Career As a Latent Fingerprint Examiner

The latent print examiner is classified as entry-level position in the fingerprint identification field. More complex fingerprint comparisons are performed by more experienced professionals. Through structured training, you may acquire the knowledge necessary to perform the highest level identification functions.

Job Description

A latent print examiner is in charge of handling identification functions, including fingerprint classification, photography, searching and filing, operating Automated Fingerprint Identification System, and processing of crime scene and evidences. Those new in the job will learn how to perform the task of doing fingerprint comparisons.

Duties and responsibilities include taking live scan and/or inked fingerprints for non-criminal and criminal matters, obtaining the suspect's prints for the purpose of comparing and identifying fingerprints, making accurate and sound decisions on identifying and classifying the fingerprint patterns using AFIS, using the camera equipment for investigating on the crime scenes and performing the necessary laboratory processes, and analyzing the crime scenes in order to collect materials and trace evidences. You may also be asked to testify in hearings and in court trials regarding crime scene and physical evidence examination.

Educational Requirement

Graduation from an accredited university or college with an associate's or bachelor's degree in law enforcement, scientific, or related field is required in order to become a latent print examiner. Successful completion with at least a passing grade of 2.0 or higher in at least two science classes in college is also required. Any combination of education, training, and experience that is equivalent to at least one year experience in classifying, filing, and searching for inked fingerprints or at least a year experience in crime scene processing. If you want to be promoted or advance in this career, you have to pursue a continuing education. A degree in law enforcement or criminal justice will help a lot.

Latent Print Examiner Salaries

The salary range for a latent print examiner is between $30,000 and $150,000, with large federal and state agencies paying more, but still the salary depends on the location, company, and experience.

Have Fun Creating 2013 Personalised Photo Calendars

If you've yet to have a go at creating personalized photo calendars, then the chances are that you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how easily you create your photo calendars using the very latest in digital technology. Whereas, in the past, putting your own calendar together would probably have meant struggling with cardboard, scissors and glue, the latest technology means that all the work is done for you, and that the results are of the highest professional standards.

The first and perhaps most difficult part of the process is actually choosing the images which you wish to utilize. For many people it will simply be a question of selecting a dozen or so of your favorite images from the previous twelve months. As you search through your photographs, however, you're likely to find your imagination racing with the possibilities offered by the concept of themed online photo calendars. If you have young children, for example, then why not create a calendar which features a different stunning image of them for each month, tracking the way they've grown and changed as the year passed by.

The point is that, no matter who the recipient is, you can bring together a selection of images which you know for certain they'll enjoy and draw pleasure from day in and day out as the year goes by and they access their calendar. You might opt to use images based upon the other person's hobby or pastime, or else treat elderly relatives to a calendar which features photographs of their extended family spending happy times together.

No matter what the theme of your calendar, actually turning it into a reality is incredibly simple. To find out how to make photo calendar ideas simply upload the images which you've selected to the website of your choice. Once you've done this, the first step is to get to grips with the software provided, which has been designed to be totally user friendly and to guide you through the process one quick, easy step at a time. The first step, and an indication of how flexible the process can be, is to select the month on which your calendar starts, since it doesn't necessarily even have to be January. Once you've done that you can select the overall 'theme' or look of your calendar, and then set about designing the layout of each individual page.

All the decisions are in your hands and are quick and easy from the number of images on each page, to the use of backgrounds and frames or the per-printing of specific dates such as birthdays. By picking and choosing and tweaking as you go along you can design a calendar which is truly unique and which will be a pleasure to look at as well as a useful organizational tool. Indeed, once you get to see how well put together and beautifully printed your calendar is, the chances are that you'll want to select a few more of your best images and have them turned into stunning photo canvas prints to grace your own home or to give as gifts.

Turning your precious memories into equally precious keepsakes is easier than it's ever been and both canvas prints and photo calendars are stunning examples of just what technology can achieve. By combining your personal images with state of the art production techniques, they bring together the best of the professional and the emotional, and provide items to be treasured for years to come.

How to Make a Time-Lapse Video With Your Digital Video Camera

Getting the most out of your digital video camera can mean being able to create some really cool stuff. You just have to step outside the manual a bit and find the cool things you can do with your digital video camera and your editing software.

We have all seen them in a movie or a TV show, those very cool shots where they speed up time and capture a long segment of time and condense it into a very short amount of video. An example is many of the TV news stations nowadays have a camera that captures the day's weather and then they process it down to a 20 second clip to show the clouds and weather racing by on screen.

Well this technique is not just a tool in the hands of the movie makers or the big TV stations. You can do this with your digital video camera gear too. I will go into two ways that you can accomplish this effect and get some cool results for your next video project. This one is worth playing around with in order to find the right settings to get the most dramatic effect.

Technique number one is to use the camera itself to do the time lapse recording for you. Almost all digital video cameras have the ability to do an interval recording. What this means in a nutshell is that you tell the camera how long you want to record for and how long in between recordings and it will go on autopilot for you for as long as the battery lasts or the tape runs out. This is what those cameras at the convenience store do, they record a few seconds of motion every 30-60 seconds giving the overall view of the traffic in the store over time.

Now if you want to capture some time lapse in your digital video camera you will need to get into your cameras menu and find Interval Recording (or in my case Int Rec, as I use a Sony PD 150 for my camera) When you select this option you will decide how long of an interval between shots you want and how long to record each time. If you are trying to capture something that takes a long time to occur and in which not much happens quickly you will want to set the interval at around a minute and the record time as short as possible on your camera. An example would be if you wanted to record a day in the life of a flower or the clouds rolling by in the sky. Suppose however that you want to capture an event that has lots of action and occurs over a much shorter time frame. Then you would want to shorten the interval between recordings and increase the time of each recording. So in this case you might record every 15-30 seconds and record up to 2-3 seconds of video each time.

I used this technique to capture an afternoon of work being done by a team of carpenters on my house remodeling project. The result was a flurry of activity as workers raced hither and yon nailing boards, carrying equipment and building walls. I have added it to my photo collection of the project. (Hey I had to live through the project so I might as well have a great record of it for posterity!)

Now suppose you have one of the great software video editing packages on your computer to work with your digital video camera. Now you can do it in post as they say in the business. You can record any length of video you want (subject to the limitations of your tape length) and then import it into your editing program.

Sidebar:

I use Adobe Premiere Pro for my editing jobs, but I have also used Avid DV Express, Final Cut Pro, and others in the non linear editing world. These are all great programs and are very powerful products that can create some very professional looking videos. You don't have to have these products to create your own videos but if you are serious about digital video editing it might be a good idea to take a look at these options.

I digitize my raw video of the scene I am doing time lapse on into my computer (big hard drive, video eats up GB's of space) and then import the clip into my time line. From the timeline you can then select the clip with a right click. From there you will be given a menu with options depending on the software you use. Select the option that says "duration", "speed" or something similar. Change the speed of the clip so that time will speed up considerably. If you have an hour of video in the clip and want to shorten it to 2 -5 minutes then you need to increase the speed of the clip to 3 or 4 thousand percent of normal. This will require your software to render the clip at the higher speed and may take some time top process depending on the speed of your computer.

Once you have rendered the video clip at the new speed you will want to play it to see if the movie flows evenly or if you will want to readjust the speed setting to make it better. Sometimes you may want to shorten your raw video and adjust the speed down somewhat in order to get a smooth flow of action. Once you have rendered the clip at the new speed you can now cut and splice it as you see fit with the speeded up action intact. There are some things you will record that might only need a slight speed change, take for instance some digital video of your kids playing sports. Double or triple the speed of the clip and show it to them and you might have them rolling on the floor.

You can also use these techniques to capture the growth of a flower or plant over the course of days or weeks. Simply set you camera in exactly the same place at the same time each day and record an interval that works each day fro however long you want to document. May be you get the seedling just breaking soil and follow it all the way through turning into a full grown plant.

Another interesting idea is to capture the path of the moon across the night sky. Set up your camera on a tripod in a spot that can see the path of the moon for several hours. Set the camera to interval record and put the moon on one side of the frame so that it will pass across the frame as the night passes. This one may require some testing in order to get the exposure and framing right as well as the right interval to record at. Most likely you would want to set the interval as long as you can and the record time as short as you can but do a test run first to see what works.

Preparing for an Industrial Technology Career Through Online Studies

Obtaining an education in the field of industrial technology can be done through accredited online schools and colleges. Students are able to receive the training that will prepare them for a number of exciting careers in the industry. Online learning programs offer students with the opportunity to obtain a variety of accredited degrees and certificates. Specialized areas of study can be entered by those looking to gain an education in specific areas of the field.

*Industrial Management

Students can gain a quality education in industrial management by enrolling in an accredited online school or college. Training in this area of the field will help to prepare for a future working in the manufacturing business. Training is available at various levels including an:

• Associate Degree - typically requires students to complete two years of online learning.


• Bachelor Degree - can take students around four years to obtain through online training.


• Master Degree - will take an additional two years of accredited coursework and training.

