How To Become A Digital Photography Pro

Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people have but most lack the ambition to follow through. Still, you want to take the best digital pictures you can without forking over the cost of a photography degree. So, here are some tips to help you find the best digital photographer in you.

1. Take a class. Yes, we just said you don't want to go to school to learn. But, we aren't talking about a lot of classes, just one or two. This will help you learn about exposures, lighting, horizontal lines, flashes.... You get the idea. Most community colleges offer these types of classes to the public.

2. Get the right kind of camera for what you plan to use it for. Even the simplest pictures of your kids can look great if you know what you're doing with your camera. Don't buy something that is too high tech for you or something that is too simple either.

3. Know about white balance. Balancing the amount of white in a picture can create warmth in your pictures. How does your camera do this? Did you read the manual yet?

4. Use a filter. Just like wearing a pair of sunglasses, filters help to eliminate glare and reflections that can ruin a good picture. Again, consult your digital camera's manual to know how to do this with your camera.

5. Flash or Not to Flash? Read up on when you should and shouldn't use your flash. Auto flash isn't the only flash. In fact, you can get some great shots using the flash on setting as well.

6. Use close up. For some of the most detailed and best quality pictures, zoom in and get a close up. A simple picture of a leaf can look incredible in close up.

7. Get a good sized memory card. When you purchase your memory card, consider upgrading to the next level. In order to take good pictures you will want to use it at its highest setting. So, purchase a large enough memory card to hold the most pictures in the highest level of mega pixels.

There are many more tips and tricks you can learn and use to take the best possible digital photographs. Think about grabbing a book or two from the library and reading up. Or, if you're an Internet fan, check out several websites on digital photography. The more you know, the better your digital photographs will be.

Dolce Gabbana Sunglasses - Exclusive Eyewear for Ultra Trendy People

Dolce and Gabbana was started by an Italian designer couple, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. They were oblivious of the fact that their venture would become a global brand name for other designers to look up to. Dolce entered the fashion arena when he joined his father's clothing company. He then went on to study fashion. In 1980 he got associated with a studio in Milan on an assistant designer's position. Dolce was introduced to Gabbana in this studio only. The couple together opened their first Dolce & Gabbana studio in the year 1982 in Milan. They got little recognition but the Milano Colleziono Fashion show in 1985 worked as a life changer for them. Their label was all now seen all over the fashion world with much respect. It was evident by the fact that their collection became an instant hit with the society of rich and famous. D & G has come a long way from where it started and today it has become one of the most prominent brands of all times.

The brand has a host of fashion accessories and products including the perfumes, designer watches, sunglasses that symbolize their excellence. Their most recent assortment of D&G sunglasses includes some steadfast designs made with utmost precision and deftness. The sunglasses are available in both metal and plastic frames to suit your requirements. The wholesome range has vivid charm about it, as the variety allows you to simply pick sunglasses to your taste, the one that goes well with your face cut.

Some of the most exclusive models are the DG 4040 G shades that are quite popular among celebrities due to the Swarovski embedded on the temple. There are a few subtle pair of sunglasses too, that look classy and yet stylish in their own manner. The other pair DD 2200 0B5 is a unisex design and the customer may choose from the tortoise frame and brown lenses or black frame with dark grey lenses to go with. The D&G logo is marked right on the temple giving it a distinct identity.

The women's series comprises of one of the largest selling models - DD 6019 05/6G available in silver frame and silver gray mirror lenses with the temple having the characteristic D&G logo. A few other pairs of sunglasses are - the DD 8024 501/87, the DD 8024 623/73, and the DD 8024 704/8G having difference in terms of frame and lens colors. The 501 comes in Black frames, the 623 is the Havana frame and the 704 is the Fuchsia frame respectively.

The thing that makes Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses a favorite among the elite is that they are effortlessly accessible on the internet or the exclusive stores. This assists the customers in making the perfect choice for themselves. Quite a few online portals offer generous discounts on best selling models. Don't get conned by low-priced fakes that have spread all over the market. A D&G is a gift to cherish, so get one today for your loved ones.

Businesses You Can Start Without a High School Diploma

Stuck in a dead end job? Did you recently get laid off? This economy is tough, especially if you don't have a high school diploma. Why not try to work for yourself? There are some businesses you can start without a high school diploma.

You may have heard of affiliate marketing before. This is where you match a product with an online customer and get a commission for doing so. Most large companies offer affiliate programs. This is a business that you can start for basically nothing (just need a computer).

Start off by researching products that interest you. You don't want to promote something that is really common. The key is finding a small niche that you can specialize in. Usually when people are ready to purchase something online they are looking for very specific products.

You do not need to start out with your own website, although as you get more experience, websites are great for generating income. There are companies such as Squidoo and HubPages that allow you to share all of your knowledge on a specific item or service. These websites will help the inexperienced beginner get started.

Another great way to make some extra money is with a camera. If you enjoy photography, there are a lot of opportunities for income.

If you are into taking pictures of objects then you can start a business taking real estate photos for real estate agents or even banks that have foreclosure properties. Agents usually are not very good at taking pictures and good photographs are typically the buyer's first look at a home. Some of the high volume agents in your area may not have time for photographing all of their listings. Plus, it may help them get a high end listing if they tell the seller that they have a professional photographer working for them.

Of course, there is the portrait end of the business. Family portraits and high school senior pictures are pretty easy to get started in. Most people know of someone who is graduating or a family that wants professional pictures taken. Even in a bad economy, people still want to have nice photographs they can look back on as years go by.

You can offer to do you first job without charging a sitting fee and just up charge the prints that they order. If you do a great job, the referrals will come.

So as you can see, there are some businesses you can start without a high school diploma. You don't need a lot of money to get started, you just need time and dedication.

Online Photo Books - Choosing the Best Format and Size For Your Current Project

Online photo books come in a variety of sizes and formats; each one is best suited to specific project ideas and budgets. Smaller albums in the 5" x 7" range make excellent thank-you gifts for hosts, and are a great way to capture the memories of a special event such as a weekend outing, party, or reunion. Medium-sized albums come in either softcover or hardcover formats, and are well suited to lager projects such as baby books, family heritage albums, or albums featuring events where a considerable number of photos are taken and need to be preserved-holiday get-togethers or large reunions would be good examples of this type of event. Larger photo books are often 12" x 12", or larger. Larger books tend to be popular, since many more photos can be added to each page of the book. This in turn means that many more photographs can be featured in the book, overall. This may also make a larger book more cost-efficient than ordering a number of smaller books, one at a time. Many people also like larger photo books since the images appear larger, closer to their actual printed size.

As is to be expected, soft-cover books are less expensive than hardcover books, making them an excellent choice for smaller projects you would like to share with a number of people. Check with your online photo book provider-some companies will give you a discount on large orders. If you decide to order a number of photo books as gifts for the holidays or another special occasion, be sure to order well enough ahead so that the books arrive in time, and can then be given out in person or mailed to the intended recipients.

Softcover books are of course less sturdy than their hardcover counterparts. For this reason, many people choose small softcover photo books for projects that may not need to be preserved and handed down to future generations. Soft-cover photo books are more suited to everyday use: to be given to friends and family as a small thank-you gift, or as a fundraising project or gift to a teacher at a child's school, for example.

If, on the other hand, your project is more labour and time intensive, and your goal is to preserve the photographs and memories for at least several more decades (perhaps even for several generations), then hardcover photo books are a good idea. Heritage book projects and other well-researched projects such as a collaborative book project by several members of the family, baby books, and digital scrapbooks are better suited to the slightly larger format of medium- to large-sized hardcover photo books. When embarking on a photo book project, be sure to spend a few moments thinking about the audience, intended use, and budget for your project before you begin.

Facts About Photography

Whether you are watching TV or just going through the pages of a magazine, you are bombarded with photographs that force you to think and feel about the subject; it doesn't matter if the photo is about a beautiful women or a dilapidated structure. Photography is an art, very much similar to a painter who uses a canvass. The big difference is the use of lighting which a photographer can use to portray the subject in a manner he wants to. This is done by a painter using different shades of colors.

This is one profession, where there is really no difference between a professional and amateur. You really do not need to go to a school to learn how to click. It is having a knack to click at the right time and at the right moment. A good photographer knows when and where to click to get a stunning photo that also looks natural. For taking a natural photograph, natural sunlight is critical. Photographers have had to wait for several days before taking a photo as the light which would be optimum was not there. Photography involves both the nature and the subject who is being shot. It is the fine balance between the two which can make a photo great or ordinary.

Every photo is a new experience for the photographer as it teaches him what he should do to improve the next time. Photography as a profession has been revolutionized by the advent of digital cameras as these gadgets do a lot on their own and much effort and time of the photographer is saved in arranging different equipment which he used to do earlier.

But even with these amazing digital cameras, a photographer may have to wait for a long time before the crucial things like weather conditions; angle of the sun, amount of sunlight etc. are optimum for the photos to come out the way the photographer wants. Photography is done for various reasons. It is done for fun, as a hobby, to preserve memories of an event, shoot special moments, to send some message and finally for entertainment.

