How to Pay For Computer Schools

If you're wondering how to pay for computer schools, and you're thinking you'll never be able to afford the training necessary to get the best IT jobs, there may be options out there that you haven't thought of yet. If you don't have wealthy parents or a trust fund covering your computer school tuition, you can still get the college education you need to get ahead and begin a fulfilling computer technology career.

The first place one should always consider, though, when determining how to pay for computer schools are the resources within your own family. If you or your family members have assets that can be sold or otherwise used as collateral to provide the money needed to pay for tuition, books and supplies, this can be a good choice. If this is not an option, however, there are many government programs out there to help you pay for computer school or any other type of higher education. As long as you are attending an accredited institution, you should be able to qualify for loans and/or grants. A certain level of loan money is typically available to all students, and grants are often available for students from poor economic backgrounds or who have excelled in academics, arts or sports. You simply have to fill out a FAFSA form.

If the money within your family and from the government isn't enough to fund your computer education, there may also be grants, scholarships and loans from private organizations. There are private institutions, as well as the computer schools themselves, which are interested in providing scholarships to students who qualify. Private loans are also available for students, although the interest rates and repayment terms may not be as good as they are with federal student loans.

There are many college funding solutions available to those who qualify and are wondering how to pay for computer schools. So be sure to apply for every opportunity you can find even if the chances of qualifying seem slim. You should definitely qualify for some loans with excellent terms, and you may be surprised at what free money is available. You may also be surprised at what resources you already have.

Photography School - Choose The Right Field Of Study

Photographers may specialize in one field of photography or they may generalize in a combination of two or more types of photography. Prior to selecting the photography school you are going to attend. Narrow down the specific fields of photography you are most interested in. The differences between photographer specialties are in the subject matter, work conditions and in the type of equipment used and required for design and composition of the photograph.

Photographer fields of study for you to consider:

Wedding and Portrait Photographers pose their subjects and carefully set up lighting and use flash units to enhance the images.

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  Fine arts photographers sell their images as fine artwork. In addition to technical proficiency, fine arts photographers need artistic talent and creativity.


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  Commercial Photographers shoot scenic photography for advertising, stock image and print sales. They also photograph products like food and merchandise or buildings and architecture.


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  News Photographers typically work on location at news-worthy events. They take pictures that enhance stories used by the news media.


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  Industrial Photographers shoot photos of machinery, employees working, equipment, products, and company officials. The images are typically done on location and used for the analysis of engineering projects, publicity, or company records.


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  Medical Photographers specialize in more technical forms of photography, such as Ophthalmic, Surgical or Pathological photography.


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  Freelance Photographers line up their own work and projects. Then they sell their photography directly to clients. They must be highly motivated to become successful.

Which field should you pursue? Ask yourself, why do I want to be a professional photographer, for the love or the money? Most of us do it for the love of photography. If you do it for the love of photography, consider combining your passion for photography with other interests like chemistry, medicine, news, special events etc. Important things to consider when choosing a specialized area of photography:

• Working Conditions- If you want to work indoors in an air conditioned office or outdoors in the elements and on the move.
  


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  Salary Range- The compensation you can expect from each field of photography varies greatly. Research pay ranges before you select your field of study.
  


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  Educational Requirements- In some fields of photography like portrait and fine art, talent and experience are enough for motivated individuals. However additional education in areas such as engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry are required for other fields.


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  Advancement Opportunities- Opportunities for advancement at a small photography studio are limited. Photographers in other industries such as media, medical and scientific photography can find room for moving up.

Careers in traditional photography like the media positions are highly competitive, since salaried jobs are extremely desirable. Some of the less crowded fields in the photography profession are the aerial, industrial and scientific fields of photography. In addition to photography skills, these jobs require college degrees and specialized technical training. When you carefully consider all of the factors, I'm confident you will choose the right career path.

The Best Method Of Drop Shipping Digital Cameras

Drop shipping digital cameras is one of the basic ways of transacting on the web with an expectation of making easy returns. This is because of the premise that one can convert the perennial demand of photography and video electronics that have continued to inform the e-commerce sector into a prosperous business. However, there are certain basic ways in which to maximize this allowance in order to gain full access to these subsidized commodities. There are two methods, one of these being on a universal portal that acts as a virtual marketplace or within the order page of a recognized site.

When looking for the best method in this transaction, whether at a universal commercial site or owner's website, it is important to search for fair dropshhippers for digital cameras. These are usually manufacturers who not only offer subsidized supplies but also undertake the mandate of distributing them to consumers. This means that the transportation expense is shelved, with the owner only concentrating on making returns while looking for new merchandise. This works best for those who operate from their own order pages because they can display several electronics at the same time without suffering any surcharges that come with commercial sites.

When strategizing on how to drop ship digital cameras, it is essential to skim the web for subsidized buying prices that can aid in bringing better returns once the commodity is being resold. This calls for reliance on a number of supplying outlets that act as a commercial ensemble for rates comparison. Usually, the competitive edge in this market always offers a two-way pricing margin thus making it possible to fall on a lucky purchase that can be converted for end customers at a higher price.

Finally, the best method of carrying out this trade is also handsomely rewarded if a suitable drop shipping strategy is evolved. There are several options. One of these is to transact the commodities even before they leave the premises of the manufacturer, because the latter will only receive a notification on who purchased the electronic beforehand before sending it to them. This method is best suited to the one who operates their personal sites because in case of any misunderstanding, they can be easily traced by the manufacturer and client alike. Secondly, one can opt to avail the goods prior to advertising them, preferably at a commercial portal, with the part of distribution being reserved for the wholesaler from whom the electronics emanated.

The Myth About Model Release Required

As an editorial photographer, in most cases you do not need a model release. "Photographer's Market," almost every listing says, "Model release required."
Can you submit photos without a release even if they say it is required? Would the photos still be considered for print? -William Schledd

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A: William, your question is very legitimate, and very familiar. The rule of thumb is that editorial usage (book and magazine illustration) does not require a model release; but advertising, promotion, endorsement usage always require a model release. It's understandable why there is confusion, when in spite of this, so many editorial photo editors in the Photographer's Market directory say that they need a model release.

First, it helps to understand it from the photo editor's point of view.
(Photographer's Market is published by Writer's Digest, the same company that publishes my two books, "Sell and ReSell Your Photos," and "sellphotos.com.")

Any photo editor signing up to be listed in the Photographer's Market directory feels they're well-advised to check 'yes' in the query square that asks, "Do you require model releases?"
Why?
There are two main reasons for this.

1.) Photo editors do not like to receive an avalanche of amateur photos. By checking the Photographer's Market 'model release' square with "Yes," they figure this can be a preventative measure for them. Their time is valuable.

It can eliminate much time-consuming and expensive work reviewing tons of scanned images and CD's and processing and returning inappropriate submissions from window-shopping amateurs. And the editors have a legitimate case. Most amateurs are not familiar with their First Amendment rights and the fact that model releases are NOT required for editorial use. Photo editors, by stating that they require a release, are in effect eliminating extra work. The pro stock photographers know what's what, concerning editorial usage. They ignore the reference to model releases and submit their photos, with or without model releases.

2.) Photo editors like their jobs. They choose to work with familiar and well-established stock photo professionals. But they're also always on the lookout for fresh new faces, with fresh material, from photographers who have educated themselves on what photo editors need and expect.

Photo editors who advertise in Photographer's Market can eliminate any legal hassle (imagined or otherwise) that might place their job in jeopardy, by checking the "Model Release" square to "cover" themselves.

Here's a secret, William. You'll find that photo editors at editorial markets will welcome any non-released photo that matches their current need (when they are going to use it for editorial purposes).

Since photo editors at most publishing houses rarely deal with advertising or other endorsement-type assignments, it's rare that they ever need a model release. If they do ask for a release, it's usually because they are working on a project of a particularly sensitive nature, such as drug abuse, mental retardation, sex education, etc. In those cases, it would be appropriate to ask for a model or property release.

You can test this "Model Release question" out by sending non-released images to a photo editor who declares in Photographer's Market that model releases are required. Of course, the photos must be top-quality images, and the content must match the photo editor's specific needs.

If a photo editor balks and does ask for model releases, even though it's for editorial usage-- indicates the editor is a newcomer or inexperienced. Cross him/her off your Market List. There are some photo editors, too, who are not aware of their First Amendment rights. However, there are more than enough professional photo editors whom you can deal with who are aware of their legal rights -- and have legal counsel to protect them (and you) if a model release question should ever come up.

Publishers fiercely protect their First Amendment rights. A policy of actually requiring model releases for publication could reduce the flow of quality photos coming into their publishing houses, which would greatly reduce their output, and might even put them out of business.

We deal with dozens of photo editors daily here at PhotoSource International, from small regional magazines to national book publishers. Rarely do they ever ask for a model release. If one does, it throws up a red flag to us as an indication that the photo editor is new to the field of publishing and might not know, not only their rights, but your rights as well. We avoid publishing photo requests from such an editor.