By enrolling in a degree program in this area of the field, students will gain various skills that can be utilized in the workforce. Coursework may consist of studying engineering economics, chemistry, accounting, operations research, computer science, engineering physics, and many other topics. By gaining an online education in industrial management, students can expect to find employment as compliance officers, facility managers, operations managers, organizational consultants, and other related professions. Schools and colleges offer the online educational training needed for a successful career.

*Quality Control

When looking to pursue a career in this field, students can choose to specialize in quality control. Gaining an accredited online education can be done at the associate, bachelor, and master degree levels. Students can choose to level of education that fits their needs and goals. Training can last anywhere from two to six years depending on the program. Coursework will cover many topics to give students the knowledge they need to seek employment in the field. Studies may include:

• Design


• Total Quality Management (TQM)


• Automated Testing


• Product Reliability


• Research and Development

...and many other relevant areas of study. By gaining an accredited online quality control degree, students will be ready to seek employment. Possible careers can include working in retail product manufacturing, software development, biochemical engineering, and much more. By pursing a career in this specialized area of the field, students can expect to enter into a successful career.

When looking to pursue an education, students should look into accredited online schools and colleges. Training can be completed from the comfort of home and will be of the best quality available. Fully accredited programs are approved to offer students the best educational training possible. Agencies like the Distance Education and Training Council ( http://www.detc.org/ ) are approved to fully accredit qualifying online learning programs. Students can prepare by researching online industrial technology programs to find the one that offers the education they desire. Start by requesting more information and enrolling today.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

What Are The Top Internet Business Ventures Today?

These times, running an Internet business is a popular choice, because the costs are relatively small, and the overhead expenses are low as well. This bodes well for ordinary people, for whom setting up a traditional business is beyond their reach. Here are some of the most popular Internet business ventures today.

Web Site Marketing

If you have your own Web site, you can use this as your platform for doing business on the Internet. You can use your Web site for offering your products or services, and you can use it as well to join other online business ventures and programs. The drawback of having your Web site though, includes regularly paying fees for web site maintenance, improvement and innovation.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular methods for earning money online. In an affiliate marketing setting, you make money through commissions from promoting other people's products and services. To be successful, you need to possess savvy online marketing skills, as well as have the ability to attract large numbers of visitors to your Web site.

Internet Auction Sites

The Internet is an amazing platform for selling a wide array of products and services. With online market places like eBay And Amazon flourishing, practically anyone with a good product can sell their goods on these, and other popular online auction sites, as well as make a sound profit.

Freelance Internet Jobs

The Worldwide Web is also a flourishing market place for innovative and well-paying online jobs. Among the sought-after freelance services today include Web design, programming, copywriting, photography, illustration, content writing, home-based call center jobs and more. The income derived from these freelance jobs and services varies, wherein some pay hourly rates, while other pay per services or per job.

How To Succeed In Doing Business/Working Online

One of the keys to success, whether in doing business or working online, is to first do extensive research on your target, or niche market. Find out which niche markets are somehow profitable, and carefully evaluate the market's customer habits and buying preferences. In order for you to chart the right marketing course, it would be nice if you could drop by niche-related marketing message boards and forums, where you can ask for free, and helpful, advice or opinions.

Following a Digital Photography Guide and Learning Your New Camera

Once you obtain your new-fangled digital camera, a reasonable chance is you're not fairly sure how to use it. For this reason a digital photography guide can be practical when you're learning about your new-fangled toy. If you want a digital photography guide, here are some options you have:

Internet - the essential source

This days, the Internet is efficient as the central source for any query, trouble or interest you may have. If you are sprouting an interest in digital photography, the Net is a superior way to find what you need in a matter of seconds. Simply types in the words digital photography guide in any search engine, and you will be redirected to a number of websites that can help you with digital photography. Search engines such as Google.Com, about.com, and yahoo.com is wonderful gateway into answering your question or queries.

Your Neighborhood Bookstore

If you don't have access to the Internet, or like to find things simply, than going to your neighborhood bookstore is a good way to find a digital photography guide. There will be an overflow of books on how to use your digital camera, how to successfully take digital photographs, and how to edit them on your computer. Using a book to guide you are beneficial, as you could get it wherever you go with your camera, and even refer to it as your successfully taking pictures.

Taking a photography course

Another alternative for a digital photography guide is successfully taking a course. If you are passionate enough about learning the famous art of digital photography, and don't would appreciate to do it on your own, then think about signing up for a class. Many community colleges offer ways once or twice a week, flexible to your schedule to learn this craft. The sections may charge a bit more than a book or using the Internet, but you're given the opportunity to learn your hobby in-depth, and have an instructor to give you guidance and constructive criticism along the approach.

Not every person is born technically gifted. Some of us need a little push to assist us understand the unknown devices that are popping up in all places. That is why a digital photography guide is practical and vital. Whether you prefer to just surf the Internet for the information you want, read a notebook or even take a section, learning the photography of digital photography is well suited time and money spent.

You are now prepared for your first fantastic shot with your new Digital Camera. Remember, lots of light and gets close to the object before you snaps you first photo. A good rule of thumb is that if the object you are photographing are more than 4 meters away.

Creating and Designing High School Yearbooks

High school yearbooks are a great thing to have and created and designed for the sole purpose of memories. With a high school yearbook, you will be able to remember all of the good and even the bad times you had during that period of your life. Even if high school wasn't your favorite few years, it is still good to have the memories that come along with a yearbook.

Tons of work is put into the high school yearbooks to make sure that they look good and are worth buying. A yearbook that is put together last-minute will definitely not be the best. The yearbook committee for the school, often consisting of students and some staff members, put in many hours to put these yearbooks together so that you will have memories at your fingertips.

A staff member of the school who is also involved with the yearbook committee or a student will take tons of pictures during the year to post into the yearbook. These pictures will be taken during all of the important events that take place throughout the school year. Pictures are like stories which is why they are so important to have, especially in a high school yearbook.

The yearbook is not put together in the last month of school and is actually worked on throughout the entire year. The photographer takes pictures each month of different activities and these pictures are placed in the yearbook on different pages. Picture day is a special day for each student to have their picture taken by a photographer who comes to the school to take the pictures. Your photograph will be places inside of the yearbook along with all of the other students from you grade and sometimes the underclassmen will be included in the yearbook too. Having pictures of these students is a great way to remember all of the people who were once in your life.

The yearbook committee club will also work on a design for the yearbook. The book may be softback or hardback although hardback is preferred, especially for high school yearbooks. Hardback books tend to last better and are far more durable than paperback books.

The color of the book as well as the pages inside the book will vary depending upon what the students of the yearbook committee want. In many instances, the committee will use the school colors or the mascot that represents the school for the design. High school yearbooks are fun to make but they also take plenty of effort and can cost quite a bit of money to put together. When you buy a yearbook, you are helping your school out while also buying something that you will be able to cherish forever. Once you buy the yearbook, it is yours to have for as long as you want to keep it.

How to Get Your Customized Business Card Right: Some Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them!

A business card is an important and valuable marketing tool for any business, organization or individual involved in direct discussions and contact with customers, prospects and investors. That's why it becomes all the more imperative to design your customized business card with a little more care and expertise. While many might think it best to fill the card with as much detail as possible, others might fancy a well-spaced out card. While there are no defined rights or wrongs because a card that works for one company or profession need not necessarily work for another, there definitely are some common mistakes that every card must stay away from.

Tiny Unreadable Print - Having images and graphics on customized business cards is definitely a good idea but covering the card with large images such that it leaves no space for text is not such a good idea though. The primary function of a business card is that it must provide the relevant contact details and cards with tiny, unreadable and hazy prints fail to serve this important purpose. Customized business cards with tiny unreadable print that force people to strain their eyes to read have more chances of landing in the bin because when you cannot make out the contact details what use will the card be to you? So, make sure that your name, company's name, contact details and address are easy to read and don't require a magnifying glass to decipher.

Not Having All Relevant Contact Details - Never hold back from giving your company's address even if you're working from home or still haven't set up a fully functioning office. Not giving the physical address of your business or organization can leave the unfavorable impression of your business or organisation as not being reputable enough or still not well-established. Always provide all relevant contact details like mobile, landline and fax numbers, email ID, website address and company address etc, even if it means putting some extra effort to create it first because if people cannot reach you, they cannot give you business either.

Blank Back Side - The back of your customized business card is a key marketing tool, something that very few cards optimize to the fullest. You can print additional information about your company's profile, a nice picture of you or your office, describe your specialized job role and how you will be able to make the lives of customers easy or just an attractive marketing campaign - anything to win the customers' attention with.

Very Glossy Texture - While business cards should be nice to touch, they shouldn't be overtly glossy and slick as it makes it difficult to write any additional information on them if you want to.

No Creative Tagline - The customized business card must have something more than just the contact information, designation, job profile and company logo. It should have something more memorable like a creative tagline to be able to leave a memorable impression on the receiver. The person may have many business cards from similar service providers, so what is it that you can do to make yours stand out from the crowd? Have a mini map at the back showing the location of your office, experiment with colours, size and shape, go in for a 3D card, put in a witty quote, have the picture of a happy customer with a testimonial etc. There are many new and innovative pastures waiting to be explored, after all it is your customized business card and you can get as original as you want.