Though photography is natural and natural photographs are most eye catching, some types of photography like fashion photography, product photography, wedding photography etc. are time based and do not depend upon natural sunlight to complete the job. Photography is an art that is evolving all the time and the introduction of new technology makes it fresh and exciting to those involved in it.

Course For Photography - How to Choose the Best Photography Course

Many keen and budding photographers feel that taking a photography course is the best way to help them improve their photography and ultimately the quality of the photographs they take. In this article I set out some of the key things to look out for when choosing a course. So, if you want to improve your photography then this may be one of the most important articles you will read for a long time.

The best courses are a mix of theoretical study and practical application. In order to learn the most you need to be given a chance to implement and practice the things you learn so choosing a course with a focus on practical training is a must. Any successful photographer will tell you that you can read all the books in the world but the time when you learn the most

From experience the best kind of course for photographers to take is some sort of home study course. Doing such a course allows you to study in your own time and fit your study and shooting around the rest of your life. With classroom based training it is all to easy to miss a few classes here and there and miss out on valuable learning that you have paid for.

Another key benefit of home study photography courses is that they tend to be a lot cheaper than classroom based photography courses. The lack of classroom and physical support means that in general home courses cost on average of one tenth the cost of classroom based courses.

Farm-Fresh Design - Finding Home Interior Design Ideas at the Farmers' Market

You could buy your groceries in a big, fluorescently-lit, super-air-conditioned grocery store, not knowing where the produce was grown, or how far it had to be trucked and flown in, or when it was plucked from the ground.

Or you could buy in an open-air market directly from the farmer who grew the produce, surrounded perhaps by musicians, the smell of fresh tamales cooking, or your neighbors bustling about.

In the past thirty or so years in most American cities and large towns, the farmers' market has taken off as the place to buy locally grown produce, and the abundant displays of produce can be overwhelmingly beautiful: broccoli so deeply green it seems to be tinted purple, bright radishes big as your fist, heads of lettuce that seem the very definition of the word "fresh."

One of the ideas pushing the popularity of the farmers' market is the "locavore" movement: the belief that eating food produced close to you is better for the environment, better for your own health, and better for your local economy.

Take for instance one of the country's oldest and busiest farmers' markets, in Burlington, Vermont, which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this year. The market started with six vendors, and now has sixty-two, according to Chris Wagner, the manager of the Burlington Farmers' Market Association.

Because the market runs along the edge of City Hall Park and down two sidewalks into the park, it's difficult to make an exact count of the number of people who attend, but Wagner estimates 2,500 to 3,000 shoppers show up each Saturday.

But as is the case at many farmers' markets, the summertime pleasures of buying fresh, local produce are supplemented by the pleasures of exploring the locally-made crafts, many of which can be used as interior design elements, making the home prettier, easier to work in, or both.

One of the craftspeople who immediately caught our eye was Jason Boyd of Elemental Impressions, who had set up his stand of handmade wooden cutting boards under the auspices of the Firehouse Gallery, which has an entrance onto the park. Despite the fact that he's only been making cutting boards for the past six months, Boyd drew the eye of many passing customers.

The cutting boards would lend a certain panache to any kitchen, with their modern striped or checker-board design, making them a great addition to any interior design tool box. Because Boyd uses scrap wood, "every one ends up being different," he said.

Shoppers looking for bowls for all that salad will find the ceramics created by Claude Lehman to fit the bill. Lehman's wares are very appealing in their glossy blue glazes, just crying out to be filled with fresh green goodies.

Since the farmers' market is all about sustainability, it's no surprise that one vendor is Recycle Moe, whose motto is "saving the world, one crafty idea at a time."

One of Moe's ideas we liked were switch plates, which come in nearly any look you could imagine. We also liked the recycled use of these hard computer discs, refurbished here to become tiny notebooks, filled, of course, with recycled paper.

And what would a Vermont farmers' market be without homemade beeswax candles? Bee Happy Vermont, run by Pedro Salas, offers honey and candles in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Just as we were leaving the market, we spotted a juggler balancing on a low tightrope strung between two trees. The juggler, who goes by the name Tony Briefcase, said he was just practicing, but once people start watching, "practice becomes performance." Briefcase gathered a little crowd of on-lookers who cheered his teetering as they took a break from surveying the vast array of fresh, local bounty.

Overall, our trip proved very successful, providing fresh flavors, a number of crafts that served both practical as well as interior design related purposes, and even a bit of unexpected entertainment to top it all off.

Photo Editing Techniques - Some Basic Techniques to Enhance Your Digital Photos

Photo editing has become an important part of digital photography nowadays. Even if you have a simple point and shoot camera or the top of the line digital camera, you can always find some photo editing techniques useful in enhancing the artistic side of your pictures.

Of course, good pictures relay good messages to the viewer and of course, we all want to look at pictures with great admiration. Enhancing and editing wedding pictures, for example, is one of the most common and popular use of good photo editing techniques. It is also important in enhancing photos for your website, your ads and in just making your personal photos more exciting and glamorous.

Learning to enhance or manipulate photos can be exciting and once you get to know some of the amazing tools and possibilities of improving your pictures, you will eventually love to learn more about it. Here are some of the basic photo editing techniques that you may want to start with to see the magic in your photos.

- Adjusting brightness and contrast. Adjusting the brightness and contrast of a photo is probably the most common editing most people need in their pictures. If you have a dark or overexposed picture, you can correct this using a photo editing software. You can use the menu on brightness and contrast and manually adjust them separately to get the desired result. In Adobe Photoshop, you can also use the 'Auto Level' or the 'level' button to adjust the brightness and contrast simultaneously and have more control on the adjustments.

- Adjusting hue and saturation. If you want to make the colors of your picture crisp and brighter, try adjusting the hue and saturation of your picture. Increasing the saturation of your picture makes the colors stronger. You can also turn your picture into black and white by setting the saturation to zero. You can actually experiment with this tool to help you get that perfect sharpness in color and turn that dull picture into a brighter one.

- Sharpening and blurring part of your pictures. Sharpening and blurring are also very useful photo editing techniques to create focus on your picture or give that ordinary wedding picture some dreamy effect. If you want a magazine-perfect photo that makes your face looks smooth and glamorous, you can use blurring and sharpening tools. If you are a fan of Adobe Photoshop, you can use the Filter menu and then select some blurring tools such as the Gaussian blur, which is popular in photo editing, the motion blur, if you want to enhance your photo of a moving subject and many other types of blurring.

- Changing or removing backgrounds. Yes, you can actually change or remove the background of your photos - easily. In Photoshop, it involves creating layers and adding 'Layer Masks'. You can actually find some good tutorials to help you walk through the process.

- Cloning techniques. Cloning allows you to remove unwanted objects or distractions in your photograph. If you want to get rid of your dark spots and blemishes in your face in your close-up picture, you can also make use of the cloning tool to help you copy the normal color or lightness of your skin.

These are just a few of the photo editing techniques and once you can start experimenting with any of these you will eventually find out how exciting photo editing can be.

Photography Business - The 5 Top Marketing Strategies of a Successful Photographer

1. Have a 30 second elevator speech - think of it as your 30-second commercial for example what do you tell someone who asks what do in 30 seconds or less? Example of a good elevator speech could be, "I'm a wedding photographer who specializes in destination weddings" -or- "I'm a travel photographer who specializes in island paradises and exotic locations". The key here is never to just say, "I'm a photographer". Tell curious inquires what kind of photography you do or your specialty and most importantly your ideal client or who you cater too.

2. Under promise and over deliver - never promise anything that you aren't absolutely certain you can make good on. But think of ways you can make your clients experience extraordinary, something that they could really use but wouldn't typically expect to receive. This is a great way to out shine your competitors.

3. Use photo competitions as a marketing tool - Anything that you can do to do your name out in front of people you should jump on. Photo competitions are not the sole domain of fine art photographers, commercial photographers can profit greatly from participation in competitions. Competitions can expose your work to new potential clients whether your win or not.

4. Make marketing a habit - Marketing in whatever form you take will only improve more you commit to it. The key here is not to wait until you've "figured it all out". You won't know what will or won't work for your particular business until you commit to doing something. Starting today make a commitment to consistently market your work and services as much a habit as learning about lighting and camera equipment and you can't help but notice an increase in your income.

5. Bill board yourself - I don't mean leasing out roadside billboard space but I'm not ruling it out either. No, I mean not being shy about placing signage on your car; you can do this on the side doors and on the window in the back. Bumpers are generally too low. Your signage should be in places that are easily seen by other drivers.

Think about it, your car is often times more seen than you. Placing signage on it can be great and inexpensive tool to promote your photography services 24-hours a day, whether parked at a shopping mall, on the freeway, or just tooling about town. Consider hiring a graphic designer to create a nice logo for you and be sure to use your 30-second elevator speech from the first tip in this article as your slogan and you're good to go.

Check with your local printer to find out the best places to get your signage created and applied. In addition you could possibly write off part of your automobiles expenses off your taxes because it is a marketing vehicle "literally", but check with your accountant to be certain.

Computer Animation Career and Education Options

The industry of computer animation is a technology driven field that constantly needs professionals that are up-to-date on the latest techniques and software applications. Students can learn about computer animation career and education options and complete specific educational programs that give them the technical and artistic skills needed to obtain one of several available careers.