Learning your rights is one of the benefits of following the messages in the Kracker Barrel. I've met competent photographers who were unaware of their rights regards model releases and other legal issues, and consequently took years before they got squared away and took the step to begin publishing their photography. If you and others reading this message have, up to this point, because of confusion, essentially relinquished your First Amendment rights, I hope I've helped you to regain them. - Rohn Engh
(Photographer's Market, F & W Publicatations, 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati OH 45236. Phone: 1 800 289-0963.)

Work At Home - Turn Your Hobby Into A Home Business

When you want to start your own home based business, it can be hard to decide what sort of business would suit you. If you have never had a business of your own before, how can you tell what you might succeed at? It can be easier if you start by considering your existing skills and interests. Could you turn your hobby into a business? Here are ten popular possibilities.

Cookery

If you can reliably produce delicious cakes and pastries, you could start a baking business with very little initial outlay. You probably already own all the basic tools. If your talent runs to making jams or pickles or bottling fruit, you will find your wares very popular at farmers' markets and fetes. If you live in the vicinity of offices or factories, a sandwich service offers a simple way to make money. The key to success with this business is being reliable; people will become regular customers if they know you will always be there to provide lunch whatever the weather.

Interior Decorating/Design

If you are good at painting and decorating, you can earn good money with your skills. This might not be practical if you are caring for young children, but if you have a flair for home decorating, perhaps you could offer an interior design service. A variation on this idea is offering a garden design service.

Gardening

If you enjoy gardening, you could raise seeds and cuttings and offer them for sale. Growing small plants does not need much space. If you have plenty of ground space, you could also grow some vegetables for sale. You could also produce seasonal gifts such as spring bulb arrangements for Mothering Sunday and Christmas table centrepieces.

Crafts

If you enjoy craftwork, creating gift baskets for special occasions can be very satisfying. Gift baskets are highly popular and can be made to suit just about any occasion. Candle making is another popular source of home based income. The modern environmentally friendly soy based candles are ideal for manufacturing at home. They don't have any smelly messy ingredients and it is easy to produce lovely scented candles that can be sold online or at craft fairs, fetes and markets.

Sewing

If you are handy with needle and thread, there are all sorts of possibilities. For example, you could make wedding dresses, offer a garment alteration service, make soft furnishings to order and produce soft toys.

Photography

If you enjoy photography, your hobby can easily be turned into a lucrative home based business. Photographic equipment is no longer horribly expensive and this is a business that does not take up masses of space or create a mess in your home. Wedding photography in particular offers a very satisfying career.

Antiques and Collectibles

If you know something about antiques and collectibles or are interested and prepared to learn, the buying and selling of these items can be a great source of fun and profit. Car boot sales and antiques fairs are good places to find saleable items at reasonable prices and to sell your own finds. You can also sell things through online auctions such as eBay.

eBay

Buying and selling items on eBay auctions is very popular and people can make a lot of money with comparatively little effort. People often start by selling a few unwanted items they happened to have at home and then finding themselves hooked on the experience. It has been said that you can sell anything on eBay and I honestly think that people really will buy anything they see there if the price is right!

Surveys and Competitions

Do you ever complete surveys in return for a free pen and a place in a prize draw? Do you ever fill in a missing word and send a prize draw coupon off to a breakfast cereal company? These are a couple of examples of fun and free ways to make a profit in the form of cash or goods. You might be surprised to learn that there are people who make a full time living just from entering competitions. Taking paid online surveys is one of the easiest and most popular ways of earning money on the Internet.

Child Care.

Ok, I admit I fudged this one a bit: looking after children is considerably more than a hobby. The desire to keep their children out of day care is the main reason people give for wanting to work at home, so I wanted to include this option. If you are at home looking after children anyway, why not add a few more? Places in good day care facilities are always in demand and it is no more difficult to look after four children than one or two. If you cater for guests in the same age group as your own children, they will play together and entertain each other. All you need to provide is a safe environment and a few extra toys.

Don't be put off the idea of having your own business by thinking your skills are only at amateur level. Private tuition (including online courses) is available for most subjects and many local colleges offer very cheap evening or summer courses. For a very small outlay, you can easily develop your level of expertise sufficiently to be able to offer a professional service. The important thing is to be doing something you enjoy.

Copyright 2006 Elaine Currie

Christian Posters and Prints Can Help Change the Atmosphere!

Change the atmosphere into something positive! Christian posters are and can be a simple reminder to our sons and daughters when they are faced with hard decisions to help make the right choices. Their making a wise decision because of the daily reminders is well worth the small investment of a Christian poster or print especially when you can not be there to advise or give them direction. Since most dorm room walls are bare and are in need of some color, creating a warm, positive and friendly atmosphere can be achieved with Christian art and prints.

Freshman in college often need a visual reminder that you care. In addition to classes, a beginning student is often faced with building a new communal network and staying grounded during the change. Seeing something from home or a Christian poster or print purchased especially for them will help keep them get through and be true to their core principles.

Christian art can also be a great starter for a conversation for those that need answers to help fight unnecessary peer pressure in their new environment. Christian art can communicate priorities in ones life, and let others know where you stand in your walk with the Lord. When it seems easier to give up, Christian art can offer support to keep going. Taking a few minutes to reflect on the picture and what it stands for can give them the power to stand in their conviction and values.

Everyone can connect with Christian posters and prints. Although we go through trials and tribulations we can always trust in God to "walk by faith" and not by sight. They are a must in everyone's dorm room, home, or office. They uplift and motivate us to stand strong in our faith. Bless someone you love with an inspiring Christian poster or print today and show them how much you care!

School Fundraising - Saving Art, Music and Sports Programs

Educational budgets are one of the first things to be cut in difficult economic times. Many schools are facing budget deficits and shortfalls. Schools are finding that they must cut art, music and sports programs in order to save money. School fundraisers can help schools to have the money that they need.

Invest in Education

Art, sports and music programs are an essential part of the educational process. Cutting these programs out of your school puts students at a disadvantage. Making an investment in the educational process by keeping these programs is making an investment in the future. School fundraising earnings can be used to pay for these important programs to ensure that your school can continue to provide a high quality education to your students even with a tight budget.

Art Programs

Art programs inspire creativity in students. They teach students to see the world and to display it creatively. Art programs also teach students valuable skills that can be used in many areas of life. For example, a student that learns to draw can use these skills in careers like fashion design, computer graphics, web design, art interior design and more. Art enhances life and receiving an education that includes art classes will greatly benefit your students.

With the money that you earn from school fundraising you can keep art classes available for your students. Fundraising earnings can also be used to purchase art supplies and equipment or to pay for after school and summer art courses. Courses in photography, ceramics, painting, drawing and computer generated art are popular choices with both schools and students.

Sporting Programs

Sports programs can be expensive. Schools must pay for coaches, sporting equipment, uniforms and transportation to and from sporting events. Fundraising is a great way to ensure that your school budget has enough money to afford sports programs. The money earned can be used to add new sports to your school's sporting schedule or can be used to fund the programs already in place.

Many schools let the sporting program participants actively fundraise to earn the money for their specific program. Candy bar fundraisers work great for this. Students that want to participate in the sport can carry around bags of candy and sell them to their friends, family and classmates. This is a profitable way to let students play an active role in earning the money for their sport.

Music Programs

Music is another area that often lacks funding in tight school budgets. Use school fundraising to purchase musical instruments and to pay for musical instruction. Music programs are important. Students with a knowledge of musical principles do better in school. Music programs can be more than just offering traditional band and orchestra classes. Your school may also decide to start up a choir or to teach private music lessons after school. Music appreciation classes, music history courses and field trips to musical presentations are other great uses for school fundraising earnings.

School budgets are tight right now and school fundraising offers the perfect solution. With a few well planned fundraisers your school can continue to offer art, sports and music to its students. This will enhance their educational experience and will ensure that each student receives a well-rounded education.

Online Landscape Architecture Training Schools

Public spaces from college campuses to historic sites are created and designed by trained professionals. The ability to take a predetermined size of land and think of a layout is a skill set that individuals go to college to obtain. With the continued increase in technology students now have the capability of earning an online education in landscape architecture. There are a number of things to know prior to enrollment in a higher education program.

1. Landscape architects utilize a vast range of knowledge that they incorporate into their designs. The goal is to design spaces in esthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly ways to create a functional public space. The use of architecture principles, design techniques, construction procedures, and engineering concepts are integrated into how professionals develop and implement their designs. This creative career is available to students through a number of online colleges. Many professionals use their abilities to create a piece of artwork with the land while remaining conscious that what they put on the land effects the environment. Because of the overall process that goes into creating landscape online studies focus on art, science, design, and technology. Students have several opportunities available to them through online landscape architecture schools.

2. Students have the chance to gain education at the bachelor's degree and master's degree levels. These two programs are the most common online programs. Each level of education stresses different responsibilities students will have when they enter the profession. A bachelor's degree program gives students the knowledge required to enter the field and become landscape designers, project managers, and more. A master's degree program online teaches students how to handle advance responsibilities by expanding their understanding of industry subjects. Many firms and employers may require students to have this level of degree before being hired.

