter Morrin, who was formerly curator of 20th century art at the High Museum in Atlanta who in continuing the enrichment of the collection, initiated an outreach program to involve the communities the museum serves. While the museum was closed for a dramatic renovation project in 1996, the museum received a life-changing gift, a bequest of more than $50 million from Alice Speed Stoll, granddaughter of James Breckinridge Speed. The bequest one of the largest given to any art museum significantly increased the Speed's endowment, ranking it among the top 25 in the United States. Mrs. Stoll's bequest secured the museum's future and has allowed for several significant acquisitions including Jacob van Ruisdael'si, (1653), and Paul Cezanne's Post-Impressionist masterpiece, Two Apples on a Table (about 1895-1900).

Since reopening in November 1997, the Speed Museum has dazzled the region with exciting traveling exhibitions,and new acquisitions to the permanent collection. It has also benefited greatly by a bequest from the estate of long-time Board of Governors member General Dillman A. Rash who left the museum works by Marc Chagall, Jean Dubuffet, Paul Klee, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, and Maurice Utrillo.

The museum supported entirely by donations, endowments, grants, ticket sales, and memberships focuses its collection on Western art, from antiquity to the present day. Holdings of paintings from the Netherlands, French and Italian works, and contemporary art are particularly strong, with Sculpture prominent throughout. Representative artists include Rembrandt van Rijn, Peter Paul Rubens, Giovanni Tiepolo, Henry Moore, Thomas Gainsborough, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and contemporary artists Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Petah Coyne, Sam Gilliam, Vito Acconci, and Juan Munoz.

The Speed Art museum has come a long way since Mrs. Speed first opened the doors to the original museum nearly 80 years ago with its magnificent building and impressive collection of over 13,000 pieces serving more than 180,000 visitors each year, making it a nationally recognized institution.

The Speed Art Museum's original 1927 limestone building was designed by Louisville architect Arthur Loomis. Loomis chose the Greek Revival style for the exterior and employed large skylights in the roof to bathe the galleries in natural light. There have been three major additions and one extensive renovation to the original 1927 building.

The Preston Pope Satterwhite Wing was added in 1954 to honor Dr. Satterwhite, a prominent benefactor of the museum. The Satterwhite Wing contains much of his own collection of medieval and renaissance works including tapestries and other decorative arts. A focal point in the wing is a 17th century carved period room from England.

The North addition, designed by Brenner, Danforth, and Rockwell of Chicago, opened in 1973. This addition showcases the museum's 20th century art and features an auditorium and café.

The South addition, the museum's most recent wing, designed by Robert Geddes of Princeton, New Jersey, opened in 1983. On its upper level, small cabinet galleries provide an intimate atmosphere for the museum's collection of European paintings and sculpture. Also included in the addition are special galleries for temporary exhibitions.

Today, the Speed Art Museum has over 150,000 square feet of gallery, exhibition, and administrative space, making it the largest collection of art paintings, sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts by Kentucky artists. Since completing a major $12 million renovation and expansion in 1997, the Speed has brought major exhibitions of photography, painting, design, and sculpture to the region to help fulfill its ambitious mission: bringing great art and people together

The Speed Art Museum is housed in the University campus whilst the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, is located in Louville's "Museum Row" in the West Main District of downtown. It is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 to continue the art and craft heritage of Kentucky through the support and education of craft artists and education of the public. It supports regional as well; as national artists thus illustrating Kentucky's long heritage of fine functional and decorative wood-working. The museum is supported in part by the Fund for the Arts and Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency of the Commerce Cabinet. Founded in 1981 by Phyllis George Brown, then First Lady of Kentucky and former Miss America, the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (formerly Art and Craft Foundation) was started as a dream to build interest in Kentucky's rich craft and art resources. With the help of Mary Shands, the seeds were quickly sown for the Kentucky Art and Craft Foundation to continue to develop and eventually have a physical presence in Louisville. In 1984 the organization moved into the lower level of 609 West Main Street for retail and exhibition space and in spite of West Main Street being very deserted, the importance and popularity of the organization exploded.

The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft was established to promote the rich art and craft heritage of Kentucky through three main areas of programming: exhibition, education, and support of artists through a retail Gallery Shop. Since 1984 the organization has presented over 175 exhibitions, reaching approximately 65,000 viewers annually thus becoming a leader on the national forefront in preserving and advancing the art and craft heritage of Kentucky. by 1991. As part of the national "Year of the American Craft" the organization was recognized for its exemplary and unprecedented contributions to the documentation and interpretation of the cultural history of the commonwealth.

The organization has seen artists progress from novices to masters and Main Street transform from an almost a deserted noncommercial street to a thriving business and cultural district. By bringing the work of nationally recognized artists to Kentucky and by bringing the work of Kentucky artists to the national scene, KMAC has been able to preserve art and craft heritage and advance it.

Over ten years ago the organization started educational programming as part of their mission. In January of 2001 the organization purchased two adjacent buildings at 715 and 717 West Main Street in the heart of Louisville's West Main Street Historic District. Built in the 1880s the building is a four-story cast iron structure with a beautiful pastel facade and giant windows. After renovation, the facility provides the organization with 28,500 square feet of interior space in which to operate, spread over four floors and a lower level.The new facility increased the size and visibility of the Gallery Shop, with frontage on Main Street, and houses three exhibition galleries: the Steve Wilson Gallery, the Mary & Al Shands Gallery, and the Lindy & Bill Street Gallery. The Lindy & Bill Street Gallery, on the second floor overlooking Main Street, is rented for meetings and entertaining. The third floor houses the Education Center and the fourth floor is used for administrative offices.

Just across the street we saw the Frazier International History Museum holding as ever a collection of arms, armor and related historical artifacts dating from 1,000 years back.

West Main Street at the center of Old Louisville downtown is at the heart of the cultural district featuring the second largest collection of cast-iron facades in the U.S, which in itself is a collection of the rarest arts in the world as well as a reservoir of individual art pieces as well as artistic activities..

Iroquois Park is the home of the renovated Iroquois Amphitheater which hosts the productions of Music Theatre Louisville as well as a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.

Louisville is home to a thriving music scene with bands such as the widely known Flaw, Musica Silentis Doloris (MSD), False, Incursion 502 and Evil Engine 9. It is also home to the former members of the once post-grunge band Days of the New.

On Fourth Street in downtown is the brand new Fourth Street Live! outdoor entertainment complex, which features a wide variety of restaurants, stores and nightclubs. The complex sponsors many free concerts, as does the popular Waterfront Park.

The large performing arts community played a role in the relocation of ZFX Inc, the second largest theatrical flying special effects company in the world, from Las Vegas to Louisville in 2006.

FURTHER READING ON ART IN LOUISVILLE:

http://www.art-sanctuary.org/about.php

http://www.louisville.com/

Benefits of Photo Directories for Your Church and How to Create a Photo Directory

My family and I have moved fairly often and without exception, every time I unpack the attic I come across my yearbooks. Some are from elementary school and others from college and I just have to stop and flip through and see what I looked like, remember old friends and see familiar faces. Times change, people grow, mature and dare I say it, age. Things keep moving on, time waits for no man. That is why I enjoy flipping through those photographic treasures and in a sense time stands still and we are forever on that playground. A church directory is very much like those school yearbooks it gives us something useful presently and will even serve as a time capsule as the seasons and years march on.

Maybe you are bad with names but remember faces very well. This is where a church photo directory can be of easy and tremendous help. It has been said that the most wonderful sound any human will ever hear is the sound of their own name. All my high school career, I wanted to be the starting kicker on the football team. Schools around us have sent kickers to the NFL so competition was great. My senior year I was not the starting kicker but was the starting punter. In a game against a great rival I'll never forget taking the snap, stepping, releasing and feeling the ball jump off my foot only to hear the home team announcer scream my name over the loud speakers. God blessed that kick, I suppose angels carried it. I don't remember the punt so much as I remember my name being called. We can give that to others in our church by simply reviewing the directory and greeting them personally.