Students that enter the industry with degrees have a much higher success rate of obtaining jobs. This highly competitive field offers careers in several areas such as video graphics and special effects. Students often work with video game companies, web design firms, television companies, and more. Possible career options include becoming:

• Digital Video Production Specialists


• Computer Animators


• Graphic Illustrators


• Animation Consultants

Education is essential as the industry expands to include more complex technologies and animation implementation techniques. Students can expect to work through a rigorous course schedule that prepares them to enter careers directly after graduation. Bachelors and masters degree programs are the most available training options for students interesting in attending computer animation schools and colleges.

A bachelor's degree program trains students by incorporating technical and artistic courses, which gives them the ability to create 2-D and 3-D animations. The industry is broken down into a variety of indispensable skills that help students during and after the animation process. Courses such as drawing and storyboarding give students the knowledge needed to generate a computer animation. Programs also cover post-production and collaboration once computer animations are in their presentation stage. Students learn to use different aspects of the industry like texturing and lighting to create special effects, animations, and more. Students learn the latest in computer graphics and computer image synthesis through courses that focus on the current trends of the computer animation field. Topics cover geometric transformations, surfaces, dynamics and animation principles. Further education builds on this knowledge by giving students the chance to enter teaching and leadership positions.

Masters degree programs provide students with several concentration areas, which can include 3-D animation and digital imaging. The history and latest techniques of computer animation is focused on within advanced courses that prepare students even more for the profession. Cartooning, color theory, sound design, human-computer interaction, film editing, and photography courses are key topics covered inside training. Topics cover algorithms, production approaches, and digital notation systems used in the animation process. The last year of training is dedicated to developing a professional portfolio. The skill level and ability of students is showcased within their portfolios, which helps them obtain careers after graduation. Within this process students may also complete seminar courses where they work with professionals while studying digital animation.

Educational training is beneficial because it teaches techniques that are directly relatable to the field. Students learn through theory courses and hands-on training, which teaches them to develop animations and make them move inside 2-D and 3-D spaces. The chance to develop strong artistic skills and thrive inside this multimedia industry is available to students. Work through accredited computer animation degree programs that are approved by an agency like the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation (http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/) and become highly sought after professionals inside the field.

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.

Studying Photography - Does It Really Require Formal Education?

Photography is tough business. You need to know the ropes of business and not just the artistic aspect of photography, if you are to make it on your own as a professional photographer. And then you need to be good enough at your skill to realize what lens is right for what particular conditions. Being a hobbyist photographer is a whole different thing, and being a professional is quite another. If you are really serious about taking this up as a means to earn your livelihood, why not consider going to photography school?

It is true that you can become a good photographer without a degree, as many have in the past. However a few classes are only going to help you along the way. If you are completely new to the subject you should at least get a basic course. You will find a variety of courses out there, and things like continuing education and distance education are great ways to learn the subject without giving it 100% of your time. More often than not, short courses are enough to get one hooked on to the craft and therefore take a few more complicated courses and workshops.

Distance Learning
If you have a job then distance learning can really be it for you. You could continue with your current schedule and never take a risk. If you learn enough and are confident with a few assignments under your belt, then you can leave the day job and concentrate full time on your shooting.

The various choices in photography
Photography is a general term used to describe a variety of professionals. You could be an underwater photographer, an aerial photographer or a fashion photographer just to name a few. As you can well imagine, the only similarity between the three classes mentioned above is the use of the camera. An underwater photographer would need additional training in diving, an aerial photographer would need to be trained in the safety of the skies and a fashion photographer needs to have an eye for fashion. You need to ask yourself what branch of photography you are best cut out for, and take your time to decide on this before you begin building a portfolio around the topic. This is where a training in the subject can really assist you to evaluate your self. When you are given assignments in school to shoot this or that, you quickly begin to understand what you are cut out for. If you are not a very social person, fashion and weddings is not for you, but you may be excellent at real estate photography.

The diversity you find in courses
When you take a course you are opened up to various kinds of photography. Assignments which you work with for your grades could range from fashion, to still life, to high speed photography. This exposure is crucial as you decide on your future job prospects.

Photography as a Part Time Job

When we think of photography as a part time job, we are sometimes too caught up with the traditional definitions of the business. We do not need to be famous fashion photographers or take stunning panoramic shots of the Steppes to succeed. In fact, here is one area that can carve a nice niche just for you - pet photography.

In our modern, high stress world, more and more people are turning to their pets for comfort, love and companionship. While the trend is explosive in Japan, Taiwan and some European countries, the fact is, people are spending more time and money on their pets today than any other time in history.

So, if you want photography as a part time job, this could be a very simple niche to start with. At almost every street corner, you can find pet groomers. They are the recipients of many pampered animals everyday. You could have a joint venture with them, where they could sell your pet photography services to their grooming clients for a commission.

This is a perfectly targeted market, as the owners have already shown a desire to pamper their pets by sending them to a pet grooming saloon rather than just snipping and grooming themselves. They are sure to be enthusiastic about Pet Photography.

Another potential source of lucrative leads would be the vets, pet training schools and kennels. Even if the establishments were not willing to do a full joint venture, you can start by distributing flyers around those areas and maybe asking for a small space to put your flyers for their clients.

You can highly consider this niche with photography as a part time job. Put your photographic skills to work for a profit. It is easy if you try.

The Importance of a Degree

As the job market has opened up, filling open positions has become a more selective process, with managers being hired for their college degree and specific experience. With the IT industry dominating the job market, it is important for candidates to continuously update their skills and knowledge, coupled with experience that is specific to the position.

The Case For Obtaining A Degree

To distinguish yourself from the other candidates in the industry, it is important to have a well-balanced approach. The days of graduating and walking into a job with a hefty pay and benefits package are over. These days, managers who seek jobs in IT companies need to be knowledgeable candidates with specific experience, who can work on a team and have the ability to communicate across divisional lines within the organization in order to achieve goals.

Lifetime earnings are greater for people with higher levels of education. A Bachelor's Degree holder can expect to earn about 73 percent more in a 40-year working life span than a high school graduate earns over the same period. The average lifetime earnings for individuals with associate degrees are almost 25 percent higher than that of high school graduates. Education is what broadens our perspective and enhances our abilities to perform our mission in life. To get into the job market with a higher position, a person can continue working, simultaneously study and get a degree through online education.

Experience vs. Education

In the past, some parents felt that a college education was a waste of time and money, and they wanted their children to work early and gain experience. However, these days, they understand the importance of a degree and what their children will gain by acquiring it. Larger numbers of African-Americans have become more concerned about both the access to education and its necessity. Although the patterns in each class of society differ, the overall direction is clear, and people understand the importance of a college degree these days.

Today, getting a higher education has become an aspiration, as much as owning a home or feeling secure after retirement. People now realize that getting a college degree, or at least some form of education after high school, is the surest way to enter into the middle class strata of society. According to surveys, most people say that attending college and acquiring a degree is a necessity to keep pace with the competition in the workforce, and statistics show that an investment in post-secondary education pays off in higher earnings.

Access To Education

Previously, getting an education was a privilege reserved for the rich and upper middle class, but now it is open to everyone. The field of higher education includes both the intense competition for students to get into private universities, and low cost community colleges that take in all students with an open enrollment policy. Specialized trade schools, state universities and corporate training centers are all offering education these days. A generation ago, many colleges turned away students based on gender, race or religion. That has now changed, with court rulings and social changes leading to an increasingly diverse student population. Women now account for more than half of the college students, and in 1999, minorities accounted for 28 percent of the college enrollments.

Though income is still a deciding factor, federal grants, states and universities are increasingly helping students from lower income backgrounds to get a degree. Many colleges are dedicating an increasing percentage of aid to students based on academic merit, sports ability, or musical talent. In every respect, acquiring a degree will make the future better by raising the standards of living.

Trick Photography and Special Effects Techniques to Use for Your Stock Photography Business

Are you a stock photo enthusiast? Many people who take pictures and post them to stock photography sites can potentially earn hundreds or thousands of dollars per month. Imagine that, getting paid for doing what you love! However, what you need to know is the fact that you may be losing customers and potential photo sales if you don't put up the right type of photos up for sale. Some photos may sell more than others, but if you put up the right pictures for sale, you will find that you can earn even more online than usual. In this article I will show you some of the best trick photography and special effects techniques that you can use in your stock photography business to help you stand out more with your photos and make more sales online. So what are some of the best (and easiest!) trick photography and special effects techniques?

Forced perspective

Forced perspective is the most basic technique that you can start using in your photos today. This is where you take a picture of someone or something standing near the camera that is connected to someone or something else standing further away from the camera. The effect is where one looks larger than the other, usually interacting in a way that is impossible. For example, think about the photos you might have seen where the people looks like they are carrying a large building or touching the top of a tall building with their finger. Another variation of this is where one person is holding a smaller person on the palm of their hands. This technique is so simple and can be done without anything special or modified. All it takes is the right imagination and creativity to come up with interesting-looking photos that will get buyers attention.