3. In order to learn how to create spaces that are either public or private students should consider starting their education with a bachelor's degree. Education generally lasts four years, which is enough time for students to gain the necessary knowledge to enter the field. Students learn how to design projects using different disciplines along with computer aided design software. This software is known as CAD, which is a software program that allows students to create technical drawings accurately. Ecology, graphic design, plant selection, and horticulture are a few courses that make up the overall study of landscape architecture. Online schools are specifically geared towards helping students become highly proficient in landscape architecture.

4. Online schools require three years of study at the master's degree level. Coursework contains advanced courses and information on watershed management, environmental law, infrastructure, and more. Students that enter a master's degree almost immediately transfer into management positions at their current place of work or future job. Learning the skills for this industry from an online school is a great way to enter the field prepared.

Students can enter this field through their own homes by picking an accredited online school and program. Accreditation is proof of a quality education. The National Architectural Accrediting Board (http://www.naab.org) is just one of a number of agencies that can provide full accreditation to qualifying programs. Work to build pieces of art in public areas by choosing a program now.

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.

Helpful Tips on How to Get the Best Family Portrait Taken by a Professional

Hiring a family photographer is an important step in wanting to have beautiful, professional photos taken of your family by a qualified photographer. People spend quite a bit of time researching who they would like to have as a baby photographer since it is something they want to proudly display in their homes as well as quite an investment financially too. The one thing that a lot of parents don't think about are how a photo session can go horribly and your kids can either misbehave or have a meltdown and what to do to avoid these common occurrences.

When having a baby or even a newborn photographed, it is important to schedule the appointment around when they baby is at their best each day. This means, it should be just following a good nap and a recent feeding. A tired and hungry baby is not one that will want to be photographed and you may be disappointed in the outcome of the pictures if you skip a nap or try to squeeze a picture session in before their mealtime. Also, with babies, it is important to bring several changes of clothes as they tend to spit up or have messes and never dress them up in a fancy outfit before you get to the studio. Wait until the last second to put it on.

The toddler age group is probably the hardest to take a photo of because their attention span is short, they have a lot of energy and do not like to be still for more than a couple of minutes and they have entered the stubborn phase of trying to be more independent. Because of these factors, it may be a good idea to schedule a location that is fun and exciting to the toddler and allows them to run around a bit. An outdoor park or even a playground is a good idea to capture great candid shots of toddlers while they are having fun playing.

A lot of families like to have a portrait done of the entire family at some point over the years. As many filmmakers can attest, the hardest subjects to work with are children and animals and many times both of these are included in family photo session. Even with older kids, it is important that the time in which the picture taking takes place is a good one, not too early in the morning for teenagers and not too late in the day for active school age children. If you have a dog that you wish to be in the picture, be sure to take it on a good long walk or run right before the session so they are less active and will be a better listener.

Because you are spending a lot of money for a sitting fee and then photographs, you want your family to look their best and to be captured the way you see them as well. If you follow some of these tips, hopefully it will result in a great final product.

Online Education Degrees - The Best Way To Earn Your College Degrees

Having an online degree is an approach of achieving a degree for those individuals who have busy schedules. We all know that once a person achieves a degree, a lot of opportunities are open for him or her. Each of us would like to be so but because of our schedules or the distance to travel to universities have hindered us from getting a degree. Though, giving up does not have to be your only option because with an online education degrees, it is easy to acquire a degree.

Depending on the degree you choose and the institution you would like to you get it from, employers will be more than happy to hire you. By getting degrees online, individuals can go to school from the comfort of their home, on their own schedule, for less money than similar institutions.

Most of us want to advance our education or search for further knowledge by earning a masters degree. By reason of lifestyle changes and unstable economy, it makes it more difficult to pursue higher education especially to those individuals who already have their own families. Aside from this, enrolling in an Ivy League University, regular universities and colleges requires your time which is not possible especially if you have a regular job.

If you plan to have online education degrees, the first thing that you have to make sure is if the online school is accredited to provide education. You can verify the list of accredited school online or you may contact the Department that handles accreditation locally. This will help you ensure that the school is not bogus since there are some instances that they claim they are accredited though they are not. It is safe to settle with the known schools.

Though most of these degrees can be earned in a short period of time compared to those that can be earned in a traditional school setting, there are courses and subjects that would require twice the amount of time or is equivalent to the associate degree program.

Most students who choose to enroll or get an online education degrees do so because they are also provided with the same level of education and training that is provided in a traditional school setting, only this time it is done in the comforts of their own home. When students study in a condition that is good for them, it is probable that they are highly motivated.

Online education degrees are reasonably satisfying. Case in point, you are able to work and at the same time pursue your degree. You do not have to suffer financial issues. No need to commute from your house to the university and buying food at the cafeteria, are also eliminated. These reasons prove that the studies conducted show that many people are opting to study for their degrees online.

Now that there are a lot of degrees available online, you do not even have to leave your chosen career. Most employees who are able to improve their education by getting an online degree usually get more salary. Employers usually recognize having a Bachelors degree to make sure that their employees are highly competent.

Digital Photography Made Easy - Learn How to Shoot Like a Pro

Are you excited about being able to take high impact, professional looking photos of the things you love with your digital camera? Would you like to have them turn out with perfect clarity and superb detail and depth? You can do this every single time, as if a professional photographer has taken them. It is easier than you may think.

There are some great photography lessons and instructions available today that can have you shooting like a professional in no time. You can go from getting average digital photos to professional looking photographs in as little time as a week or two. And you do not need expensive digital photography courses to start creating professional looking photographs that are good enough to exhibit, or even sell. You can take beautiful, color saturated, sharp photographs with just a 5 mega pixel camera.

You do not need all the flashy, expensive equipment to do it. I want to make one thing perfectly clear. You do not need a digital camera with a ton of mega pixels to take beautifully clear photographs. In fact, you can get very high quality images with inexpensive cameras if you know how to use them properly. There is a very good, inexpensive course online that can really help you learn to take great photographs fast. These digital photography lessons will give you all the information you will need, to start taking professional quality photographs. In fact this course will save you years if you are just learning through trial and error.

Let me explain one very important thing too, you can go from taking less than satisfying photos to taking superb, outstanding photos, with sharp clarity and perfect definition if you know just a few simple tricks, about photo enhancement and retouching. Photo-shop is not that hard to learn, with the new video lessons that show you, easy ways to improve your digital images. There are very good programs that will teach you, all about the tricks the pros use, to turn their ordinary photographs into works of art.

Now if you want to get on the fast track to improving your digital photography, I highly recommend you seriously consider investing in one or both of these fantastic digital photography lessons. They are very inexpensive. They will save you a lot of frustration, and will get you totally excited about the possibilities that are available to you, when you master digital photography.

Images of Asia Travel Photography

Just as Chinese painters of many centuries ago focused their art on the natural world, so do modern photographers capture the varied images of the Asian landscape. Photographic images of Asia reveal the photographer's response to the varied cultures and environments of the orient.

According to an ancient Confucian text, "Nature is vast, deep, high intelligent, infinite and eternal." The Asian landscape is uniquely beautiful, but it is more than that. Its vastness is a reflection of eternity, and its balance is a measure of the order of the universe.

The interaction of mountains and water is at the heart of Chinese landscape; one element does not exist without each other. Asian travel photography reveals the constant interplay of the flow of water and the solid mass of mountain rock, feeding the plants and animals that rely on this eternal relationship.

Travel photography in the Orient depicts not only the natural environment, but also the built environment and the people who inhabit it. Steep mountain paths winding from the hills greet the photographer willing to venture off the beaten path. Elaborate villas exist in remote mountain villages. Women still work in kitchens and serve meals, while children ride astride water buffalo. A teacher instructs a child while the father sits nearby. Travelers start their journey on the twisted mountain paths.

The architecture of Asia is instrumental to the built environment. The ardent adventure photographer may very well find two-court structures in remote areas. These classic buildings have a public front gate and kitchen at one end and a private family court in a separate wing. The photographer is likely to find such a building, with its sharp lines, integrated into the landscape of rugged rock and earth.

The Great Wall of China may be the most magnificent example of man's influence over the natural environment. This ancient structure fits into the landscape as if it were always there.

But the photographer of images of Asian need not be confined to scenes from the past. Images of the twenty-first century China, for example, show the newly wealthy nation moving at rapid speed into the modern era. Automobiles replace the traditional bicycles and create traffic jams and pollution. Buildings designed by the most esteemed contemporary architects in the world replace small courtyard homes in cities, and rise high into the sky. The cultural environment encompasses massive sculptures of the past along with modern technology. The photographer in a garden in the city may spot an old man carefully writing Chinese characters on the sidewalk with just a wet brush as a teenager talks excitedly on a cell phone.