A photo directory is also a wonderful tool as many of them will also contain birthdays. If you are like me and forget when your own birthday is, it really helps to have an at home reminder of when our friends turn another age older-though of course they don't look it! A phone call or a simple note or card on that day is a blessing to them, all because you took out a directory to see who had birthdays this month. Another important time in the life of members is anniversaries. Most directories include them as well and the same joy and appreciation is there for those whose anniversary is commemorated by others too. Using the directory for these purposes actually helps a congregation grow closer together as life's moments are recognized and shared.

Perhaps someone new comes to the church and wants to put together a children's program or event, a church directory is an easy way for them to see just how many children the church has and how they can get in touch with their parents. In some cases, a directory can help people see family relations and connections with greater clarity and understanding. Sometimes churches need a little something to get excited about or talk about and a new directory does just that. People check schedules, make appointments to have photos taken (most of the time orders can be made to purchase the family pictures) and then eagerly await the distribution. Also, when the church has an event or occasion of great importance and photos are taken and put in the directory, you will have that memory there for you to look back upon and live it afresh.

Usage of Royalty Free Images Of India

India is a country which conjures up thousands of remarkable impressions. For different people, India has distinctive significance. A backpacker would envision India as a land of the mesmerizing Ganga with its timeless Ghats, pristine Goan beaches, The Taj Mahal and snake-charmers. A tourist would perceive India, as a land of temples like Khajuraho, monuments, amazing history and 1411 tigers. A software entrepreneur in California would see India as a land of techies with glass buildings containing the world's most sophisticated hardware and software systems. Spiritualists love India for Yoga, meditation and Kama Sutra.

India is a delightful collage of images, vivid, vibrant and brimming with emotions. Be it Yoga or the tiffinwala's of Mumbai, be it Prince Charles or President Obama, people from all across the world are fascinated with the unique culture, history and people that makes India.

As India continues to charm the rest of the world, there has been a steady rise in the need for pictures showcasing India. There is a growing demand of pictures portraying the diverse length and breath of this beautiful country. The market of Royalty free Images in India is growing speedily. Just as India is making progress in leaps and bounds, so is the segment of Royalty Free Images. It seems like everyone wants to be a part of the great Indian Success story!

There are several established and upcoming stock photo websites that offer clients all over the world a pie of Indian images. Such royalty free websites transcend the boundaries of time, money, space and red-tape. There is a plethora of Indian images to choose from. The categories may be typically Indian with fantastic images of Indian history, monuments and culture. There are some websites that even showcase Indian festivals, clothes and religions. At the touch of your finger tips, you have the most beautiful models brandishing fancy designer wear clothing. At the click of the mouse, you are in the world of Navratri Garbas, Ganesh Mahotsav's and Deepavali Rangoli's. An in-depth search would bring you to the fields and villages in the heart of India.

With these royalty free image websites, your dreams of easy and inexpensive advertising and marketing are now a reality. Gone are those days when you would need to organize a photo shoot and spend a fortune on your advertising and marketing campaigns. With a simple computer download, you can literally bring Incredible India in your office, work place or institution. Whether you need people, dressing, culture, food, children, teenagers, relations, feelings, and many more are available to you through an easy download. The images available on such stock photo websites are not only royalty free but their quality is amazing. Photos are updated regularly to keep your glass overflowing with colourful and diverse images.

There are multiple stock photo websites you can buy impressive Asian origin pictures at highly affordable rates. These royalty free image site offers an amazingly wide spectrum of images to cater to different individual or organizations. You are sure to find whatever you looking for in India. Pictures of bright yellow mustard fields of Punjab screened in Bollywood films, Yoga positions, Indian vegetables, jewelry, spices, Indian Namkeen and Mithais or photos of modern-day India.

How can royalty free images help you? Let's take an example of a travel website or a travel agency. Such businesses would constantly need appealing pictures to allure their clients. With rising copyright issues, availability of such images is difficult. With the help of websites offering Royalty free Images, they can find spectacular range of pictures without creating a hole in their pockets. An easy subscription can guarantee them an annual supply of superb pictures without the headache of copyright issues. The Taj Mahal is at their fingertips! The travel agency can download images of even lesser known monuments like the Charminar of Hyderabad to spice up its business. Pictures of wildlife, food, clothing and cultural festivals can be used to entice potential clients.

The uses of royalty free images are unlimited. Given the benefit of low-cost and superior quality, such websites will change the process of modern marketing campaigns. With the help of these royalty free images, you can give your business a new exotic edge over your competitors. Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, travel agencies, schools, colleges, real-estate companies, banks, insurance companies, hotels, students and many others will benefit by using these websites.

Incredible India is literally a click-away! Click your way through such stock photo websites and leave with unimaginable memories etched in your mind.

Koh Haa - Diving & Snorkeling Paradise in the Andaman Sea

The Five Islands of Koh Haa - a Diving & Snorkeling Paradise in Thailand

Thailand is well-known as a great place for diving and snorkelling, with many travel guides recommending the countless locations along its tropical coastline, however to many people, the five islands of Koh Haa offer a unique experience for both divers and snorkelers. Situated just 10km from the south-west tip of Koh Lanta, Koh Haa is easily accessible and features several breath-taking areas for diving and snorkeling.

The warm, clear waters of this small island group are home to many spectacular sights and there is such a wide and diverse variety of marine life that you are likely to catch a glimpse of several rare and elusive species, from nudibranchs and sea moths to frog fish and seahorses, and even the occasional whale shark gracefully passing through. Koh Haa is always full of surprises.

For snorkelers, beginner divers and more experienced divers, there is something at Koh Haa for everyone, an experience greatly enhanced by using a knowledgeable local diving or snorkelling guide who will make sure you enjoy everything this unique paradise has to offer.

Koh Haa Lagoon

The lagoon is a personal favourite of many a visitor to Koh Haa. It is a shallow, protected area that lies between 3 of the islands, full of both soft and hard coral, and providing a safe nursery-style area for many juvenile fish species.

The shallow and crystal clear water makes it an excellent spot for try dives, scuba diving courses, snorkeling and bubble makers. The lagoon is perfect for any family day out in paradise. Children from age 8 can take their 1st step into the underwater world, becoming a bubble maker in an easy, safe and exciting dive experience.

The visibility of the lagoon area is always spectacular. Ranging from 18 to 30 meters, this is great news for divers and snorkelers alike. The two islands which surround the lagoon are perfect for both certified divers and divers who've had some time out from the underwater world. With an average depth of 5 to 30 meters, the best way to get as much out of your dive as possible is to plan your journey around the islands of Koh Haa Two and Four.

Throughout this dive, you're likely to spot, yellow boxfish, hawksbill and green turtles, banded sea snakes, lionfish, leopard and black-tip reef sharks, butterfly fish, trumpet fish, squid, barracuda and countless schools of tropical fish - the list is endless! Like any dive site, the lagoon has its permanent residents. A resident favourite has to be "Pete" the porcupine fish. His friendly face will follow you around your entire lagoon dive, making you feel at one with his world.

For macro photography enthusiasts, the lagoon and all other Koh Haa islands offer countless opportunities for the patient and keen diver. Ghost pipefish, seahorses, nudibranch, sea moths, frogfish and various shrimp are all regularly spotted, and that's just to name a few.

Koh Haa One (The Chimney)

The island of Koh Haa One is only a few minutes boat journey from the lagoon and boasts a tall vertical chimney which you can easily swim through. Starting from 5 meters, and dropping to around 15 meters, the chimney itself is filled with crustaceans and tiny glassfish. Once out the of chimney, a large arm can be seen holding a bundle of life, including a resident sea horse. Along the way, be sure to keep your eyes open for large schools of snapper, trevally, barracuda hunting along the reef, along with the shy octopus, cuttlefish and many other Koh Haa residents.

Koh Haa Five (The Cathedral)

The large cavern located on Koh Haa Five is nick-named the Cathedral, easily accessed through an opening from 6 to 13 meters. With high ceilings and imposing stalactites, you can surface inside the Cathedral and witness the breathtaking view above and around. There are two large entrances where the natural light filters through, giving the Cathedral cavern a twilight atmosphere. Be sure to take along your camera, as this is one shot you don't want to miss.