Light paintings

Light paintings are basically photos where you get your pictures to have a glowing light moving around the picture, as if the photo has been "painted" with light. This technique basically involves setting your camera on a tripod and with a long exposure setting. When the camera is taking the picture, you basically move a bright light in front of the camera to "paint". There are beautiful and creative light painting photos if you look around, and you will also find that there are many types of light you can use to paint with. The trick is to experiment and practice. It will take you a bit of time to learn to get sharp and vivid light paintings, but the result can be so spectacular that you'll want to master this technique.

Levitation photos

Levitation photos are truly worth doing to add some fun and mystery to your photos. These are basically pictures of people or objects floating or levitating in mid-air. The simplest way to take levitation photos is to jump or throw the object into the air and take a photo. With a fast enough shutter speed, multiple attempts, and patience you'll be rewarded with a great levitation photo. You can create more elaborate levitation photos by digitally manipulating the image with a photo editing software.

Use these techniques for stock photography

Selling photos on stock photography sites is a great way to earn some extra cash while honing your photography skills at the same time. The key is to create photos that grabs people's attention and provide something different and unique from all the other millions of stock photos that buyers could choose from. By applying the techniques mentioned above, your photos will surely rise above the crowd to get noticed. There are of course plenty of other factors which determines how successful you are in the stock photography business, but having interesting and eye-catching photos is a must.

Interesting and Offbeat Places to Visit in Tokyo

Not everyone visiting Japan is interested in the temples and museums. Sometimes to get to understand a culture you need to go beyond the places suggested by your guidebook. If you are looking for some strange and quirky things to see and do in Tokyo, read on for some ideas.

You will need to wake up pretty early to see the Tsukiji fish market in full swing. Tourists can only enter a small section of the market as they were becoming too much of a nuisance touching and poking the fish. Skip breakfast from your hotel and head to one of the many sushi restaurants located around the market.

Perhaps before you eat lunch, you should visit the Meguro Parasite Museum. On display are over 300 species of parasites, including a 30 foot tapeworm which was found inside of a man - not recommended for people with weak stomachs.

From Meguro, take the JR Yamanote line which circles Tokyo, to Harajuku. Harajuku is not only the fashion center of Tokyo, but on Sundays, it is where younger Japanese dress up and hang out for the day. Japanese refer this as "cosplay" and you will see everything from gothic to French maid outfits.

Takeshita-dori right in front of Harajuku station is a street lined with mostly cosplay and accessory shops. This is where the teenagers buy their gothic and French maid costumes. There is even a shop which sells clothes and accessories for your pet dog. Crepes and waffles seem to be the choice of food for the teenagers shopping here. If you want to try one, be prepared to wait a while as the lines can get long.

Also on the weekend in Harajuku, just across from the Yoyogi National Stadium, Japanese young and old put on a variety of amateur musical, dancing and comedy shows. Some are good, some are pretty average, others are just weird. Impress your friends by getting some pictures of punk rock guys all dressed in high school uniforms. Outside of Yoyogi Park you will find Tokyo's Rock-a-billy group decked out in denim and leather with hair-styles to match, dancing to the tunes of the fifties and sixties.

Find out what all the controversy is about by visiting the Yasukuni Shrine. Each visit by Japan's Prime Minister to the shrine causes outrage and makes newspaper headlines across China and Korea. Yasukuni Shrine is fairly unremarkable to look at, but what makes it famous, is that it commemorates Japan's involvement in World War Two. No fewer than 12 convicted Class A war criminals are enshrined at Yasukuni. Interestingly, the shrine is a popular tourist destination for Asian tourists.

If you have ever been to a Japanese restaurant you will know about the plastic food displays they use to put in the the front of their window. The plastic creations are sold in a place called Kappabashi Street. It is located between Ueno and Asakusa. You can also pick up some interesting souvenirs, including sushi key chains. Kappabashi is the place where restaurants and serious cooks buy their cooking utensils and accessories.

Akiharbara is famous mostly for cheap electronics, but more recently it has become the center for otaku culture. Otaku is a word which describes mostly males who are into video games, computers and animation. "Maid cafes" have sprung up to cater for the otaku who visit Akihabara. In maid-cafes waitresses dress up in french maid outfits or in character costumes from popular computer games. Maid cafes greet their customers with a phrase which loosely translates as "welcome master". Photography of the "maids" only seems to be encouraged.

A narrow alley not far from Shinjuku station is aptly named Shomben Yokocho, or piss alley for the lack of toilets in the shops. It is a narrow street lined with Yakitori or grilled chicken shops. Barbecue smoke wafts from each of the shops. Fortunately public facilities are now available in the area. The place has a interesting atmosphere of old Tokyo, but for a better feed of Yakitori head off to the area around Yurakucho station.

The small Yakitori restaurants sit right underneath the railway lines. The noise of the trains and the vibrations they cause as they go overhead, only adds to the atmosphere. The area is popular with Japanese salarymen grabbing a beer and a snack before they head off on their commute home.

Once dinner is done, most foreigners head off to the bars and clubs of Roppongi. For a more interesting Japanese experience, visit Golden Gai area in Shinjuku. Golden Gai is a group of tiny bars frequented with a client el of Japanese artists, writers and musicians.

Development is fast paced in Tokyo and many of the more interesting places like Golden Gai are threatened by bulldozers. It is a sad reality but it is the ever changing fads and fashions that make Japan less of a holiday, but the creation of many an anecdote that will surely liven any dinner party.

Set Up a Photo Book Online - Some Creative Ideas For Photo Book Designs

Photo Books are like photo albums however are somewhat different. Whenever you create a photo album, an adhesive sticks the pics in position. If you create a photo book, the photographs are printed straight on to the paper. Often with photo albums, the images can deteriorate as time passes. This generally doesn't occur using a photo book, that is certainly a benefit. They may be an amazing solution to protect memories and also share life's special times with other people. A variety of styles may be picked for the photo book. Here are a few suggestions -

1. Newborn Photographs - Pull together most of child's very first 12 months inside a photo book. Make use of your little one's baby pictures. The very first time you held them after they was delivered. The very first time you fed them. His or her very first laugh. The very first time they sat up on his or her own. His / her first steps. Her 1st party. Most of his / her remarkable firsts. The amusing memories, the unhappy memories, as well as the treasured ones and make all of them in to a book. It will be a marvelous souvenir to exhibit him or her when he or she is older.

2. Wedding and reception Pictures - Put together all your preferred wedding and reception images in to book. Images of the new bride as well as her bridal party, the bridegroom and the groomsmen. The I do's as well as close relatives dancing their pants off at the wedding reception. The other photos do you want? Make sure you include them as well.

3. Getaway Photographs - Selected photos from your lengthy journey. Photos from the resort, the tourist activities, the bistros in which you ate as well as additional enjoyable stuff you did on the family trip.

4. College Images - Graduating is definitely an extremely special occasion. If you are close with the grad, possibly if you stay together or see them prior to the ceremony, you are going to have plenty of chances to take pics of them. Capture several pictures of them preparing for graduating. Take the photo of the very first time they place on their hat and gown. Record the anticipation and excitement of realizing they have completed some thing excellent and are going to be commended for his or her achievement. Obviously get snap shots from the ceremony as well as them with their loved ones and close friends following the ceremony. Include these to a photo book.

5. Holiday Pictures - Decide on a holiday, whether it is Easter, Thanksgiving holiday, Christmas time, or other holiday and make these in to a photo book. When you spent your special occasions with the family and friends, and took plenty of pics, there'll be several options to select from.

Make use of your picture book as a coffee table book to become shown wherever your friends and family can easily see it. You can expect to definitely get a lots of wonderful comments from the photos you have taken. Photo Books are ideal for compiling, protecting as well as exhibiting life's memorable occasions.

Everyone Has a Role on a Photo Shoot - Know Yours

Everyone on a photography shoot has a role, the photographer, MUA, everyone, and as such there are generally accepted rules to follow. As a model your role in the shoot is basically that of a glorified hanger or a living mannequin. That's not meant to minimize your contribution or to be demeaning BUT let's face it, you come on set and you act as a way to highlight the clothes, accessories or props.

Everyone else on set has a role as well and the general rule of thumb is to let them do their jobs while you do yours. As an indie model, especially once who may be setting up your own shoots, it may be tempting to try and do everything. Don't. One, it's simply not professional and two, it makes you appear in a negative light.

As a bit of setiquette and pre-shoot advice, here are the roles of those who may be on set most often, the rules for dealing with them and the only time(s) it's OK to overstep your bounds.

The photographer: This is the person there taking the pictures. This should be the only person there taking pictures.

The rule: Let the photographer shoot. Follow their directions, it's as simple as that.

The exceptions: If the photographer is directing you to do something off camera or even on set that you're simply not comfortable with, then of course voice your objections. However note, that as a model, all of the poses aren't going to be comfortable and the angles may seem odd to you so shut up and suck it up if all the photographer is asking you to do is arch your back or turn your head. As an additional tip - yoga, pilates and just plain stretching will help keep your body get loose enough that the weird poses aren't uncomfortable.

The hairstylist: This is the person who'll be styling your hair. Chances are good that unless it's a hair shoot or a hair show all they will be doing is styling (no cuts, no coloring).

The rule: Let the hairstylist do your hair. Be honest about your natural hair type and length and whether or not you use extensions before the shoot.