The Orient today is a land of harmonies and contrasts. A photographer with a quick and sensitive eye can capture the complex images of Asia, with its tributes to ancient times and its excitement over the future. Fine Asian travel photography gives viewers a window into this enormous and diverse continent, a region of the world most people will never see on their own.

Why Study at Washington Interior Design Schools?

Making the choice to study at Washington Interior Design schools could possibly be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Whilst the design schools in Washington offer all levels of student an excellent educations, it does beg the question; how will you find the Interior Design Program that suits your individual needs?

Students attending any kind of design school will feel that their overall experience was extremely beneficial. Being offered a structured way of learning and being able to learn in a forward thinking environment is definitely what an interior design student needs. Whilst the schools are labeled as interior design schools, they do offer a range of other courses and class. Interior Design Schools have been known to offer photography classes, graphic design courses as they usually have art colleges attached to them.

Whilst there are plenty of interior design schools to choose from in the Washington area, there are two schools that immediately stand out from the crowd. The two schools are the International Academy of Design & Technology and the The Art Institute of Seattle.

The International Academy of Design & Technology is obviously a great choice. This interior design school was initially aimed at individuals looking for a career change, but its success has meant that people travel from all over the world to study here. The classes at the International Academy of Design & Technology are orientated in an industry specific way, meaning that upon completion of a course, such as a photography program, the job prospects will be never ending!

The International Academy of Design & Technology tries to focus on helping students to excel in their chosen field, so teachers are continuously adopting creative methods of teaching. The adaptation that the teachers allow means that the educational development of the School and students as a whole is constantly improving.

The International Academy of Design & Technology is a stepping stone for many students. Students may attend confused and unskilled, but by the time they leave they are always skilled and able to find high paid work in their chosen field.

Maybe its because of the diversity in the courses? Maybe its because the teachers at the International Academy of Design & Technology are extremely efficient?

The courses available include fashion design programs, interior design courses, visual communication and so much more!
In essence, the The Art Institute of Seattle offers the same mission statement as the International Academy of Design & Technology. They both ensure that student satisfaction and teaching quality is the first priority and are consistently updating their courses, programs and of course, their teaching methods.

The Art Institute of Seattle also offers a huge range of courses. This interior design school offers an exceptional start to an education in almost any creative profession and there are always staff on hand to help with any student based concerns.

Both The Art Institute of Seattle and The International Academy of Design & Technology offer great student services. Each school has its own brochure and open days are always readily available. It is advisable that potential students visit an open day and it will soon become apparent which school will take you on the right path.

A Yearbook Is Worth a Million Memories

Where did the Yearbook Come From?

A yearbook is a book that has a history many aren't aware of. These books were first created in the Middle Ages as a way to record legal decisions. Not all decisions were captured but the more important ones were and those decisions helped to mold the way modern societies handle certain legal issues.

Since a yearbook was used to record such important moments and issues, teachers and students decided to use them once more. Instead of being used for legal issues, they were used to record more personal memories. It was also a way to show all graduates that have attended that school. It also shows the growth of the schools at time progressed.

The earlier version of the yearbook was little more than a small bit of information about the graduates of the time and a small sketch of them. These books lead to more elaborate books. The next year book that was made was purely generated by students. These books included literature from students and calendars as well as other items submitted by their student body.

The earliest version of the modern picture yearbook didn't appear until the 1940s. Photography was used to capture images of the students and school activities. As times progressed and students had more things to impart in the yearbook, the book actually evolved. Students' wanting purchase yearbooks each year is a tradition that really began with the picture yearbook.

Why do People Want It

For many, having a record of their personal history and of the school's history was very important. So many relationships are formed during this time, many people share bonds. These are the relationships people remember after years have passed and having a yearbook helps to keep the memories sharp.

The best part about the yearbook is usually the messages that friends and staff members write. The messages are usually personal, a way to remember the writer and the relationship shared with the owner. These messages usually are the main way people remember happy moments and relationships they may no longer have with their classmates and teachers.

Keeping a yearbook is also almost always done. It is a way that people share memories with their descendants, a solid proof of certain experiences. Often times, it helps to clear foggy memories.

The yearbook was a book that was used to preserve legal decisions. It is something that was referred to and helped shape many legal traditions that are still followed today. Modern yearbooks are still used to preserve a small piece of history, personal history. Although the histories recorded are different in nature, the idea is still the same and just as important.

Freelance Photography: How to Begin Your Career

Photography is a vast world. There are many different types of photography and many different kinds of people that enjoy it. It's a hobby that be relatively inexpensive or one that you can invest a lot of money on. Photos are so special because they give us memories of times and places and events in our lives. We can hold onto these memories forever with a photograph.

As much as people love photos, many people love taking them even more. Whether it's a mother who takes photos at every of her children's moments in life (first smile, first step, first spaghetti meal) or maybe it's the father who never forgets his camera for a football or basketball game, or maybe it's the young girl who loves nature hikes with her camera; these people are not exceptions. They all have an eye for those special moments and they all appreciate the camera's ability to capture that moment and freeze it in time forever.

- What is Freelance Photography?

What if you love photography so much you wish you could do it for a living? I mean, you actually get paid for your photographs! But you work solely for yourself, selling each photo or series of photos individually. You don't have a boss. You work sometimes on assignment and you may sell to magazines. That is freelance photography.

Freelance photography may be your entire career or it may start out as something you do in your spare time but begin making money from it. It's just like freelance writing in this sense that many people turn it into a career and enjoy the freedom of working essentially for themselves on their own time and making money doing something they love doing anyway.

- How to Build a Portfolio

To start getting jobs as a freelance photographer, you need a portfolio. A portfolio will show samples of your work. Even if you have never had photographs published or publicly displayed, you can start a portfolio of your best work and then add onto it if you win photography contests or start receiving paid work.

- How to Get Jobs

As we mentioned, building a portfolio is the first step in submitting your work for pay but when it comes right down to it, it's the quality of the photo that will determine if you get paid for it. Some people have more of a natural talent for taking great pictures than others but it is a skill that anyone can learn. There are schools dedicated to the art of photography and you can even get a degree in it. If you are just getting started, you can look into classes provided by your local community center or community college. Some cities have photography groups that meet to share photos and tips. There are also many groups online dedicated to photography and freelance photography.

You need to view as many famous photographs as possible. Take a look at what is getting published and compare it to your own photos. This allows you to compare and learn from other's work. It takes more than just point and shoot to get a great photo. You need to learn about focus, lighting, colors and backgrounds and much more.

Once you start learning about photography and creating a portfolio, you can start submitting your photos to contests and magazines. Get a list of photography markets and start submitting to ones that accept your type of photos. Don't expect to make it to the big times right away. Few people actually achieve this but you can start small and eventually make your way into a nice living from freelance photography.

Online Broadcasting Career Education Opportunities

Completing education through broadcasting schools prepares students to write, produce, and direct content for communication. Many online colleges and universities provide students with degree programs to prepare for a career in broadcast communications.

The industry, a form of mass communications, teaches students how to utilize television and radio to disseminate information to a specific audience. Online educational opportunities can be taken advantage of at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree level. Undergraduate training specifically prepares students to step into careers as assistants, technicians, and broadcasters. Students will receive an overall understanding of the field through specific online courses that develop their speech, writing, and interpersonal communication. Online education at the master's degree level provides students with advanced knowledge in broadcasting.

The associate's degree level of education presents students with a broad look at the industry. Online education covers professional standards of television and radio to help students develop technical skills to work for broadcast stations. A radio concentration is a popular concentration at the associate's degree level. Online education centers on teaching students how to successfully work in radio broadcasting. Specific courses in this type of major include:

• Diction and Voice


• Radio Production

Students learn in these courses and more how to be an on-air personality, writer, and audio console operator. The skills learned can be applied directly to a career or further education at the bachelor's degree level.

Inside an online bachelor's degree program, student's focus on all formats used inside the industry. Formats like radio, television, and the Internet are studied to prepare students for a career. Stepping into this level of education gives students the best career possibilities when they enter the workplace. The relationship of media with society and how to connect with today's contemporary audience is studied as students learn the best broadcasting methods to use. Broadcasting courses may include:

• Editing


• New Media


• Announcing

Online education trains students to work as media managers, analysts, and broadcasters. Education is focused allowing students to have the skills needed to report, research, and present broadcast content to the masses. Bachelors degree programs give students the foundation needed to build a career or gain advanced knowledge at the graduate degree level.

Online master's degree programs are available for undergraduate students and seasoned professionals who need to learn the latest technological trends. The entire field is exposed as students learn about the field. Students study advertising, technology, marketing, and administration in regards to stepping into upper-level careers. Online courses may include:

• Government and the Media


• Journalism Research

The technical side of managing electronic dissemination for all career related media such as Internet news prepares students to work behind the camera. Understanding how to maintain a news station and its crew is learned for students that want to step into administration. Online education also properly prepares student to become on-air talent in radio and television.

Each educational opportunity is designed to help students transition into a career with the most knowledge possible. Students can begin training for a career by enrolling in an accredited online broadcasting college. This will help them receive the quality education they deserve. Agencies like the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training ( http://www.accet.org/ ) can fully accredit programs that offer the best training.