Continuing around island Five, numerous species can be found including, harlequin shrimps, leafy ghost pipefish, gorgonian sea fans, spiny lobsters in cracks and the magnificent whale shark. The whale sharks can visit any time of year, so be prepared to be graced with their beautiful presence.

The shallow area in front of the beach is a must see for snorkelers and great for beginner divers. Lying at around 6 meters, the beach is filled with coal formations which can be several meters high, purple anemone beds homing clown fish but no shallow coral area would be complete without its angel fish, banner fish, Moorish idols and colourful parrot fish.

Travelling to Koh Haa

There is no better base for visiting Koh Haa than the beautiful, laid back island of Koh Lanta. Situated a short ferry ride away from Krabi, it is an upscale family island perfect for adventure, culture, relaxing, but most of all accessing dive locations.

Departing from Koh Lanta Yai (the south island), you can enjoy the luxurious and fast speed boat journey or the more traditional Thai way, known as the slow boat. Boats leave at either 8 or 9am for Koh Haa, depending on your speed requirements. The fantastic journey time via speedboat (25-30 minutes from the northern beaches of Koh Lanta), ensures you will arrive in Koh Haa Lagoon before anyone else and have a chance to enjoy these wonderful islands before the slow boats arrive from Krabi, Koh Lanta and Phuket.

Cash From Your Camera - Finding Your Place and Making Money From Stock Photography

Digital photography has made stock photography simpler and easier. Making cash from your camera has become a possibility to thousands of amateur photographers. But, the question remains how do I do it and where is my place in this lucrative market? This article will help you find your place in the market.

There several things you need to know about yourself before you can seriously enter the very competitive field of stock. If you don't you'll find yourself competing in areas that are dominated by top photographers resulting in little to no income for yourself. Here's what you need to know in order to gain a foothold.

1. Get to know yourself

This may sound very cliched but it is very true and fundamental to you getting anywhere in making money from your photography. Who you are as a person will determine what you like and what you passions are. If you aren't passionate about the images you love it won't come out in your photography. You won't spend the necessary time in creating them and focus on your strengths and expertise.

2. Get to know your strengths

By knowing your photographic strengths and weaknesses, you can zero in on your strengths and discard your weaknesses. Although, it may be necessary to find ways to strengthen your areas of weakness. It is pointless thinking that you are a great landscape photographer when you don't compare with the others in the business.

3. Get to know your weaknesses

These are the areas that will let you down in any business venture and even more so in your photography. If you haven't any idea that you can't really shoot a particular genre of photography you'll continue to deliver sub-standard images.

Now this is all well and good but unless you know how to discover who you are and what drives you in your photography, you won't get anywhere. Here's a vital exercise for you to work on to help discover your photographic heartbeat.

4. Get to know your photographic heartbeart

Cut up some pieces of paper and starting writing answers to these questions. Label two containers ONE and TWO. Now start answering the following questions. One answer to each slip of paper.

a. What is your career? What is your dream career? What career are you working towards.

b. What hobbies or interests do you have? Stamp collecting, trainspotting or dog training.

c. Write the subjects of the magazines you subscribe to on a regular basis.

d. When you go out on a photo shoot where do go and what types of photos do like taking. People, cars, sunsets etc.

e. Look through your photo albums and look for a common theme that runs through your images and write it down.

f. What subjects do like watching on TV? Jets, boats, animals, birds etc.

g. Who do you know that has a unique or specialised career or hobby? A dancer, radio presenter, paramedic etc.

h. Write down all the major geographical features (mountains, hot springs or lake) and any man-made structures (bridges and buildings) close to you.

i. What city or area do you live in.

Write all of these subjects, hobbies, careers etc. down each on its own slip of paper and place them in container ONE. Now check and see if any of the following subjects are in your container ONE.

Landscapes, sunsets, cuddly pets or animals, birds, flowers, insects, tourist sites, historic landmarks, silhouettes, sports, abstracts, arty images, seascapes, hands, feet, eyes, fashion, computers,

If they are then remove them and place them into container TWO. Container TWO now has the areas of maximum competition. These are the areas where you will find an oversupply of images and unless you are top in your field you'll make the least sales. So what do you do now with the papers that remain in container ONE? You have discovered your photographic identity. Give yourself a pat on the back.

Now that you know who you are you need to do some more sifting. Now you need to be rational. Which of the remaining items are not really a possibility? Your neighbour is a scuba diver or police officer and both are impractical for you shoot due to equipment or legal restrictions. Remove them from container ONE.

Next on your removal list are those areas that are niche type markets or areas that would have limited interest. Eliminate those as well. You should be down to far fewer subjects in your container ONE. Now on to the final elimination round.

Which of the subjects or areas that are in your container ONE are of no interest to you? Which ones don't you have easy access to and are not within your immediate budget? Which ones have a lot of competition? Is your knowledge limited in any of the subjects? Place all of these in container TWO.

Now it's down to the wire. Take the remaining subjects in container ONE and prioritise them in order of interest, sales potential and your knowledge. Now take the top three or four and put them to one side and put the rest in container TWO. You now have your top possibilities for a stock photography business. These are the areas of your interest and best potential.

All your available time and resources should go towards developing your skills and ability in these areas. Concentrate on shooting photos within these spheres and you will be soon be making money from your camera.

Is Film Dead?

I've been called a dinosaur. It happened in a photography seminar a couple of years ago when the instructor asked for a show of hands from those still using film. Actually, I was one of two dinosaurs that he labelled. Not an encouraging ratio for a class of about 20 people.

It's no surprise that professionals (like our seminar leader) have largely abandoned film, given the breakneck speed at which improvements in digital camera resolution and color accuracy are taking place. Gone are the days of carrying packs of Polaroid film and camera backs for verification of exposure and lighting. Now, we simply check the digital camera's LCD screen and its histogram, and make instant adjustments.

One harbinger that struck home recently was when I took my 120 format film to my favourite camera store, a.k.a. my reliable old local film processing facility. They informed me that their machine was acting up and that they likely would not be replacing it if it failed. If I was to continue to make my big, beautiful transparencies, I was likely going to have to mail my film to another city for processing. Until, that is, their machines also croak.

You can't blame them. They make their money selling digital cameras to a new throng of consumers who previously couldn't have been bothered with getting films developed.

My disappointment doesn't stem from the fact that I dislike digital. In fact, I shoot largely with a digital SLR now, and started scanning my 35mm films long before digital cameras achieved their current popularity. I also license my images online. In other words, I'm firmly entrenched in the digital photography realm.

I think it's more a case of nostalgia. Only in recent years have I been able to afford quality medium format film gear, albeit used and decades old. They're built like tanks and have lenses made from high quality glass. Yes - they're heavy and awkward, but the image quality is phenomenal. After shooting grainy 35mm slides for decades, I was now ready to emulate work done by real magazine photographers. I even purchased a scanner that allows me to scan the larger format films.

So, do I now sell off my antiques and scanners, only to replace them with the best and newest digital SLR? Well, judging by the amount of used film gear being bought and sold online, I would say - not so fast! Yes, some companies have dropped out of the business of supplying films and processing chemicals (AGFA), but others like the UK's venerable ILFORD (black and white only) and film giant KODAK are picking up the slack. New film products are even hitting the market! And others, like Freestyle Photographic Supplies, are doing what they can to keep the art alive by supplying film, darkroom supplies and film cameras.

Where this is leading me is that I can continue to use my film gear for as long as I'm willing to develop my own film, if necessary. The simplest by far to process is black and white, so when push comes to shove, that's what I'll be shooting. With my scanners, I'll be able to convert the films directly to digital without worrying about printing with an enlarger.

Is film dead or dying? There is no doubt that the professional's workflow today is predominantly digital. But, there is enough film equipment still working and in the hands of both professionals and enthusiastic amateurs that I can confidently predict that film will be around for a long time.