The exception (pre-shoot): If you have a different hair type then the models pictured in the hairstylists portfolio, ask if they're comfortable working with your hair but do it politely.

The exception (on set): If the hairstylist tries to cut or color your hair on set and you were not informed about it beforehand, you have every right to speak up and even leave.

The make-up artist: This is the person who's going to do your make-up.

The rule: Let the make-up artist apply your make-up. before the shoot let them know if you're prone to breakouts or have any known allergies to products.

The exception: If a make-up artist is unsanitary (i.e. applying lipstick from a used tube onto your lips or not using disposable mascara wands) speak up about it before they apply any make-up to your face.

The wardrobe stylist: This is the person who supplies the clothing and accessories for a shoot. These items are usually borrowed

The rule: Wear what the wardrobe stylist brings. If you have any wardrobe restrictions, i.e. no animal skin/fur (specify if faux is ok) or nothing that shows a certain part of your body, let them know before the shoot, as in as soon as you agree to the shoot.

The exception: If a stylist shows up with something specifically on your "won't wear list". and finally...

The Model: You are the focus of attention during a shoot.

The Rule: You are a clothes hanger, that's an actual term used in the industry so if you're offended by it... get over it. You are also supposed to be an actor/actress. You are supposed to make me feel something with that single photo I'm going to see in the ad. Whether that feeling is "Wow, she looks great, I want that" or "She sure looks warm in that coat" or maybe, "I guess that coffee is delicious". That's your job as a model. Sure, there are jobs where you're not really "selling" something, such as bikini sites, lingerie sites, etc., you still have a job to do. That job is to look sexy enough that guys sign up and pay for access to the site you're on.

The Exception: There pretty much aren't any other than doing things that you are simply against. Examples may be, if you don't smoke, you should not have to "pretend" that you do. If you're vegan, you don't have to wear leather/fur coats, etc. Even if you're setting up a shoot yourself, paid or TF, you should give everyone as much info about your vision as you can and make sure they have a grasp, and then let them do their jobs.

Follow these rules and you will be respected in the industry and you will get much better images (assuming you are working with a quality team).

Earn Money Taking Photos and Submitting Them Online

You have probably heard of people making money selling photos online and figured you could do it too. Well, in this case, you are absolutely right!

I myself was just like you a couple of years ago. I had a good job, but I couldn't say no to some extra cash every month. So when I got myself my first digital camera, I started taking photos of the things I found interesting. Then, I begun to submit my photos to specialized websites, waiting for the miracle to happen.

Well, it wasn't a real miracle, but I managed to make a couple hundred dollars during my first month in business. I didn't see this as a business opportunity, so I kept taking photos just when I was in a certain mood, let's call it "inspirational".

It was not until I went on a trip to Thailand that I discovered its true potential. During the 2 weeks spent abroad, I filled the 8 GB memory card I had in my digital camera: almost 4000 photos!

When I got home, I uploaded them to the websites I was working with, expecting some kind of success. But what happened was truly unexpected! During the next 2 months, I made a profit of a little more than $10.000! And I am still getting some residual income from those photos (I get paid every time someone downloads one of my pictures).

The kind of money you can expect to get for a single photo submitted to these specialized websites can be anywhere around $2 to $7, depending on the size and quality of the picture.

Earning $2 every time someone downloads one of your pictures may not seem like much, but if you managed to take a couple hundred pictures every month, it would certainly sum up. And how long could it take you to shoot 200 photos? Two, three hours? That means a profit of about $400 for only a few hours' work!

And the best part is that you don't need to be an expert photographer to achieve this. All you need is a digital camera and an Internet connection!

Rule of Thirds - Think Again

If you search Google for "rule of thirds," you will get more than 3 million returns. Clearly it is a popular rule and deserves to be looked at closely. I examined about 50 of these websites and found them all to accept the premise that using the rule of thirds is a key to producing good photographs, although a few suggested that the rule should be viewed more as a guide.
The following comments were typical:

"A handy rule to follow that will help you to compose a quality photo every time is the rule of thirds."

"Everything you see in a frame needs to be composed along the lines of the rule of thirds."

"Using the Rule of Thirds helps produce nicely balanced easy on the eye pictures."

This advice is usually followed by a diagram showing how the rule of thirds is calculated. A small number of the sites go on to say that the rule of thirds was derived from the Golden Mean. Some even give a brief history of the Golden Mean. At least one writer justifies the use of the rule of thirds based on eye-scan studies.

What is the rule of thirds? It is a guide for positioning the center of interest in a photograph. According to this rule, there are four preferred points to place a center of interest. To find these points, draw imaginary parallel lines across your camera's viewfinder at the one-third and two-thirds positions. Do this in both the horizontal and vertical directions. These four lines will meet at four points. The points mark where the center of interest should be placed.

As I said, many sites make the claim that the rule of thirds is derived from the Golden Mean. And what is the Golden Mean (see also: Golden Cup, Golden Triangle, Golden Rectangle, Golden Ratio, Golden Spiral, all based on approximately the same idea). The Golden Mean is a ratio of two numbers (approximately 1:.62). It can be represented by a line that is divided so that the shorter segment is about .38 and the longer about .62 of the length. A golden rectangle is a rectangle whose sides have the ratio of 1:.62. In Diagram 2 the entire figure is a Golden Rectangle. By dividing the large rectangle at the .618 position, we get a square and another Golden rectangle.

As there are many mathematic sites that give the history and the derivation of the Golden Mean, there is no reason to repeat that information here. I haven't found any sites that give the history of the rule of thirds. It is always referred to as a simplification of the Golden Mean or Golden Rectangle.
But is it? Not exactly. First, the rule of thirds uses lines placed at the 33% and 67% positions, whereas the Golden Mean places its line at 62%. So already we're 5% off. That's not too bad. But there is another problem. The rule of thirds is about points, the four points where the parallel lines meet. The Golden Mean is about a line. Points and lines are not the same thing.
There is another problem. The ratio of the sides of the Golden Rectangle is approximately 3:2, or about the same as the sides of a 35mm negative. But the ratio of the sides of most consumer digital cameras is 4:3. Not only that, but prints often have a different height-to-width ratio (aspect) so your perfectly composed photograph is cropped when it is printed.

But if it works, forget all about these arguments. The most important thing is to get superior photographs. So the next question is, "Does it work?"

Eye-tracking studies. There have been a number of scientific studies, many ongoing, to determine how a viewer's eyes move when he looks at a piece of art. The early results show that there is no universal eye-scan pattern. It depends, in part, on what the viewer is looking for and his level of expertise.

Do viewers really prefer paintings and photographs that use the rule of thirds? I am not aware of any studies done on the rule of thirds, but there have been quite a few on the Golden Rectangle.

The first of many objectives studies was done in the 1870s by the German psychologist G. T. Fechner. He presented his subjects with a set of ten rectangles of varied proportions and asked them to choose the one they found most pleasing. Although the Golden Rectangle was the favorite, it was chosen by only 35% of the subjects. The second favorite, a rectangle with a 1:1.5 ratio, was picked by 21% of the subjects.

Studies on rectangular preference have continued to the present with mixed results. Some researchers have found a preference for the Golden Mean while others have not. However, in those studies where a preference was found, it was never higher than 35%.

In 1894 the American psychologist Edgar Pierce did another interesting experiment. He asked people to place a line in a frame in the position they found most pleasing. The Golden Ratio was the most popular position. However, when Pierce placed additional lines on both sides of the moveable line, the subjects tended to move their line from the Golden Mean position to a position about half-way between the closest fixed lines.

Conclusion. First of all, for reasons pointed out above, the rule of thirds and the Golden Rectangle are not the same thing. One deals with points and the other deals with lines. Second, objective studies show that although there probably is a preference for art based on Golden Rectangle proportions, at best it is only preferred by 35% of viewers. Finally, the studies done by Pierce showed that subjects initially showed a preference for a line placed at about the 60% position in the frame. However, they changed their preference when additional lines were put into the frame. Since the rule of thirds doesn't take into consideration anything but placement of the center of interest, perhaps it's too simple a concept to be used in composing complex photographs.

Learning Photography - 5 Fun Photo Projects to Sharpen Your Skills

It is not uncommon to find ourselves occasionally stuck in a rut. These ruts aren't limited to our day-to-day lives and can often crop up in our hobbies. Even the best photographers will find themselves stuck in their comfort zones, so it's important to force yourself to take on new and interesting projects. Here are five great ways to breathe new life into your photography.

Self-Portraits

Photographers spend so much time behind the camera they often forget to get images of their most reliable subject - themselves. Self-portraiture is a difficult branch of photography that comes with several challenges. Focus up a remote focus, making yourself look good (in your own eyes), framing, and many of the other things we take for granted as photographers become infinitely more complicated when we lose the ability to look through the lens. If you want to liven up your pictures try adding a few props to your self portrait and see how it turns out.

Take a Step Back in Time

Although you may shoot like a pro with your new digital SLR, but have you thought about trying an old twin reflex or film camera? If you feel like you've hit a wall in your shooting, there's nothing more fun than picking up some old gear at a tradeshow or photo shop and teaching yourself to use it. As an extra bonus, you will even learn new elements of photography that may be automatically done with your near gear. Get rid of your light meter and break out your notepad!