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.

Getting A Texas Education - A Foreigners Guide To The J-1 Visa Job

The name Texas comes from an American Indian name meaning friends. This meaning holds true for international students looking to complete their education in the U.S. In fact, there aren't many places where you can receive an education like the one you will get in the lone star state.

With some of the top rated schools in the country, such as the Texas A&M University which tops some of the Ivy League schools in academics, there really isn't a better place to get your start.

With a J-1 visa foreign students are enabled to live in the state of Texas and work to support themselves while they are here. If you're exploring your career options, and the school you will attend, Texas is a great place to look.

To get started a simple understanding of the J-1 visa is all that is required.

What is a J-1 Visa, And Who Qualifies For This Program?

The J-1 visa is a program that is designed to promote the sharing of education, and skills in art and science. The specific program that you need to look at for educational purposes is the J-1 exchange program.

With a J-1 exchange visa you will be able to attend schools within the U.S., work in designated areas within the country, and bring your family with you while you receive your education. The school you are applying to can help you get started with the application process.

What Are The Restrictions Of My J-1 Visa?

If you are considering getting your visa to attend a Texas college there are a few guidelines you need to follow once here. There are a few restrictions that come with living and working in the US while attending your degree program.

1. Insurance: While here you will be required to carry health insurance for yourself and any family members living with you. This ensures that you are protected should any health-related issues arise.

2. Work: Students and family members living in the US under the J-1 exchange program are able to work in specified areas. The job you choose must be either, for the school you are attending, or for a business that is associated with that school. Fortunately most schools have work programs for J-1 students, and finding employment should be easy.

3. When Your Program is Complete: After you finish your education you must return to your home country for a period of two years before you can apply for work in the US again.

All in the entire J-1 program is fairly easy to apply for and the guidelines are easy to follow. If you're considering furthering your education, it may be worth your time to check out a top-rated school in Texas.

A Short History of Sports Photography

The history of sports photography is tightly related to the trends of sport gaining popularity throughout human history. The technology of photography from the early 1800s onward leaped forward in bounds and aided an emerging media, sporting journalism.

The inspiration of athletics and sport in art can certainly be seen in the work of the ancient Greek masters of sculpture, however this type of expression was not as prevalent in modern sporting venues until the invention of wet-collodion and dry-plate photographic processes. These processes allowed for posed studio images on glass plates and tin-types, but were just not 'fast' enough for the 'stop-action' images we are used to seeing today.

As the 19th Century was coming to a close, in the 1880s scientific motion studies of athletes in action were produced in the United States and Germany, the technology was still not considered on the sporting field. This all changed with the advancement of photography and sports journals in the last part of the century. As the first sports journals began to appear around 1900, the public became more and more interested in the sports image, which often would include images of players on the tennis green, golfling or on the hunt for wild game.

In the history of sports photography the earliest of contributors were more concerned with the activities of the country elite, but by the end of World War I, readers of sporting journals were becoming interested in the professional athletes of American baseball and tennis. The majority of these early images were of prominent players in posed situations, giving te sense of action. Baseball players were posed with bat in hand at the plate, teams were lined up for group shots and so forth, however the 'action' shot was still not widely seen.

With the 1930s more and more images of athletes in action were appearing in magazines, assisted in their growth through camera systems allowing photographers shutter speeds up to 1/1000th of a second. This gave way to styles highlighting blurred subjects suggesting movement and 'stop-action' images of the athlete in activity. Photographers began adopting signature styles and the popularity of the genre began to grow rapidly as the public began to expect the excitement of seeing their favored athletes in 'action.'

In 1954, Sports Illustrated - the vaunted digest of sports and athletics - premiered and suddenly the position of being a sports photographer became even more engrained in the public eye. The magazine highlighted the exploits and professional and amateur athletes the world over, increasing the need for the art form and those who practiced it. By this point, technology had more or less caught up with demand, with the advent of small, compact single lens reflex (SLR) cameras and the fast shutter speeds offered in the models. The history of sports photography is strongly tied to lens technology, as well, had advanced to offer the photographer a wide choice of methods to compress perspective and using depth of field for dramatic effect.

The Widest Array of Different Genres of Photography - All Under One Roof

Photography has come a long way since the ages of pin-hole cameras or pocket brownies. In earlier times, photographers were encumbered with the task of processing film. This was associated with limited frames and time delays. Digitisation revolutionised modern living. Changes impacted ordinary people, who started snapping everything with their new digital cameras, and contemporary professional photographers who now had an entirely new work-flow.

With the arrival of digital photography came the propensity for professionals to specialize in areas including fashion photography, nature photography, sports photography, still life photography, food photography, forensic photography, wedding photography, war photography, and paparazzi. No longer were there simple photographers; now there were stock photographers, product photographers, fashion photographers, corporate photographers, profile photographers and advertising photographers.

If you are looking for Corporate Photographer Brisbane, Advertising Photographer Brisbane, Commercial Photographer Brisbane, then I would suggest going online and searching for them. I did some research and came out with lime.net.au. It's a pretty interesting and helpful site. The extensive range of professional corporate and advertising pictures is really impressive. Their client list covers the big Queensland names including Suncorp, Virgin Blue, Xstrata, Queensland Gas Corporation, Ray White, and LouenHide. They also seem to service a lot of Queensland Government Departments. Typically they shoot a lot of executive profile shots in various cool locations around Brisbane, studio portraits, advertising images covering key messages and product shots. As a photography enthusiast, what I really liked was their awesome use of lighting. Clearly these shots would give clients a marketing edge whether it be for print or online media.

Digital photography is of interest to everyone from the hobbyist to the PR consultant to the advertising executive. Great equipment, Photoshop and the capacity to take lots of pictures does not remove the need for experience, skill and creative talent. A quick look at sites like http://www.lime.net.au shows you just what the professionals can do and why we still need them.

Digital Infrared Photography Pictures Made Easy

Digital infrared photography is a fairly basic photographic technique that yields amazing pictures. There is a spectrum of light that can't be seen with the human eye, but can be seen and captured through the lens of your digital camera.

Images captured with this technique have a surreal dreamy look. A picture of a green leafy tree against a bright blue sky taken with digital infrared photography becomes a picture of a brilliant white tree against a dark foreboding backdrop of sky.

This happens because visible light is ignored and only infrared light (light from the spectrum we can't see with the naked eye) is captured. The resulting compositions are stunning. However, the technique is not difficult.

Digital Infrared Photography Equipment

Infrared pictures can be really unique. Here is a resource to learn more about the technique and see samples of what can be done with infrared photography.
A digital photography course is a great way to learn this technique. There are even free digital photo classes offered online [http://www.mydigitalphotoclasses.com/digital-photo-classes.html].

Modern digital cameras differ in their ability to capture infrared light. To test your camera's infrared capabilities, point your television remote control at your digital cameras lens from 6 inches away and press a button on the remote. If you see a light in your camera's LCD coming from your remote, you're in luck. Your camera is capable of digital infrared photography. If you saw no light being emitted from the remote, your camera probably has an internal infrared filter installed by the manufacturer to preserve the camera's ability to focus on images in the normal light spectrum.

Now that you've tested your camera, you need only two additional pieces of equipment: a filter and a tripod. The purpose of the filter is to "filter" out visible light and only let infrared light through. Filters are fairly inexpensive (approximately $20). The Hoya R72 filter is one of the more popular filters and can be obtained from your local camera store. If your camera has a thread adapter (most digital cameras do not), you'll also need to purchase an adapter. If your camera doesn't have a thread adapter, you'll have to get creative to attach the filter. With gelatin filters, it's as simple as cutting the filter to size and taping it to your lens. Your local photography store should be able to help here, also. While you're at the camera store, pickup a tripod also. These are needed due to the increased aperture and decreased shutter speed required for infrared photography.

Shooting Techniques

Once you've got your camera outfitted with an infrared filter, you're ready to go out and shoot. Landscapes with green leafy foliage and a bright sky make the best subjects when starting out. Portraits of people in sunlight also make interesting compositions. Every camera is different so you'll want to experiment with various settings and their effect. Some cameras are capable of taking good digital infrared photography in "automatic" mode, so try that first. However, if "automatic" mode doesn't yield good results, the following is a list of manual settings to use as a starting point:

• Flash Off


• Black & White Mode On


• Film Speed: ISO 400 (or the highest available)


• Shutter Speed: 1/15 of a second (slower is better)

Digital infrared photography opens up a whole new world to photographers. With just a few relatively cheap pieces of equipment, you can create stunning compositions from the world of the invisible light spectrum. This article just scratches the surface of what you can do with digital infrared photography. There is so much more that can be done within this area of photography and there is a whole array of other basic photography techniques that yield amazing results. The best way to learn how to take full advantage of your digital camera or expand your photographic skills is by taking a digital photo class. They are a lot of fun and with just a little instruction you can learn how to take amazing pictures.