5 Great Online Photography Classes

Are you interested in learning about photography, but are not sure where to begin? Are you limited for time, and want to find a class that will fit your busy schedule? What if I tell you that there are several online photography classes available for you that will allow you to learn on your own time and fit your budget.

If you are really looking to learn photography, here are 5 of the best courses available to you:

1. BetterPhoto

Whether you are looking to become a professional photographer or just looking to take better pictures, you will find whatever you need at BetterPhoto. Classes are taught by professionals and allow you to get as involved and experienced as you would like. Learn everything from the fundamentals to how to create the right composition and find just the right lighting for your images. Courses are available in 4 or 8-week sessions and divided into different skill levels.

2. Not Your Normal Photography

If you are looking for something a little more flexible, Not Your Normal Photography offers a free E-Book and free 6-day E-course. You can learn how to find the right markets for your photos while developing your own style of photography. The online photography classes available to you can provide not only real experience, but also help provide a great second income.

3. New York Institute of Photography

If you are serious about learning photography in order to become a professional, check out the New York Institute of Photography. Begun in 1910, it is one of the oldest and largest schools of photography and now offers virtual classes. Even listen to some lectures on podcast. No matter what you are looking for, the New York Institute has the experience to help you achieve your dreams. They have helped thousands of students develop their individual potential.

4. Picture Perfect School of Photography

Digital Film/Photography Courses are available in 4 or 8-week sessions. Classes are available in Wildlife Photography, Portraits, Lighting, Color Usage and many other subjects. Learn how to take pictures of food, flowers, pets and numerous other subjects. You will only be limited by your imagination once you learn the secrets of great photography. Even learn how to develop your own photos in a darkroom.

5. Photography Institute

If you are looking for a professional course with an economical price, check out the Photography Institute. You can receive your own diploma in photography with experience in new cutting-edge styles and designs. For under $1000 you can have professional training and learn a field which can provide you with an income for the rest of your life.

If you truly have a passion for photography, you owe it to yourself to check out these online photography classes! The only thing holding you back is you!

Dodd Camera, Serving Professional Photographers Since 1891

Dodd Camera is a camera store based in Cleveland, Ohio. The company was founded in 1891 and currently has eleven stores in Northern Ohio including Cleveland, Medina and Akron plus a rental store in Chicago, Illinois. There are also five Click Camera stores in Dayton, Ohio, which is owned by Dodd Camera.

Dodd Camera sells and rents high end, professional camera and video equipment and accessories to professional photographers, and offers many other services as well. These services include photography services, developing, printing and online printing, equipment rental, video transfer, and camera and video repair service.

Some of the online services offered by Dodd Camera are online printing services, with which you send your digital images, place your order, and they will send you your prints when they are ready, and online photo albums, where you can store and share your photos with your membership. Dodd Camera also offers photo gifts and photo greeting cards that you can order online.

If you are a professional photographer and have a job coming up that will require special equipment or lights that you don't currently have, you can rent them from Dodd Camera for a fraction of the cost of purchasing what you need for just one job. Some of the items offered for rental are 35mm cameras and equipment, Polaroid cameras, panoramic cameras, projection equipment and tripods. You are able to download the rental brochure from the Dodd Camera website which includes helpful hints on lighting and backgrounds and other useful information.

If you aren't a professional photographer yet, but think perhaps you would like to be, check out the free digital camera class offered by Dodd Camera. The class will teach you about the different types of cameras, what a megapixel is and why it is important, how to effectively use the Zoom lens and still get a great photograph, plus information on the features and menus you will find on high end digital cameras.

There are also several courses that you can register for including Digital 101, photo tutoring, and SLR classes. These courses aren't free like the digital camera class, but if you really want to learn to be a great photographer they certainly can help. The courses cost between $25 and $45, more for personal tutoring. Courses are only offered at specified Dodd Camera locations so you will need to give them a call or check online for class schedules.

7 Strategies For Selecting the Best School for You

Most high school seniors relish in those end-of-the-year pleasures of prom and yearbook signing, final pep rallies and graduation, but few are thrilled about the long and sometimes arduous process of choosing a college. Finding the right college that best fits your needs is exciting, but it can also be time-consuming, confusing, and leave students fearful about not making the right choice. These strategies can help you save time when choosing a college and make a thoughtful, well-researched decision about your education.

1. List Objectives in Advance
Determine what you want out of your education and college experience before you begin your search. Ask yourself questions such as: do I want a two-year or a four-year university, do I want to stay in-state or go out of state, do I want a campus experience or am I going to live off-campus. Also, make a list of requirements that includes extra-curricular activities you'd like to join, programs you want to apply for, and average amount you're looking to spend.

2. Consider Your Major
A college might appear to have everything you want, but you may find that they don't have the major you're looking for. Or, they might seem have the major on paper until you really dig deep into the methodology of the program and realize it's almost what you're looking for, but not quite. Be clear about the major and type of training you want before you choose your college. For example, if you're a photography major, do you want a commercial photography education or a traditional fine arts education? Each decision reflects the type of major you're really after and therefore the college you want.

3. Use College Comparison Sites
Exploring colleges is now easier than ever before with college comparison websites like U-Can. Run by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, U-Can helps students search colleges by one of 17 criteria including state, degrees offered, tuition and fees, religious affiliation, even average undergraduate loans owed at graduation. Sites like these can help you narrow down the criteria that are most important to you and find the colleges who can meet those specifics.

4. Check Statistics, But Don't Rely on Them
Every year, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and others publish college rankings and statistics about everything from happiest students to biggest party schools. While these rankings are important and are good to consider when choosing your education, they should not be trusted as the ultimate word on a school's value. Rather, you should use these statistics to give you general guidelines about where a school falls in relation to all others.

5. Tour the School
A school that looks one way on paper may be very different in real life. Promotional pamphlets and mailings only tell students one side of the school's story, and usually it's the side college administrators want them to see. By actually going to the school's campus and touring the grounds, you'll get an idea of what the student body is like, how the campus environment feels and whether the dorms and buildings look as nice and well kempt as they seem in the brochure.

6. Are You a Good Fit For Them?
A college should fit your requirements, but you should also be realistic about fitting theirs. Evaluate your GPA and SATS scores against what colleges you like are looking for and take them into account when considering whether to apply. While it is good to be ambitious, you don't want to waste your time and money on a school that's clearly above or below your skill-level.

7. Trust Your Gut
In the end, your gut instinct should be the final determination in whether or not to choose a school. If it seems right to you, then odds are it probably is.

Learn Photography - A Beginners Guide To Taking Photos

During our lifetime we enjoy to capture photographs of our most memorable events. Whether it's if our children do anything special, or we're having fun at a birthday celebration or an all night fiesta, it is always the right time to take out your camera and seize such memories before they disappear for good. So if you would like to learn more about digital photography and different taking pictures techniques, there are a couple of essential things you will have to find out first.

Photographing people and places could be a hobby, and it is a great way to capture the things that you wish to recall or share with others on Facebook for example. Local adult training facilities offer newbies classes that may help you discover digital photography, but when you want to take your image taking abilities one step further, you could even develop your skills into becoming a professional digital photographer.

If you wish to start a profession in digital photography, then an advance training course either one-to-one or web based will be the best place to begin. An online study course will require focus and self-discipline and that means you will have to keep pace with your projects to get a decent grade. In some classes on the web, students and instructor can even make contact by telephone or perhaps via a chat site to discuss the quality of the pictures you shoot.

The actual amount of work involved for local courses that either meet daily or weekly will be roughly the same as that of an internet program, depending upon the amount of experience students have. But in the case of a photographer who will have to be taking daily pictures for a media organization, like a magazine or newspaper, then such a photography course would have to be a lot more intensive.

In the event you only want to take photos like a hobby, then there are many websites on the web that provide free tips for those who only want to master the digital photography basics. You won't need to possess the greatest or finest digital camera about in order to capture great photographs, and these internet digital photography classes offer a number of really easy to follow tips and hints to begin taking great pictures instantly.