Self Made Cards are a Big No: It is always better to go in for a professionally made business card as it makes you look more professional and sophisticated. Moreover, a self made card can never match up to the quality that a professionally done card can lend, thereby adding more value and functionality to your business.

Photography Backdrops and Props Make Your Photographs Special

Photography backdrops and props are very useful to make your photographs look unique and lively. Most studios have boring and artificial mood and feeling. Backdrops and props can change this condition in an instant. In addition, they also give more options to the clients.

Photography backdrops

Photography backdrops never intend to change the center of attention. Their purpose is to give different moods, auras, and surroundings so the pictures become unique and personal. In the beginning, muslin was used as photography backdrops. They were popular for school portraits because they are easy to carry. Although they tend to be lightly patterned and dull colored, they could bring a little life to the pictures with the support of proper lighting. They cannot do much to improve the mood and atmosphere though.

They make the pictures focus on the subject, but if they have similar color as the subject's clothing, problems will happen. In addition, they limit the options of the clients and also the photographer's creativity. Students might not have a choice or perhaps they care little about year book portraits, but if you want to make good family portraits, you will want to use unique backgrounds that are not used by everyone.

Technology came to solve the problems create by traditional backdrops. Digital photography backdrops offer a lot of options to the clients. The clients only need to pose and let their pictures taken. Later the background can be added as what the clients want. A nice fireplace can become a good background for Chritmas portraits, while romantic places are excellent for wedding portraits. The options are virtually limitless with digital backdrops.

Photography props

If you feel that a picture is good, usually you do not only see beautiful smiles, but also various photography props in it. Photography props have been used since the early days of photography. They used simple objects like flowers and fruits as props. At that time, the main purpose was to show the level of affluence of the people in the picture.

As photography became popular, photography props became more complex. They did not only use simple objects, but they built the whole scenery that looks like certain events or locations. During Victorian era, pastoral photography was the main trend. Therefore, props like shepherd's crooks and even live sheep were used to create the required atmosphere.

Photography props are still developing even today. Travel related props are the hottest demand right now, such as traditional dress and traditional instrument. Perhaps you have seen many studios that provide traditional Chinese dress for you to wear or even an Irish bagpipe as one of their props. If you combine these props with proper digital backgrounds, you can produce different pictures, which make you like that you have traveled to many countries even though you are only staying in a small studio.

Wallace R MacAskill Hand - Colored Photography

Wallace Robinson MacAskill (1887-1956) was one of Nova Scotia's most famous marine photographers. (We have seen conflicting birth dates ranging from 1887-1890). Best known for his Nova Scotia seascape and sailing vessel scenes, his works are becoming increasing collectible both in Canada and the United States.

Born in St. Peters, Cape Breton County in Nova Scotia, MacAskill graduated from the Wade School of Photography in New York in 1907. He opened his first photographic studio in St. Peters, and then in Glace Bay, before moving to Halifax in 1915. In Halifax MacAskill worked for military photographer W.G. MacLaughlan, and between 1916-19 he worked as a printer at the Elite Studios in Halifax. Between 1920-29 MacAskill worked as a photographic printer for the Commercial Photo Service.

In 1926 MacAskill married Elva Abriel, another professional photographer, and he opened another studio in Halifax around this time. His pictures were used extensively by the Nova Scotia government, and many MacAskill pictures also appeared in two books that he published including Out of Halifax (1937) and Lure of the Sea (1951). Probably MacAskill's most famous picture was the famous schooner "Bluenose", which appeared as a postage stamp in 1929, and which appeared in various books and which proved to be one of his best-selling art photographs.

Wallace R. MacAskill died in Halifax on January 25, 1956. In 1964 Mrs. MacAskill sold the contents of MacAskill's studio, including his negatives, to Maurice Crosby, another Halifax photographer. In 1970 Crosby sold them to the Maritime Supplies & Exchange Ltd. And in 1984, National Art Ltd. was given exclusive rights to produce new hand-colored pictures using MacAskill's original negatives. These pictures were still hand colored in oils, but are not as highly prized by collectors as MacAskill's earliest and original works. This agreement expired in 1986 and in 1987 MacAskill's negatives were donated to the Public Archives of Nova Scotia where they remain today.

Just a few of the Wallace MacAskill titles we have seen include:

• Bluenose
• Cape Le Rounde, C.B.
• Drying Sails
• My Ship o' Dreams
• Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
• Rockbound Coast, Nova Scotia
• Saga of the Sea
• Schooners in Early Morning Mist
• Sunset, Nova Scotia Coast

Benefits of Home Study Photography Course

Possessing a camera is not enough until you know how to make the best use of the equipment. Even with the simplest camera, a person aware of the diverse tips and tricks of photography can produce stunning photographs. With the availability of home study photography courses, from any location you can learn about the technicalities of photography that will help you to snap photos like professionals.

Advantages of home study photography course

Home study courses benefit people for whom photography is a hobby as well as individuals who want to take up photography as a career but lack the time needed to attend an on-campus photography program. The distance learning photography courses are divided into modules, with each module dealing with different areas of photography. Most wannabe amateur and professional photographers prefer the program that gives them the liberty to improve their photography technique without the pressure of completing the course within a specified timeframe.

Photography lessons in home study photography course

Every area of photography is covered in home study course. It includes the basics of photography, different uses of lighting, photo editing, portrait photography and architectural or landscape photography.

Photography basics

The first lesson in photography involves learning the different functions of a camera. Although the digital cameras come with an array of preset functions that regulate the various camera settings automatically to maintain the optimum quality of images, serious students of photography are not satisfied with the automatic controls of a camera. They are interested in learning the techniques of manually changing the camera settings to generate the best quality images. The basics involves understanding the camera menu, focal lengths, sensors, lenses, exposure and shutter speed.

Uses of light

Light plays an important role in photography. The quality of the picture is affected by the intensity and direction of light. By attending a course, you can learn about this important area of photography. Students learn the methods of making the best use of natural or artificial light to produce outstanding images.

Post production

Different photo editing elements are applied to an image to give it the desired finish. Photography courses help students to master the post production techniques with the help of appropriate photo editing software.

Portraits and architectural photography

The ultimate goal of a student of photography is to learn the advanced techniques of portrait and architectural photography to produce outstanding stills. The tricks and tips of producing breathtakingly beautiful portraits and landscapes are taught in photography courses.

Smartest Small Business Ideas to Make Money Easily

Due to high cost of life, startups have become quite difficult to venture into. In fact most people especially minimal-income earners have failed to go into business due to high cost of starting up a business. But one needs only to think big and start small so as to achieve these entrepreneurship goals. Small business ideas to make money are the benchmark to successful business ventures. In fact most successful businesses were started from scratch.

The concepts of starting up businesses or investing wisely are based on how well one wants to succeed and which path does one want to follow to achieve success through entrepreneurship. These business ideas form the platform for achieving this distinct objective in business. These Small business ideas to make money could be anything from:

Investing in the bourse, forex trading, buying and selling cars, insurance and gardening provide the best incentives for investing wisely.

Most of these ideas and money making schemes have their distinct modalities of achieving them. These ideas can also be;

Online business schemes like affiliate marketing, online service provision, photography to blogging and even selling goods and services online.

Thousands of smart investors nowadays are selling services online. This was initially a small business idea to make money but has gradually has transformed into a successful business. You can sell cars online. People are now buying vehicles online, all you need is to have legitimate contacts with car dealers and their banks and you are off the ground. You will find yourself making a lot of revenue from such practices. Most of these ideas often transform from a few dollars investment to a multimillion investment enterprise.

Digital or Film for Your Wedding Photography

When selecting your wedding photographer you will inevitably have to decide whether you want your images captured using film or digital cameras. Both are capable of wonderful results, but the debate rages on as to which is "better", which will last longer and finally, would you even be able to tell the difference. There are many factors which come into play and I'll try to go over some of the most common misconceptions about digital wedding coverage and why I made the transition to all-digital wedding coverage three years ago.

Many falsehoods are circulated on various wedding chatboards where one person blurts out an unsubstantiated opinion and somehow this becomes "chatboard gospel". One of my favorites is: "digital photographs aren't as crisp and vibrant as those made with a film camera". This can certainly be true, if the photograph was made with a two megapixel point and shoot camera and the image printed out on an inexpensive desktop inkjet printer. However, a qualified professional will most likely be using what's known as a digital single-lens reflex camera, or DSLR, with an average of 8 megapixels and perhaps even more. These cameras, manufactured by such well-known companies as Canon and Nikon are more than capable of producing wonderfully crisp enlargements of sixteen by twenty inches and beyond. While inkjet prints may be fine for family vacation shots, I much prefer to have digital album photographs printed by a professional processing lab. The digital printer used by a pro lab is an extremely expensive and specialized piece of equipment. The prints are made on actual photographic paper and should enjoy a long fade-free life given proper care. Ask your photographer to show you some samples. You won't be disappointed.

Digital wedding photos are becoming much more prevalant due to quickly evolving technology and advancements in image storage capability. Film has been around for more than 100 years but is rapidly fading in popularity. I was reluctant to provide full digital coverage for my clients until I was confident that the finished product could meet or exceed that which I could deliver using film. I've seen the wonderful results from my digital gear and nothing could convince me to go back to film. Other market factors influenced my decision, such as long-time medium format camera manufacturer Bronica discontinuing US availability for a number of products and Canon's recent announcement indicating that they may halt future development of their film camera line.