The Three Biggest Drawing Mistakes Made By Beginners

Typically, when you first begin drawing (or anything else for that matter), you will make plenty of mistakes. Remember that occasional mistakes are normal, as they represent a step in your learning to master a craft. Because drawing can be a difficult craft to master, expect to make plenty of mistakes yet still try to avoid making them. The best way to avoid mistakes is to first know what mistakes you are prone to making. When you just begin learning a skill, you are not likely to know enough about what is ahead of you to foresee potential mistakes, so it's nice to have a guide to help you. These are the top three most common mistakes made by beginners when drawing, and advice on how to prevent yourself from making them.

The most common mistake when drawing is using a pencil that is too hard. The standard pencil used in traditional schools is the number 2 pencil. This pencil, while excellent for typical writing, has lead that is too hard. When the lead is too hard, the resulting drawing will be very light. Using a softer pencil will give you the dark lines to very light and soft lines (since more or less lead is left behind on the paper). An important point with your pencils: always keep them sharp, very sharp. You will find you'll get a much cleaner line with a sharp point. Popular pencils recommended for drawing are B/2B/4B pencils.

Another all too common mistake drawing beginners make is using flash photography as their model. Photographs are two-dimensional, making it hard for an artist to get enough detail for a proper drawing. It is recommended you use the real model (whether it be a person, place, or object) whenever possible. This will allow you visual access to all the details, depth, colors, and shades to truly make your drawing as realistic as possible.

Finally, many drawing beginners make the mistake of using traditional copy or printing paper for their work. Some of these papers are made with a very smooth texture (especially business-quality letter or photocopy stuff) that is very hard for pencil lead to properly rub off on.

Sketching paper is a better foundation for most pencil drawings with a slight tooth as it's called. Also, when drawing in a notebook you may not be able to apply enough pressure with your pencil due to the stack of sheets underneath being compressed when you put your hand on the top page. So a notebook is out and a quality sketchbook is in. It is recommended that you purchase a ring bound sketchbook about 9 x 12 inches.

How To Repair Over Exposed Flower Photos Using Lightroom

Flower photography is one of the most stunning aspects to photography. Not only are flowers abundant, but they are the personification of beauty. It's painless to capture a stunning flower photo, although every now and then we come across a predicament.

In order to capture delightful flower photos we first have got to be able to have a target in mind. This means we must know what the outcome might look like. In other words we must have an idea in our minds eye about kind of photo we want to create. A cool way to do that is to have a checklist.

On your checklist ought to be methods that assist to create beautifully clear flower photos. At the top of your list should be what light to shoot in. (More on this in a jiffy). Also, it is a good idea to have a sturdy tripod so your camera is kept as motionless as possible. The tripod permits for sharp photos. Thirdly, shoot RAW rather than Jpeg. When you shoot in RAW you produce the finest quality in your shooting and the photograph will stay in good quality for a lot of years.

Photography is all about getting the right lighting for your flower photo, and given that your flowers are outside, you need to read the lighting carefully. If you shoot in brilliant sun you can possibly overexpose the photo. Alternatively you can retain too much shadow within your shot. Both of these aspects can absolutely ruin your flower photo.

Once in a while we capture a flower that is resting right in bright sunlight. We may not possess control over the lighting or the flowers position. (Taking pictures in the botanical gardens is an illustration.) If your flower is a cream colour, light yellow or soft pink, then too much bright light can overexpose several or every single one of the flowers petals. When we have too much luminosity on our flowers, the flower loses finer details as a result of this saturation.

What can be done about this? Go into Lightroom. Lightroom is owned by Adobe who also created Photoshop. Lightroom is an alternative photo editing program. I find it the greatest photo editing program I have ever come across. You can trial it free for thirty days at Adobes website.

Lightroom has a panel made of various controls. These controls are in the shape of sliders you can move from either side- left to right.. Each of these sliders controls various elements of light. The "Highlights" slider increases or lessens the amount of stark, bright light in your photo. "Exposure" controls the amount of bright and darkness the photo has (literally controls the exposure of the image). "Whites" is a control that alters how illuminant your white areas are in the photo.

In the case of an flower that has too much exposure, we want to examine these three various controls. If you want to reduce any of these elements of the photo all you have to do is reposition the slider toward the left. Your flower photo will look less stark and have a lesser amount of harsh, intense brightness light within it.

How about increase in the sharpening in your flower photo? Lightroom has a little panel known as "Detail". Once you open this small panel you will then see 4 sliders that manipulate sharpening of the photo:

1. Amount

2. Radius

3. Detail

4. Masking

All these four sliders manipulate how sharp your flower photo is. The effective way is to reposition the sliders to the right hand side until you see the image has increased in sharpness to an acceptable amount. "Amount" means how much sharpening you increase as a result of moving the slider. "Radius" relates to how big the area of sharpening is. "Detail" refers to how much detail you want the increase in the sharpening to have. "Masking" merely removes sharpening over the regions that doesn't really need as much sharpening. Areas of deep black and deep navy blue would be an example.

Would you be interested to see how I have done this myself in Lightroom? Now you can I have done a video that you can observe at Digital Photography Secrets that teaches how to complete this process from start to finish.

In order to take begin photographing take lovely flower photos it is ideal to photograph in gentle light (from an overcast day), and employ a sturdy tripod to keep the camera immobile. Even if you make use of the auto setting on your camera, it doesn't matter too much. The significant thing is that good lighting will give you the most excellent results.

Digital Photography Schools - 3 Things to Consider When Signing Up With a School

Digital photography can be an interesting hobby. You may decide to pursue your interest further by enrolling in a school to learn more about digital photography. Here are 3 factors to consider before enrolling in a school.

1) Quality of lessons. - Visit photography forums to check out the quality of the lessons. How are the lessons structured? What about the materials? Is there a balance between theory and practical lessons? Go through the course contents and find out if the school offers the skills you are looking to pick up. Too much theory and you won't be able to master the advanced techniques. Too much practical and you won't be able to understand the principles behind each technique. So make sure there is a right mix of both theory and practical lessons.

2) Instructors. - Some private schools hire part-time instructors and as a result, the quality of the lessons suffer. Before enrolling, try to get in touch with some of the instructors and see if you are comfortable with the way the lessons are being conducted. If you can't get hold of the instructors, try speaking to students who have attended digital photography lessons at the schools. Usually, they will be able to provide with good feedback.

3) Group size. - This is very important because photography is a rather hands-on subject. That means ideally, the attention of the instructor should not be too scattered. Sometimes, due to demand, schools are tempted to conduct lessons in a larger group size. Of course, if you are looking to attend lessons in a smaller group, be prepared to pay a little more for the lessons.

Popular Modern Artists of This Century

The Twentieth Century had produced many renowned artists who include Painters, Musicians, Instrumentalists, Rock Artists and Sculptors. It has been a decade since the new century was born and many magnanimous and versatile artists have already started to conquer the mindsets of masses. These include artists from US, Europe, Russia, India and Australia.

Beginning with Sculptors, the name of Andy Goldsworthy is significant. He was born in 1956 in Cheshire, UK and is a Photographer and Environmentalist too. He is accredited with producing site-specific sculptures and land arts situated in natural and urban settings. David Hockney, born in 1937 is another leading British artist and has been voted the UK's most popular living artist.

Another name to worth mentioning is Lucian Freud who was born in1922and is possibly Britain's greatest living painter and portrait artist. All his works are protected by international copyright laws until at least 70 years after his death.

Antony Gormley is another sculptor who has explored the human image using his own body as a subject, tool and material over the course of the last 25 years. His work has been exhibited extensively both in the UK (such as the Whitechapel, Tate Modern, Hayward Galleries, British Museum and White Cube) and abroad. Gormley was awarded with the Turner Prize in 1994, South Bank Prize for Visual Art in 1999 and Bernhard Heiliger Award for Sculpture in 2007.

In US, the name of Chuck Thomas Close as a modern painter tops the list. He is known for his self portraits and portrait paintings. Other popular artists from US of international repute are Kiki Smith, Stacy Brown, Irvin Bomb, Kimberly Conrad, Rebecca Darlington, Marcus Jansen, Ray Yano, M.E.Whitehill, Karen Jacobs, Iwaski and Michael Khandros.

Indian contemporary art in the break of 21st century is as varied as it had never been before. From the elitist business houses and royal families, it has now entered the drawing room of the middle class buyers and from domestic market, it is now traveling offshore to fetch immense; often astronomical prices. Some of world famous artists of this century are M.F. Hussein, Jatin Das, Satish Gujral, Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh and A Ramachandran.

Russia too continues it's legacy of artistic richness. Prominent and World famous Russian artists include Alyona Dergiliova, Ilya Kaverznev, Ekaterina Moré, Nataliya Ivanovna Duritskaya, Nikolay Tretyakov.