You will uncover some truly beneficial things to assist you in learning photography, for example the way to introduce more depth to an picture outside by placing something really colorful such as an animal, a person, or even a bouquet of flowers within the foreground. An additional exterior photo guideline is to point your camera into the spray of water to be able to capture a rainbow by a fountain or water feature, and always be sure the sunlight is right behind the water spray. Additionally any time taking outside portraits of people, attempt positioning the person in front of the sun and shooting into the sunlight to avoid squinting and is a better way to illuminate all of their facial features.

Try snapping a number of shots of things that would be difficult to repeat, although even correcting errors may be easily accomplished these days through using Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Whether or not photography is to be your pastime or profession, the greatest resources for anybody who hopes to find out more on photography are without a doubt to be found on the web, and there are many different websites offering totally free digital photography lessons and advice for the newbies.

Top Benefits of Visual Effects Schools

What are visual effects? According to a definition these are "Alterations to a film's images during post-production." The visual effects are basically a sub-category of special effects in which images are manipulated for an enhanced effect for films or video. It includes amalgamation of live action recording and CGI so as to produce an ambiance which looks real. This effect may be very dangerous or expensive or simply too difficult to capture on real time basis. The demand for enhanced effects has increased manifold, especially with the films that are made with huge budgets. Since a lot of money is at stake, film-makers are seeking professionals who are experienced in this field and can generate mind-blowing visual effects, which are uncommon yet interesting and will keep the public glued to the screen.

This theory, in turn justifies a great demand for schools which can train and offer courses to individuals. The visual effects schools offer a variety of media training programs like animation, audio recording, broadcasting, digital film and video production etc. One of the best schools across the globe, in this area is Austin Visual Effects Schools. Austin is the state capital of Texas and also the fourth largest city. It is home to some of the finest fashion design and photography schools as well as art colleges, which offer comprehensive courses with the help of modern software. The courses are more than a simple practical training with software.

Some of the photography colleges are:

o The Art Institute: It offers a program in commercial photography, digital photography, photography, photography and design and Visual Arts. It offers Bachelor's as well as Diploma in this field.

o Westwood College: It offers a Bachelor's degree in Visual Communication.

o The University of Texas at Austin: The Department of Radio and Television Film (or RTF) proffers some fantastic summer media camps for the young in 7th through 12th grades. These camps are held in the campus of the University and the campers can use the equipment provided by the RTF. The students get an opportunity to look at various aspects involved in film making. Generally a camp lasts for 5 days and the fee per session is $475.

Visual effects can be divided into 4 broad categories:

1. Models, in which miniature sets are used

2. Digital and/or traditional paintings: These are required to cater to the background elements

3. Live action: Here the main characters perform. The performances are keyed through the blue-screen or green-screen.

4. Digital animation: This involves computer graphics, texturing, animation, generating 3D characters etc.

These Schools also offer Graphic Designing courses which include studying design, animated typography, creating logos, Photoshop image manipulation and web sites etc., along with a hands-on training of the software that is used in the industry.

Once you graduate from these Schools, you can obtain employment in the entry level positions of advertising designers, computer artists, Video Editing, Motion Graphics, and Visual Effects Supervisor etc.

Film School Secrets - Do You Really Need Film School to Be Successful?

It's a question that has been surfacing more and more over the years, and the answer might surprise you. Sure people like George Lucas and Martin Scorsese went to film school and became outrageously successful, but these are two of the reasons why we wanted to share some film school secrets with you today. Filmmaking school does not guarantee you success as a Hollywood producer.

In fact, people like Steven Spielberg are more touted in the industry because they take a different approach. Instead of going to filmmaking school they opt to work from the ground up and build a reputation in the business. Spielberg was initially turned down by the USC school, but after a grueling internship at Universal Studios he was able to move up the ranks with hard work. Eventually he was accepted by USC and earned a degree, which is far more common. Here are three more film school secrets that you ought to know:

Secret #1- When it comes to filming school you're not going to make any vital contacts there. The majority of your interactions will come from film sets, festivals, and on-hand areas of the business. If you do find someone through schooling there might only be one or two that are used later on down the road.

Secret #2- If you want to learn how to make a film it doesn't require you to go to filmmaking school. It's one of the biggest film school secrets that most people don't realize. You can actually learn everything faster by being on a set as opposed to in a classroom. If you want to study hard and learn technical terms then go to school to be a lawyer or doctor instead.

Just look at all the people who work in the construction industry. The majority of the people who learn their skills take an on-hand approach to their work. This is the same concept you find in film colleges. It's the easiest ways for a newcomer to learn the ropes and pay his or her dues before seeing true success.

Plus, in today's world you can buy your film equipment for a few thousand bucks. Years ago people like Lucas and Scorsese had to figure out ways to access it.

It's also important to understand that filming school isn't taught by successful filmmakers. Instead these are professors who know everything by book-smarts and not the true essence of making a film. The people you should be learning from are never in a classroom teaching students. You also don't want to be paying tens of thousands of dollars to be taught by an amateur anyways.

Secret #3- There isn't really a need to get a filmmaking school degree. It's a great help in the medical or business world, but here the situation is reversed. Take the time to find a set you can work on and move up through the ranks. It's the best way to get noticed and alleviate all the issues that come with these film school secrets. In the end you will earn more respect in the industry.

How to Make HDR Photos Photoshop - Avoid These Common Mistakes!

How to make HDR photos Photoshop is one challenging task for any professional photographer who wants to give their subject the most appealing output. Believe it or not, a lot of those who are getting into HDR photography are not getting the most of their photos because they are not equipped with the right amount of knowledge to manipulate their images. It requires a certain degree of dedication if you want to take advantage of this technology.

In order to use it to your advantage, you have to be aware on what software and its updated version work. Take for instance Photoshop CS4 and now, the most recent updated version of Photoshop CS5. As compared to CS4, this new version offers more advanced features that will surely result to a more sophisticated photo image. Let's try to examine what are these and how are we going to maximize its benefits.

The first exciting feature is called painting. Do you know that you can turn your photo into a painting-finish look? In fact, if you have an existing photo that you want to have a different look, using the paintbrush function can be your most reliable tool. Imagine a landscape photo image that you can convert to have a painting effect, it's like producing your own masterpiece. You can paint without actually painting.

This next highlight is really very interesting and can save you a lot of time. It is most useful when doing a re-touch on an existing photo. Remember when you need to move a certain part or element of an image to a new location and the background becomes void. With CS4, you need to spend a lot of time to retouch the background. But with the more sophisticated CS5, you can do it much faster, almost at an instance.

The third element is another time-saving, making my work much easier feature. When you need to re-touch a specific part or detail of an image, say a hair strand, a highlight of CS5 can now capture the exact look from the original by copying the layer and transferring it to a new layer. How's that for a much faster way of refining details? Goodbye to long hours of fine tuning, which at times causes you so much pain on your hand.

The next feature allows you to control the mood of your photo. It is called the HDR pro control wherein it can be capable of transforming your photo. Let's say you have an image that is put against the background of a sunny day. But you want the same image to have a rainy day background. Worry not for this updated version of CS5 will let you do just that...change the mood or season of your image.

The last attribute is for me the most exciting. You can actually change the over-all look of your photo and edit it the way you want to. It is called the puppet warp tool wherein if the image is a standing man but you want him to have his knees bent a little you can do that with this updated version.

Now, isn't it extremely enjoyable to explore this new technology of HDR photography? How to make HDR photos Photoshop is really an alternative way to improve on your craft. It is not only software that will help you capture the image in a more realistic approach, it will even give you a more dynamic piece of art, once you become an expert.

So, which one of these features are you going to try out in your next HDR photo? I bet you would want to try out all of these.

Investment Types - Different Ways to Invest in Startup Companies

If you are looking to invest money somewhere, you might think of putting your funding into a startup business. These businesses need support just as much as the big guys do, and you could be just the solution for them. In the midst of all this, there are different investment types you can take into consideration if you plan to put money into small or startup businesses. Understanding these options can help you figure out a plan that will yield profits in the end. Here are some types of investment you may think about for your money.