There are many advantages for the Bride and Groom when they choose an all-digital photographer. Some of these include the ability for online posting of their wedding photos, conversion of images from color to black and white or antique sepia tones and the ability to have the photos placed on a CD or DVD for easy storage. From your photographer's perspective, starting with a digital file allows for superior image retouching and corrections when necessary. Additionally, the larger storage capabilities of a digital camera allow the photographer to shoot more images, giving the client a greater selection when it comes time to assemble the wedding album.

Learn Digital Photography - 6 Steps to Better Subject Placement

The question asked mostly by my photography students is, "Where do I place my subject". The great thing about this is that they are asking an important question. This is key to photography as without a subject there is no image.

Try this exercise. Go to an old family photo album and start paging through it from the beginning. What I want you to do is count how many of the photos show a very clear subject. The subject must clearly shout out that it is the subject. Whether this is a flower, a photo of a child or adult, a new car or a birthday party, the subject must be clearly defined. What was your count? Low? The chances are high that many of our photos reflect problems with subject placement.

Now that's all in the past. What can be done to improve your images so that in the future your subject takes its rightful place on the photographic stage?

1. The subject is your focal point

The subject must always be the focal point of any photograph. If it's not then what is the point of the photograph? It should never just be another object in a scene of many elements. Giving it the main focus causes it to clearly shout, "I am the subject". Without this clarity your photos will be sub-standard.

2. The subject should not compete

This is not a competition. The subject is the celebrity or winner in the image. It should never compete with other elements in the image or with other potential subjects. A child standing next to a bright red mailbox should not have to compete. The eye of the viewer should automatically be drawn to the child and if the subject is the mailbox then the opposite should be true. Defining your subject clearly will improve your images in leaps and bounds.

3. The subject should be carefully placed

The rule of thirds determines, as a general rule, where the subject is placed in any scene. This is a vital element to any photography. The rule says, divide your image by placing a grid like a tic-tac-toe or noughts and crosses grid over the image. Some cameras allow you to switch on a grid that is superimposed on the lcd screen (not the final photo). The image is now divided into thirds. Where these lines cross or intersect, there are four intersections, is where you place your subject or focal point. I said this is a general rule and can be broken but if you stick to it you will have a great focal point and success in your photography.

4. The subject should not be crowded by clutter

This is very important. Watch what you allow into the image. A beautiful bride in a messy room would make the image sub-standard. The same goes for your images. Make sure there is no mess around the subject or in the image. It links with point two as clutter often competes with the subject for attention.

5. Watch your subject's background

Backgrounds in any image should be simple and clear and not at all busy. They should lift your subject and help focus the eye of the viewer. A busy cluttered background will make it difficult to differentiate between the subject and the background. Keep it uniform and clear, making sure that it contrasts with the subject.

6. Keep it simple

Key to any photography is simplicity but this is especially so when making a subject the most prominent part of the photo. If there are a limited number of elements to your image then the subject won't have to compete, won't be bothered by clutter and the eye will be immediately drawn to the subject and nothing else in the image.

7. Get in closer

This technique is absolutely essential if you are to solve any of the other problems raised in the preceding points. Getting in close automatically makes the subject more prominent. It allows you to exclude clutter from around the subject and excludes any competition or distractions. The great thing about this point is that you see more of the subject and a better memory is created. In years to come you will want to see more of the people you love and you won't require a magnifying glass to get a better view.

Get this fundamental right in your mind and then in practise and the quality of your images will begin to exceed your wildest dreams. You can do it and create stunning images by following these simple steps.

Need To Buy Indian Stock Photos? Look For Pro Asian Stock Photo Website

There are hundreds of websites selling international stock photography, but when it comes to buying Asian and Indian stock photos on sale, the choices are comparatively limited. Many a times you come across individual blogs by certain photographers but they disappoint you for the lack of subjects and limited royalty free images.

If you want to buy Indian photos regularly or in bulk, then you probably should be looking for online subscriptions. Blogs with limited quantity of images will not be able to live up to the demand. The problem with quality photos is that even a single photo for any subject needs ample amount of preparation and expense to get it shot and then edited, before it can put up for sale.

Why do most blogs or photographers fail to deliver?

To run a stock photo site with thousand of pictures, one need to invest a lot in camera and lighting equipments, models, photo studio hiring charges etc. Hence individual amateur photographers may find it difficult to generate bulk photos for a given subject. And as a result you may be hitting a dead end trying to look for a specific conceptual photographs.

Surely, I don't need to explain, how stock photos have indeed changed the face of advertising all over the world. Although the free images available around the web are good enough for presentations, but for mass scale printing and publishing, royalty free photos are a big money savor.

So you need to dig at the right place. Given the variety of advertising and graphic needs, one may be looking for photos of faces, expressions, Indian culture, rural India, business, romance, industry, architecture, education, landscapes, fashion and glamour, food, vegetables, family lifestyle, agriculture, nature, professions, science, shopping, teenagers, adults, seniors, children, objects & ornaments, people, sports, feelings and emotions and so on and so forth.

Hence, you must have access to the exact photograph for your advertising campaign or website requirements. Rights managed pictures are also what you should be looking at.

Photography For You

It is a fact that stress is one culprit that could make someone unhealthy. And these days, people are so obsessed with their career, chasing time and not even pausing to take a breath. Sure, it is invigorating to have a job and be productive in the society you live in but you should also keep in mind that your physical body needs to rest once in a while. Even your mind needs to take a break from all the stressful thoughts from work and from the chaotic world around you.

Money and all the beautiful things you have amassed are good to own but how can you enjoy them if you do not have the luxury of time to smell the roses? A good way to spend your free time is to take a hobby. It is not only a good way to enhance your skill but it is also good for your mental state. A hobby can be relaxing and it can bring joy into your heart which money cannot give.

If your hobby is photography, you have to keep in mind that it is not merely the snapping of photos that is needed to capture a good photo. You need to keep in mind that the angle, background, and even the type of camera you use are big factors to consider when taking a picture. Investing in a good camera should be number one in your number list. And the second would be your skill. If this is your first time to venture into photography and you have no educational background in arts or photography, it is, therefore advisable that you join photography workshops, seminars and clubs. This will not only enhance your skill but this will also allow you to gain more friends who have the same passion.

Another thing to consider is to invest in photography books. You can check out your local book store and get the latest books about photography, cameras and the like. You can also make use of the Internet to research about self-help photography or photography for newbies.

Indeed, photography is a great way to spend your free-time as a hobby while capturing emotions, faces and places. Having the right subject, tools and skill plus your passion would surely capture the best images in your camera. Who knows? You might turn this hobby into something that can generate money. Just remember to have fun while snapping pictures.

Texas Art Schools - Reviewing the Best Art Colleges in Texas

The expansive state of Texas enrolls 10,000 students in art school and boasts 13 schools accredited by the Council for Interior Design. Among its leading programs are offerings at the University of North Texas-College of Visual Arts and Design, Rice University, and Baylor University.

The University of Texas offers NSAD-accredited programs and has art departments in its nine campuses across the state including Austin, San Antonia and Arlington. Texas also boasts renowned museums including the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, McNay Art Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Austin Museum of Art.

The College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas in Austin recently completed a new Visual Arts Center. Two of its faculty members were named Guggenheim Fellows in 2010. Noted graduate Marcia Gay Harden was the 2010 commencement speaker at University of Texas at Austin-a school that clearly values the arts.

Austin is one of the largest and most diverse art departments in the country. The Studio Art division offers seven areas of study: Ceramics, Metals, Printing and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Transmedia, a major with an emphasis on experimental practices including working in such realms as sound, installation, web, interactive and hypertext. The school also offers a selective 3-year MFA in Studio Art program enrolling 30 students.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Art (SoA) at Texas Tech University in Lubbock Texas offers NASAD-accredited degree programs in studio arts, art history, communication design and visual studies. The BFA in Studio Art focuses on the development of students' personal artistic expression and technical skills as well imparting an understanding and appreciation of both artistic heritage and contemporary art. The school also offers Masters Degrees as well a doctoral program in Fine Arts focusing on Critical Studies and Artistic Practice.

Rice University, one of the nation's premier research universities, boasts a commitment to undergraduate education and offers a Studio Art major in its Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts. Students are encouraged to explore courses in areas such as philosophy, anthropology and history. Students at Rice have access to the creative resources of the dynamic city of Houston Texas and visit galleries, studios and exhibitions in their junior year in preparation for a senior year that focuses on intensive studio work.

Baylor University, in Waco Texas, offers both a BFA and BA in Studio Arts. Baylor students can concentrate in Ceramics, Fabric Design, Painting and other fine arts. BA students are encouraged to take courses across the concentrations, and are required to enroll in a larger percentage of liberal arts coursework than students on a BFA degree track. Baylor also offers a BA in Architecture in cooperation with Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Students at Baylor complete discipline-specific exams, portfolios, exhibitions and research papers, depending on their degree track. Baylor houses the Martin Museum of Art, the Allbritton Art Institute for the study of nineteenth and twentieth century art and the Harding Black Ceramic collection and Archive dedicated to scholarship in the ceramic arts.