Marc Riboud, Georges Rousse, Pierre Toutan Dorbec, Bettine Rheims, Ange Leccia and Sophie Calle are World famous French photographers who have been successfully able to transform photography into an art. Popular French artists of 21st century include many heavy weights like Patrick Mimran, Y Liver, Jeylina Ever, Andre Vanden Busshe who is both a sculptor and a Painter. Dominique Sanson (who currently lives in Spain), Jacques Pellegrin and Zaven Pare, Gilles Rouaut, grandson of the famous French artist, George Rouaut are the promising artists from France. From Italy, the land of Picasso, many new artists have come up like Carlo Maria Mariani, Francesco Clemente and Sandro Chia. Popular German artists include Markus Lupertz, Gerhard Richter and Anselm Kiefer.

The list is endless and will be added on to as the years go by.

Great Florida Diving Sites Along the Atlantic Coast

Many open water divers attend Florida diving basically because there are plenty of diving sites found around the coast of Florida. A little known fact is that apart from being located in a nice and warm region, Florida has the longest coastline of all the states in the U.S.

When we first look at the Atlantic coastline you will find a series of reef lines creating an outer reef, inner reef and middle reef. These reefs run along the coastline providing different diving experiences from north of West Palm Beach all the way down the coastline to The Keys. A fantastic event up and down this coast is the perpetual current of warm water which is The Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream runs near to the shores heading north before veering out into the Atlantic. The Gulf Stream provides a cleansing action for the marine bio system and brings with it nutrients which provides essential food for the growing marine system.

Florida diving centers are able to find a variety of dive sites along the coast.

Florida Diving Sites: West Palm Beach - Miami

West Palm Beach has a fantastic variety of dive sites with loads of wrecks to explore such as the Thozina which is just one of three ships making up one dive site known as Governor's River Walk Reef.

In West Palm Beach Florida diving beginners can still enjoy a pulsating experience scuba diving well known reef systems such as Breakers Reef.

Travel south down the coast and you find Ft. Lauderdale. Known as "The Venice of America" this is a wonderful place to visit on any Florida diving trip.

Apart from the canals and waterways Ft. Laud offers extraordinary diving opportunities such as Tenneco Towers or Oil Platforms. Venture further south and you arrive at Miami.

Miami. Culture, fashion, sport and 'er' Army tanks waiting to be explored on the sea floor!

Apart from all the cultural things you can do around Miami on your Florida diving trip there is also a great variety of scuba dive sites that provide novice and experienced divers plenty of chance to have fun.

Florida Diving Sites: Key Largo - Key West

Beyond Miami and travelling further south, no Florida diving schedule would exclude a visit to Key Largo or Key West.

When you catch sight of the vast choice of diving sites available it's easy to see why Key Largo is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world.

The locale around Key Largo is amazing in its diversity with shipwrecks, reefs and caves to be explored. The biggest wreck ever sunk off the coast of Florida is the Spiegel Grove and this challenging dive is rewarded with the astonishing sight of one huge shipwreck now occupied by some very great fish. The are many other ships including the U.S.S. Duane and U.S.S. Bibb which can be dived by less experienced divers.

When it comes to underwater photography or macro photography Molasses Reef provides an interesting opportunity to perform your underwater skills with the shallow waters and amazing marine life providing the fantastic colors and lighting.

Key Largo is the finest known by the Florida diving community for its wide choice of diving sites but Key West is the location to go for the nightlife and culture if you do travel to The Keys.

Key West provides some of the best entertainment in The Keys with the streets full of jugglers, singers and other entertainers going through their routines in the street. With some great dive sites Key West is many peoples favorite destination.

So many places and so little time and what's more we haven't even looked at The Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west coast. That we will do in an additional article.

Photography Career Outlook

Skills Required
A natural inclination towards art and never-ceasing creativity is a high bonus for the working photographer. Having these qualities propels one to increase in experience and jump ranks. Also, the task of dealing with a lot of different people falls in the category of flexibility, therefore acquiring these talents is also a priority. An above average technical know-how of your genre (whether it be Portrait or Nature Photography) is highly prized and expertise in more than one genre is always a good asset to have. A business mind-set as a photographer, apart from the artistic perception, is also an important career building block.

Earnings
Naturally, photographers who work full time or at least have steady salary, tend to earn more than the self employed photographer. Freelance photography can be very hard to sustain financially, as it cuts holes in one's pockets due to upkeep (maintenance and repair). There are a few freelance photographers successful enough to do this but it takes more patience to generate enough profit from the work. Intense planning is needed before thinking about buying expensive cameras and other equipment. The average salary for the photographer is estimated around $27,000 every year, with as high as $50,000 dollar earnings and as low as $15,000.

Working Hours
Obviously, the self employed gains the upper hand with this one. The salaried photographer tends to work irregular hours depending on company projects. Long working nights tend to be random and one must get used to this kind of work ethic. The 40 hour a week estimate is the average 5 day breakdown (depending on the nature and genre of the project). This also tends to vary with different companies so nothing is set in stone.

Discernment
The principle of photography, or the concept and study of it, goes back at least 2500 years. When the first permanent photo was produced in the early 19th century, the world was changed and it catapulted the evolution of human imagination to great heights and branched into multiple forms and ideas, propelling public exposure of entertainment and education onto the greater mainstream. Nowadays, photography has reached a climax wherein it has evolved into a career building opportunity for people who like to observe and capture moments, either professionally or artistically. It is always a good idea to ask other photographers about their careers and ask advice for a better photographer career outlook.

Spot Metering Made Easy Through The Lens For High Dynamic Range Landscapes

One of the most accurate and powerful ways to take meter readings of light through the lens to determine the dynamic range of a scene is spot metering. It can help you produce a correct exposure every single time you press the shutter release button.

If you've struggled to produce photographs that look right in the shadow, midtone and highlight regions then this step-by-step guide can help you get things right.

First, let me clear a misunderstanding about dynamic range which lies amongst many photographers. Dynamic range in photography is the difference in brightness from the lightest highlights to the darkest shadows. Let's say you were shooting a sunset scene where the sky was lit up bright by the sun and the foreground was rendered dark because of its distance from the sun and the low altitude of the sun itself at that time of day. Such scenes have dynamic ranges of several stops.

Photographers spend a lot of time trying to figure out the dynamic range of their digital cameras. This is the wrong line of thought and is completely irrelevant. Think about it. What good is a camera whose dynamic range is nine stops or nine exposure values when the scene's dynamic range is 15EV. In such instances, you can't possibly capture all the light from the lightest lights to the darkest darks using this camera. You will have to use either, a graduated neutral density filter or take two or even three exposures and combine them digitally using software to create a high dynamic range image.

So how can you effectively take meter readings through the lens using your camera's spot meter?

It's not very difficult at all. In fact, once you know how to place the tones in your scene in the right place using your exposure level indicator, taking the two or three required exposures is a breeze. Or if you are going to use a grad filter, the spot meter can help you calculate your exposure values for the foreground and background to determine which grad filter you'll need. Here's how to do it right step-by-step.

1. Set your camera ISO and aperture value - the lowest possible ISO and an aperture of f/16 or f/22 would be a great choice for a landscape scene.

2. Set your camera's Mode Dial to the Manual Mode "M".

3. Set your metering mode to spot metering.

4. Now have a look at your foreground. Ask yourself these questions. is it completely dark? Or just slightly dark? Does it have varying tones of darkness? How brighter do you want it to be so that its details emerge in your final image?

5. Having completed step 4, I generally point the centre spot that I see in my viewfinder to cover a dark area in the foreground and move the exposure level indicator to +2/3EV. I then make a note of the shutter speed. Let's say it is 1/2 seconds.

6. Next, observe your background. In this case, it is the sky. Now ask yourself these questions. How bright is the sky? Is it really bright or is it slightly bright? Does it have varying tones of lightness? Do I want the sky to appear any brighter than it is? Do I want to darken it up slightly because there are some awfully bright highlights in it? When metering the sky, look for a midtone region that you can cover with your centre spot. A mid-blue or a mid-grey cloud would be good. If there isn't one, then look for a bright area that you think should lie at +1EV on your exposure level indicator. Point the centre spot there and move your mode dial until your exposure level indicator is at +1EV. Record your shutter speed. Let's say it is 1/1000 seconds.

7. You now have your two shutter speeds for two separate exposures that you can combine later. Frame your scene with your camera on your tripod. Take one shot at 1/1000 seconds and one at 1/2 seconds. Be careful not to nudge the camera of tripod.

8. Have a look at both images to see if you are happy with the foreground and background detail. Check the histograms to see if there is any clipping on either end. Use a slower than 1/2 second shutter speed to lighten up the foreground even more and faster than 1/1000 second speed to bring in the detail from the lightest highlights.

This is the best way to use your spot meter through the lens. Getting landscape exposures right every time is about getting the right balance between tones in the sky and the foreground. The step-by-step method will give you a head start.