Try Superimposing Your Images

One of the most interesting things to do with photography is superimposition. If you're unfamiliar with the term, superimposing is the act of taking two photographs on one piece of film. This can lead to spectacular and surreal images (Google "Scott Mutters" for examples) that defy logic. Of course, digital photo editing suites have made this process far easier than it used to be, and far less dangerous - you can take two perfectly good shots and work them together later instead of counting on your wind abilities to get it right the first time.

Play Around with Time Lapse Photography

If you're not familiar with time lapse photography it's when you take lots of pictures of the same subject over a long period of time. This type of project requires a large commitment, but can be very satisfying once completed. Good subjects include buildings, children or outdoor settings that have noticeable weather changes. If you've ever seen one of those slideshows of a person who took a photo of themselves every day for several years, that is a prime example of time-lapse at work.

Make a Story

If you love writing and taking pictures then this will definitely be a fun photo project for you. The goal here is to create a narrative, either on paper or in your mind, about a character that lives in your area. Think of how they would spend their day and the activities they would engage in, then try and spend a day walking in their shoes (shooting photographs all the way). When you're all done, you can put all of your pictures in order and write descriptions for each one explaining your story.

Photography is a form of art and like any artwork requires regular inspiration. Finding new and exciting ways in which to shoot will not only keep your hobby entertaining, but will help you to develop a wider set of skills. The next time you find yourself stuck in a rut, try doing one of these projects and watch yourself suddenly coming up with all new kinds of photo ideas.

Best Photography Colleges

Art is beautiful, and most of the time, is beauty itself. May the medium be painting, sculpting or writing, the artist knows how to capture the essence of the moment, and has the innate capability to make it stand still as time moves on. In photography, a single moment can be captured for a lifetime. So it is not surprising that these days, more and more people are thinking about taking formal training of the said craft.

Many aspiring artists seek for the best photography colleges around. And you ask, what is it exactly should you be looking for in a school? What are the types of courses they give out for a shutterbug like you? More importantly, are these schools capable of honing your passion? They are not called the best photography colleges for nothing.

Programs on best colleges offer history of photography, art history, color theory, composition, technical aspects and all related topics are covered to easily educate and give out the best application process in which the art of photography is involved.

Today, there are a lot of schools which are accredited in offering courses in photography, but the question you should ask is which one can hone your skills the most. The difference about the best photography colleges is that they give you in-depth information about your course since it has a lot of fields, and makes you realize your skill. True, anybody can shoot a picture, but not just anyone can shoot a good one.

The best photography colleges make you understand the technical aspects of the art, and most of them now use digital photography. Aside from that, they also teach how to turn your photograph into a professional quality picture using the computer.

Most notable photography colleges are art schools, such as the Academy of Art University's School of Photography. As one of the best photography colleges around, they teach the technical and aesthetic qualities a photographer needs, and promise their students of being capable enough to compete in this kind of business. It doesn't matter to them if you prefer traditional or digital photography; they have staffs that are there to teach you to have an artistic sense wherever you go. It is not surprising that they are one of the best photography colleges today, they know what their students need.

Promising careers in photography are very diverse, some of them are mostly on Portrait, Magazine, Architecture, Landscape, Advertising and Fashion Photography. These can easily be profitable for students that graduated and learned the needed skills for photography.

Also, other aspects of the best photography colleges are not just teaching photography, but how to handle it as a business as well. It is not a surprise to know that this can be a lucrative field, especially when it comes to advertising. They are also capable of helping you find your niche, like knowing if you are more inclined to news photography than travel applications. This beautiful field can be made into your lifetime passion if you know how to pick out the best photography colleges.

The Range Of Forensic Nursing Salary

Forensic nurses are mostly responsible to determine the possible causes of a crime case, through the evaluations made by examining the victims. The cases of morbidity or mortality may include ordeal and assault, unplanned deaths, and victims of sexual abuse of kid, elder or spousal. They are not only imperative in collecting important sources of evidence from perpetrators or survivors of the crimes; they will also be the witness at court as an expert to provide information into the investigation and trial of the case. The example of evidence could be forensic photography.

A simple observation is enough to manifest why forensic nurses are becoming more indispensable, growing in relevance to the drastic rise in offense or crime rates. In fact, it is now an individual field of study, claimed to be a rewarding career pathway. The nursing degree is now available in wide range of colleges. Thus, in order to venture into this industry you just have to necessitate guidance, education and a legal authorization for nursing. Watch out for the immense demand for these nurses in the current market then consider intensely if you are suitable to take up the course.

If nothing could lure you into studying forensic nursing, perhaps the forensic salary could. The return from the forensic nursing jobs is satisfactorily high and in the recent years, it has become one of the most fruitful careers. You see, a nurse with basic forensic skills is employed at a rate of US$26 per hour and it could soar up to US$100 per hour, depending on the location, practice, training and accountability. If you have more experience and skills, you can possibly earn more than US$150 an hour.

It has become an ultimate most often questioned issue of the nursing salary. In as much as one may guarantee you of rewarding payment of the job, you have to ensure that you have the determination, qualification and interest to work in the field. And of course, the salary has to depend on your regional work place, personal attributes, academic results and the creditability of the institution you study in.

Fashion Photography As A New Form of Art

Photography, in general, is a form of art, but fashion photography, especially, is a further aesthetic form of art. Fashion photography has a long history. There have always been beautiful dresses throughout ages. Fashion photography came into existence when the idea of capturing pretty models wearing those beautiful dresses in order to sell the dresses came into play. Since then, this form of photography has come a long way.

As the time passed, new dimensions kept on adding to this art. It started with only capturing pretty models in beautiful dresses. Then the backdrop and set where the photographs were captured started being an important part of the shoot. Nowadays, fashion photographs not only show a dress and a model, but also show a mood, a theme. There's a lot in the photographs, which is subtle, and which is for the viewer to decipher. As with the change in weather, there is always the launch of a new line of clothing and each of these clothing line have a theme, while the fashion photographs aim to capture and present that very theme or the mood. There's a lot to be read between the lines in these photographs.

Rather fashion photography, nowadays, no longer is limited to clothing. It has expanded way beyond that. From bathroom accessories to kitchen utensils, now it includes almost every item that can be sold or advertised with the help of still photography. With the expansion of subject matter of this form of photography, the style and way of this photography has also expanded and varied. Whereas earlier, the subject was only dresses, the focus was majorly on the vividness and enhancement of colors. However, now there are a lot of experiments happening in this field. Now the focus has shifted to highlighting or presenting the mood or theme of the collection, whether it is of clothing or furniture or even electrical equipment.

With the emergence of online retail marketing and e-commerce strategies, there is another form of fashion photography emerging. It is called the still life fashion. In this kind of photography, clothes or objects are captured without models. Since online retail is on the rise, this form of photography is also getting highly popular, and there are numerous studios and photographers especially devoted to this form. Also, still life fashion is the form where fashion photography and object photography comes together. Object photography is the form of photography which focuses on capturing the inanimate objects. Photographers are nowadays exploring and experimenting with various forms of photography and developing this art to the maximum.

Pupil's Responsibilities

Pupil's responsibilities have been trained, achieving the greatest possible impact. It is also important as a means of individualizing working methods within different pupils groups and carrying out project studies or integrated projects. Co-operation in working teams also provides teachers with an opportunity of supporting and assisting one another.  

Good co-operation between teachers and pupils is essential for success. Above all, co-operation is manifested in the everyday context through the joint planning of courses and through efforts to agree on the concrete objectives of a series of lessons.  

Most consultation and partnership in school take place on an informal basis, but schools also need certain more fixed procedures of consultation and decision making.   The purpose of this liberty concerning the planning of conferences in schools is the same as that of the free deployment of resources, namely for activities to be decided on and realistically planned at local level. This question should be covered in the school working plan;  

Educational planning can be conducted on a concrete basis together with a particular group of pupils, in a work unit or in a class. In some cases there may be a desire to raise questions which are common to the teaching of a subject  in several work units, throughout a school level or in the whole of a school management   e.g. questions concerning printed teaching materials. The delegates attending conferences will then have to be selected accordingly. On other occasions the task of a conference may be to plan optional subjects or leisure activities together with associations and parents, or else to plan open air days, joint assemblies or cultural activities in school, in which case conferences of different kinds will be called for.  

Educational planning meetings summoned by the headmaster or his nominee must be attended by equal numbers of pupil and teacher representatives, senior level pupil representatives being also entitled to participate in decision making. If planning can be done at class committee meetings attended by all pupils and not only by their representatives, this arrangement is to be preferred. It is important for discussions to be based on alternatives presented by the teachers.  

If pupil participation is to be through the medium of representatives, the school must ensure that the representatives have a previous opportunity of discussing matters with their classmates. Afterwards they must be given an opportunity of apprising their classmates of the decisions arrived.  

One of the goals of school is to give children and young person's a democratic education. Among other things, pupils must be able, together with their classmates, to allocate duties, organize reports on their work and put on exhibitions, to assume responsibility for younger pupils in need of assistance and to participate in efforts to establish a good environment at school. The pupils need practice in rational argument and in appraising categorical statements and critically examining simplified solutions to complex questions. They must accustom themselves to listening to other people's arguments and suggestions, even if these are very different from their own. They should be encouraged to develop a reflective attitude.  