There are dozens of other colleges and universities across the state of Texas that offer degree programs in fine art, design and commercial art fields. Individuals interested in these fields can explore the range of options available to them in Texas and seek out a balanced program to help launch their career.

Panoramic Photography Technique

Panoramic photography is a unique technique that creates an image that is wider than the average field of vision produced by the human eye. This particular photography technique is a very popular way to capture larger than life images and is often applied to landscape photography, as well as to images of famous urban skylines. A panoramic image can be taken using several different techniques, with some being more effective than others, but the results can be quite stunning. This is especially true when the image is created by a professional photographer using state of the art equipment and several years of experience.

"Panoramic" should not be confused with "wide angle", when it comes to photography. Wide-angle lenses do, in fact, take photographs that have a much wider field of view than a more conventional photograph. But that being said, in most cases these images do not expand to much more than a 100-120 degree field of view; and even then the images can sometimes seem a bit distorted if not taken properly. Wide-angle images are also generally taken as a single photographic shot, meaning that with the right lens, one only needs to click the shutter button. Such photo techniques are often best applied if you're dealing with a single subject such as a large building or similar structure.

Panoramic photography, by comparison, is a bit more complicated. First and foremost, the scale used in this type of photography is much larger, with many of these images ranging from a 160 to a full 360-degree point of view. As one can imagine, this is simply not possible without some additional knowledge of photographic techniques and the right equipment. As a general rule of thumb, such photos can be taken in one of two ways, either by taking several pictures and then "stitching" them together, or one can utilize a rotating panoramic camera. Stitching is arguably the more common practice, as it can be done using more standardized photography equipment. In fact some modern cameras come equipped with features that make this process a great deal easier. Also, rotating panoramic cameras tend to be expensive, which makes them rare among most photographers.

Learning the ins and outs of panoramic photography can take a bit of time, but with a little bit of practice, even an amateur can produce stunning images. There are many books and videos on the subject, and classes can be taken through many local community colleges and universities as well.

Character Counts - And We Must Prove It

Character counts more than any other subject our schools teach - bar none! It was once known to be "the" priority in education, but does the current approach to teaching moral values show that? Do children come away from teachers' classes on self-control, love, compassion, and cooperation knowing without the shadow of a doubt that such traits are vital in day to day life? Does the education your child is receiving today, this week, and this month prove that character counts?

"Character counts," our schools tell students, but they fail to prove it. As a career educator, I can assure you that most schools are proving quite the opposite.

Look at the evidence:

· Budget. Character counts only as much as the dregs from most budgetary coffeepots. Young children receive no enchanting books about cooperation to study "...because," say our administrators, "financial resources are tight." Older children are denied the excitement of lesson plans based on intriguing mystery books that teach courage. Teenagers must forego strong moral challenges available in best-selling adventures written for such studies. By giving this subject so much less of the budget than math, science, and history, schools prove that "character counts" is no more to them than a phrase to be thrown at students. It certainly is not a belief that issues forth into positive action.

· Time. This subject matter is said to be very important - until it comes to placing it in the school schedule. Do we prove to children and teenagers that this topic is a priority in their lives when classes meant to instill high moral values are awarded so little time? Math, science, and history are usually taught daily while this poor Cinderella receives, at best, only a few minutes a week. Students are required to master reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic, but seldom are they asked to master respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness. Students at every level are tested on math, language arts, and history, but seldom are they tested on attentiveness, honesty, and kindness. Such lack of requirements and testing does not prove to students that character counts.

· Personnel. The teaching of moral values is often assigned to guidance teachers or volunteers - a practice that is never applied to subjects that are considered important. So why should students think character counts? Schools tend to "outsource" perseverance, confidence, generosity, and other traits that produce good citizens. They assign such teaching to personnel who were not trained to teach in the classroom. Students recognize quickly that outsourced subjects are of lesser import and we fail, on this point also, to prove that character counts.

A full-fledged, quality program that proves incontrovertibly the truth of the phrase "character counts" must be mandated in our schools. That is, such a program must be made mandatory. It must become the school's mission. What do I mean?

Parents must obligate - must command schools to prove clearly that character counts by finding, instituting, and maintaining the best possible program to teach the subject. They must require schools to go beyond the call of duty in teaching courage of convictions, diligence, trustworthiness, and truthfulness.

School administrators must command that classes in high moral values receive a large enough portion of the budget that educators can purchase books and materials written by trained professionals. Administrators must command that the money be spent on the best quality materials available - materials written by qualified writers. Administrators must command that curriculum committees schedule adequate daily lessons in this vital subject. Administrators must attract and retain top quality educators to teach moral values.

That must be the mandate. It must be every school's mission.

Character counts more heavily in life than the greatest academic achievements. Our children will gradually forget the algebraic formula they master in school. As they get jobs, marry, and raise families, they will lose much of what they master in science and history classes, too. They will not, however, lose what they master in classes that apply moral values to their daily lives and teach them how to act on those values consistently and conscientiously.

Character counts, but until we prove that, students will consider the study of it a worthless bit of nothing. How do we prove it? The best way to prove that character counts is to invest solidly of our budget, time, and qualified personnel.

Photography Lighting and Fresnel Spotlights - An Overview

Most professional photographers have numerous light sources and Fresnel spotlights at their disposal.? The lights and the lighting types of the photographer are nothing but easy tools used in various shots to generate numerous lighting effects. Photographic challenges need to have diverse lighting tools and Altman Fresnel or other equipment in order to come up with the photographic image they need to achieve.

The different Fresnel Spotlights may come in quite handy particularly when you're a professional photographer working on a studio. For this reason, various Altman Fresnel lights are designed for specific purposes for instance for studio use, for outdoor shots, and even for personal use at home. The list below will guide you in knowing more about the lights used as photography studio gear. After reading the whole article, you will find out why different Altman Fresnel lights varieties like the Altman 360q are required by every photographer.

General Lights and Fresnel Spotlights - The Different Types

Fresnel Spotlights used in studios come in diverse styles. Naturally, every of the type has several purposes. The commonly applied photography light equipment in studios are: bare bulbs for a portrait background light, smaller reflectors which usually have a wide light spray, large reflector for spreading "soft" light over a tiny area, grid Fresnel spotlights that prevent the light from spreading out, light box which can supply you much control inside the lighting system, Fresnel spotlights that are adjustable spot lights, optical spots which is a slide projector with a flash tube behind it, and lastly, the ring light which can generate a flash head which is a shape of a donut and creates an almost perfect fill light.

What Makes Up A Excellent Lighting Process

A good lighting system is something which could attend to the basic needs of an expert photographer. A studio lighting set is often obtainable in a lot of photography shops worldwide. Nonetheless, you may have to choose a beneficial brand like Altman which could give you the finest qualities at an excellent price. Obviously at a local store, you have to look at the durability in the material so you would know if it can work long sufficient for you or not. Most of the very best photography light tools are the brands like Altman or the other ones which have the greatest reviews among photographers. If you are starting on the job or hobby, then you may would like to ask for some tips about Fresnel spotlights from the most exceptional photographers around.

If all these Fresnel spotlights and other photography light gear is used in your studio, you can most likely be guaranteed of photographic images that are well worth the look. Mainly because of such advanced products, you can change the mood in every single setting by adjusting the Fresnel spotlights that you have.

Choosing the Best Art School

Enrolling in an art academy is the best way to keep your interests in the arts alive. It is the best investment you can make if you intend to take your craft to a professional level, and if you decide to take it as a career.

When choosing an art school, you must first consider what you will want to do with the art you learn. If you are interested in art as a hobby, then you should consider a certificate program. If you want to venture in the animation industry, then you will want to pursue a bachelor degree program. Once you know what degree or program you will want to take, then you should consider the type of art school where you want to hone your art skills.

Many colleges and universities do offer a wide range of accredited art courses. They even employ art professionals to teach in one of their art schools. Some of these schools have certain prerequisites which a potential art student should possess in order to be admitted into art school.

Like people, art schools can have different strengths. If you have done your research, you will know what schools do have the best credentials when it comes to art. One school might be known for its strong programs in industrial design, and another for its strong emphasis in painting or illustration. If you know which area of art you want to pursue, research further. Join organizations in the field, talk to alumni, or visit the school to meet the students and faculty. Know the art academy by its fruits.

An art school should not be lacking in art equipment. How can you study art with art equipment? You can't study painting without a canvass, paints or paint brush. Art gilding courses come useless without aluminium leaf and gilding kits. The school you choose should have up-to-date art equipment so you can hone your skills, with the knowledge that your skills won't be outdated at the moment you graduate.

Consider the faculty as well before entering art school. Know the art schools by its fruits. Many renowned art masters are in employ of many art colleges, and to study under them is a great opportunity to learn from them. Many consider it an important factor to work with artists who have made important contributions to the industry. But this may not be the case at times. Sometimes, students may prefer to learn from lesser known artists who are more available.

Last but not the least, make sure your art academy of choice is accredited. Accreditation is important. It is a proof that the school's programs meet the standard of quality, and its quality of instruction is one of the best. Accreditation ensures you learn from the best.