One of the best investment types for small businesses is primary investment. That involves you investing in your own business adventure. The reason this is a good idea is because at least you can see and control where the money is going.

In almost any other situation, you would have to trust that the person you are giving the money to for the business. The risk is far greater then. If you have an idea for a new business to get into, use your money towards seeing it as a success. You could also get a loan if you did not like the option of paying for things outright. You just wouldn't be "investing" much at that point.

Another one of the investment types you may look into involves venture capital groups. In this situation, you would be investing in a startup business along with several other individuals. You would become a stakeholder in the business and only be held partially responsible for funding if something went wrong. This would yield less rewards in the end, but it also decreases the chance for failure. You commit as a group so that no one person has to invest a lot of money in a company without a record.

You could also look at becoming an angel investor for the startup company. Of all the investment types you can look into, this is one of the riskier ones. For this, you provide funding for the company in exchange for a certain stake in the business.

Then you have a say in matters proportional to the amount of the company you own. Things can get risky when you start investing a lot of money without any hopes of gains in the near future. If there are gains though, you will clearly be able to collect a good portion of them for yourself.

Printing on Matte or Glossy Digital Photo Printing Paper

When printing digital photos you have a choice between matte and glossy photo prints. Glossy photo prints have a shiny finish while matte ones have a more subtle neutral one. So which one should you choose? There is no right answer - there are pros and cons to both.

Matte and glossy are two different finishes to the photo paper digital photos are printed on. Using different chemicals and processes photo paper can have a glossy or a matte finish. Glossy finish looks shiny, reflects light very well and looks vibrant and color rich. Matte finish on the other hand does not reflect much light and looks "darker" and duller.

There are pros and cons to choosing either matter or glossy digital photo prints. Here are some of them:

Glossy photo prints: Glossy photo prints are shiny and are more appealing to the eye. They look fancy and convey a high quality feeling. Glossy photo prints have vibrant colors. Colors also look rich and deep on glossy photo prints. On the downside glossy photo prints "shiny" attribute can be a problem when photos are viewed using intense light sources such as daylight sun or strong light bulbs. Light reflected from the photo print can blind the viewer making it hard to see the photo. Glossy paper is also more likely to attract dust and fingerprints and is thus more likely to get dirty over time. Black and white glossy photo prints do not look as good as matte ones.

Matte finish: Matte photo prints do not reflect light and are thus easier to view at almost any light condition. Matte photo prints are also less likely to attract dust and fingerprints and are less likely to get dirty over time. Black and white matte photo prints look better than black and white glossy photo prints. On the downside matte photo prints do not have the fancy high quality look that glossy photo prints have. Colors in matte photo prints are less vibrant and less rich than on glossy photo prints.

So which one to choose - matte or glossy? It really depends on your needs and what you are going to do with the photo prints. As a general rule use glossy photo prints for color prints and matte photo prints for black and white ones. If the photo prints are going to be touched by many people and used a lot matte is a better choice unless you do not mind spending time cleaning your glossy photo prints every now and then. Also if you plan to print large photos (for example to hang on the wall or frame and put on your desk) matte is a better choice since a large glossy print would act as a large glossy and shiny light reflector.

As with many other choices a matter or glossy choice is a matter of personal preference. To make an educated decision you should have experienced both. If you do not have that experience you can choose a few photos some color and some black and white and print them both on matte and on glossy paper and in different sizes. Look at the prints and see what you like and what you do not like about them. In the future you would be able make better choices by applying that experience.

Health Benefits of Napping

In the Philippines, there is an original term of a mid-day nap called Siesta. Derived from centuries under the rule of the Spaniards, napping is quickly forgotten through the Information Age. People are always on the go, whether on taking breakfast or lunch, just to meet deadlines or not to be late on appointments. What most people don't realize is that taking a short nap of 20 minutes a day can boost your productivity and energizes your body!

I used to have problems with my retention of memory just after graduating from college. During work time, I was usually teased by my co-workers as an "old man". I was always stressed out after work and have less time to rest to my daily activities. On one occasion, I tried to sleep for about 10 minutes on my lunch break. To my surprise, I was alert, active, and was not sleepy throughout the day!

I tried to experiment on different time intervals to test what really works for me. The result was that 20 minutes of napping every lunch break is the best for me. To support my claim, I looked around Google for relevant scientific research on napping. Guess what? I am right on the 20 minute nap!

Aside from removing your sleepiness, a 20 minute nap can increase your stamina, alertness, motor learning, and performance. From first hand experience, it also improved my long term memory. The benefits of napping are endless!

So you think it is not possible to sleep during your work hours? Well, huge companies such as Nike and Pizza Hut give their workers nap breaks that boosts their productivity! If you find yourself in a company where sleeping is not allowed, just use your one hour lunch break for a 20 minute short nap. Trust me, you will reap the benefits of it through promotion!

Kayaking the Lower Salt River: An Outdoor Adventure Through Arizona's Lower Salt River Canyon

Experience majestic desert scenery, rich riparian nature and enjoy an exciting day of amazing fun and outdoors adventure kayaking down the Lower Salt River. Only a short drive from Phoenix, the Lower Salt River is a very popular destination for Arizonans looking for a way to cool off with "tubing" a widely popular activity for many people during the long, hot summer months. However if you consider yourself an outdoors adventurer and you're willing to try something new, then I recommend taking a day trip kayaking down the Lower Salt River. Even if you've never been kayaking before, the mild and gentle Lower Salt River is an excellent place to start, even if you're a beginner.

I had never been kayaking before but had wanted to try it for a long time. So when I heard that there was a local group called the Scottsdale Sea and Ski Club organizing a kayaking trip down on the Salt River I quickly jumped on the opportunity and got signed up at the discounted group rate of only $60 which included the kayak rental equipment, shuttle pick up transportation as well as snacks and beverages provided by the club.

Starting our day's journey early, we headed out east from Phoenix on Route 202, exiting north on Power Road which turns into Bush Highway as it enters the Tonto National Forest. It's another 10 miles until you arrive at Saguaro Lake. On the right just south of Saguaro Lake Marina, is Saguaro Lake Ranch & Resort where we drove in, parked and got prepared for our day's adventure kayaking down the Salt River. Down at the shoreline, claimed our kayaks, put our life vests on and were provided a map and a detailed overview of the trip from start to finish by Saguaro Lake Ranch. After the briefing we carried our kayaks and paddles down to the water's edge and quickly dropped in. Once everyone was safely launched into the water, we were given a "thumbs up" by our leader and experienced kayaking guide, Mike to start our journey on down the river.

Being a first time beginning kayaker, it took me a little while to learn how to use the double sided paddle correctly and easily in order to steer my kayak. After only a few short minutes of "bumper boats" and floating downstream sideways then backwards, I started catching on and began feeling more comfortable, able to work with the speed of the current while keeping my kayak straight, facing forward and away from trees, reefs as well as other kayakers and people on the river. Although we did lose somebody from our group very early on who somehow must have fallen out and lost her kayak, for the rest of our group, we successfully began our exciting float down the beautiful and scenic Salt River.

I'd describe the first portion of the river journey to be probably be the most challenging part as this is where most of the rapids are. I was busily taking lot's of pictures of everyone kayaking as well as the gorgeous scenery when all of a sudden I looked up and realized I had already approached Snake Rapids and somehow got pulled into an eddy in the river which caused my kayak to veer wildly into the rapids, headed straight for the rocks where it got lodged and stuck! After only a few short panicky moments with nobody left to help, I managed to get my kayak up off the rocks then quickly paddled my way through the rest of the rapids to get caught back up with the rest of the group again. Shortly thereafter, we reached Blue Point Bridge and after picking up our lost kayaker, we pulled our kayaks over to the shore for a short rest break at the picnic area where snacks and beverages were provided.

After the short break, we got back in our kayaks and were on the river once again. From Blue Point Bridge the slows down and the current is much milder. You will notice many more people by now because it is also a section of the river shared by the tubers, making for a much more lively social experience with kayakers and tubers mingling together and enjoying the river experience. As we continued to float on down towards Sand Cliffs, we also passed by many people out fishing and picnicking along the shore some even giving their horses a cool down in the water!