Twenty-First Gifts To Make It Memorable

Twenty-first birthdays are often very clich矇d. They comprise of a party with twenty-one kisses, giant plastic keys, twenty-one shaped balloons etc. All these elements are standard fare, but when it comes to gifts why should you stick to the norm. Twenty-first birthdays are meant to be memorable. They signify they end of your teenage years and the start of adulthood. So when purchasing a gift for your twenty one year old loved one, get them something they will never forget. High street gifts typically include twenty-first photo frames, twenty first pendant necklaces and the ever present bottle of champagne. In order to steer clear of these predictable presents shop online. You need not leave the comfort of your own home and can even do it at your office desk at work (on your lunch break of course!)

Becoming more and more popular for twenty-first birthdays are experience days out. These gift packages cover a wide and vast range of activities suitable as gifts for him or her. For the more adventurous thrill seekers, activities include sky diving, kayaking, abseiling, bungee jumping or even zorbing. Other more relaxing alternatives include spa-pampering packages, makeover sessions followed by professional photography and even cocktail making classes. These days work as vouchers so your loved one can choose when they want to partake in their gift, making it convenient and enjoyable.

If an experience day is a little out of your budget then why not purchase some more personal gifts. Personalised gifts are taking the world by storm and are much more appealing than their generic counterparts. From mugs to photo frames, key rings to paperweights, you will have a vast range of choice. When adding your personal touch to these gifts you can be humorous, sentimental or even just plain cheeky! Mugs featuring semi naked hunks for the birthday girl will always make that cup of tea more exciting or paperweights featuring bikini clad babes will brighten up any birthday boy's day at the office. When personalising you can feature text of your choice, backgrounds and themes. So get your thinking cap on!

Another fantastic personalised option for twenty-first birthdays are photo books. These glossy high quality books will last a lifetime and will be treasured by any birthday boy or girl. You could do a "this is your life theme" by begging childhood photos from your recipients family and adding in your own teenage photos to fill in the gaps. You can add images of favourite film stars, musicians and even song lyrics. You could feature embarrassing stages you both went through, The Spice Girls anyone? You are the key element of a personal gift like this as you are the creator. One look at a personalised gift and your birthday pal will instantly see and appreciate the effort that went into such a thoughtful gift and you can be sure that these gifts will stand the test of time long after the plastic keys and cards stuffed with money are long forgotten about.

Career As a Webmaster

Now with Online world an important element of our everyday life, our reliance upon web pages, whether it is for knowledge, analysis or business objectives, has grown significantly. This has sparked the necessity for web masters. Webmasters somehow are the experts of online world, since they are individuals who produce the web pages that we browse on the internet.

You can be a webmaster by accomplishing an associate or a two-year degree program. Alternatively, if you wish to undertake a more complicated job, then you might require a 4 year bachelor's education.

As a webmaster you may be either doing work for businesses or individuals for managing their sites, or you may be managing the websites for your self. Webmasters execute several tasks, such as making, maintaining, supervising, and safeguarding the websites.

You need to have a wide range of capabilities and skills. This position demands you to regularly improve the websites check them and find out how they may be improved to boost their functionality. Webmasters are required to assist in determining the type of application, server as well as other tools that will be utilized.

Webmasters being employed by organizations or businesses are required to function along with a group of other experts in the company. So, these types of professions need not only specialized know-how but excellent social expertise too.

A webmaster's job criteria consists of numerous tasks, therefore the degree you may need for this career, may vary depending on how skillful you wish to become in your job being a webmaster.

Normally, many webmasters begin their employment even after finishing of a two year degree or an associate degree. Still, many may decide to do a 4 year bachelor's degree in computer systems or computer applications or even some other relevant subjects.

A few can major in Math, that will provide them with greater problem-solving expertise, while a few may perhaps study English language or Art and Design to create excellent content material or structure the websites much better.

Numerous schools, universities and colleges present Webmaster degree programs, which can be coordinated with Web Administration courses.

Currently many organizations are relying on the online world to perform their business. This has introduced a need for webmasters like never before. Job Prospect projects the career prospects for web masters as 'excellent'.

Corporations, business organizations, educational institutions, government departments, and so on offer a variety of employment opportunities for webmasters. Several individuals also decide to work on their own. The normal wage of webmasters is usually around $60,000 annually.

Photo Restoration With Photoshop Elements

This is a review of Photoshop Elements for anyone interested in dabbling with digital photo restoration, photo repairs or photo enhancement while not spending a fortune on full-blown professional digital editing software. When I was first introduced to Elements while doing a photography course it blew my mind to see what you could do with it and that was Photoshop Elements 2 and was a few years ago. There is now a Photoshop Elements 9. Quite honestly, once you buy the software, from version 5 and beyond, I wouldn't recommend buying every new version unless you are a serious, must have the latest software geek or are going to do a lot of digital editing. That said though, each version does have extra little bits which tempt you into upgrading, the prices generally come down when its been on the market for a while so try not to buy straight away unless of course you want to and can afford it. Bear in mind that for the later versions of the software you will need windows vista or windows 7 and a decent processor.

There are lots and lots of things you can do in Elements so I will go through a few here. Firstly you can organise thousands of photos in the organiser, add keyword tags to them so that you can find them easily or find them by time and date, the organiser is excellent once you get the hang of using it.

Second, you can of course resize and crop images but lots of digital editing software packages can do that. Many people like the fact that photo restoration and photo repairs can be undertaken once you get the hang of the basic principles, badly damaged photos are very time consuming to repair though and so if you need a professional please visit my website. Photograph enhancement options are numerous, from quick fixes to digital face lifts, slimming people, colour correction, removing unwanted objects, people, portraiture, sharpening. It's all there once you learn how to use the tools. If you want to be a bit more adventurous you can be creative with Elements and present your work in a professional way, you can add signatures and watermarks. You can turn photos into works of art like watercolours and lots more.

That is Photoshop Elements in a nutshell and I used this software when I was learning digital editing so if you want to give it a go I would highly recommend it. I would also attending workshops or a short course on digital editing through your local colleges or at night school because this will help to give you a grounding in the basics and familiarise yourself with the various tools in the toolbox. If you don't like the idea of that buy a good book. One of the authors I have read in the past is Scott Kelby. He teaches in a fun and informative way and there are lots of step by step guides in his books. I am in the process of writing a book and also do produce eguides if you are interested. I have also published some free teaching videos on YouTube and on my blog so feel free to take a look at them. The main thing to remember is to have fun with digital editing and be creative with it.

WildLife Photography: Pros and Cons

India is amongst the top twelve countries in the world in terms of wildlife and forests depicting 'Mega Diversity'. Remote mountains icy plateaus, moist evergreen foothills, rainforests and dry scrub, deserts, saline flatlands, mangrove swamps, lush mountain forests, grassy meadows, shaded pools of water; tall feathery bamboo all collectively supports an amazing variety of wildlife.

Since centuries ago animals have been worshipped in India for instance elephants are seen as Lord Ganesha and monkeys as Hanumana.

A very large number national parks and sanctuaries have now been established in India to provide natural habitat to animals. "TIGER" is National Animal & "PEACOCK" is National Bird Of India. This is only place in the world where one can see the majestic beauty of Tiger in a single visit of Bandhavgarh, Kanha or Ranthambore National Park. Tiger is now become a Prime animal of India.

Corbett national park -India's oldest national park and Periyar Reserve hosts the home of the Asian Elephants. The Kaziranga in Assam is the homeland of one horned Rhino. Gir forest of Gujrat is now the only place in entire Asia for Asiatic Lion. The world's heritage Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a smattering of wetland attracts some of the greatest congregations of migratory waterfowl.

Its flora comprises 15000 flowering plants that are 6% of the world's total. India's faunal diversity is also high, with its 1178 bird species representing 14% of the world's total. Similarly there are Over 500 species of mammals, 30,000 insects and over 400 varieties of reptiles. In short this sub-continent is a paradise for those who love to observe the grace and beauty of the flora and fauna and for those who want to capture it on film.

With an amazing variety of flora and fauna it is unfortunate to know that around 250 animals are endangered and in need of immediate protection. A few of them like Cheetah have already been extinct and many more are there in the queue surviving woefully on its last legs for instance Tiger, Golden Langur a few varieties of deers and monkeys and certainly some of the birds.

There had been several efforts made by the Indian Government to protect and perverse this rich wildlife and splendid nature. One of the success stories is that of the "Project Tiger" the most spectacular one and the one, which has saved many forests under its wide umbrella. Project Tiger succeeded mainly through the strong, evocative symbol of the tiger itself, in rallying public opinion not in India but worldwide.

In 1972 India declared a number of animals and birds as completely protected and started "project tiger", declaring 11 sanctuaries, reserved forests and national parks for tigers exclusively in the Indian subcontinent. Measures to preserve wildlife taken since independence have been fruitful to some extent. Now we have over 200 sanctuaries, national parks and reserve forests spread all over the country. Some of these are as big as 780 sq. km and the smaller ones around 26 sq.km in area. The majority of these are well connected by road and rail and some even by air. Furnished rooms, dormitories, rest house of the Forest Department and private hotels with all amenities are available. In most of the sanctuaries and national parks, roads are good. In some places there are watchtowers near water holes. Common animals found in abundance.