World's Most Exclusive Auction Houses - Phillips

In the auction world, Sotheby's and Christie's have a commanding lead, but coming in at the third-largest, Phillips, de Pury & Company is nipping at their heels. Although Phillips has been working out of New York since 2001, the company got its start in England more than 200 years ago.

Phillips still has offices in London, and many other major cities across the globe, like their salesroom in Geneva and gallery in Zurich, but their primary operations are handled out of the Big Apple.

Phillips, de Pury & Company have been trying to gain a head of steam in the auction world. After Sotheby's and Christie's were both found to be guilty of price-fixing, Phillips used their solid reputation to climb the ladder. However, they're still behind the two powerhouses.

Phillips deals in Contemporary Art, Photography, Art, Jewelry, and 20-21st Century Design. They're as old and reputable as any other auction house in the world, but they choose to stray away from the accepted model of selling only antiques and classic fine art.

The approach works well. As a Sotheby's imitation, Phillips wouldn't have half the recognition it has now. But as an original auction house, dealing in something different, they manage to stand out.

Harry Phillips founded the auction house in 1796 in London. Known as simply Phillips, Harry opened his venture after resigning as the senior clerk to James Christie (Christie's). Phillips was doing an auction a month in his first year of business. The reputation came quickly.

Even the likes of Napoleon were dropping in on Phillips' auction house to bid on the items. At the time, Phillips was in competition for the same type of merchandise as Christie's. In order to stand out, he employed a different type of showmanship.

Phillips would use flair and elaborate introductions and smooth-tongued dialogue to promote his pieces. He would also hold auctions in the evening, making them more like social events and less like bidding wars. This immediately gained the attention of the aristocracy.

William Augustus Phillips, Harry's son, took over from his father after his death in 1840. William changed the name of the business to Messrs, Phillips & Son soon after, and then changed it again to Phillips, Son & Neal in 1882 when his son-in-law entered into the business. The name continued for nearly 100 years. In the 1970s, the name was turned back to Phillips. No matter what the name, the company continued to rise.

In 1999, Phillips was purchased by the LVMH group (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton). However, after horrific sales led to heavy losses, Bonhams purchased Phillips in 2001 and began to restructure the business. Smaller departments of Phillips were purchased by Simon de Pury and Daniella Luxembourg and business continued under the name Phillips de Pury & Luxembourg.

In 2004, the company underwent further changes when Simon de Pury acquired the majority of the company. He decided to focus on modern and contemporary art which resulted in much new talent coming to the market in these fields. The company was renamed at this time Phillips de Pury & Company.

In 2008, Phillips was purchased by the Mercury Group for roughly $60 million. The auction house is currently in a retooling process again, but promises to be even larger after the new ownership settles in.

Think Outside The Box For Referral Program Ideas

Small business owners are fortunate because they have the ability to quickly develop and test new referral programs to see if they'll work for the intended target market. This is a great advantage that small companies have over large businesses that have multiple departments affected by deploying a new referral program. This ability to react quickly allows small business owners to think outside the box and have fun implementing new and different referral programs. Though traditional, tried and true referral program ideas should be part of your marketing toolbox, be sure to think outside the box when it comes to driving new business.

Give Something for Free

If you can give a small, low cost product away for free to your customers that they can use as a showcase of your business without having to think about selling, you will receive referrals. This allows you to provide value in the eyes of your customers without having to share revenue because they're simply passing along your company's information to their friends and family who are looking for a similar product or service.

An example of this would be a photography company providing a small product such as a mini-album of photos from a photo shoot that people will naturally carry with them to show off the cute photos of their kids and family. While the profit making sales are in the larger photos packages and scheduled photo sessions, a small mini-album promotes the quality of the photos and is branded with the company's logo and verbiage.

Celebrate a Special Holiday or Event

While almost every retail business does special deals and discounts for all major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, your business can stand out by doing a special promotion on non-traditional holidays like Spring Break or April Fools' Day. Send out a special coupon or discount to your existing customers and extend the offer to their friends and family. Let them email or print out the coupon for others to take advantage of the special deal on a day that happens every year, but might not be recognized by larger companies. Picking a special event can also be a good idea to take advantage of a promotional marketing opportunity like a special referral discount coupon that is good during the Tour De France bicycle event or the US Golf Open, etc.

Send Something That Lasts

Giving gifts that last a long time are excellent ways to remind existing customers about your relationship with them and provides your customer the ability to initiate conversations with others about your company's product or service. Flowers are a popular thank you gift for doing business with your company but sending a potted plant or flower will live longer and hopefully be on display if they like it. While giving a gift that lands on a business executive desk can be the holy grail of business gifts, the typical pen, paperweight or calculator is likely to never be used. Be creative and tailor the gift for the individual you are sending it to. Maybe a nice set of towels for golfing, or another item that will still be seen by other business associates and not just placed on a shelf or in a drawer.

Have fun developing cool and unique rewards for your business clients to keep your business at the forefront of their minds. Talk with your sales and marketing teams and brainstorm ideas to fit your market perfectly. If you're a small business owner make sure and take advantage of the ability to quickly try new things until you come up with the right customer appreciation gifts that help drive new business referrals.

The Best SLR Cameras Under $1000

You have probably been thinking about buying a digital SLR for a long time. The many choices and price ranges can make your head spin. I am going to help you pick out the best SLR cameras for under $1000.

There are really 3 major players in the digital SLR game for under $1000. Canon, Nikon, and Pentax. Some players are seasoned veterans, others are relative newcomers (but shouldn't be discounted)

Canon SLR Camera

Canon has contenders... the EOS Rebel T1i, the EOS Rebel XS and the EOS Rebel XSi. We are going to focus on the T1i as I think it is the best under $1000. The other 2 are certainly great for the budget conscious, but offer less features.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i offers 15.1 mega-pixels (highest in the under $1000 crowd) and a great Creative Auto mode which teaches you how to take more manual control of your camera. There are also 60 lenses available that work with this camera and it shoots 1080p HD video.

Nikon SLR Camera

Nikon also has 3 contenders... the D5000, the D90 and the D3000. I like the D90, although the D5000 has a tilt and swivel LCD monitor which is a great feature if you've ever used one.

Nikon D90 offers 12.3 mega-pixels and 720p HD video. Nikons perform great in low light and indoor scenes. The best part is the integrated auto-focus motor... meaning you can use more Nikkor lenses and still have auto-focus.

Pentax SLR Camera

Pentax is a relative newcomer to the SLR scene, but user reviews are pushing its cameras to the top. Its top contenders are the K20D, the K200d and the K2000. Pentax is definitely a price conscious brand with tons of features. I like the D20D (cheaper than both the Canon and the Nikon fave).

Pentax K20D has 14.6 mega-pixels and is noted for its dust and weather resistant body. A rugged camera that is backward compatible with all Pentax lenses (some require adapters). But best performance comes their lenses designed for digital cameras. Lenses marked "WR" have additional protection against the weather as well.

So now you've got a good handle on the which digital camera to buy. Check out this article on SLR Camera Buying Tips. The only thing you have to decide is whether you want to bump up your price range to see what's available in the $1000 to $2000 range. Happy shopping!

Selling Stock Photos to High Paying Buyers - This is How to Do It

I make good money selling stock photos and other photographic documentations I create. It's a really nice and quick way of earning some extra cash. You too can do this easily without any special experience required. Continue reading this to find out how.

This method of making money is one of my favorite methods to make some quick needed cash. It has always worked for me. The amazing thing is that many people don't really know about this fantastic way of making some cool cash. You are one of the lucky ones who will get to make money from this if you act fast now while the market is still hot.

I use this method every week nowadays to make as much money as I need. You might not become a millionaire doing this, but you certainly will make enough money to quit your present offline job if you put in a few hours into this.

Selling stock photos or any photo you might have has become hot business. You could easily be making some needed cash within the next few hours. To demonstrate how easy it is to make money from this method, this is what happened about 3 days ago.

I got outside in the morning, strolled over to my friend's place while bringing along my low cost digital camera. I had noticed some time back that he had just gotten a cute little dog. So, I decided I was going to document the playtime of the dog. My friend felt that was interesting.

When I got to his house, I joined him in his garden while he was playing with his puppy. I instantly started photographing the dog. I took different pictures of it as it played, ate and even slept peacefully. Just a few photos were taken and they were not really professional in nature. Later, that evening at my place, I sent the photos to my list of buyer websites. About 24 hours later. I had received 297 dollars for my effort! That's cool easy cash, I must admit.

Selling stock photos is easy when you know where to sell them. Read more about this and learn about how it all works. The time to begin is now.

Camera Lenses Explained - What Lens For What Photography

Camera lenses vary a great deal and so do the various types of photographic subject you could be engaging with and the a plethora of types of camera and lens mount.

Certain fields of view (focal length) are more suited to different subjects and some camera lenses even have particular functions which appeal to particular requirements, such as a macro facility to have closer focussing for insects, plants etc... All types of photography favour a length of some kind.

So not only it is often difficult to know which camera lenses are best for your needs but also you need to find out which lenses will fit onto your camera or into your photographic system. This is due to what is called the lens mount.