Pupils are to play an active part in shaping the school working environment. Collective duties for different pupil groups are calculated to break down alienation counteract mobbing and vandalizing tendencies and increase the pupils' self-confidence. Activities demanding co-operation and the shouldering of responsibility are a vital contribution towards illustrating the importance of democratic agreements and rules.  

The pupils' participation in the internal work of the school also supplements their practical vocational orientation. For example, school library work, participation in the design of their immediate environment, leadership of free activity groups, the arrangement of exhibitions, participation in internal school information through pupil magazines, and the lending of assistance to younger children can provide pupils with a useful understanding of the way in which a workplace operates.

Pupil associations at school provide the pupils with an opportunity of gathering round subjects of common interest. In this way they acquire the habit of acting in various capacities within a regular association, and it becomes second nature to them to abide by democratic decisions but also to endeavor by democratic means to secure alterations to things which they disapprove of. Pupils should be encouraged to distribute elective appointments in class committees, pupil committees and pupil associations evenly between boys and girls. Pupil associations can be of various kinds.

Younger pupils can form hobby societies and class societies, and older pupils can develop societies covering a wide range of activities, e.g. sports, music, reading, drama, photography and various ideological topics such as temperance, religion and politics. The vitality of these societies very often tends to fluctuate, but schools can support and activate them by enabling them to participate in various contexts -  for example, by contributing programs to school assemblies, publishing articles in a school magazine, putting on exhibitions etc. By giving them financial assistance, by giving various assignments to individual members and, if possible, by letting teachers who are particularly interested become members of the societies. School societies should have extensive powers of initiating free activities within their several spheres.  

Trade Or Sell Your Stock Photos Online For Extra Cash - Pictures For Cash

I was shocked when I heard that people are making money by submitting their photos online. I was curious to find out how, I myself can get in on this sweet deal. After all who wouldn't like a little extra money?

I wanted to know all the details regarding this and when I researched, I've found that all that I needed was a 3 megapixel digital camera to take the photos and a good dependable cable or broadband connection to upload my photos.

At one point I stopped to think who would want to buy my ordinary photos? I am neither a professional photographer nor an aspiring artist looking to display my exhibits. Then why would anyone be interested in buying my photos? But the guy who informed me about this completely laid all my doubts to rest. There is a high demand of photographs on the internet from web designers, students, advertisers, entrepreneurs, eBay sellers, teachers, magazine editors, travel agents, graphic artists, illustrators and many other sections of people that are looking for photos that would cater for there niche market.

The icing on the cake was that I even got paid for my photos which I had submitted about a year back and will continue doing so forever. So there is no time constraint or any kind of restriction as to the amount of time required to have the photos posted in the website.

It is a good thing to know that there is a platform to showcase your art without spending to create a website of your own.

Online Film and Photography Career Education Options

When looking to obtain an accredited education in film and photography, students can look into online schools and colleges to do so. Options for earning an accredited education online in this field include various degrees. Training can be completed in specific areas that relate to the students career of choice. Learning will include topics that prepare students for successful career in various industries. Students can learn numerous things about film and photography career training prior to enrollment in an educational training program.

1) Online career preparation will help students to gain the skills needed to enter into professional careers. Training is available at the:

• certificate


• associate


• bachelor


• master degree

...levels of study. Students can choose from a number of accredited career preparation programs in order to become filmmakers, videographers, photography assistant, cinematographer, editors, photojournalists, sports photographers, and many other exciting careers in this field. Pursuing these careers will require students to complete the coursework provided to them based on the level of education desired.

2) Specialized areas of study are available for students to choose from when pursuing an accredited online degree. Students can enroll in film and photography or just photography courses. Coursework will cover topics such as:

• Camerawork


• Producing


• Lighting


• Creative Expression


• Film Developing


• Videography


• Directing

...and other courses related to the specific area of study. Gaining skills in these areas will help to prepare students for the workforce. Studies will provide the knowledge needed to succeed in the field.

3) When students enroll in accredited online schools and colleges for training in film and photography, they will prepare for the career of a lifetime. Training will include online courses in journalism, broadcasting, as well as the use of film and photography equipment to carry out numerous tasks. These tasks will be based on the profession that each individual student desires to enter into. Training will equip students with the skills to produce videos and pictures and work in media production, news, documentaries, magazines, and much more. Online career training in this field is also available to those who wish to just complete single courses in order to learn new skills or enhance their current skills. Students who enroll in an accredited online school or colleges will be able to seek the employment they long for by gaining the education they need.

Accredited online film and photography programs offer students a number of possibilities when it comes to obtaining a career in film and photography. Fully accredited schools and colleges offer student the chance to build their skills and knowledge in order to enter into the career of their dreams. Agencies like the National Association of Schools of Art and Design ( http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/ ) are able to qualify programs for full accreditation, if they meet certain criteria. Student can prepare by researching educational institutes and requesting information about the certificate or degree of their choice. Enroll today to prepare for your career tomorrow.

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.

Zink Imaging - Cost Effective Printing

Advancements, in technology, are being created on a daily basis. Everything is becoming smaller, faster, and easier to use. Zink? has produced a fascinating new technology known as Zink Imaging. Zink Imaging actually means Zero Ink. This printing concept is exactly how it sounds; there is no longer a need for cartridges and ribbons.

As of its release date, Zink Imaging can only print in a specialized market - images. It is not yet ready to replace the way we print on a day-to-day basis. However, with the right collaborating, this day could come sooner than expected.

The combination of a Zink-enabled device, along with Zink Paper, is needed to print with Zero Ink. The paper is the backbone of this concept, as it contains the secret ingredient to print gorgeous images.

Zink Paper? is embedded with minuscule dye crystals, which in their natural state, are not visible. Each sheet of paper is then covered with a protective layer of polymer. Other than being a higher quality paper, the naked eye cannot tell the difference between a regular piece of printing paper and Zink Paper.

Zink-enabled devices use heating mechanisms to melt these crystals into their appropriate color. Each color crystal has its specific melting point, at which point the crystal will form into a liquid color state. The print head passes over the crystals, heating each one individually, to its appropriate melting point.

Polaroid was the first to begin the design on this new technology, back in 2000. Their plan was to use this technology with a new product called PoGo - a portable printer for cell phones and cameras. Their unfortunate bankruptcy, just one year later, forced them to stop development. A handful of ex Polaroid employees used this printing concept to start up what is now known as Zink?.

Polaroid was the first to partner with Zink. This partnership gives Polaroid the ability to continue their PoGo concept and be one of the first to introduce a pocket-sized printer, to the world.

Alps Electric Co, Ltd, Foxconn Technology Group, and TOMY Company, Ltd have also joined this new venture. The combination of these companies is phenomenal, as Zink-enabled devices can now be manufactured, taking advantage of Zink Paper.

The thickness, of Zink Paper, gives consumers durable, professional photography paper. Printed images will now last longer - not fade as quickly - as other forms of printing do. Since there is no longer a need for cartridges and ribbons, this is also a very cost effective means for consumers to print their photos.

Currently there is only one size of Zink Paper available - 2 inches x 3 inches (the exact size that Polaroid's PoGo can print). For a package of 10 sheets, you can expect to spend around $2.00.

Zink Imaging is a baby technology, and will probably go through many phases before minor, annoying flaws are fixed. (Zink Imaging has not been out long enough to pin point and of its flaws.) Regardless, it is a technology that makes printing photos nearly effortless. It saves consumers from having to dispose of old cartridges. It cost effective as there is no need to purchase additional cartridges. Whether it is in your current budget or not, it is definitely worth looking into.

12 Ways to Reward Parent Volunteers

Parents volunteer for a variety of reasons: learning new job skills, contributing to the success of students, wanting to feel useful, looking for a social outlet, enjoyment working with children, and more.

Many volunteers gain a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping a teacher with his or her many tasks or helping child through a difficult problem.

Even with the intrinsic rewards gained from knowing they are helping others, it is important to be mindful of ways to show parent volunteers that you appreciate them. Instead of leaving volunteer recognition to chance, develop a reward system in advance of how you will show your gratitude for parents who give up time from their daily schedules to be a part of your classroom.

To make that job easier, below are 12 ways to tell volunteers they are special and encourage them in their efforts.

1. Have your volunteers complete a personal interest form that list their birthdays, favorite hobbies, occupations, a short write-up about why they want to volunteer, a short write-up about themselves, etc.

2. Select a Parent Volunteer of the Month. Have them complete the form. Post to your Volunteer Bulletin Board.

3. Purchase a disposable camera to have on hand to take pictures of volunteers in action.

4. Create a Parent Volunteers-In-Action Bulletin Board in your classroom. Use the bulletin board to leave messages for volunteers such as "Need a volunteer to help on Friday!" Decorate it with cute scrapbook items. Section off a part of the bulletin board to post pictures of volunteers. Spotlight one of your volunteers each month. Type of the write-ups from the Volunteer Personal Interest Form and post with photos.

5. Buy enough birthday, Valentine's Day, and Christmas cards for each volunteer. Write a brief note of appreciation in each card. Label a sticky note with the birthday listed on each birthday card. Put them in a safe place and mail them out accordingly.