From Sand Cliffs the scenery continues to be absolutely breathtaking and after passing by the exit point for the tubers, you will start to experience more calm and tranquility now on the river with the possibilities of encountering nature more likely so be sure to keep your eyes open and your camera ready. It was literally only within minutes that I looked up to the right shoreline and saw a Great Blue Heron! Blue Herons are very large, grayish/blue birds and common in riparian type habitats. I quickly snapped up a couple of photos while drifting by.

After another regrouping stop, this time at a rock cliff on the river itself, we continued to kayak on past Coon Bluff until we had reached our final exit point, Phon D Sutton, Exit #2. We safely got out, pulled our kayaks up onto shore, then carried them up to the parking lot for loading by Saguaro Lake Ranch. We then got into the shuttle van which had been waiting for us and within 15 minutes we had arrived back at Saguaro Lake Ranch where we had originally started and where our cars were parked. We had dropped into the river at 9am and were finished by 2pm and back in our cars by 3pm. The total time for the trip was 5 hours which included stops and rest breaks along the way.

I highly recommend taking this short day trip which costs only $65 for the day with advance reservations at Saguaro Lake Ranch. You don't need to be an experienced kayaker as the Salt River is considered to be a great place to start if you're new to kayaking, like I was. Saguaro Lake Ranch will provide you the equipment rental, instruction, plus shuttle transportation back to your car at the end of the trip. You only need to bring lot's of sunscreen and water as it does get pretty hot by mid-afternoon as well as your own food or snacks for lunch. In all, it was truly an amazing, exciting day of outdoors fun, beauty and adventure which I plan on doing again sometime really soon!

History of Photography - A Hundred-Year Legacy

Long before the first forays into photography during the 19th century, intellectuals since the time of Ancient Greece have described the pinhole camera, the camera obscura and the photochemical effect, often unknowingly. According to some theorists, artists have used the camera obscura and camera lucida to aid them in their craft since the 1500s. However, the first 'permanent' photograph was not created until 1826 by the French inventor Nic矇phore Ni矇pce. This photograph, created on a pewter plate using a process taking 42 hours, was later accidentally destroyed. Later in 1826, Ni矇pce created 'View from the Window at Le Gras', which survives to this day. When Ni矇pce died in 1833, he left his notes to Louis Daguerre, who, in 1839, announced that he had developed the daguerreotype, a process involving silver on a copper plate. During the course of the 19th century, photographic processes were developed further, improving the quality of the photographs produced.

In 1884, George Eastman (founder of Eastman Kodak) developed film, which increased portability and allowed photographers to practice their art without carrying toxic chemicals with them. In 1901, Kodak's Brownie line of cameras came on the market, making photography accessible to a wider group of people. The initial price of US$1 was a product of Kodak's intention to make the camera available for anyone to use. In 1907, the first fully practical color plate was marketed. Until color film became available in the 1930s, Autochrome served as the most common color photography process available.

In 1975, the first recorded digital camera was built. The camera, which weighed eight pounds, took 23 seconds to capture its first image. This prototype was the first of a string of digital cameras which were to change the photography world forever. In 1988, the Fuji DS-1P was released. This camera is considered by many to be the first true digital camera, as it recorded photographs as a computerised file, instead of on film. The DS-1P recorded photographs to a 16MB internal memory card. The camera was not marketed in the United States, and it is not known whether it was shipped in Japan. In 1990, the Dycam Model 1 was released, allowing photographers to transfer their photographs directly to a computer. In 1991, Kodak brought its digital camera to market, with a retail price of $13,000. In 1995, Casio's QV-10 was developed, featuring the first LCD screen on the back of a camera. The same year, the first commercially-available digital video camera was released, and in 1997 the first high-quality megapixel cameras were marketed.

The development of mass market consumer electronic devices in the 2000s has allowed photography to become even more widespread than before. Many now carry cameras in their pocket in the form of photography-enabled mobile phones, which allow photographers to take quick shots at any time without having to use a camera. The widespread use of the internet during the first decade of the 20th century has allowed photographs to become an even more effective cultural medium which has, and will continue to reflect and affect culture for years to come.

Photography Colleges

Ever think about attending a photography college? For many, photography serves as a constructive outlet that allows the spirit to wander and the creativity to flow free. Sometimes photography can serve as a therapeutic outlet that allows an individual to see the world and their intimate surroundings from a different point of view. Sadly, many people decide to ignore their talents and interests pertaining to the field of photography. The most important thing to know is, there are plenty of mediums out there that will allow you to further express and discover your talents in the industry of photography.

It is vital that you choose a college that is accredited. If you receive a degree or a certificate from a college photography program that is unaccredited, then you might as well have been wasting your time for the months you spent completing tasks and assignments to obtain your credentials. Simply put, if your school is not accredited your degree or certificate is not worth the piece of paper that it is printed on. When searching for a college photography program, you ay want to consider some online schools as well. This way you can be at home and your schooling can fit comfortably into your routines and schedules. This may be the ideal form of learning for you if you have a family or a loved one at home that you must take care of. You have to consider what works best for you and your family.

There are several characteristics of a good Art School with a photography program you will want to keep in mind during your search. One important consideration is the type of faculty who will instruct you. When considering a photography college, you want to find out as much as you can about your potential instructors. How many professors are there at this college and what are their levels of experience? For how long have they developed their own photography skills in the outside world?

After completing your college photography program it may be best for you to check out what type of jobs for photography are available to you in your area. You may consider freelance photography, which allows you to sell your work on your own terms piece by piece. For people who enjoy a certain level of freedom, this type of employment may prove to be ideal. You may even consider being a professional photographer for a local photo company. These types of companies are usually contracted to take photos of sporting events, high school functions, and happenings in the community. Whether you want to be a professional photographer who shoots famous models in exotic locations or you want to be the local wedding photographer who everyone in your small town loves, it is vital that you pursue your dreams.

Two Different Types of Collage Picture Frames

Viewing pictures of loved ones has a way of warming the heart. Whether it is seeing your parents at their wedding, seeing your daughter or son with their own children or seeing a beautiful sunset that you shared with your significant other; photos have a way of touching our past and incorporating it into our present. Collage picture frames can be used to display any past event that we wish to remember. These picture frames are a versatile way to display photos. They come in a large array of colors and sizes and most are made of either wood or metal. It is very easy to organize your pictures into the frames. There are two different types of collage pictures frames: standard and matted.

Standard collage picture frames tend to have a more decorative feel to them. Each picture is divided by a metal or wood piece used as the photo divider. You can use these collages on a wall or on a tabletop surface. You can get very creative with them especially if you decide to do a theme. For example, perhaps your child loves to ride horses. You can display a montage of them with their horse. You can even find may beautiful frames with a horse already on them. Or perhaps you want to give a collage picture frame as a gift to a friend for their twentieth birthday. You can collect pictures of them from grade school and from high school; maybe they participated in a certain sport, maybe they performed in a ballet recital or maybe they loved playing the piano. You can group these pictures together with pictures of them graduating from college or pictures of them with their friends on various outings. The possibilities are endless.

Matted collage picture frames tend to be only one frame but they come with a colored mat that includes cut out holes for displaying photos. You will need to use photo corners or linen tape in order to keep the pictures securely in place. You can also use scotch tape if you are not concerned about damaging the edges of the photos.

Another interesting display that you can do using collage picture frames is a landscape display. If you enjoy taking photos of mountains, valleys or sand dunes to name a few, you can create a stunning montage of pictures to display in your home. Such a collection of pictures is certain to get a lot of positive comments. Or perhaps you prefer still photos. If so, you can do a beautiful array of pictures with fruit or vegetables or anything else around your home that you choose to use. Collage picture frames have many different uses and you will enjoy the creative aspect of assembling your photos into a stunning work of art.