In short each manufacturer has their own (not entirely true but its a great place to start)... There are many lens mounts out there including the widely established Canon EF/EF-S lens mount system (Canon EF and Canon EF-s), the large Nikon range of lenses and then the Pentax, Sony/Minolta, Four Thirds and the new Micro 4/3rds, Sony E-Mount and Samsung's NX fit. then of course Sigma, who make lenses for everyone elses cameras, have their own fit as well. Across this there are consumer and professional glass classes.

For types of photography you consider the type of lens. With this there are a few categories of lens from specialist Tilt and shift, Macro and then wide, standard and telephoto lenses. Below is a list which is by NO MEANS definitive.

Macro: - Insects and plants

TSE - Architechtural

Wide Angle - Vistas, Documentary and Landscapes

Standard - Portraiture, Events, Editorial, Photo Journalism, Weddings

Telephoto - Sports, Wildlife, Events, Journalism

To see a MASSIVELY exhaustive list of currently available lenses and their photographic applications check out the article lenses and types of photography by Park Cameras.

Photography With Natural Light

Being a good photographer, you will find that the weather can be to your advantage as well as a disadvantage. While it is impossible to control the weather, you may not have ideal conditions all the time for your shots, however you can make the most of what conditions you have. So no matter if it is sunny, rainy or even cloudy, you can still use the landscape to create beautiful shots.

There are really two ideal hours of the day that photographers just love to shot. The first of these two occurs right after sunrise and the other is, you guest it, just before sunset, and are generally longer during the summer and shorter during the winter. You may be wondering why these two hours are the ideal hours for shooting, during the early morning and late afternoon the sun is positioned for dramatic lighting, but will not create harsh shadows or blazes of light, especially when it comes to taking pictures of people.

There are three possible problems that can occur with shooting pictures of people in the late morning. The first, your subject is trying not to squint in the direct sunlight, this can cause a poor shots. Second, your subject can turn out to dark with them standing with the sun behind them this will cause a silhouette effect. Third, your subjects face and features can look distorted if they are standing with the sun at their side, which will create awkward shadows. These three possibilities can and will make for poor shots.

During the noon time hours, all the shadows will be disappear, which then will give your photos a flat appearance.

This is why shooting just after sunrise and just before sunset, will provide just the right kind of lighting and shadows, which in turn makes for a beautiful photographic opportunity because of the breath taking natural colors the sky has to offer.

Take advantage of cloudy or overcast days, for these will give you great shots as well.

More outdoor wedding pictures are taken on cloudy days, than bright sunny days. The reason being is the photographer is taking advantage of the earth's natural filter, the clouds. I am not referring to a heavy cloudy day, but rather a mild overcast day. The clouds will diffuse the bright light so that your subject is illuminated with natural filtered light, and the shadows are gone. You may still need a flash if the clouds are too heavy, but if this is the case than the possible solution is to also shoot in black and white.

Believe it or not you can still get great shots even on rainy days. The rain can add an interesting element to the image and you will still get a great shot. Extra care is needed on rainy days as not to let your equipment lay on the wet ground, and additional person will be needed on these days of shooting. The use of an umbrella and a water proof case will be very helpful as well. Thunder and lightning and rain make for great pictures, but caution is need when taking these shots as well.

So Use Nature To Your Advantage, and Happy Shooting.

What is the Equipment of Choice For Wedding Photography?

It's a special day. Just not for the photographer. I have shot many weddings, and believe me, the last thing anybody wants to do is listen to the photographer. But, I have to admit; I love shooting weddings! Everyone looks great, everyone has smiles and everyone is having a great time (well, most of the time, anyway).

If you are going to venture into the world of wedding photography (a lucrative world, I might add) then you need to be prepared with the right equipment. You never know what is going to happen on the day of the event, and you don't get to come back and do a re-take. You only get one shot to get that perfect shot. Be Prepared!

First you need a Camera!

Well, duh! You need a good camera, I should add. Nowadays, everything is turning to digital, so you might as well too. I personally love Nikon, but Canon is just as good, it is really up to your personal preferences. Play around with the DSLR's that are on the market, get a sense of them. It is well worth the investment.

Second you need good Lenses!

The lenses that come with the DSLR kit are okay, but not really appropriate for shooting weddings, or really anything that you are expecting someone to pay for. You will want a lens with a large maximum aperture (f/2.8 or larger). This will let you use the available light more readily than other lenses. Churches can be very dim, so invest in this piece of equipment. You will also want a wide-angle zoom lens (for closed in spaces) and a wide-to-telephoto zoom lens (great for group photos, and ¾ portraits).

The next piece of equipment of choice for wedding photography is...

Flash!

Lighting is critical in photography, and you do not want to deal with a Bride, who thinks you have given her unflattering lighting. Again, invest in your business. You will want a speedlight TTL. They are light, and easy to set up and teardown, not to mention, you don't need electrical outlets. You will also want to get a set of sturdy light stands, they will be worth the money, just be sure to get a pair that are easy to setup and teardown. The only person that anyone is willing to wait on at a wedding is the Bride, not the photographer. Your time is precious; so don't waste it with technical details.

Extra, Extra!

Bring extras of everything; batteries, memory cards, light bulbs, tape, Q-tips (great for cleaning out sand from your lens), absolutely everything. You do not want to arrive at the venue and then realize, "Oh my god! My battery is dead on my speed light, and I don't have any on me!"

The last piece of equipment that is vital to shoot weddings is...

Photoshop!

Okay, so you don't need it the day of the wedding, but you definitely need it or another photo editor! Photoshop CS2 is my recommendation; it is easy to learn and is essential for touching up those photos. The best way to succeed in this business is to over-deliver, and this tool is essential for doing just that.

Well, now that you know all of the equipment of choice for wedding photography, you are ready to get out there, and take shoot some wonderful memories.

Digital Photography Techniques - How Digital Cameras Capture Photos

I wanted to talk to you about the concept of digital cameras: How they actually function and take photos. I'll skip the technical explanation as much as possible but I want you to understand the concept so that you can actually take better photos in the future.

Let's begin with the camera's metering. The camera works by analyzing the brightness of the light from the subject and adjust the camera settings accordingly (If you are using automatic or semi-automatic modes). There are normally three metering mode in most digital cameras: 'Multi-segment', 'Center-weighted' and 'Spot'.

'Multi-segment' metering enables the camera to meter the light falls on all parts of the sensor. This mode is suitable for wide-angled photography like landscapes.

'Centre-weighted' metering allows the camera to meter the light falls on the center bracket of the sensor. This mode is suitable for more focused photography like sports and portraits

'Spot' metering allows the camera to read the light falls on the absolute center point of the sensor. This mode is appropriate for discreet and isolated subjects like macro photography

Take advantage of these modes and read the desired light. Once done, lock the exposure compensation (this setting is available mostly in DSLRs), and recompose before capturing the photo.

Now that you know how metering works, let's talk about the subject brightness range. Unlike our eyes, your camera sensor does not have a large brightness range over a subject. The maximum possible range is 9 stops. The sensor takes black as darkest and white as brightest. Therefore the neutral compensation of a sensor is called neutral gray. (On another related matter, this explains why sometimes it is advised to use neutral gray color as a reference for white-balance settings).

There's a simple way to know whether the composure you make is out of the brightness range of the sensor. Switch your camera to aperture priority and use 'Spot' metering mode. Using a constant aperture, point your camera to the brightest region of the view and then to the darkest region. If the shutter-speed adjusts more than 9 stops, then the composure is out of range and the image will either be overexposed or underexposed.

This is when a photography technique called HDR kicks in. HDR stands for High-Dynamic-Range, and it is a photography method that allows the photo to extend to a larger brightness range. The procedure for this technique is simple. Take three photographs: one underexposed, one well-exposed, and one over-exposed. Then use software such as Photomatix Pro to merge the three photos together and generate the HDR image.

This is a digital method of solving the problem. To solve this problem manually using the camera, filters will have to be utilized.

Scanning Old Photographs Starts With Organization

If a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, so too can your journey to organize old photos begin with a single step. If you are like me and have many boxes of "inherited photos" as well as boxes of your own photos you may wonder where to start with the challenge of getting them organized. There is no denying that converting old photos, negatives and slides to digital is the way to go. Not only are you giving your photos a longer life you open yourself up to more possibilities when deciding what to do with your photos.

Converting your photos, negatives and slides to digital does mean that some sorting must be done. As a person who can go through stacks of photos and still have difficulty discarding any (what is this a picture of, or who is this), not to mention using the delete key on my computer I understand what a difficult and daunting task this can be. Back to the idea of starting with a single step. Assess your photos and sort them into categories: old family photos, high school pictures, travel photos, family vacations, photos of your children, or whatever makes sense to you. Once you have sorted your photos into categories you will find it easier to start tossing away the photos that are out of focus, over or underdeveloped, photos that no longer matter to you, or that are just plain unattractive.