6. Start a Parent Volunteer Scrapbook. At the end of each year, place photos and other information for new volunteers to browse through.

7. Have students make decorate name tags parent volunteers can wear when coming to the school.

8. Create a parent volunteer snack box near the area where volunteers will be working. Fill the box with small treats, snacks, tea bags, cups, etc. Hungry volunteers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

9. Make copies of a "We Missed You" letter or card to send to volunteers missing in action. Receiving this form lets volunteers know the importance of their contribution.

10. Encourage suggestions and comments by posting suggestion stationery on your class bulletin board. Volunteers who may not feel comfortable to express themselves verbally can communicate their ideas on paper.

11. Do not forget to keep track of parent volunteer hours by placing your Volunteer Binder in the area volunteers' work. At the end of the school year, tally up hours and provide a special gift to your volunteer who helped out the most.

12. Have students color cute name tags for volunteers to wear while at the school.

How To Make Money With Your Bichon Frise Pictures

During these financially difficult times, people are looking for ways to augment their family income. If you love photography and you happen to own a Bichon Frise, why not earn a little extra income with your Bichon Frise pictures?

Before you even consider making money out of the pictures of your pet, first take a long hard look at your dog. If your Bichon Frise doesn't resemble a cute powder puff and looks more like a dust bunny, you should give your pet a good grooming first. Trim away all mats and tangles and give it a warm soothing bath. If you have a little cash to spare, have a professional groomer give your dog a special hair cut, like the Teddy Bear Cut or Panda Cut. Once your Bichon is in its cute, adorable form, you can start clicking away with your camera. You can keep your camera on standby for any "cute" moments, such as when it suddenly plops down on its back to ask for a tummy rub or during a rambunctious Bichon Buzz.

Even if you have taken all your pictures and you are still not convinced that this could be a profitable venture, just take a look at the hits that Bichon Frise images get on the web. Those five-digit numbers are indicative of just how popular a dog the Bichon Frise is.

There are several ways by which you can make money out of Bichon Frise photos. One way is by making art prints of your photos. If you already have several good pictures on hand, put them in an online gallery and sell them in large, poster sizes.

If you are a photographer and a whiz at computers, you might want to go into the stationery business. You can sell greeting cards, Post it Notes, and Notepads with a picture or two of your Bichon. You can secure a tie up with a printing company specializing in personalized items like T-shirts and mugs.

Did you know that your Bichon can be a fashionista's best friend? Then, try to invest in Metaza. Metaza is a special etching machine and software which is capable of transferring (or etching) pictures of your Bichon Frise onto silver or gold metal plates. You can have Bichon photos emblazoned on metal bookmarks, pendants, lockets and lucky charms.

Don't just let your Bichon pictures remain stored inside an album or your scrapbook. By being ingenious and creative, you can transform the pictures of your Bichon into a profitable money-making venture.

Learn Film Making - Set Etiquette For Event Videographers

Having taught film making at several colleges, schools as well as film and television schools for many years I always include a section on set etiquette. In the motion picture industry, in most areas of North America, a set etiquette course is mandatory before you can enter the trade. Proper set etiquette is the only way that a large group of diverse technicians and artists can work in concert to create a thing as complicated as a feature film.

The main tenets of set etiquette are:

1. Workers on a set always show up on time (or even a bit early) and ready to work.

2. Each person does only his or her work. If you aren't busy and wish to help someone in another department do their work ask them first if you can help. Don?翹t just pitch in. It might seem that you?翹re doing them a favor, but it could go against their work ethic (or the unions).

3. No one, except possibly the D.O.P. and maybe the first A.D., will bother the director with their ideas of how a scene should be staged or how the set should be run. If you feel you have a valid suggestion or complaint take it first to your immediate supervisor or (if you're sure this is appropriate) an assistant director.

4. When the "Quiet!" command is given you immediately fall silent and still (even if you're half way through the punch line to a killer joke).

5. For safety reasons you must be more careful of wires, cables, grip stands and other dangers that lurk in the shadows behind the camera than you would have to be in many other jobs. Because of the constant changes made on a set cables aren't usually dressed safely out of the way and a grip stand set up in a certain configuration can take an eye out if you walk into it.

6. Always try to use standard industry terminology to communicate with other workers on the set.

7. If you have anything bad to say about anyone - DON'T.

8. No bad language or offensive jokes on the set.

9. If in doubt as to what you should do - ask.

10. Do your job willingly and to the best of your ability.

For the videographer - depending on what type of shoot you're on, you might want to adopt points 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 particularly.

The event videographer (weddings, conventions, seminars, live performances, etc.) might also wish to follow these suggestions:

1. Try to be as invisible as you can. You are not there to show off your camera or your ability to look cool while running it. Try to blend in with the furniture as much as possible - while still getting the necessary shots, of course. This is especially important for weddings, funerals and other non-entertainment venues.

2. Dress appropriately for the job. If it's a wedding where the women are dressed in dresses and gowns and the men are in suits and ties.. you should be in similar dress (that matches your gender).

3. DO NOT partake of any food or drink that might be offered to guests unless you have been given permission by the people who have hired you or those organizing the event. Most professional wedding videographers, if they are contracted for a very long day, will stipulate that a meal (or at least a meal break) must be provided when the contract is set up - before the event.

4. As an outside, hired service provider you should avoid being drawn into the event on a personal basis. For example, if you are shooting the reception at a wedding and you are invited to dance with someone you probably should politely decline. If, however you cannot decline without seeming rude then perhaps you could have that one dance and then go back to your job. A good excuse to not accept the dance offer would be to politely explain, with good humor, that if you put your camera down you might miss an important moment between the bride and groom and that you really should be prepared if it should happen.

5. Know when it's time to finish your job and leave. No hanging around after your job is done. But, always make sure you have finished and that there really are no more shots to be had. Also, make sure that the event organizer, bride and groom, or whoever is your contact is aware that you feel you're done. They may have just one more thing they want you to capture.

6. After the event is over - within the next day or so - you should contact the person(s) who hired you to let them know that editing is in progress and when they might expect a finished product. If you just shot and turned the tapes over to them at the end of the event at least contact them with a "thank you for the business" message.

It's all common sense. Be polite, try not to stand out during the event (your finished work will make you shine) and do your job with as much professionalism as you would in the big time motion picture industry. You'll get repeat business if you do.

What Art Expresses

The visual capabilities to express ideas running through our minds are the most phenomenal aspects of art. Language has limitations. Our words can only express certain meanings and some complex issues are hard to form into words. But, art doesn't have those limitations. The mind is its only limitation. From abstract to concrete and everything in between, art allows us to literally blow a canvas up with images no one else could imagine until we present them.

Artists have been profoundly fond of capturing moments. Not everyone reacts to literature or history the same way. Artists often react to literature with a need to place on a canvas what they envisioned in a scene. William Blake's watercolor "Satan Arousing the Rebel Angels" was painted in 1808 and was a snapshot from a scene out of Milton's Paradise Lost, which was written 1667. Scenes such as these inspire some of the greatest works from authors, but also from the retelling of historical incidences. "The Last Day of Pompeii" painted by Karl Briullov in 1833 depicts the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1828. But, not all snapshots are scenes inspired by another work or historical event. Some artists such as Monet simply liked to capture scenes. A cathedral at different times of the day, a lady playing a piano and rain hitting the side of a mountain are just a sample of observations that have struck artists with the inspiration to capture the image on canvas.

Those are the more realistic aspects of art, art based on reality. But, abstracts have a wide range of purposes. Paintings such as a tiger ripping through the canvas have qualities of concrete and abstract mixed within them. The real tiger with real claws and brandishing huge teeth painted on the canvas as if ripping through it is an abstract compilation of things that exist. At the other extreme, painters have worked with colors, lines and shapes with only a relational theme in mind. Working through patterns and spatial relationships, an artist might include shading to give a certain impression of dimension while another artist might choose to keep the painting flat.

The Gerhard Richter 1990 abstract simply entitled "Abstract Painting (726)" gives the impression of a rusty cracked rock. But, also you see a smearing in the lower portion of the painting that produces a reflection effect. Determining what exactly the painting is comes down to the individual viewer, but also what the artist intended.

An artist such as Mike Wong Joon Fong might make a suggestion when he names his paintings. "Rush" is black and red paint on a white canvas. But, the paint's horizontal placement gives the impression of something in a rush. The "something" is indiscernible, but I would venture to say what comes to my mind is the impression of a black horse with a red stream even though there is no definable horse. Yet, when you view his painting entitled "Playing," I don't see what Fong could be suggesting. It appears to me to be a collage of ink-blot tests. A psychologist would love the painting.

Taking from all these various forms of art, we can see that art has many purposes and it really only depends on the artist. Exploring our minds, exploring our worlds, we discover more about ourselves. When inspired, art helps us to express those things we learn and take delight in or that sadden us. Those things that shock us, that make us think, those things that move us in ways nothing else can are all the subjects of an artist's art. Language might hold us back, but art helps us take quantum leaps into our understanding. Images words can't express. Words only our mind understands, but we have yet to define. Art lets loose those thoughts and builds bridges our language cannot.