Organizing Photography Contests

This has become a part of our daily life across the globe, from TV reality shows, institutions, colleges, clubs just to a name a few are all organizing these competitions. Different motives inspire these events but one commonly notable thing is to identify the best and for constant developing in photography. The digital camera has been revolutionary in photo industry and has brought a new beginning for photographers. The most notable difference in classical and digital is the classical use film while the later use memory cards.

The digital technological development has made it easier for everybody to use cameras and even achieve tricks that could earlier be only achieved by professionals using classical devices. Though a smart camera cannot substitute a talented artist, it helps a beginner achieve sharp and clear quality images since it does the hard job for you. its interesting though that the few talented artists will normally use cameras that are not full atomized but with a high optical zoom.

Power supply is also a major difference since modern cameras will require higher power for their components such as LCD and the classical ones will require just a minimal amount. It should be noted however that in photography contest the camera autonomy does not matter. Picture format that the camera stores a photo both in size and quality is also a major difference.

If you want to win a photography contest its quite simple. Be creative and smart, natural in your own way and focus on the photography contests theme. Remember, don't copy techniques and take pictures with your own distinctive methods.

Photography Workshop for Beginners: Things to Remember

Photography is a worthwhile hobby. It's both de-stressing and fun. The first thing you should remember is that photography is much more than simply taking pictures. It is an art. This is why photographers spend time to take photography classes just to learn the craft. Before you consider enrolling in a photography class, learn these few reminders.

1. Cameras do not take good photographs. You do. When some people see a nice photo, they ask what camera was used, instead of who took the photo. It's absurd. It's like asking what piano was used, instead of who played the piece. A camera is a tool. Despite of its type or model, it can take both terrible and breathtaking photographs - it all depends on how you use it.

2. Read the manual. Too excited to take snaps? Don't hurry. Read the manual that comes with your brand new gadget. It is important that you read it because that is the only way you will learn about the equipment, its controls and shooting modes. Those who don't read and understand the manual are most likely to produce bad pictures.

3. Do not ignore the Auto mode. There is a very good reason manufacturers put Auto modes on cameras, even the DSLR ones. For beginners, the Auto mode is really handy. If you are still at the first stages of the learning process, the Auto mode is the most convenient feature for you to use. It lets you decide what ISO, white balance, shutter speed, and aperture to use. When in doubt, switch to the Auto mode on the dial, and then start taking your pictures.

4. Observe the rule of thirds. This is the most essential of all of the composition rules. Beginners and advanced photographers cannot ignore this rule, which simply states that you cannot place your subject at the center of the image. This is a basic rule discussed in any photography workshop. So when you shoot a picture of children, flowers or a tree, place it in the third part of the image, either on the left or right.

5. Know when to use the flash. The light coming out of your flash unit can make or break an image. The general suggestion is to avoid using flash as much as you can. For artistic photography, using natural light creates the most pleasing photographs. If you are indoors, you can open windows to let in light from outside. In dim rooms, you can use a tripod to mount your camera on, as you use slower shutter speed to capture more light. Outdoors at daytime, you may use the natural light from the sun or sky. When shooting portraits in broad daylight, you can now consider turning on the flash to avoid nasty facial shadows.

6. Bring your camera with you. What's the use of owning a good camera if it's frequently left at home? Take it with you wherever you go, so that you won't miss out on photographic opportunities. You don't know when a moment worth taking a picture of would arise.

7. Look at photos taken by professionals. The goal is not to imitate these pictures, but to take inspiration from them. See how the pros compose their shots. Observe the elements that make their photographs splendid.

Knowing the Top Photography Schools in the US

The photography industry is one of the most lucrative industries. Many people have decided to enroll in a photography school in order to get hired as soon as they graduated. Enrolling in a top photography school increases the possibility that you will be paid with a higher salary. There are several top photography schools in the United States including American Intercontinental University, Boston University, Harrington College of Design, Brooks Institute of Photography and New York Institute of Photography.

The American Intercontinental University has one of the top photography schools in the United States. It has several campuses across different states. It offers both traditional and online courses. The lecturers are successful photographers who hold a day time job. The photographers will educate the students on different photography topics such as fashion, advertising, and etc,

Boston University offers photography courses at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts. The certificate programs will teach students basic skills about taking photograph. Students will also learn about the business management skills.

Harrington College of Design offers an associate degree for applied science in digital photography. Students who enroll in this course will be prepared for the future workplace. Student will learn about photojournalism and how to conduct a photography business. Under the guidance of the lecturers, they will be able to develop unique artistic styles in photography.

Brooks Institute of Photography offers four types of undergraduate programs. Some of the undergraduate programs offered by Brooks Institute of Photograph include Visual Communication, and Professional Photography.

The New York Institute of Photography is a famous photography school in the New York City. It was established since many decades ago. It has a large campus and is rank as one of the world's largest photography school. Over twenty thousand students from different countries in the world are enrolled in this famous institution.

The International Academy of Design & Technology offers accredited photography degree. The photography degree course will teach the students how to use the industry standard cameras. Students will learn how to operate the software and lighting. In addition, the students will learn several career skills including wedding photography and portrait.

The Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology offer courses that allow the students to develop necessary skills for their career in photography. It offers several types of degree courses including professional and commercial courses.

Beside the schools stated above, there are other top universities that have photography programs. Many top universities offer online courses. People who are working can enroll in the online course. By enrolling in the online course, you don't have to attend the classes at the college. You can get brochures from the colleges to compare the tuition fee. The online course may be cheaper because you don't have to pay for the petrol fee and dormitory fee. When enrolling in a degree, you will be asked to provide the official script for the high school. The top photography schools are very selective in the students. Students that are enrolled in the program must show good performance at school.

How to Use Digital Backgrounds and Props in Your Photography Studio

Digital Props and Backgrounds are becoming increasingly popular in many photography markets. This has helped beginners start their own photography business with very little start up cost. Now you can look like you have a full size studio without spending $1,000's of dollars on equipment. Here's what you will need to get professional results every time.

1. White seamless background -- You can find white vinyl in 60" widths at most craft stores very inexpensively. I would recommend 5ft wide by 10 ft long to start.

2. External Flash or Soft Box -- You will need an external flash that attaches to your camera's hot shoe that can be bounced off a side wall or ceiling. This will give you a softer light and eliminate shadows. This is critical to getting a clean line around your subject when cutting out and selecting in Photoshop. (I'll talk about this in a minute) If you want to get fancy, use a Soft Box on a stand. Position your Soft Box on the right side facing your subject at a 45 degree angle. This is the set up most professional studios use for their portraits.

3. Bounce Card (Reflector) -- Use a 2x4 ft piece of poster board as a bounce card on the opposite side of your flash or Soft Box. This will help fill in any shadows you may have on the opposite side. You can also cover this with aluminum foil to give it more of a reflective finish.

Note: This will be a harsher light.

4. (Important) Distance From Background -- It's always best to have your subject as far from the background as possible. The minimum should be 4 to 6 ft. This will give you a shallow depth of field and no shadows casting on the background.

5. Photoshop (Selection) -- You will need a version of Photoshop to use digital backgrounds and props properly. Photoshop Elements will work just as well as the expensive full versions. There are many ways to cut out your subjects using Photoshop, but the easiest way is the Magic Wand tool. (As long as you did the steps above) Select the tool and set the tolerance to 50. The higher the number the more aggressive the selection will be. Click anywhere on the white background. Photoshop will find the lines and set the selection. Play with the tolerance until you get a clean selection. Once you see the marching ants, go to (Select) and choose (Feather) and set this at 1 or 2 pixels. This will soften your edge making it look more realistic.

6. Digital Backgrounds and Props -- Now open your Digital Prop or Background. Click on your image with your subject and drag the cut out layer into your Digital Background or Prop. Position it so it looks proportioned and when your happy with the results, click on (Layer - Flatten Image).

Now Save your image as a new file, not overwriting your original. After you complete these steps over and over again, you will develop a workflow that can be done in just a few minutes. There you have it. Following these suggestions I have given you will greatly improve your digital background and prop portraiture. Your portraits will look like they were created in a full-sized studio allowing you to charge studio prices.