The next step is predicated by budget; which ones are you going to have made digital. If you do not have a lot of photos to convert you may decide to use a local drug store chain or a photo finishing company that offer this service. I have found this to be costly and I have not necessarily been impressed with the quality of my scans once I reviewed my DVD. A drug store franchise known for it's camera and photofinishing department charged me $2.00 a scan plus an additional charge to put it onto a DVD. As I needed to scans quickly for a photography class that I was taking I paid the price, but quickly reduced the number of photos I was thinking of using. If you have lots of photos to convert and don't require next day service a better (higher quality at less cost) alternative is to ship your photos to a company that specializes in this type of work. A few companies that I recommend are scanyourphotos.ca and digitalscancanada.ca in Canada and scancafe.com in the U.S. These companies have quality controls, they inspect your photos, clean your slides, do colour correction in some instances and some will provide recommendations on resolution before starting your work. All of these companies have tried and true shipping practices in place so that you can rest easy knowing that your pictures are in good hands. Some of these companies will even accept your photos in albums or slides in trays and they will do the sorting for you. They charge more for this service but if you don't have the time or the motivation to tackle it yourself it may be worth it.

Once you receive your DVD with your images the sky is the limit when it comes to what to do with your pictures. Photoshop Elements (the junior version of Photoshop) is a reasonably priced, easy to use program that will enable you to do colour correction, change images to Black & White or sepia, as well as create photo montages or picture collages, creativity made easy!

Many companies let you download their photo programs so that you can use their templates to create professional looking coffee table books. Some good companies to try are Shutterfly, Blurb, and Picaboo.

All offer online tutorials and easy uploading of pictures, allowing you to easily make a very professional looking coffee table book. Have a look at make-your-own-photo books.com for some great ideas and links to companies that provide these services.

No time to take on a photo book project? There are companies out there that will do this work for you at a reasonable cost. Isn't it time to take that first step?

How To Choose A Suitable Career?

Choosing the right career is more important than finding a job but unfortunately there are many people who fail to understand its significance. Unless you follow your passions and choose a career that you are actually interested in, you are not going to enjoy your job. Thus, in order to make sure that you love you job and have a bright future, the first step should be to choose the right career that suits you. However, this is not as easy as it sounds.

Some people are lucky enough to get the right direction for their career even before their high schools ends. There are many who get confused when it comes to choosing a career that is right for them and they end up making the wrong choices that cost them dearly. You would definitely not like to make the mistake and hence it's important that you choose the right career for yourself. Here are a few important things that will help you choose the right career:

To start with, you must do a SWOT analysis to discover your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. First of all, think of the things that you are passionate about or really good at. It could even be a hobby or a pass time. Your interest in writing or photography can be your guide to finding the right career.

If you like coaching the kids in your locality then does not necessarily mean that you should become a coach, but it shows that you have leadership skills and that can be applied in different types of career. If you are good with numbers then you could be a financial consultant, or if you love letters and creativity then a writing profession would be a good choice.

You must decide what success means to you. Is it lots of money, a big house, owning fancy cars, or a lot of free time and a small house in the suburbs? Your aspirations and choices can help you get the right direction and choose a career that will help you realize your dream. I knew a guy who always wanted to be rich and he was always spotted with Finance magazines and Wall Street journals, and today he is a rich businessman running a highly successful company.

Another important thing that you must consider when choosing the right career is whether you want to take a good paying job, settle down and start a family; or do you want an adventurous life and a job that will take you different places? Finally remember that nothing comes for free. Whether you want to be a professional teacher, an actress or a businessman, there are some sacrifices that you will have to make. Are you ready for that?

You can discuss with your peers, teachers who know you well and career counselors to help you choose the right career. There are also several career videos available that can help you make up your mind. But remember that ultimately the decision is yours, and only you will reap the rewards.

Photography School Reviews

"Any good photography is a successful synthesis of technique and art." - Andreas Feininger

This article will attempt to help you come to a clearer understanding of the photography schools and colleges available, what they can offer you in terms of photo and arts education, and guide you towards investigating more about specific schools and where you can find out more information.

Photography SchoolsPhotography is a wonderful choice when it comes to a career. Photography is a versatile path that allows you to specify within the degree, and move from different types of photography within your lifetime. From magazine covers to exotic locations to local newspapers, a career in photography will allow you to pick and choose exactly what you want to photograph. However, a career in photography doesn't happen with well wishes and hopes...you have to work to get there! So where do you begin in your search for photography schools? Right here!

You'll have to learn about the photography business, learn how to deal with copyright issues and information, manage your photo porfolio and how to work with others in the field. There are many courses in the field of photography taught at many of the schools, teaching you in a variety of areas including:

* Photographic equipment

* Photographic processes

* Photograph techniques

* Color theory

* Special skills

* Digital imaging and photo processing

There are many many more fields available when it comes to your career path in photography, the above were simply some examples.

If you're passionate about photography and want to pursue this versatile career, it's important that you take the time to learn from experienced professionals that can guide you in your efforts to pursue professional photography, motion picture and video photography, visual journalism, and thinks like visual communications. What's great about attending photography schools nationwide is that you dont' have to begin an expert, you begin a beginner! Many of you are pursuing this field because you have a natural eye for photography, and that's great - but maybe you're just developing one. That's great too! What you probably didn't know is that photography school will teach you much more than simply how to snap a few brief pictures and dip em in developer. They teach you the scientific processes of film, chemistry, optics, color theory, lighting rations, and digital and computer skills.

You'll also find colleagues and students at your school that share your passion, talents, and skill and want to join in mutual efforts to further your careers. Here are a few photography school frequently asked questions that might help you!

* What is the objective of many photography schools?

* What types of photography might I choose to go into?

* What type of school should I look for?

* What are some of the top schools in the US?

What is the objective of many photography schools?

The objective (or the objective I believe is crucial to selecting a school) of many is to develop photographers that are technically and professionally sound, enabling them to pursue any photographic field and compete in the job marketplace.

What types of photography might I choose to go into?

There are many different types of photography fields, including fasion photography, digital photography, advertising photography, editorial photography, documentary style, wedding photography, portrait photography, or photo technician style work. You'll be prepared to do any of these with a solid education at a photo college or school.

What type of school should I look for?

My recommendation is a school that teaches nothing but photography! Obviously affordability is important, but a photo only institute is a great way to go!

What are some of the top schools in the US?

There are several wonderful photography schools, but some of ones we'll choose to highlight are Brooks Institute of Photography and the Art Institute of Colorado. For a more detailed list of Photography schools and information, please click here or continue browsing this article.

Brooks is a world leader when it comes to visual arts and photographic education. You'll want to find a photography school that helps to meet career oriented needs that you establish before you search. You'll want one with experience in the field for a long period of time, not just a hokey internet college.

You want want that can offer you a chance to broaden your resume through internships and opportunities. The joy of this career is that you get to turn your photographic ambition into something that pays the bills and you love to do every single day! Who wouldn't want that! I hope this article has proved even a little helpful, and that you'll consider going into the wonderful field of photography!

Fashion Photography, Some History

Magazines such as Allure, Vogue and Vanity Fair are known to display some of the best fashion photography that you will ever come across. Photography is a way of showcasing models wearing the trends in clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, hairstyles, necklaces, shoes and other items. The first known record of fashion photography was the portfolio of the Countess de Castiglione, Virginia Oldoini in 1856. The world's first fashion photographer was Adolphe Braun, as he was the one responsible for shooting the first fashion model. Spark and color were added to fashion magazines once halftone printing was introduced to the fashion photography industry. The first magazines to make use of fashion photography were the French magazines Les Mode and La Mode Practique.

At first, fashion photography consisted of staging the shoots in natural environments using natural poses. Baron Adolf de Meyer was the person who first developed and adopted this practice. In the first part of the 20the century, the magazines that were the leaders were Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. The moguls of the industry still pay tribute to the likes of Yva, Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton, and George Hoyningen Huene. These were the individuals who help to establish fashion photography in Europe. Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Martin Munkacsi made significant contributions after World War II.

A majority of the artists of earlier times deserted their adopted forms, and took on a more independent and natural style. 1936 was the year that models were first photographed at the beach in different poses, by Martin Munkacsi. After World War II, fashion photography became quite popular among young men who loved to hold a camera in their hands, and among young women who had the ideal body type of a fashion model. Today, fashion photography has evolved into a life of its own. Models and photographers are now seen as international celebrities, and enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and glamorous. But make no mistake this it is no easier for the photographer then it is the models, only a small percentage of those trying to make it actually succeed.

Fashion can be showcased in various avenues. Some of these well appreciated and well paid avenues include celebrity portraiture, art photography and fashion advertising. Fashion moguls such as agent Gloria Cappelletti and photo editor Clio McNicholl both agree that the fashion photography industry is quickly evolving.

For anyone wanting to become a fashion photographer it is important to keep up on trends and aesthetics of the industry. Study the images in the top fashion publications and try to understand the images and what attracts editors to them. Its interesting to look back at some of the really great photographers from a few decades ago. Interesting that some of the fashion photographers appear to have disappeared. The ones still shooting are the ones that accept change and reinvent their style all the time, fashion photography can become dated almost as quickly as the fashions they showcase.

As a professional photographer, apart from your camera, the most important tool that you can own is your portfolio. Your portfolio is actually your gateway to the industry. There are certain guidelines that you must follow when submitting your portfolio to a fashion editor. Once you are able to follow these guidelines correctly, you will on your way to becoming one of the world's renowned fashion photographers.